Chapter three

The cool air conditioning of Miranda's cafe soothed Elena's smooth skin.She had been working in her office for over four hours and went to take a break.She walked up to the cashier to get her lunch break ready.

"Good afternoon.She greeted.

"Good afternoon ma'am.The cashier greeted.

"May I see what you have on the menu?

"Yeah,sure.We have sandwiches, burgers,pizza.Just pick what you want.

"Sure.

"She later picked a burger and a cup of soda.She walked tiredly to her seat.She had been working at least fifty hours a week since she got this job.It has been tiring and energy taking.She had never been this tired since she started earning her first salary.

She bit into her burger with relish and savoured the flavor.She never knew that she had been this hungry and the burger tasted so good.She took a sip from her soda and set the cup on the table.She ate her lunch in silence and went to pay the cashier before plunging back into the hot sun outside and beginning the five minutes walk to the office.

Elena crossed to the other side of the road and began the journey on the sidewalk.She walked as if she wanted to just collapse on the floor and just lie down there.She was so tired and strengthless.And she had more loads of work to cover.The thought of that wanted to make her cry.She turned right sharply to come to the entrance of a skyscraper.She sighed before walking into the building.Immediately she walked in,her best friend, Amanda came towards her.

"What's up bestie?you look drained out.Amanda said.

"Yeah, I'm just so tired.

"Yeah,I see that.You do need a lot of rest.You've been looking tired these days.

"I know, and I'll try to get some too.

"Don't tucker yourself out okay?Take it easy.

"Yeah, thanks.

"You're always welcome.

"I have to get back to the office.I have a lot of work waiting for me.

"Sure,and if you need my help, feel free to call upon me anytime.

"I will put that into consideration.Alright, later.

"Yeah.

"Elena walked to her office and began to sort out the files to work on.

"She needed time••••••••and rest.

The phone rang at Ray's office,he picked it up and checked the caller ID.It was his mom, Alisha Allen.He answered the call.

"Hey,mom.He said in a weary voice.

"Hi,son. What's going on?

"Nothing much.

That doesn't sound convincing.

"Moms.He thought.How do they seem to know when you are holding back?

"Rosetta and I broke up.

Awwn,so sorry to hear that.But why did you break up with her so fast?I thought you loved each other.

"Mom, please that was then not anymore.

"What happened between you two?

Rosetta was cheating on me, Mom.

"Cheating on you,How?

" Mom I caught her and another man making out.

"Oooh, I'm so sorry son.Your father wants to speak to you.

"Hi,Dad.

"Hi,son.How is work?

"Fine, thank you.

"Heard what happened between you and Rosetta.

"Yeah dad, I'm over it already.

"Son,you have to keep pushing forward.To find the perfect match isn't easy.

"Yeah,I know dad.

"So just keep being strong okay.

"Okay dad.

"So when are you coming to visit us? said his mom.

"Mom,I can't give you a date but I will come anytime from next month.

"Next month! that's way too far.

"Mom, It's not.

"It is.When last have you been here?

"Mom,I will be at your house by next month.Just sit back and relax then prepare for my arrival.

"Ok, I will leave you to work now.

"Bye mom, love you.

"Love you too son.

"Bye dad.

"Farewell son, have a nice day.

"And you too dad.

(Hangs up).

Immediately he hanged up,there was a knock on the door.

"Come in.Ray said.

It was Adam.

"Hey man, what's up? Adam said.

"Good.

"So how are you feeling now after the Rosetta incident?

"Well better at least, Could you believe the bitch came here today?

"What? Adam said in shock.

"Yeah,she came here today.

"For what exactly?

"To plead for a second chance of course.

"Then what did you say to her?

"That I don't need her anymore.

"Then what did she do?

"She didn't agree.In fact she tried to forcefully kiss me.She did actually.

"Wait you mean she forcefully kissed you?

"Yeah.But I regained my senses soon enough.

"In that case, thank goodness that you didn't get carried away by her kiss.

"Why did you say so?

"Because you too might have done the forbidden.Then if she gets pregnant, she'll force you to take responsibility.

"Ooo,I see what you mean.

"Yeah.

Immediately,there was a knock on the door.Ray ordered the person to come in.It was Nancy, Ray's secretary.

"Good afternoon sir.Nancy greeted.

"Hey, Nancy, what's up?Any updates?Ray asked.

"Yeah,a lot of them actually.

"Lay it on me then.

"Well,the Mark and Sons limited just sent a letter to us that they will be needing our assistance in developing the Mark and Sons web page for the ordering of their products.

"Ok,so what do they need now?Ray asked.

"A couple of our website developers and the permission to grant the proposal.She replied.

"They have my permission then,send a couple of our best developers to commence activities immediately and send a letter back to Mark and Sons that our developers would be arriving the following week.

"You got it, sir.

"Alright,any more updates?

Nancy began to give the updates.Ray noticed that as they talked, Adam kept staring at Nancy.Few minutes later,they were done and Nancy left.As she walked towards the door,Adam couldn't peel his eyes off her.

"Bro, what's going on?Ray asked as she left.

"Like what? Adam replied still staring at the door as if someone were there.

"The way you were staring at her.

Adam took his focus off the door.

"Oh that? It's nothing.

"What do you mean it's nothing?Ray asked with a suspicious look.

"Bro,I said it's nothing.

"Or do you like her?

"No,ew,I do not like her.It's just•••••••••

"Just what bro?The fact that you are behaving like this shows that you like her.You were technically staring at her the whole time.

"Bro,is it not totally normal to stare at someone like that?

"Bro,I know it's normal to stare at someone.But this particular stare.It's not normal.

"Alright,can we end this discussion here?

"Alright,but I'll let you go for now.I know you like her.

"Ok, enough of this.I'm leaving now.

"C'mon, don't be like that,At least let's go for a lunch break together.

"Now you're talking.Any word about it and I'll leave.

"Yes sir.Ray said with a salute still chuckling.

The two friends went to the elevator, walked out of the building and went to the nearest eatery to get their lunch breaks.

After the lunch break,the two friends departed.Adam went to his car and began to drive to work.

As he drove,his thoughts kept going back to Nancy.The way she talked,the way she moved.The thoughts kept coming back to his head.And each time he caught himself thinking about her,he chastised himself.

"Stop it.you are not supposed to think about any other lady for now.

But his thoughts and his physical self kept having a war with each other.He couldn't get his mind off Nancy.

He needed a woman in his life.