CHAPTER 12

Rainora

Nice?

I wondered as I returned back to my desk. Nikolas has never said anything nice to me before, so why start now. He just mocked my style of dressing yesterday, so why the sudden flattery. Maybe, he was been sarcastic again like before. I felt a huge lump in my throat. This suit was among the most beautiful collection in the store. Everyone kept starring at me since I got to the office today. What more can I do to impress him. I thought quietly. I hope he doesnt say we wasted his money and refund him back. No, he won't.I'm sure he doesn't even check his accounts. I assured myself.

"Lost in your thoughts again, Rainora?"May gently tapped my desk. She stood impatiently holding some files to be signed.

"Sorry May, something just happened in Mr.Nikolas's office." I responded as I hurriedly collected the files from her.

"Dont keep me guessing Rainora, what is it? May demeanor became serious as she gazed deeply into my eyes. Like she was trying to read into my soul.

"Mr.Nikolas said...I looked nice today."I replied nervously as I was unsure her reaction to what I just revealed.

"He said what?" May gasped as she cover her mouth with her hand. She turned around to make sure no one could hear us as she leaned towards me. "He said you look..nice?Maybe you're mistaken. Since when I started working here over 7 years ago, I have never heard him compliment any lady at all." She said with disbelief in her eyes. I clenched my fists upset that she insinuate I made up something so huge as that. I took a moment to exhale, then I met her eyes again with resolve.

"I wont lie on something like this, there was even Mr.Wren and the head of the accounting department Mr.Stevens. I caught him starring at me for a while before he uttered those words." I whispered to May.

May pulled away slowly, her gaze became casual like she finally believed me. "In that case, you have to be very careful in this office. A lot of ladies are interested in him and will do anything to get his attention. If they fill you're a threat, they might try to get you out of the way." She said, as her demeanor became more compassionate that earlier. She lay her hands on my shoulder, suddenly I let out a sigh of relief and felt vunerable. I started to see May in a different light, more as a senoir sister that I never had. She smiled as she slowly walked away to her office with a reassuring stance.

I was dropped at home some minutes past ten by gerald, Mr. Nikolas' driver. I waved to him to signal I'm done for the night. He gestured back as he slid the window up, before driving away in the black escalade.  

As I approached the lift on the ground floor of my building, a strong male voice called my name. "Miss Rainora, your in apartment 13 right." The man asked. He wore a maroon colored trenchcoat with black  buttons. He also wore a hat, with a upper-lip mustache that was thick. He reminded me of an 80's actor. I had a grin on my face as I met his welcoming smile.

"Yes, that's correct." I replied, he stood behind a desk watching the door.  

"Welcome to the building, my name is Bernard." He pointed to his nametag. " There is a young lady who said she is your bestfriend. I asked her to seat her in the lobby, till you arrive." He signalled his hand to the green cushion in the lobby. I saw a young lady with a black-fluffy jacket, also with black leather trousers and white designer label sneakers. I squinted my eyes and only one name came to mind.

"Hey Eunice, what brings you here this late?" I asked. Her head was down looking at her phone, she didnt even realize i entered. She immediately stood up, rushed to me for a hug.

"Rainora, you didn't tell me you were living this big? Your mails are still delivered to my house. So I brought them to this house address you texted me before moving out." Eunice amazed with the decorations and adonements arranged all around the lobby.

"I was going to invite you for a house-warming party when I was done arranging my stuffs. But, since your here let me give you a priavte tour."I held her hand to follow me to the lift. Eunice kept looking all around till we reached my floor.

She hurriedly pushed me away to enter the house as I opened the doors. She started running all over the house, checking out the livng area, cabinets and the bedroom. I dropped the keys on the kitchen table to grab a soda from the fridge.

Moments later, she returned back to the living area. Where I sat down, stretching my legs watching the plasma tv. 

"Rainora, your living the dream. The view here is phenomenal." Eunice said, as she also went to the balcony. She returned back to sit alongside me, and took the spare soda I also brought out.

"You never told me how you met Nikolas Woods, his one of the hottest bachelors in the city." Eunice asked, now her gaze become serious like I was under interrogation. 

"I got lucky I guess-" I ran my hands through my hair. I couldn't tell her the real truth how I met him. My life and the life of my family and friends depended on that secret. "He liked my resume and asked me to work for him...end of story." I snuggled towards her and held her tightly. She opened her mouth like she was about to say something, but probably changed her mind not to pry anymore about it. We both slept off watching tv together. 

In my heart, I wish that someday I can tell her everything between me, Nikolas and......my father.