FARIDA

Grinnnnnnnn!

Ah!

This stupid alarm does not have respect. How dare it disturb my sweet sleep? It is when I am at the peak of my sleep that it decides to ring. My hand goes up my bedside locker to turn it off. Five minutes later, it goes off again. I thought I turned this damn thing off!

Wait a minute. I broke my phone last night amidst anger. So, why is the alarm ringing? Quickly, my head jerks up and I see a phone pack with a sticky note on it.

You are the most annoying person I have ever met.

The phone is yours.

-Tamara.

Wow. Seriously? I don't deserve these ladies. Immediately, I get off my bed and sprint out of my room, down the stairs. I am all smiles when I get down, however, remembering the circumstances with which we all parted ways last night, my steps on their own accord starts to slow down.

Bukky acts like she did not notice my presence while Tamara is in the kitchen, cooking. Like Bukky, she completely ignores me when our eyes meet. I walk hurriedly to hug behind her.

"Thank you." I state and she goes on ignoring me.

"Tam, I am sorry." I say with puckered lips.

"When you are in your feelings, you just lash out anyhow. It's annoying, jare." She points out. I agree, though. It's now that it's dawning on me that I over reacted.

"Bukky..": I skip to where this one is. She's a tougher nut top crack.

"I am sorry." She surprisingly nods, still giving me the silent treatment. After several apologies that involved me fooling myself, she finally smiles and hugs me, warning to control my temper and also reminding me never to vent about Tobi to her, again. Well, I guess that will never happen because henceforth, Semilore is the person he'll keep meeting with. I transferred all dealings that had to do with him to her. She is in charge of that particular venue and will be in touch with him henceforth.

"Tam Tam. Thanks for the new phone."

"You're welcome. You owe me one." I just chuckle and nod my head, knowing fully well that she's not serious about that aspect.

The office did not require my presence today, so staying at home it is. By 8am, Tamara and Bukky are already out for work, leaving me alone. I have been thinking about another business idea, something around shoes. I want to have my own shoe brand that sells here in Nigeria, for a start.

Taking out my Campus Report Pad, I start jotting down random thoughts on how the brand should be, what sort of presence I want to have in Nigeria, what I want my brand to represent and also, funny enough, what sort of logo I want. This point gets me stuck and I just sigh, wiping off the sweat on my forehead before heading to pick a bottle of water from the fridge.

I make a mental note to conduct appropriate research for the necessary procedures involved and if possible, travel to learn more about this sort of business. Brands like ShoesbyFlora are already in existence and I need to know the basic facts involved because anything I set my mind to, I have to put in the work for its to be a long-term stuff.

The balcony is where my feet lands as I admire the view from here. The pool downstairs tempts me but I resist the urge to swim. Instead, I just lay on the long chair, taking a quick nap.

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TOBI

"If that is all, Sir. We would get into action immediately." The woman whose name I later found out to be Mrs. Semilore on the day we first met, states.

"Ohit would be my pleasure. Please, go ahead." I state, smiling. After a brief handshake, she turns to take her leave but I stop her.

"Not to be a bother, but is your boss around?" Sometimes my curiosity gets the best of me.

"Yes, Sir. She is." She answers.

"I would love to have a word with her." Stating my reason in the most professional voice I could muster.

"Alright. Her office is on the 4th floor." I nod and straighten my suit, before taking the lift there. The floor has just a reception and one office which I guess is hers. Don't ask me how but I successfully maneuvered the secretary and make my way in.

"Tamara, the day you will learn how to knock, heaven will fall that day. Bukky, you have also decided to join her in this her no-knocking nonsense." She reprimands without looking up. I stifle a chuckle before speaking.

"I don't see any Tamara or Bukky here." I state. She stiffens a little before looking up and I register shock on her face. She then hisses lowly before forcing a smile.

"Good day, Mr. Bankole." She voices out. Such a drama queen.

