CHAPTER FIVE

  Right now, I wanted to know who Eric Benjamin really is. Everyone at the company seems to be scared of him and he also does not trust anyone either.

  I got home and Rita was not back yet. I went into my room, removed my clothes and took a quick bath. I was still in the shower when someone entered.

   After bathing, I went to my room and wore my night gown. I looked at myself in the mirror, admiring my body as I thought of the body cream to buy for my skin. My phone rang and I checked the ID caller, it was my Mum. I answered it.

   "Good evening Mum"

   "Hannah, how was work?"

   "It was fine. It went well"

   "I'm so happy for you oh, in this country where it's hard for graduates to see a job. You've gotten one in a big popular company too"

   "I'm grateful to God"

   "Is everything okay over there?"

   "Yes"

    "And that your roommate?"

   I knew she had a disgusted look on her face already.

   "Mum, Rita is fine"

   "I hope she wasn't jealous or...."

   "Mum..." I interrupted her "....Rita is not a bad person. She's just saucy and acts like a rich kid"

   "I don't like that girl"

   "She has helped me a lot Mum. We've been friends for a long time now"

   "If you say so, just stay safe alright?"

    "I will Mum, how is everyone?"

    "They are fine"

    "Alright, goodnight Mum"

    "Okay" She ended the call and I heard someone at the door.

   I went out of my room and saw Rita closing the door and sitting on a sofa chair tiredly.

   "Rita..." I walked up to her and she smiled widely at me.

   "How things na? How was work?"

   I sighed relieved because she wasn't in a good mood in the morning.

   "Work was somehow, my boss...."

   Someone knocked on the door and I stood up and opened the door, my best friend Henry entered and pulled me into a hug. His Cologne filled the living room. He released me from his grip and I looked at Rita who was smiling awkwardly at both of us.

   Henry sat beside Rita "You just dey shine" He said to her and she laughed.

   I locked the door and went to sit on a sofa chair.

   "Tell that to your crush" Rita eyed him and I frowned at her.

   "Rita, who are you talking of?" I asked her and she looked away.

   Henry chuckled and looked at me "Hannah, how was work?"

   I sighed loudly remembering my boss "So awful!"

   Rita looked at me in shock "How was it awful?"

   "Rita, my boss is problematic"

   Henry knitted his eyebrows and focused on me with a serious expression "Did he try to harass you or what? If he did I'm going to teach him a big lesson"

   "Henry calm down, I never said he did that. It's just that, he's kind of too demanding"

   "Demanding of what exactly?" Rita asked "What did he do?"

   "He's just scary to me and has lots of rules on who I talk to and all that"

   "Nawa oh, is he a tyrant? How old is the fool?" Henry asked angrily.

   "Henry..." I looked at him and shook my head "...calm down"

   "I'm sure he's an old man. Leave that job if he's being disrespectful" He continued.

   Rita looked at him "Do you know the company she walks for?"

   I didn't tell Henry the company because it skipped my mind.

   "Which company?"

   "Eric Benjamin company"

   He widened his eyes "Seriously!"

   "Yes"

   He then looked at me "Why didn't you tell me it's that company. Wow, Hannah I'm so happy for you"

   I smiled "I'm happy too but it's not like my boss is a pervert. He barely looks at me sef, he's just too demanding and told me not to be friends with the other secretaries"

   Rita raised an eyebrow "Why does this remind me of Eric?"

   "Who do you work for in the company, Hannah?"

   "The CEO"

   Rita gasped and Henry started laughing "You're joking right?"

   I shook my head.

   Rita widened her eyes at me "You're lucky, girl. Eric is your boss?"

   "I was shocked too"

   "Um....I hope he's nice to you" Henry said.

   "I don't know about that yet, I hope I can earn his trust that's what matters"

    Rita smiled and stood up "Let me take a quick bath first okay?" She stood up "It's like Henry wants me to leave sef so you two can talk"

   He laughed and I smiled at her.

   "Rita, it's not like that" Henry told her but she waved him off and went to her room.

   Henry came and sat close to me "Hannah, you haven't given me your answer yet"

   Henry had asked me out last week. He's been my bestie since 100lvl but I've always noticed he had feelings for me. The guys I dated in university, all were not faithful and even though I dated them with an intention of getting married, I knew I couldn't marry a man who was not satisfied with just me alone.

   I'm twenty three years but still a virgin.

   I smiled at Henry "You've been my best friend for years now, Henry. I don't see you like a lover"

   "I know..." He said softly and held my hand "...Hannah, I know you will still love me. I'm willing to wait for you to love me"

   I sighed "You're willing to wait till when, Henry?"

   "For as long as you want. I'm not rushing to anywhere. See, Hannah..." He paused and squeezed my hand softly "....I've seen how you are. You're the first lady I've seen with a good character, I don't want to lose you. I want you as my wife. I'm willing to do everything so you can be comfortable"

   "I know Henry, you're hardworking and all. If you weren't, you wouldn't have already bought a car and house in such a short period of time, but I can't force myself to see you that way"

   "That's why I said, I'm ready to wait. I will wait"

   "Alright"

  Henry had been showering with gifts and money since school days. He once paid my lodge rent in school and refused to collect back the money when my Dad heard about it and insisted on paying him back.

   My parents loves him and he's been a huge help to us but I don't just love him and I can't marry him because of pity or money.

   I just can't.

.......

To be continued....