What is happening today?

I left my office with a pale face as the thoughts of me working with that crocket was digging right into my bone marrows.

I was so lost on the way that I stumbled against a worker making my files to fall. I immediately excused myself and picked them up before walking to my sit.

The was no way I could concentrate on my work without letting this out of me. I made a video call with my girls.

Putting my headset on, I placed them on the timeline and they connected instantly.

The first person I got on was Apriva. She was a single one. She didn't have much doing at the moment so, it was easy to get here this morning. The second was Katty. She had a good job and was successful in it alongside her fiancé. But apparently, she's always on her laptop working on her projects. Hence, could be reached. Ciara was the one I connected with last. She is a single mom and has a good job enough to mend her family. She has so many choices to do. You know what I mean.

They were busy with other things yet they gave their attention. Ciara was driving her son to school, Katty was typing something on her screen while Apriva was making herself breakfast. The lazy one I guess.

"I don't know what led me to respond but I don't think it's something what hearing for the day" Ciara spoke first

Ciara is the most susceptible amongst us. Since she became a mom to her lovely son, she became a mom to us. She always knows how to tell if something will work or not and gives us very surprising advice. For sure by now we're already used to that.

"If Ciara says this, then something is wrong" Apriva took over cracking eggs into a bowl.

"We don't need to think father because her expression speaks louder than words" Katty finalized and they gave me one more gape.

"Alright guys, nice guess, and yes, something wrong. I just saw the last person I bet with my life never to see," I uttered

They kept silent for a moment while staring at each other through the screen. Apriva knitted the flesh beneath her hair "You mean Lewis..."

"No way! I'll kill him if he was the one" Katty rebuked Apriva's terms

Lewis was a friend of Katty and I knew him when I went out for dinner at a restaurant with the girls. Katty introduced me to him. Since then, he has been stalking me like crazy. It went to the extent that he came to Katty's house uninvited just so he could see me.

When I told Katty about it, she was very mad and cut friendship with the guy because she felt he didn't have good intentions towards me and I felt the same.

Though I pictured him weird like he can't kill a fly, it was fun knowing he ended up getting a newbie at Katty's school pregnant. That was devastating to know because the young girl was ignorant. And we all detested Lewis for that.

Bringing us back to what made Apriva mention his name. I just sat there waiting for them to hit their heads about who it could be and after a few guesses and uncalled arguments, I revealed his name.

"Slow down girls. I was talking of Leonel"

The grew another ultimate silence. But this time I felt like everyone around me heard what I just said.

While Apriva and Ciara were frozen, Katty rubbed her palms on her face. I understood they felt so choked up just like I was because they were my savior in trials. So, hearing that he is back, and knows where I work, really makes them feel as to murder him.

"I know that was bad news...but there is something even worse" I continued

They just looked at me anxiously.

"Well, he proposed to my boss about transferring me to the main branch. So I will be working under him. Whatever it is, I will never be interested. However, I had to say yes- " I didn't complete my statement when Katty recited

"Are kidding me!?"

"You said yes!?" Apriva added

"I said yes not because I wanted to work with him or I had no choice. Maybe at some point yeah I don't have a choice but that wasn't why. This is more than me to understand. I keep asking myself how I got here and why the hell I hurried up to work! I could have just stayed back"

"Of course you took a taxi. It dropped you at work- "Katty responded flipping her PC aside which is a sign she's losing control.

Whenever Katty gets sensational over a serious conversation, means she's very vexed.

"End of drama Kat" That's a short form of her name "I understand your emotions right now but I'm more emotional presently than you can ever imagine. I should be turning tables and for God's sake the man in there just walked back into my life! Yet, I'm keeping my pace just because you guys are here for me. I thought of informing you all before I lose my mind. And your actions are not helping."

"I'm sorry" she apologized. Apriva and Ciara stared silently with pale faces before Ciara cleared her throat packing in front of a building. Her office.

"What does he want from you?"

"That's the same question I asked me before calling" I replied leaning my chin on my intertwine hands. My elbow was supported on my desk.

"Can you please stop dazing while your meal is cooking. I can get the smell of burns from there" Katty mentioned to Apriva who left her eggs on fire.

Apriva hurriedly turned around and cursed within her breath.

I wasn't in the mood to giggle but I had to after she showed the burned eggs she took forever to make. Ciara laughed not caring about the non-moody state we were in, Apriva gave her a silent but informative look which caused her to slowly hold her voice.

"Not wanting to take any more of your time, this was the reason I called you all. And I think I'm better now after letting these words out." I concluded noticing Ciara had to head to work and Apriva had just burned her meal while Katty is already defocuse. I'm not sure she will fully concentrate on her projects after this.

Suddenly Katty rolled her eyes to my side at the back of me as though she was staring at someone with disgust. She alerted me someone was coming and I didn't have to turn around to know who it was. I told them a swift bye and placed my hands on my keyboard faking to type something out.

Just as I guessed, Leonel was living with my boss and his men. He stopped in front of me and I could feel his intense glimpse from my side. I didn't dare to look left or right. My neck was straight and steady like a molded block. He just got faded waiting to meet eyes with mine and left.

I sigh in relief at my fulfillment. He was distant from my desk.

Suddenly, my mind came back to the present. And I fixed my gaze on the pile of work awaiting me. Without lingering longer, I kept my depressing thoughts aside, picked up a file, and began typing. Plopping my complete attention.

During lunch, I went to my usual restaurant and got something for myself and a cold drink since the temperature was high as Fuck.

All the while, I couldn't stop thinking of what happened this morning including why my mom called suddenly. Recognizing I didn't tell my girls about this, I decided I will tell them later this evening putting a burger in my mouth and chewing as a coded being.

Anyone who matched in and saw me would definitely feel I had several thoughts running in my mind. From how I ate and dazed in a particular direction for long before taking another bite. I just didn't care though. I couldn't pretend everything was fine even if I tried hard.

I was done with my lunch so, called a servicer to pay my bill when a young lady walked towards me with a grin curved on her face.

"Yes ma'am" she responded sweetly

I handed her money. She hesitated to look at it as though it was gold then said "I'm sorry ma'am but someone paid for your bills"

I froze for a sec. While my eyes blinked unconditionally << What is she saying? >>

This isn't my first time coming here. And even if it was, I don't know anyone here. Just once a while that Apriva, Katty, or Ciara comes to surprise me during lunch and I used to do the same for them when my schedule is free.

So, this was illogical to know some strange person came and paid my bills without my knowledge. Which of course my response would be a big NO!

Without hesitating, I responded shortly, "I can't accept that. Just hold this for your feeding if you don't want to collect it for your bills"

"Uhh... as much as I'll be pleased to receive this, it's going to ruin my stay here. I just began working and I don't want to get sacked. Please ma'am just accept what has been done. Maybe next time, when he comes, we'll deny his offer or you could officially meet him and talk to him about it" she replied politely.

I couldn't resist after she said that. She was young and, made me recall my condition when I was driven from home. So, me being the reason for her downfall will make me the devil's right hand.

I didn't reply to her but I withdrew my hand along with the money I had to pay.

"Could you describe how he looked like?" I inquired in acknowledgment that this man could be Leonel.

But the description I got from her was nothing like Leonel so, I rested my case, picked my stuff, and headed out.

I just can't understand what is happening today. Firstly, I get a strange call from my mom, secondly, the most irritating person in my life show up at my job site, and it turns out for some considerable reason, I accept his offer and now, my bill was paid by a stranger.

To be continued...