Chapter 5

Amaka's POV:

I continued with the rest of the day working, and felt Simon's gaze on me frequently.

*Why was he always looking at me?* I pondered, but didn't ask him. 

My phone rang, and I unlocked it and saw that Maureen was the one calling me. She obviously would have taken Jason to school, but I didn't want to chat with her about Jason here.

Feeling Simon's scrutinizing gaze on me and also, the fact that Joseph was in his office and monitoring me made me uncomfortable.

"Hello, dear, I will call you back later," I told Maureen, and she replied, "Okay."

I looked at Simon, and saw him frowned and looked away. I didn't understand the reason for his frowning, but then, I heard the buzzer sound.

"It's break time," Simon informed me, and I sighed. "Okay."

I turned off my laptop and stood up from my chair. "I think we will be going to the cafeteria, right?" I asked him, as he rose from his chair.

"Yes. Or you can request for your meal here," he said, and I replied, "Okay. I am still new, so I will like to go to the cafeteria."

"Alright." Simon agreed, and I exited his office, sucking in a deep breath of fresh air as I wasn't under surveillance. 

My day has been ruined with meeting my baby's father.

*How do I tell Joseph that we have a child? How does Joseph Ericson claim not to know me?*

Was four years too long to forget someone? 

I tried not to sob as I walked ahead to the elevator to go down to the second floor.

As I arrived at the elevator stand, I entered and looked back, seeing Joseph step out of his office.

My heart skipped a beat, and I looked away from him, wanting to shut the door and leave, but the security man told me to wait.

"Hmm," my eyes narrowed at the security man, as Joseph came into the elevator and joined me in going down to the second floor. 

We didn't speak to each other. Luckily, there was a female staff in the elevator with us, and she was also nervous to be in the same elevator as the boss.

Joseph had grown taller than the last time I saw him. As much as I tried to look away from him, my eyes still traveled to linger on him.

But he spared me no glance at all. How ruthless of him?

Joseph walked out with perfectly measured strides, maintaining his stance as he entered the second-floor hallway. The security men greeted him as he stopped to speak with the two men, but I marched away, feeling upset that I was being ignored.

My year of being pregnant alone. Going through all that journey with Maureen and her mother. Especially the fact that my parents sent me away.

I wanted to confront Joseph about this, and he cannot pretend like he didn't know me.

I moved over to the counter and requested for my meal. They served free lunch, and I requested a plate of jollof rice and fried turkey laps. It was one of my favorites.

As I turned to take a seat in the cafeteria, I saw Joseph looking at me. But he quickly looked away as our eyes met.

I saw that look of longing in his eyes, as he was lost for a moment, like he was admiring me. But he looked away and moved away from the security man he was speaking with and went to take his seat.

I saw two chairs away from Joseph, but his eyes were on me. But each time I looked at him, he gazed away.

A waitress went to meet him to serve him lunch, but I didn't know they had waitresses. Most of the staff didn't wait to be served and went to request for their meals.

As I sat alone, lost in my deep thoughts, I decided to speak to Maureen and her mother about this first, before I confront Joseph again. 

He might have moved on with another woman, I guess, as he was so obsessed with séx. He wanted to sleep with me until I gave in, but he changed after that night.

"Hi, may I join you for lunch?" Simon asked me, snapping me out of my trance. I could feel Joseph's gaze on us, and likewise, some other guys in the cafeteria.

Many staff were coming in and going out of the vast space.

"Sure," I told him, and he sat across from me.

"How do you enjoy the meal?" He asked, and I smiled back.

"It's nice," I said, feeling Joseph's gaze on us.

"Okay, I am glad that you like it. So can I get your personal phone number to call you after closing time?" Simon asked, and I looked at his face.

"Why? I don't need any calls?" I replied, and he grinned.

"I know. It's just a harmless call to check up on my colleague. Nothing else," he smiled, and I smiled back.

"Alright. I will think about it. Maybe when we get back to the office, I will give you my phone to put your number," I told him, and he nodded.

"Alright." He waved over to the waiter to bring him lunch, and he ordered the same food as mine. We sat there eating, and I finished up my turkey lap and rose to return to my office.

I could still feel Joseph's gaze on my back, and I tried not to look at him.

I exited the cafeteria and went back to Simon's office to sit in my chair. My mind filled with numerous thoughts.

I resumed back with my office work, helping the company to advertise their new products online. I finished up with all the new products available, and I signed out. I picked up my phone and signed into my son's account.

I looked at his photos and videos. And recalled Joseph denying me that he doesn't know me.

I didn't apply too much makeup on my face, so why couldn't Joseph remember me?

Simon came into the office, and I quickly signed out of my son's profile, so that he doesn't mistakenly see it. I kept my phone and waited until 5 pm when the company closes.

It wasn't a new company after all. I had thought they were just starting, but it was a branch of their main head office on the island.

I thought about Maureen putting my son in a school and her going back to her husband's house.

They had gotten married traditionally, because Chris Augustus has paid her dowry, remaining to do a church wedding.

Maureen wasn't so obsessed about the wedding, so she wanted to go living with her husband since he invited her over.

She would be packing tomorrow, and I don't know if I should tell her about my trouble or not.

It's closing hour, Simon rose from his desk and came over to meet me.

"I haven't forgotten to ask for your phone number," he said, and I agreed and collected his phone.

I gave him my number, and he told me he would call tonight. I shook my head, picking up my black handbag and fled the office.

As I got out, thankfully Joseph wasn't in sight, so I made my way into the elevator and left the building.

I looked around the parking, and seeing only three cars there. I sighed, looking forward and exited the premises. I got a cab and went back home.