CHAPTER SEVEN

Estafania's POV

" Hi" I was brought back to the present, I have been absent minded thinking of how to handle Mr Gustavo

The unknown voice did not relent and continued "Good day! .....can I get a stapler from you, mine is not working"

I looked up to see the new recruit smiling down at me. She probably doesn't know what she was getting herself into and the fact that trying to be friendly with me is nothing but social suicide

"Here" I said giving her the one on my desk, I expected her to use it and leave immediately but she not only used it but also sat on my table

"So where do you usually go for lunch, I have tried some restaurants nearby but I am yet to choose which one I like most"

I looked at her confused ".......Errm canteen, the food in the canteen is really good, you should try it"

" Really" she said like she found that hard to believe

"Trust me, my father made sure that there was a standard when it came to what his employees consumed plus all the ingredients are fresh from farms that we collaborate with" I said without much thought. Only when I was done talking did I realize how much I have said

I looked up to see her staring at me, I guess she didn't know me to start with, that probably explains why she was proposing lunch with me. Well sorry to disappoint you love

"I realize I never really introduced myself properly. Hi my name is kina" she said extending her hand for a handshake

"Kina?" I asked "that's a beautiful name, what does it mean?" I replied shaking her

"Actually it's Sekina, it means Calm, tranquility, presence of God.....everything my parents hoped I will be but I'm not" she said admist laughter

" Ok, well Kina, my name is Estafania, you can call me Esta or Fanny"

" I know you'' she said smiling

"Well that's good, I was begining to think you didn't"

" You are kind of a celebrity you know" she said jokingly

" And you are not bothered about that"

" Haa! They are just jealous and jobless. It doesn't bother me one bit, jobless people will always find something to gossip about" she said

" You are right about that one"

"So back to my question, where do we go for lunch" she asked again, not relenting

" And I repeat, the canteen"

"Oh come on"

It's good and affordable, you will thank me later

Fine, lead the way

I will just shut down for the moment, trust me you will love it. Do you like chicken

Nope I love love chicken

Then you will definitely love today's menu. I said as we made our way to the canteen.

She was the first person that have spoken to me in a very long time. I was no longer the only daughter and child of the CEO rather an eyesore and the daughter of a traitor. I was surprised that she knew all this and yet didn't mind and something inside me was a bit skeptical about all this

We got our food from the counter and sat down to enjoy and soon I had a big smile on my face as I watched her devour the food without a single complain

Soo......what do you think

"One word" she said with mouth full of food "good......I was not expecting that"

We went back to enjoying the meal and later deviated to other topics. She was interested in getting to know what the company is all about and how best she could deliver

I assured her that she could always come to me if she found herself in a difficult situation and I will be happy to help her

The next day came with troubles as I was called into the office by Uncle Gregory early in the morning. I knew what it was about but I had no way out of it as I was yet to find a suitable way to apologize to that scumbag. I didn't want to do it but I had to.

"What conclusion did you reach with Mr Gustavo" he asked, I kept quiet not knowing what to answer him

"Don't tell me you are yet to apologize for your rude behavior, do you realize that Mr Gustavo is a very important client of mine"

" But uncle I told you the reason I left the dinner, Mr Gustavo drugged me and if I did not escape who knew what else he would have done" I tried defending myself

He did not look surprise one bit or disturbed by that, he just didn't care at all. He stood from his chair and walked to stand in front of me

"You have until tomorrow evening to give me a positive answer or you will see the other side of me, now get out" he ordered me out of the office

I don't know why I am always surprised at how fast things have changed, I remember when I had free reign in this office, I could enter and leave whenever I wanted while he had to wait for permission before he could

"How times have changed" I said out loud as iade my way to the break room for a cup of coffee which I desperately needed

"What times?" Kina said behind me startling me, I was so much in thought I didn't notice her

"Oh my world kina! You startled me"

"Where exactly is your head that you failed to hear me coming. What did the boss say? It looked like he was scolding you." She asked

" He was but it's nothing I can't handle" I assured her

" Is it about Mr Gustavo" I turned to look at her

" Don't be surprised, you know how words fly plus your cousin....."

" What did she say" she didn't need to tell me which cousin I already knew which one

"I mean it's nothing for you to worry about, you and I both know that non of it is true" I looked at her still in expectation

" Finee, she has been gossipping in a not so hush manner with her minions about you and anybody who has an ear in this office has heard and probably leaning into her story line" she was not finished

"She said that the work you presented to Mr Gustavo was not good enough, as a result you tried to seduce him but it backfired."

" What!!!!" Lately Dina has been on my case and I can't understand why, sure we were never that close to begin with but we didn't have any problems either

She always came to me when she needed favours and not once have I ever refused any of her demands.

"I heard you have to apologize to him, how do you plan on doing that"

"I have no idea, I mean should I go to his office or should I ask him out to dinner? I really don't know which is less dangerous now"

"What really happened, I've heard so many versions of the story and even though I'm just getting to know you I can tell you didn't do any of the things you were accused of" she said with

" I....he......" I said nervously not knowing if I can truly trust her

"It's okay if you don't feel comfortable telling me what happened"

I took a deep breath, I wasn't sure if I should tell her but it felt good to have someone willing to listen to me and before I could think more of it I told her everything in one breath

"Kina kina!" I called out as I waited for a reaction from her but got none ".....you're not saying anything"

"I mean, what can I say dude committed a crime and should be locked up. I have heard stories, watched movies but I never realized just how wicked the human heart can be.

"And to top it you are still being pressured to see him. Now I understand why you don't want to see him. Oh my friend..." She said and embraced me

I felt the genuine care and concern from her and It felt good having an ally

"You know what........I will go with you, I think it will be safer to invite him to a restaurant, an open space chosen by us, don't worry I will be with you throughout in case he tries something again"

" You think that will work? What if he doesn't agree to it" I said worried that it might not work out

"I mean you will never know if you don't try right. In fact call his assistant now I have a restaurant in mind and we can meet them after work"

Surprisingly he was willing to meet us at the venue we chose and even agreed to our time. I should feel happy about that but somehow I was still feeling unsettled.