"May I?" I ask, making a hand gesture to the seat opposite her. She clears her throat before muttering a sure.

"Have you been attended to?" She asks. I know she is trying to draw a line of professionalism between us.

"Yes, she has. We have concluded on the plans and what needs to be put in place before my Interior décor guys come in to do their work." I state, calmly.

"Oh..great." She feigns a smile, adjusting her hair behind her ear.

"Yes. So, are you free this evening?" I ask her and I notice her smile disappear from her lips.

"Depends on who is asking." She states.

"Well, I am."

"Then, Mr. Bankole, I'm not." She answers.

"Come on, Farida. It's one harmless date." She looks at me sternly and continues writing on her jot pad like there's nobody speaking to her.

"Farida." I call again after a few seconds.

"Look, I don't mix business and pleasure." She states.

"Yes, but you already made it easier by giving the responsibilities to someone else." I point out.

"As it should be." Which is the fact but I still have to push my luck.

"Besides, need I remind you that I own this place?" Smart mouth, always.

"Alright. I'll leave." She seems stunned but not even prepared for the next thing I intend to do. In a swift motion, I grab her pen off her hand, leaving her more stunned than she previously was.

"Tobi, give me my pen." She warns, stretching out her palm.

"Come and get it." I state, watching her eyes follow my hand that has successfully placed her pen in my suit pocket.

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FARIDA

Sometimes I wonder if there is a being that watches me from afar and inserts trouble whenever I try to find little peace, because what the hell is Tobi looking for in my office? What charms did he even pull to be able to bypass my stoic and uptight secretary?

Now, he is asking for a date. To top it all, he is now in possession of my pen and is not willing to give a fair chance at retrieving it. This man does not know me sha. I am not scared of him. I hiss, putting on my shoes. Walking towards where he is, his eyes are trained on me as a smirk dance on the corner of his lips.

"Pick your pen yourself." He says. My hand reaches for where he kept it and he immediately covers my hand in his, pulling to his chest. A part of my head screams HARRASMENT! But the other part still seems confused.

"I don't like you at all, Farida." He says, leaning in.

"Me neither." I breath out, now a nervous wreck.

"Oh, really?" He asks, eyebrows raised, tilting his head.

"Yeah." My words are swallowed in as he claims my mouth in his, for a quick kiss. It got my toes curled even though it was a short one.

"See you by 8pm." He winks at me. I could not respond because he basically rendered me speechless.

"I'll text you the venue, don't worry." He states.

"Or on a better note, send your address. I will come pick you up." He pecks me on the cheeks before letting go and with that, takes his leave from my office.

EMERGENCY! YOU GUYS NEED TO SHOW UP NOW!

I sharply text in our group chat.

The two amebos waste no time in showing up. Shey if they had come in as expected earlier, Tobi would not have barged in like that. Well, barging in makes it look like he applied so much pressure. It's more like walking in.

"You said there was an emergency. We brought popcorn." Bukky tosses a bag of popcorn to me.

"So, what's up?" They both ask at the same time and I glare at them before slowly narrating all that happened.

"So, have you texted him the address?" Tamara asks calmly. Bukky is busy on her phone.

"No."

"Why?" Bukky asks. I thought her attention was not here.

"I don't know if I'm going." I shrug.

"When I just finished booking your dress appointment." My eyes widen at her revelation.

"Dress appointment ke?" I ask her, to which she shrugs.

"Ehen? You need a dress for tonight." She states.

"And did I say I was going?" I ask her.

"Mtcheew. Farida, if you haven't considered going, you wouldn't have called us here. Pack your bag and stop wasting time." Tamara is here, giggling. I mouth help to her and she shakes her head in disagreement.

"Text him our address on the way. Except you want me to do it for you." Tamara says.

"We are getting you prepped for tonight, babes. Time to turn some heads!" Bukky states in excitement as we head out.

Glossary:
Amebos- gossips