Rita's POV
"We were not matchmade, he was only introduced to me" I rolled my eyes.
"Whatever, it's the same thing in terms that it is mostlikely you end up with him” She said.
“Rita got a guy?" Adam came over and interrupted us.
"Oh baby.." His girlfriend stood up and gave him a tight hug and he reciprocated by kissing her on the forehead.
"So is there anything I've missed?" He asked again and I gave Evelyn a-don't-you-dare-speak look.
I know I'm exaggerating by being unnecessarily shy and embarrassed but enough of this humiliation. She dare not tell him yet that there's a guy I got hooked up with and I may eventually fall in love with him along the line.. Oh nah! what did I just think of?
"Are you guys hiding things from me now? I thought we were best cliques, best friends?" He suspected when he noticed our voiceless communication.
"Well dear, it's ladies stuff..hmmm?" She said, romantically pinching her boyfriend's cheek.
"Hmmn accepted but little do you know that some people are eavesdropping.. plus that guy over there" He pointed and we traced his finger.
"Who?" We simultaneously asked.. because there was no one at the entrance.
"Uhh, I'm sure I saw a guy there before I walked in.. he was watching you two with keen, so much interest, his arms were folded, he's tall. I know for sure he was listening to you guys - girly conversation" Adams rushed his words trying to convince us.
" You cooked up this tale just because Evelyn said it's a girly conversation?" I didn't believe him.
"No, it's true. I swear" He added.
And I smiled.. "Okay"
"Alright" Evelyn said too, acting like we believed him.
"Is that all you guys are gonna say? Okay? Alright?"
"What else? Fine we believe you but we still not gonna tell you what we were discussing" I said, making him more curious by having a high five with Evelyn.
"What if the guy is a spy? An intruder or something? Remember guys, yesterday a guy was spying at us. Now again. wait a minute, they kinda look alike.. Familiar rather.. I guess it's the same guy who was peeping at us yesterday, he's the same person!" Adam said.
"Hmmmn, Adam?" I shook my head.
"Yeah, Rita" He called my name just like I did to his.
“You guys still don’t believe me?” He said.
“I do, kind of. I mean yesterday you saw a guy spying at us. Same guy, spying at us again? But remember, it’s just you. We didn’t even see the person” I said, chuckling.
“Whatever” Adam remarked with a false humiliated expression.
“Oh! It’s work O’clock” Evelyn announced as two ladies walked in, headed to our direction.
“Alright, see you guys during the lunch break” Adam said, kissed his girlfriend on the cheek then he walked away.
I had noticed my cell phone rang again but when I realized that the strange number calling me might be Zane, I turned down the phone which halt it from ringing aloud. Ain’t ready to continue this boyfriend conversation with Evelyn and I'm glad that, Adam indirectly ceased the messed up conversation I had with Evelyn about Zane.
**
Our free period at work has to be before work period, during the lunch break and during closing hours.
"As good employees, I think we should check up on Mrs Blakeston?" Evelyn suggested while we walked down to the bus stop together.
"You are being sarcastic right now, aren't you?" I laughed, knowing fully well that she is never comfortable whenever Mrs Blakeston, the boss is around. Infact, all of us - do not like her.
"Of course I am kidding. I have been as free as a dove ever since yesterday, I really hope she resigns and assigns someone else to take over the company, preferably one of us" Evelyn said.
"Ah well, I really have no issues with Mrs Blakeston, except that she should treat us like the adults we are. We are not high school students please” I said “Also, I wish that she can promote us to the main office too”
“Exactly. I wish the same” Evelyn agreed, hopefully.
I thought Evelyn has forgotten to have her usual conversation with me because she didn’t mention anything regarding the boyfriend issue since this morning but I was wrong, she suddenly brought it up again like she was reading my mind.
"Hmmm Rita, you know, you are meant to go on a date with that Zane guy"
Ugh! back to this conversation.
"How do you know his name?"
"I figured”
"Evelyn, you really need to stop intruding into my private life" I hissed.
"Point of correction, your private single life”
"Arrrrgh! You are just so annoying Evelyn!"
