FARIDA

Mondays are not my favorite days of the week. Imagine having the weekends to rest and relax and then boom! Monday pops up out of nowhere, disrupting the perfect and sweet rest you were once accustomed to; for a short period, that is.

The reason why I like Thursdays is simply because they give you an anticipation for Fridays which happen to be the shortest work day. This one is different, though. There has been so much work to be done. Seyi's school does not open on Fridays so she's currently at her Art class, thankfully.

It is 4pm and I am still here, working. This is quite unusual, considering the fact that I am supposed to be resting right now, preparing for the night out with the girls and some of our other friends. It is Bukky's birthday and the most I have been able to do is wish her on the phone. Everything is just so annoying. She has a birthday dinner which I must attend. The Louboutin shoes I ordered is meant to arrive today but I haven't even had time to check the app to know if it is already at the store. Yeah, I ordered a pair for her since she has been eyeing the ones I have for a while now. I know Tamara is going to get jealous, lol.

I am currently shooting daggers at my boss, AKA Tobi, hoping he does not catch on it. This man wants to force his obsession with work on us. Yeah, I am a workaholic but mine is child's play compared to his. Who fixes a meeting for Friday afternoon? With the work load on us.

"Miss. Lawal, what is your take on this?" He asks, directing everyone's attention to me. I am supposed to be good at multitasking when it comes to my thoughts and being in line with my environment. I honestly do not know what he just said but I know this discussion is pertaining the recent Petroleum Industry Bill approved by the government and how we intend to work in accordance with it to our benefit.

The company is thinking of venturing into Natural Gas, seeing as it has prospects and is profitable. I need to say something. I cannot come and fall my hand in the presence of these people. In rank, I am the most junior here. Age-wise too. I am well aware that they are still looking at me, waiting for my response.

"I agree and think it is a profitable sector for us to venture into as profit accrued from it would be huge, placing the company on the map." Yeah, exports are still being considered.

"Yeah, that's an excellent one, Miss. Lawal." So, I did not fall my hand. I could see the smiles on their faces. Behind Tobi's smile, I could see a downcast expression. So, this man wanted me to mess this up? Hohoho! Ntoor. In your face!

The one thing bugging me about this bill is this whole NURC and NMDPRA issue. The fact that NNPC would now become a Private Limited Company is already confusing on its own. The others that would be merged to form NURC and NMDPRA, do they then split their staff according to Upstream and Midstream/Downstream? I guess we will find out as time goes on.

The time the meeting finishes is 5:30 pm. Tobi is picking Seyi today so I'm free to do my waka. I breeze in and out of my office and soon enough, I'm settled in my car, about to leave when I hear a knock on my door. Raising my head, my eyes meet those of Nathaniel, Nate for short. Typical description; Hot and single. And guess what? Well, we'll find out soon. I wind down the window to fake a smile, waiting to hear what he wants to say.

"Hey, Reeda." I internally cringe. Here he goes again, with that nickname I despise. You see, Nate works with one of our partner companies and he just happens to be here at this moment. What kind of annoying coincidence is this one, Dan Allah?

"Hi." I respond, amidst fake smiles.

"It's been a while. I called you yesterday, you didn't pick." Yeah, I did not pick because you are not important.

"Oh. Really? I am sorry. I did not see it. It must be network issues." Typical Nigerian behavior; blame the network for every little thing. I could get an award for best fake smile right now. The irony.

"I wanted to ask you for a date this weekend." This man has finally said it. And the third point that I implied would be stated is out too. He likes me. He has liked me for as long as I can remember. He is a fine specimen of man, he is loaded and is single as a pringle. We have been on two dates and I just don't feel the connection with him.

"Reeda?" He calls out, snatching my mind off where it wandered. Excuses. My brain should come up with something fast.

"Err. Sorry. I have a wedding this weekend." I speak. Hehe, perfect lie.

"Alright, then. Just let me know when you are free."

"Okay." I respond. I wait for him to walk a reasonable distance before winding up the window. I let out a loud hiss afterwards. It's not only let me know when you are free. He is not bad but like I stated earlier, the connection is just not there. Plus, I don't like when men just don't get the memo.

