Chapter 03:The invitees

The city of las gidi is busy as usual for a Monday morning. I almost got late to work due to the traffic.

Unlike the usual Monday mornings I do have at work, I guess people decided to stay off the banking premises today.

Except for the pending work on my desk, I have no customers to attend to for the first few hours I got to work. The guy with the cute smile is sort of less busy too.

When should I approach him to invite him for the dinner party? What do I say first? Mark looks like an introverted person who might not really like parties. Nevertheless I will give it a try.

Despite my intentional eye gaze towards him, it just seems like he is deliberately not looking towards my direction. Maybe he is not in a good mood, because I haven't caught any of those relieving smiles today.

I had plans to say 'hello' after work today. Maybe I could kick start my conversation from there—that's if his replies are welcoming though. Customers are beginning to troop in gradually. And it's just like they all fixed a meeting time.

I have to focus on work while I suspend every other thoughts.

It's few minutes to 3pm and it started to rain. I saw few customers walk in with wet cloths. I just hope it stops early. The traffic is definitely going to be terrible since it has rained.

I caught a glimpse of Mark standing up from his desk just few minutes before 4pm. I hurriedly finished up with the last customer I was attending to.

"He must have gone to the restroom" I said silently to myself.

Just as I was about to step out of the office I saw mark drive out of the premises.

"Wow!" I exclaimed as I watch him drive off. He must have caught a glimpse of me watching him in his rear mirror.

Why didn't I wave at him to stop? Nah, I'm not a person to dish and feed men's ego. I want to invite him for a party not beg him to attend—so I mustn't let it look like it.

The road is quite free compared to what I thought.

"What is this sweet smell I'm perceiving? I said as I opened the door of my apartment.

Zara is up to something.

"Welcome honey."

"What are you cooking madam?" I asked teasingly.

"I decided to make your Favorite. Considering you might be very tired by the time you get back."

This girl is just a darling.

"Can I just marry you pls?" I asked as I hopped to hug her.

Plantain and fried egg is my all time favorite. I have different recipes when it comes to cooking plantain and fried egg. I never miss out on the extra garnishing that comes with each recipe.

"You should go take a shower first." She said as she heads back to the kitchen.

"Okay mummy." I replied joyfully as I hopped towards my room like a child who just got a box of chocolates—oh well that's my own chocolate. Hahaha.

I need to tell Zara about this cute guy at work. It feels different thinking of him compared to thinking of other men I have met at work. I have few other colleagues that are men and trust me they are cute and handsome too. But something just feels different about this guy—Not what you are thinking. I'm not falling for him.

"So there is this guy at work I'm thinking of inviting to the party" I said to Zara as I joined her in the kitchen.

"Really? Is he a close friend at work?" She asked with a puzzled face.

"Not a close friend but he just has this cool personality that resonates with me." I said as I picked up a slice of plantain to eat.

"Hmmm. Sounds like you really like this guy. Winks"

"Of course I like most of my colleagues. Except the annoying ones" I replied.

"What's his name?"

"Mark." I responded.

By the end of this conversation I had already eaten almost half of what is in the plate. I really love plantains.

We need to reach out to the print man to ask when we will be getting the invite permit—this is just to make sure we don't end up having more than the numbers of guest we are preparing for. My cousin coming can bring a whole football team with subs if care is not taken, which makes the invite permit a necessity.

Zara told me the manager of the venue we picked has confirmed our booking earlier today. The food, drinks and small chops has been paid for by Zara—I know she is a darling.

I need to see my designer on my way back from work the next day and also book a spa appointment against weekend. It's less than two weeks to my birthday. I have to get things in place as fast as possible to avoid omitting anything on our planned list.

I have ordered most of the items I need for the rejuvenation of my bedroom and they should be delivered in three days times. The painter would come in to work on the coming Saturday just before I go for my spa appointment.

The only thing I haven't figured out yet is my hairstyle for the day. I will figure it out eventually—I always do.

Zara mentioned she was going to see Dave this evening.

"So when are you going out?" I asked.

"6pm." She responded.

Hun"Let me go check out few videos on YouTube to help out in my room decor arrangement." I said as I left her to prepare for her outing.

I must say my love for interiors is making me learn so much on interior decoration and I'm so loving it! I checked out few videos on how to space-fully arrange décor items in the bedroom without giving it this choking appearance. I got to see new beautiful props for bedroom décor as well and I might just add it to my coming orders. There is this sweet feeling that comes with my love for beautiful spaces— I might just consider venturing into it as a source of livelihood.

It's a Tuesday morning and the normal work routine of attending to a long queue of customers had started. Everyone had all hands on deck. I hardly looked up throughout the whole working hours. Mr cute smile has been busy too.

Guess who said hello when I was about stepping out of the office when we closed!?— Mr cute smile.

"Hello Biara." He greeted with a smile on his face.

Yeah that's my name—Biaraoluwatiri

"Hi Mark." I responded trying hard to suppress my wide grin.

What is it with this excitement bubbling in me—Behave yourself Biara.

"I caught a glimpse of you watching me drive off yesterday….. "

Oh my! He saw me. Just like I thought.

"Oh yeah.. erm..erm.."

Oh good lord! Why am i stammering? I hope this conversation ends well.

"Okayyyyyyy" He said slowly trying to figure out what I was about to say.

Forget it man, I'm not about to hit on you—seems like it but it's not.

"Oh yeah so I was thinking I could invite you to my birthday dinner next week." I said almost in a rush.

Did that even come out well? Wew!

"Really. That's really nice. What date is it? He asked inquisitively.

"26th"

"Oops. I'm sorry I have to be somewhere that particular date."

I felt my spirit leaving my body the moment I heard his reply—I have finally disgraced my ancestors. This is the moment I need me to try as hard as possible not to show being affected by his turn down

"Oh really. There is no problem then." I replied

Is there really no problem—I can't say yet. I need my brain to process the reply and how it affects me. Not like his presence is really paramount but there is just something about his presence that makes me relaxing—It's definitely his aura.

I left with a forced smile.

"Do you mind if I drop you off?" He asked.

Drop me off? Excuse me sir I need time to cool off and it's definitely not in your car.

"Oh there is no need, as my cab is almost here. Thank you." I replied with a genuine smile this time.

My cab arrived few minutes after he left. I guess the traffic now works with my mind and knows when I need to get home asap—as there was no traffic on my way home.

Zara is not home. Where could she have gone?

Leaving home this morning she didn't tell me she will be going out. Just as I was about picking up my phone to dial her her number she walked in carrying a shopping bag.

"You went shopping?" I asked.

"Yeah. I decided to go get us some groceries in the supermarket the next street." She replied putting down the stuffs she went to buy.

"How was work today."

"Not bad bad."

"But bad? What happened at work?"

" Mr cute smile turned down my invitation. I guess he has somewhere more important to be."

"Ohhh ohh. Is that why your mood is down?" She asked.

"Not really, I just feel maybe I over stepped my boundaries by inviting him."

"I'm sure he doesn't mean to make you feel this way. Maybe he really has to be at the mentioned place."

To be continued….

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