Chapter 112

Kelly began to notice that Olivia's calls reduced drastically, he would have tried many times and had access ones or twice. He felt it was network issues, so he wasn't bothered much untill it became a reoccurring decimal. He resorted to using the public phone booths which gave him access. At that point, Olivia would wonder why he wouldn't call with his line, when she asked he always had reasons handy. Olivia accepted his reasons, she was only concerned about being reached not withstanding the avenue through which it was done. She had to take the fact she wasn't able to reach him from her end as being the issues he said he was having network wise. Even though she believed all that he told her, she wasn't comfortable with it at all. Kelly continued his hide and seek tactics just to make sure he spoke to Olivia at the time he scheduled with her. He had suspected that something must have been done somehow and his instinct told him it must be Pauline.

Pauline seemed to notice his off and on movements and excuses, although she never confronted him, she paid some IT expert who bugged almost all Kelly's gadgets including his car and his house. When this wasn't yielding result; because she never knew how and where the calls were made, they had to add some of his shoes and clothes to the bug. This was how she got to know he was still in talking terms with Olivia. She never wanted to give room for a let down on her personality, neither would she want Kelly to feel too important even though he was to her, she had to send one of her friends to him so she would speak some words of wisdom to Kelly. 

Kelly was in the office when Jennifer walked in and introduced herself as such. After the introduction and little chat on work and other general matters, Jennifer brought up issues concerning Pauline, Kelly was confused, he couldn't understand what might have brought about a total stranger talking to him about a relationship which as far as he was concerned he hadn't got into yet, that's if he was going to consider it at all. He had wanted to walk Jennifer out of his office, but on a second thought, he changed his mind and let her finish whatever she was saying. Jennifer made him understand that Pauline was not to be played with, he should not in any way break her heart, cos all the city would come down on him. He should know that every dick and Harry in the city was aware both of them were couple, so as the girls had given way to him, so had the guys also to her. She added that Pauline's family were the owners of the city and wouldn't take any thing that looked like embarrassment. She ended up telling Kelly to reconsider his stand and do the needful to avoid regrets. 

When she was through, she didn't wait for response or answers, she stood up and walked out of the office in a most elegant style. Kelly was left alone, he covered his face with the palms his hands, thinking of what he had got himself into.

At this point, Olivia and Mira were dumbfounded, they were more of sympathetic emotionally, they have come to understand the kind of emotional torture that Kelly must have gone through in the so calls Pauline's hands. Olivia had told Mira to join her for the dinner, she wanted her to hear the remaining gist with her. She had told her part of it as regards the ones she wasn't with her when Kelly told it. Another reason being that all the while, she hadn't been able to figure out what Kelly actually wanted or where the entire story was leading to. She could only guess one thing, and that would be reconciliation. If that be it, she already knew Kelly would've to bear another heartbreak, as whatever he had gone through in Pauline and he family's hands, was in vain. 

They had done with the dinner, all that was left was the drinks. Mira and Olivia were taking Grape wine while Kelly enjoyed his usual Champaign. Chase and Alicia were on one table enjoying their selves, while keeping their eyes on both ladies and the environment for any eventuality. Kelly gulped down the content that was remaining in his cup, he filled it up again.

This is terrible, Mira said. It's emotional blackmail she added

Yes it is, but what can I do? Kelly responded.

Please continue, I am all ears. So what happens next? Olivia asked.

Kelly laughed, took another sip from his cup, cleared his throat and continued.

When Jennifer left Kelly's office, he stayed in that position for sometime, thinking of what next to do, he felt the need to open up to someone, but who would that be he thought. Immediately, he remembered one of his old friends who was residing in Sweden. Kelly and Chamberlain were school mates, they also met when he went for the interview for the work he was into. They were so close that they shared a lot. He felt Chamberlain was the only one he could trust for a good advice and keeping whatever they discussed as secret. He took his car keys dragged his suit along as he walked out of the office, he told his secretary to keep whatever needed his attention on his table. While passing Pauline's office, he stopped and tapped at the door. He didn't wait for response before opening. He had thought Jennifer would be there, his plan was to let them see him, but Pauline was alone. Pauline asked if he was going out for launch, so she would join him. Kelly forcefully held his response which would have been in anger,  he took a deep breath and responded to her mildly, telling her he would be back in few minutes. 

When he left, Pauline put his IT expert on notice so that every gadget would be activated, in case he was going to make a phone call. 

Mira couldn't bear it anymore, she felt very sad that such treatment was given to a human being all in the name of desperation. She felt Kelly was too cool and calm to a fault. 

You would have resigned, Mira said. We would have given you a job. She added.

I understand, I also thought of that, but there is more to it, like I said initially, it is a very long story. I have my leave vacation, so there is enough time to finish the story. Though I wouldn't know about Olivia. 

Olivia looked at her time, she felt one more hour wouldn't be a bad idea, 

Let's have one hour more, she said. 

Kelly took another sip, he asked Mira to do too and suggested it would help her calm down. He continue from where he stopped.

Kelly got into his car, drove out in a high speed. He took the highway, after about 3 to 5 minutes, he negotiated to his right and took another low speed lane which took him to the beach. Once at the beach, he took some sand and threw it to the water as a way of expressing his anger. He then took his phone and called Chamberlain.

One thing Kelly never knew was that after the interview, all the candidates selected for the job where not allowed to communicate to each other, especially letting themselves know thy had been employed. This was why Chamberlain and Kelly never knew where each other worked. So when Kelly decided to call Chamberlain, he never knew he was making a mistake, being that Chamberlain was working in the same company but with the sister branch in Sweden. While the phone, rang, Chamberlain was in the office too, he was with a client so he asked the secretary to pick and let the caller know he was busy and that he would return the call in five minutes. Kelly was glad that it won't take much time so he sat in his car and waited. Meanwhile Pauline had got the line Kelly called, so she quickly checked, to her amusement, it was their company office staff line. She quickly called the office in Sweden through the her official line and asked that she speak with Chamberlain immediately as it was urgent. Her position wasn't such anyone working in the company would disobey her orders, so she was immediately granted access. Chamberlain had to excuse himself from the client when he heard the call was from Pauline, the Group marketing manager. He picked the call and Pauline's voice came through;

I know you are busy with a client, just a quick one. You are about to return a call to one Mr Kelly, remember the office policy. Advice him to do the right thing so that both of you would retain your jobs and continue to enjoy the benefits you have been enjoying, even more. She said. Thank you. Was all she added as she dropped the call. 

Olivia was more of a patient type than the sister Mira, she had observed that Mira wasn't comfortable anymore, so she asked Kelly that the next morning breakfast would be welcomed and would be on her. With that, they all said good night and part ways.