The first stop is the pick-up outlet to claim my package then head back to prepare. I go with a red straight gown with ruffles at the wrist of the single sleeve. The gown is also beaded, further beautifying it.

I finish off my look with a pair of gold Michael Kors heels, touch up my make up and accessorize with matching purse and earrings. Finally ready to leave, I take one quick glance at my figure before stepping out of the room. Tobi is in the sitting room, watching news on BBC. His head turns to look at me the moment he hears the click of my heels which is difficult to conceal.

My palms become sweaty as his gaze sweeps my face down to my whole figure. If I was expecting any reaction from him, he never failed to disappoint as he basically stares and says nothing. Instead, he turns back to continue watching the news. Am I that unappealing? Farida, what is wrong with you? Bounce that thought off your mind, abeg. My inner thoughts scold me aggressively.

Shoulders held high, chin up, I walk out and head straight for my car. Taking off my heels and changing to my pair of flat slip-ons so driving can be more comfortable for me, I start the car and drive out of the compound when I remember that I had left the gift in my room. What even prompted me to take it up? Kai. I hurriedly get off my car and rush up to my room to pick it up. Good thing I had dropped the heels earlier.

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TOBI

I knew the second time she passed but hold my comments to myself because I don't care where she is headed. Besides, it was just a kiss that happened. Why is she acting like it's some sort of big deal when it shouldn't be? I had nothing planned for the evening and actually think the much-needed rest is necessary. So, I just sit and watch the news since Seyi is in her room. Well, that is until I hear a knock by the door. I wonder who that is, though. Not bothering to check, I just open it to see dem boys, which typically includes Joan.

"What are you people doing in my house uninvited?" I ask them, using my body to block the path from which they could come in.

"We brought food." David says.

"And wine too." Joan adds.

"I don't know who told you all that I did not have food in my house." I shrug, note the sarcasm.

Joan seizes the opportunity to run inside and I could see Ayo's eyes following her and smiling. I have been noticing it for some time now. Could it be that he likes her? No way! He quickly averts his eyes from her figure when he sees that he has been caught. No way! This guy likes her. I just smirk at him so he knows that I am in the know. They all get in, making so much noise that Seyi had to come out of her room to see what the cause of the commotion is. When she realizes that it's just my friends, she goes back to her room.

These people, outside they look and behave sophisticated but within this circle, typical noisemakers.

"So, you guys could not link up in one of yous house to play PS, you had to come here." I am still not cool with the fact that they came to disrupt my alone time.

"We are just happy your mom is recovering well. We are here to cheer you up." I withdraw my body that was leaned on the kitchen door as I watch them dominate the place. I just shake my head, not ready to continue this talk with them.

Countless games into their visit and additional pizza orders, it's 10pm already and they are preparing to leave when the door opens and Farida walks in, exhausted.

"Hi. Good evening." All five heads turn to look at her and respond to her. They respond to her greetings with a smile on their faces. One would mistake the smiles for genuine ones but I could detect the mischief beneath them. I watch as their eyes follow her figure till shes out of sight.

Joan jumps in her seat, scooting over to me before nudging me with her elbow and wiggling her eyes at me.

"I have the tea." She grins like a person with the world's biggest trade secret.

"Spill it." David says.

"I never knew you now house women, Tobi." Ayo says and I just roll my eyes.

"It's just one woman."

"And he admits it. Interesting."

"Joan, what's the tea?" Izu asks.

"Remember the lady from his office. The one I told you guys about." She states and they all nod. These people!

"Well, she's the same person." She points out.

"Wow. She's a show stopper." Gideon says and I glare at him.

"Look at him glaring!" Gideon points out and I hiss, slapping his hand off my sides.

They all turn to look at me and burst into laughter. The unspoken questions in their eyes was something I could not miss. So, before they get the wrong impression, I begin to speak.

"She's here because of Seyi. She'll leave once my mom recovers fully." I tell them.

"Yinmu! We know that story." Ayo teases.

"So, you want to tell us that nothing has happened?" Gideon asks. I hesitate, my mind drifting off to the kiss we shared.

"No." I state.

"Bloody liar!" Joan teases and they all burst out in laughter.