Chapter THREE

*sola* (pov) 

I woke up with a jolt. My forehead was beaded with thick sweat that was trickling down my damp face. 

  I rubbed the back of my palm over my forehead to ease the headache that was already forming because of the nightmare I just woke up from. 

I was a bit shocked. I usually had pleasant dreams of when my parents were still alive and when we were always happy, going to the market with my mother and coming back home to arrange and plan the type of pranks we would play on my father. 

But, tonight was different. I glanced at the clock on the opposite wall. 2:20AM it read. 

I cleaned my forehead again, with my arm. I hadn't had a nightmare in months, or even in a year. Not like I loved the dreams I was always having, but this nightmare was one of my scariest nightmares. 

I remember how I would jump up from sleep crying and kicking from fear of those reality-looking nightmares where it was like I relived the accident with my parents all over again. 

Even though i tried to block out the images from my mind, they were there nevertheless. Even more clearer now that I woke up from the terrible dream. 

The accident had been a terrible, terrible mistake. What wasn't suppose to happen. But unfortunately, some things couldn't be controlled. 

I remember the morning before the accident. When my dad, Mr Ade Ojo, had surprised me with the new already made beautiful, red gown he got for me the night before as a pleasant surprise. 

We were going for my dad's youngest sister's wedding at ikeja, Lagos. 

My father had promised to get me a new pair of shoes, but instead I had gotten a new gown. I remember being so excited and happy.

"Ade, please let's just take a taxi instead of waiting for hours knowing we might not get a bus." my mom had complained to my dad after we had stood on the main road for over 25 minutes, waiting for a bus to ikeja. 

 "I was hoping to cut the cost so we'll have enough change for later, but okay. We can't afford to be too late" My dad had reluctantly agreed. 

I remember being being very happy because I always hated traveling through public transport.

Not knowing I would later wish we had entered the public transport. The pain of regret washed through my body again, making me clutch my pillow beside me hard. 

  My dad had noticed that the taxi driver had been acting drunk, but my mom, in haste, had forced him to over look it. 

When the accident happened, I was fast asleep and I didn't come to, Not until I was in the hospital bed. 

But I roughly remembered my mother's screams and how she she had quickly grabbed me and pushed me under the car seat, shielding me while the car must have been tumbling crazily. I didn't get to see her face before she left me, and I didn't get to hug my father before he left me. 

I sighed and closed my eyes, lying down on my bed. 

                                  ...............................

"Sola! Sola!" It was Clara screaming my name from her office for the third time today. I have always hated Mondays. 

I groaned as I stood up and went straight to her office. 

"Clara, your intercom works very well, why the hell are you always shouting my name from the other side of the building!?" I said to her in annoyance. 

"Babe, babe, guess what? Just guess!" Clara was practically jumping, I was staring at her with my eyes narrowed, wondering what was up her sleeves again. 

"You've been shouting my name for me to come and guess what?" 

Clara giggled lightly at my chastening tone. 

"Sola, just guess nau, don't let this gist get cold ah!" 

I folded my hands in front of my chest and glared at her. 

"What? You won a lottery?" 

Clara's smile froze and she groaned while rubbing her temples in an expression that Said: this-girl-is-dumb. 

"No. Dummy. You remember that guy I've been telling you about? The one online that owns an oil company?" 

She has started again. I said to myself inwardly. 

"No, Clara. I don't remember." I just wanted to get back to work, I didn't have time for Clara's meaningless gists. 

"Well.. We're meeting tonight for our first date!" 

"Date? Clara, you don't even know this person from anywhere. Are you sure you're okay?" 

"Yes, Sola. I'm okay. And I know him. His name is clement and he's super rich and he wants me!" Clara replied with so much enthusiasm. 

"Lemme see his picture first." I said as I walked over to her and stretched out my hand to collect her phone. 

She clicked on his profile and handed the phone over to me. He looked to be 35-38 years old. He looked just fine. My only doubt was if he was real. 

"Have you spoken to him through phone? Or video call?" I asked her. 

"I have spoken to him on the phone once, but not video call. And what's the need for video call if we're meeting each other now?" 

"Well, okay. I wish you luck. Just be careful okay? Now, please let me get back to work." I said turning around. 

"Okay. You can go. Oh and Sola? Please check out this paperwork out for me. Mr Ben said it should be ready before 4pm today for a conference meeting with a Chinese food dealer." 

I sighed and collected the file from Clara. This was not the first time I was doing Clara's work or covering up for her. But she was my boss so... 

I went back to continue my work. 

.......................... 

*Alex* (pov) 

"Good afternoon, Mr Williams. I have a miss... Caroline here, she's asking to see you sir" Funke, My executive secretary said on the intercom in my office. 

I groaned inwardly, Caroline was a lady I had met briefly during the weekend who wouldn't accept that all we'd had was a one-night stand. Sure, we had a good time together, the woman was a snake in bed. But that was that. I wondered why she was here. 

"Um...Funke?" I asked in a low tone. 

"Yes sir?" 

"Remind me what I pay you for again?" 

There was a moment of silence on the phone and I knew she was grimacing where she was. Good. She should know she fucked up. 

"Yes.. Yes sir, to..to handle your schedules and most importantly, handle unwanted guests." she answered. Her voice sounded very tiny. I knew she was already shaking in her seat.

"Precisely. So, The next time you call me in front of a lady you know I don't want to see, I will fire you on the spot. Now, do whatever you have to do to get her out of the building." 

"Okay sir." 

I dropped the phone. I sighed rubbing my forehead and laughed to myself thinking about how women were always a problematic creature. Once they knew you had a fat pocket, they came running at you. 

I love women, but I love my personal space more. I remember the last messy break up I had with an underwear model. Cynthia was her name. She had threatened to kill herself if I left her. 

She had ended up almost committing suicide, but her brother a movie actor, had saved her before major damages could be done. Even with that, she hadn't stopped calling and texting, begging me to come back to her. But I knew I was done. I had said it straight to her face but she had caught feelings and didn't want to let go. 

So I decided to stay off women for a while. If I needed a quick lay, I knew where to find them. And with no strings attached.

I was snapped out of my thoughts by my inter com's buzz again. It was Funke calling. I picked it.

"Tell me"

"Um...your guest eventually left sir, but not without a fight and threat that she would be here again tomorrow."

I sighed and closed my eyes in frustration.

"That's what you actually called me for?" my voice was dangerously low. But she knew she was getting me vexed.

"Um.. No. no sir. Sorry sir, but I called to remind you of your next meeting in 10 minutes time. With Mr otedola." her voice was a little bit shaky. But I admired her strength and boldness. It was one of the reasons why I trusted and relied on her as my secretary.

"Okay. Noted. Thank you funke."

"You're welcome sir." she replied in a pleasant voice.

I cut the call and prepared to leave my office for my meeting.

                                         ...............