"It's the truth Rita, you broke that innocent dude's heart, he probably wanted to spend some time with you and know you more that's why he asked of the closing hour"
"We met only yesterday. we didn't even meet, like we were only introduced yesterday and should we be meeting already today?"
"Of course" She answered sharply.
"Well I'm sure he heard you yell the exact closing hour. If he really wants to meet me and spend some time with me, then he should have come over already"
"He wouldn't, did you even tell him where you work at? How would he find his way?"
"Uhn…well we haven't really talked about that. We briefly talked about ourselves last night" I told her.
"Uhm Rita, something keeps telling me you would like this guy.. infact you would fall for him really hard" She said observing my facial expression, she could even scrutinize the hidden inner expression.
"Ah! Well I don't think so but you know what Evelyn, you are right, I might fall for him probably if we meet physically. Also, from friends first to lovers. Not from anonymous strangers to lovers. I don’t think it’s gonna work” I concluded.
"Till now, I still don't get your taste of man. You are just weird Rita" She scorned.
"I know" I smiled in an awkward way.
Then the bus arrived and we walked in. We sat at the last seats because it was more spacious while the remaining seats could contain only two passengers.
We took our seats and the bus was about to move when someone came in, he walked straight towards us and sat next to me (in between Evelyn and I).
I recognized him immediately.
"Oh Friday" I called his name.
"Finn" He corrected with a smile.
"Hello Rita" He said to me, smiling widely.
"Hi" I smiled back.
"Returning home from work?" He asked and I nodded In affirmation.
"Who is he?" Evelyn mouthed.
"Oh Finn, meet Evelyn my friend and colleague"
"Hello" He said to her.
"Hi" Evelyn smiled at him seductively.
"Rita, you are a sly! so you've got a friend aside Adams and I...and you never told us anything about him, a male at that, how long have you been seeing him?" She said. "Gosh Rita! Your friend is so handsome" She said dreamily and Finn chuckled. “Are you guys just friends, friends?” Evelyn asked.
I gave her a slight knock on her head and she yelped.
"Finn came to the studio yesterday to get his hair done" I told her.
"That was when I met him, while you were away with your boyfriend" I said, she scorned.
I know that I have literally stopped her from furtherflirting with Finn by mentioning 'her Boyfriend'... And vice versa, stopping Finn from doing the same just incase he had that intention.
"Yeah, that's right. And we also met at the bus stop yesterday, where we gotta to know each other better" Finn said and I only nodded and smiled.
Urrh, Know each other better my foot! We only got to know each other's name and I was kinda hostile towards him because I felt he was acting all strange.
"You keep coming my way, don't you think it's fate?" Finn said to me romantically.
"Fate?? Haha!" Evelyn laughed. “Wow, what a sweet pick up line”
"Erm.." I stanmered uncomfortably.
“He’s only kidding” I scratched my hair that wasn’t even itching but Finn on the other hand was gazing at me and smiling.
"No Finn. Uhm, you probably live or work around here, that's why we are meeting again" I said and tried not to blush.
"You think so?" He asked and gave a short laugh.
"You didn't get into the bus yesterday?" I changed the topic because it was now getting awkward.
Why do strangers flirt with me? Isn't it awkward for them too?
"Oh yes, I was waiting for a friend, so I simply took the next bus" He said.
"Ohhh" I mouthed..
Only to realize that Evelyn was staring at me suspiciously as if I was already interested in him but I wasn't, sincerely.
I shot her a gaze that meant please don't say anything annoying and I know she understood what I meant.
I played calm; while Finn and Evelyn chitchated. Like how do people easily communicate with strangers freely? Or maybe I am just a boring type. Though I met this guy before Evelyn, I'm not throwing myself at him. Although, that’s not what Evelyn is trying to do but doesn't she realize that she has a boyfriend.
I rolled my eyes and looked away but Finn tried to bring me into their conversation thinking I was being left out.
“My place is nearby. The bus would stop soon" I told him.
"Oh-kay!" He said.
“You can talk to Evelyn all you want ‘Afterall she will alight at the second bus stop” I said.
