Chapter 6: Stella

I stay in Stella’s office a little nervous.

This was the first time I was having an interview with someone face to face. I collected myself and tried not to look confident as it would affect my performance and would give her the impression I wasn't the one for the job.

She looked at me for a while without saying anything and I was beginning to think, Nina lied about her being an easy person.

But just when I was about to think this silence would go on forever, she spoke.

“I believe you have some experience? As your cv is very impressive but without experience, it is a little difficult to get a job around here”.

She said seriously.

I knew it, Nina might have said she was an easy person and she said the job is mine when I come over.

But here I was being told I wouldn't get this job if I had no experience.

What happened to the lady who spoke nicely to me some few days back telling me I just have to be present today?

Was she playing then?

Just when I was about to tell her it was fine since I couldn’t get the job and would leave, she laughed.

She laughed so hard that I was beginning to think if I said something funny.

She laughed non-stop and I could even see tears running down her face.

Was this a comedy show or it’s part of the interview to be laughing, what was I supposed to do in this matter?

I was about to ask why and what made her laugh like that. As to whether it was something I said or what?

She spoke.

“O my, I knew I will get you. I told Nina I could make you think this was one of those interviews. Oh it was so fun seeing the look on your face”.

She then took out her phone and made a call. I only after realizing the one she was calling, only after hearing the voice of the person.

Nina?

“Stella don’t tell me you used that strategy of yours on my Germ. I would not forgive you if she cries”

I heard Nina talking angrily once the call was connected.

“Hey take your time, your Germ is so beautiful that I can’t afford to make her cry. I was trying to be formal about things, but that’s not necessary anymore”.

Stella winked at me. Now I know where Nina got her sense of humor from.

It runs in the family.

“I wouldn’t be convinced until I see my Germ” she hung up, and Stella couldn’t stop laughing.

Her cousin would have made her life a living hell if she had made Me cry.

Their relationship was this good?

But from looking at things, Stella was much older than Nina, but that didn’t stop them from being friendly with each other. Making me jealous.

My cousin, rather helped her father to take over my parent’s company and my home.

I suddenly got a call on my phone, and I wasn’t surprised when I saw Nina’s name.

And answered it and she switched to face time.

“Let me look at you very well. Come closer, would you? Good, I’m now convinced that bully didn’t do anything to you” she said after she made me come closer for her to take a look at my face.

“Ok, I’m now convinced she didn’t do anything to make you cry. And hey, why do you look skinny? Have you not been eating? I just saw you some few days ago looking plump and good, but now you’ve lost weight. Hurry and go get something that can make you big again”.

Her words brought tears into my eyes. The only person in this world who cared about my weight and health was my dad.

He would go like, ‘ girls should look fat for their husbands and you do not look like one. Don’t you wanna get married? Eat more, would you?

He cared about how I eat and all. Nina was the second person who cared for me like my parents.

This was making me so emotional.

Tears were threatening to come out of my eyes as I struggled to stop them.

“Hey, what happened”

Stella asked with concern. She was as caring as Nina was.

I politely told her I was having something in my eyes that was what caused the tears. She ignored me and told me I have to be comfortable as she already know I was crying and it wasn’t about something in my eyes.

I smiled weakly. Was this a blessing?

Just a few weeks ago I thought I could never get a job, and I even started thinking about how to start applying to some cafés or restaurants.

But here I was being given employment without any formal formalities.

If this isn’t a blessing in disguise, then I do not know what it is.

Stella personally guided me on where I would be working and told me everything I need to know and more.

She made me feel so welcome, I was beginning to think I had been there for a very long time.

I began to warm up to her, as she said she would want us to be friends and wouldn’t want to see me being too formal with her. As she trusts anyone Nina introduces to her.

I thanked her and began to work.

All the people present in my department were so welcoming. I got to know everybody and got along with everyone real quick.

The day went by with a glow on my face.

I finally got a job and this time I can work hard to support my brother.

I took my bag as it was time to go home. I wanted to hurry home to tell my brother about the good news.

Stella wanted to give me a ride back home but she suddenly got a call from the CEO, so I left her alone.

Just as I was about to call for a cab, I saw him again.

It was the guy from the elevator. And he wasn’t alone. He had a guy following him as he was a boss.

But thinking about it, someone who works for the CEO himself would also get someone to be at his beak and call.

I didn’t want to have anything to do with him and decided to wait for my cab to take me home.

I tried to make myself a distance to avoid him seeing me.

But as unlucky as I was, he looked my way. And when I thought he didn’t see me or notice my presence.

He started walking towards where I was standing.

He is not coming because of you. I tried to convince myself.

And then when I thought he would pass by without him stopping at where I was, I felt him standing right in front of me.

I looked up and was stuck in his stare again. I wanted to tell myself to not look him in the eyes and to avoid his gaze.

But I just couldn’t. I always lost myself when I look at him.

I dropped my gaze from his eyes to his straight nose and then finally his lips.

His lips were so inviting I wanted to suck on them.

I know my thoughts were dirty, but I couldn’t help myself, as he was so good-looking to ignore.

“Something on my face?”.

 he said with a smirk. There was something familiar about how he said those words. And then his next word shocked me more.

“Babe, we meet again”.

.