Chapter 20

"May I have a moment with you, Eric?"

The lady tossed her head sideways as though she was going to listen attentively to something.

Eric wanted to turn it down. He didn't have the strength for that but he shouldn't turn it down.

Not when Joyce was there. She was a hell of a lady.

"Alright."

He muttered. He wasn't even sure if he heard what he had said himself.

The lady was Ishbelle's friend. The naughty one he had once met. The hot lady who almost made him miserable the first day at her workplace.

He stood up.

"My room, please."

He said as she edged towards the door which led to the exit.

She turned and walked behind him. He got to the door, opened and slammed it before she could enter.

The lady was shocked but got the door herself.

"Eric used to be a gentle man!"

Joyce called.

"You have no idea what he's going through."

Eric's mom said chewing on the MacDonald's. Her robust mass shifting on the large chair.

If there were many people in the room, probably they would have to sit on the floor.

The lady entered into his room and saw him seated on the bed.

"Mr Eric, You don't wanna have a conversation with me?"

She queried. She walked closer to him paying no attention to the room. She thought he had acted that way because of how she had behaved in the elevator.

"Sorry that happened, haven't been myself lately."

He defended but he didn't know how to explain to her.

"You should find someone you trust and confide in. Your mom should be a better option."

He scoffed. He looked at her. She was towering over him. He tapped the side next to him as she assumed a position.

"How do I explain? If I tell you that I didn't slam the door, would you believe me?"

She looked at him sternly. She shook her head gently. Twas hard to tell if that was in disapproval or a bid to process it.

"Make me believe."

She said. He was intrigued. He didn't know whether or not to continue with her. Well, should do him no harm.

"Been seeing Ishbelle lately."

He said. She tossed her head sideways again as she had done earlier.

"Hallucination, Space-shifing or -- sorry, I'm bad at guesses."

He smiled. He hadn't done that in a long while. He didn't know why he did.

"No. Dreams. Had a dream that we got married. Like we had a wedding ceremony, you know."

He said. She didn't seem convinced. He could tell from the face she was wearing.

"That could be because you loved her so much. And believe me, she really did love you too."

She said. He knew she wasn't convinced. He didn't want to have the conversation anymore.

He nodded slightly and said,

"You wanted us to talk."

She stood up immediately, her gown skimping. He didn't look.

"We have a surprise for you at our workplace in loving memory and honour of Ishbelle."

She said.

He nodded his head and walked to the door. He opened and watched her walk out.

"We'll expect you."

She said slightly shocked. He nodded again.

"Please tell them I wanna sleep."

He said. She wanted to ask who but remembered the battalion at the sitting room.

He locked the door and swung himself into the bed.

"No slamming this time."

He heard Joyce call.