"And I, till the final bus stop" Finn said, chuckling.
I didn't say anything. Instead, I hung my bag on my arm.. Getting prepared to leave immediately the driver pulls the break.
"Can we exchange contact ... Rita?" Finn asked.
"Uhm well., I don't even know you Finn" I mumbled.
"Forget it Finn, Rita won't give you her contact just like that" Evelyn said.
"Yeah you are right, I can see that. Maybe till she knows me well"
"Just believe you two are gonna meet again; Fate just like you said" Evelyn said and Finn giggled.
He dipped his hand into his trouser and brought out a card.
"I knew this would happen" Finn said.
"Huh??" I exclaimed.
"Have this, I'ld be expecting a call from you" Finn handed over the card to me and I slowly took it from him.
Soon the bus halted and I alighted quickly.
“Did you just forget to say Bye to me?" Evelyn screamed through the window.
"Oh sorry dear. Bye, see you tomorrow" I waved at her.
"See you tomorrow too" Finn said, smiling at me.
Why do I feel like he's acting all weird?
* * *
Rita's POV"I feel so tired" I groaned as I threw myself on the bed.Wait a minute! I paused; realizing the room, looked so neat, tidied and well arranged.Oh! the new me, new way of life stuff. I hissed a little because I have almost forgotten.And oh! the deal is to start with that guy in my Kikachat.Haven undressed, close to being nude; I lied on my bed. Click on the chat app but I found none. Like no message at all. A guy who is interested in me should be persistent, isn't it?I even refused to pick up his subsequent calls and he couldn't even leave a message for me.Darn it! When I was just faking to feel loved by him.."Yen! Yen! Yen!! Give every guy a chance" I mimicked Evelyn then I rolled my eyes.I guess the destiny set aside for me is to remain single forev-My phone beeped.-ever.I picked up the phone quickly. A message from Zane! No, several messages.. Beep! Beep! Beeping in..~~>"Hi dear, how are you?"~~>“Are you back from work?"~~>"I'm sorry for calling you several
Rita’s POV Dring! Dringggggggg! My phone beeped loudly, jerking me up from sleep that morning. I yawned tiredly as I stretched my hand over to pick up the ringing phone. I stared at the phone screen blurrily ~ It was Eveyn. "Evelyn!" I mumbled, trying to sit upright. “Good morning! did you get the notification too?” “What notification?” “Mrs Blakeston wants us to be at the office an hour before the usual arrival time” Evelyn announced. “Huh! Why is that?” I rubbed my eyes tiredly. “She said she has an important information to pass across and we must all be present” Evelyn replied. I yawned loudly again. “Oh good I called you, I know you wouldn’t have seen that nor woken up yet. Now go get ready, let’s hear what she has for us today after days of being absent” “I hope it’ll be a good news though. That woman has never said anything pleasing” I murmured. “So see you at work!” Evelyn disconnected the call. I just sat there on the bed, thinking about nothing in specific just t
Rita's POVI sluggishly walked to the new boss, Mr Finn’s office.I was so scared and it was so obvious.“There you are” Finn said. I stood in front of the door, agitated to move closer to him.But he ordered authoritatively and laughed hysterically; “Come closer and have a seat”My heart raced, I trembled and managed to sit opposite him.“I can see that you are shocked I turned out to be your new boss in disguise” Finn spoke.“I'm… I am sorry” I stuttered.“Why are you apologising?” He asked but I didn't say anything, I couldn't even look him in the eyes. I thought he was jovial and nice but he wasn't, he pretended to be. Ugh! This was a simple test that I have failed.“You are sorry because you treated me like a low life sneaking into your comfortable life. You were rude, you underestimated me. You didn't see this coming, did you?” He asked.No, I never underestimated him, that’s just Me; I do not like to make friends. How do I explain that to him when he already misunderstood? Ev
RitaI hung up the call last night and told Zane that I needed to sleep early so I won’t wake up late today. Early to bed, early to rise works for me all the time.Assuming Mrs Blakeston was still our boss, I could be a little bit late to work and she wouldn’t notice aside that, Evelyn would always cover up for me. But Mr Finn, the new boss? He’ll definitely notice that I came to work late. He’s on my neck and he’s indeed watching me really closely.Although I got to the office pretty much early, Finn was already in his office.Only few workers were around including Adam whom informed me that Mr Finn had already asked after me. I dashed into his office as quickly as possible.“You are late” Mr Finn said to me.“But It’s not resumption time yet” I argued.“As for me,, you are late to work” He repeated.“Many other staffs are not at work yet” I paused. “Even Evelyn” I added.“What matters is that I got to the company before you. So you are late” He insisted.“Okay” I murmured.He didn’t
Rita’s POVZane hasn’t even called me throughout today neither did he leave me a single message. None.I shook my head and whined inwardly.What sort of unserious relationship have I gotten myself into?Oh jeez, maltreatment at work and as if that isn’t enough for me to handle, only to get home and get snubbed by my online lover.I continue to rant even as I prepared and ate dinner to while away time. Yet, no call or text from Zane and he wasn’t even online. And Oh! I would have blamed myself for overthinking oroverreacting because this is what to expect once you date someone online but my ex, Jared had my time always. This one is totally different from Jared.Okay, maybe i’m actually being extra. Should I call Zane instead?Uh no! It’s too early to show him so much interest and concern. Yes, it’s early to let him know that I enjoy speaking to him all the time. He’ll find out that he has eventually won my heart. He’ll know I'm beginning to ove him. Geez! Let’s not call it love yet, I
RitaToday’s just a too good day; first, Finn was busy throughout and he didn’t have the chance to ill treat or provoke me. Although, we had little free time for ourselves because clients kept trooping in and going out because It’s a Friday, party day! Although, we were so busy yet I felt so happy this very day.Finally, it was recess, enough time to chat with my online boyfriend Zane while we had our lunch at the office cafeteria.Adam and Evelyn sat next to eachother, doing their usual lovey-dovey stuff while eating. I sat opposite them, eating and engrossed with chatting with Zane, I was blushing and smiling, oblivious to the environment. Little did I know that Evelyn and Adam were watching me.“When exactly are you gonna tell us about your new boyfriend “ Evelyn caught my attention.“He’s Zane. The same guy Mrs Janet Johnson hooked me up with” I responded.“Oh wow. That guy. So thanks to me” Evelyn said.“Nah. Thanks to Janet Johnson instead. Oops! I haven’t even appreciated her al
Rita’s POVWithout our consent, he sat with us; the only available seat was next to me, opposite Evelyn.He sat next to me! I could hear my heart throbbing!!“Hi” Finn said again, surprisingly, he was smiling cheerfully.We three greeted him perfunctorily and in a somewhat fearful murmur.“I came to say what a great work you’ve done. I saw how we had so many clients miling into your department. And I must say, that section in the company does the mostwork” Finn said.“Unfortunately, we are under estimated” Evelyn replied informally. “Boss” She then added.She seems free with him as he was with her. I noticed Adam was jealous. Him and I just sat down there and said absolutely nothing.“I came to say thank you to you guys. Ignore the under estimation, my gratitude alone should go a long way” Finn said.“Nope. An increase in salary will do. At least, almost the same as what those in the official section receive. You have just admitted that we are doing a better and harder job than they ar
Rita“No! Don’t leave. Wait up!” Finn ordered before I could turn the door knob.He got off the table and stroded over to where I stood, still trembling.“I’ll drop you off at your place” Finn said, I was gonna turn him down but he added immediately; “Do not say No” So, I remained mute instead.He returned to his desk, picked up his car keys, and his briefcase then walked out of his office, I followed him behind sluggishly like a lost puppy.By this time, every worker has left except the securities.Finn tried to start a conversation with me in his car but I stayed mute; at least not too scared, neither was I still trembling like earlier. I felt a little relieved but what he has said to me kept reminiscing and banging in my head leaving me shocked and speechless.I only spoke to him when he needed directions to my place and then, I was dumbfounded again till we arrived at my place. I opened the car hastily and got off before he’ll stop me or say something unbelievable again.“So see yo