Mystery man

Fridays became the best day of the week after I got a job here at The Bryon's company because I had two days to myself after it and I wouldn't have to see Miles or any other annoying employee.

I sat in my office idle looking at the wall clock. I watched the hands as it ticked till it was 3 O'Clock then I stood up , packed all the necessary things into my handbag and arranged my table. I walked to the mirror, took a quick glance then I switched off the lights. I was about locking my door when  I heard Miles shouting in an infuriated tone. I stood there contemplating on going into his office or just going home and letting him sort his problems himself. After a while I knocked on his door then I turned the knob, opened the door then walked in. His office was littered, there were piece of papers here and there. I started picking the papers,he didn't even say a thing he just stared till I was done.

"Is everything okay?" I asked putting the half torn papers in the waste bin.

"Yes" he managed to say.

" But I heard you shouting a moment ago or is that also part of your routine?" I asked intending to make a joke which he obviously didn't find funny, not like I expected him to.

"What do you care?" He asked with a furrowed brow.

"Nothing..You are right I don't care! I  should get going " I said then I turned to leave.

I had already turned the door knob  and was about to pull it open then he spoke

"The external visit is in three days. I'm trying to put together  my speech but it's not working". I paused for a moment before I released the knob  and turned around to face him.

" How difficult was that?" I asked staring with crossed arms.

" Before I was employed  a month ago  you said I would help you with the project right? but... ".

" You started hanging out with Bryan and his friends how was I supposed to ask you?" He said cutting me off before I could finish.

Wait! Was he jealous that I hung out with Bryan and his friends? No! that's not possible I said to myself.

" Hanging out with Bryan has nothing to do with this" I said waiting for a reply but he said nothing.  I picked up the paper on his table and read the content.

" no offence but stop trying to be what you are not, don't get me wrong but just be real with them it would make things easier for you. Yes you have to impress them to take your offer but faking it would make matters worse. " I blurted out waiting for the worst to happen.

" Real is not enough, you really don't know how much this means to this company especially to me, my father is going to... Never mind " he said snapping. I could tell he was under  some sort of pressure and I was in no position to  ask ,we barely even knew each other I was just his secretary and well he is my boss.

" just a little practice and you are good to go" I said assuring him everything would be fine but u doubt he was even listening to anything what I was saying because I he was caught up in his thoughts and the script in front of him.

"It's not as easy as you think ,this is the last chance for us and I'm in charge  if  I mess this up then it is over, the company, you, me! Everything".

Why would I be among?

Last chance for what? I honestly didn't know what he was talking about but it sounded very important plus I just arrived a month ago and I'm still trying to figure out things and I'm hearing I will get fired if he fails to get a contract with the company visiting and I had just three days to fix it. Great!just great! What do I do now? I thought looking at the already confused Miles who was also looking at me for  solution. I was speechless at the moment but I really wanted to help but I didn't know how.

" I will be your audience " I said unconsciously. Damn it! my thoughts keep betraying each time.

" Really?"

"Yea, just take a deep breath and imagine we are in a room filled with people ". I said still unsure of what I was doing at the moment

I stayed there for hours watching him rehearse, and even though I  wasn't really sure of what I was doing but I was glad I could be of help.By the time he was done it was already late, he offered me a lift home but I declined when I remembered how Leah reacted the last time Bryan gave me a lift home.

" I'll take a taxi instead" I said about to walking out of his office.

"Why? It's pretty late and I think it would be better if I take you home myself" he offered again.

"Thanks, I will be fine" I said smile.

"Is this about Bryan? I'm just taking you home nothing much."

Bryan? No! Does he think we are dating or something because this is the second time he has said something about him, why does he even think so? We are clearly just friends.

" No, it's not about him, it's my mum. I don't think she would support the idea of you bringing me home"

"Your mum?" He said laughing.

Did he just laugh? I muttered looking at him,this was the first I had seen him laughing in my entire life and I made him laugh. I don't know why but it felt good seeing him laugh.

"Well, I kind of understand because my dad  is extremely strict  so I guess your mum is strict too and I can't go against her orders" he said.

"Thanks by the way"  I said about leaving then he said .

"I'll walk you to a cab then"

You never give up do you? I said in a low tone, he neatly put away his things in his drawer then he grabbed his coat which he hung on his seat then he led me out to the hallway. This was my first time staying out this late in the company, and I noticed something as we walked. The lights behind went off as we walked  through the hall way to the elevator and by the time we got in the hall way was already dark.

The elevator stopped at the ground floor and we got out then we walked to the door together and out of the empty building. He walked me to the street where I got a cab then he walked back to his car.

When I got home I met Leah doing the dishes. She stopped preparing lunch and dinner for me on weekdays, I felt she was overworking herself so I told her not to.

" I had extra work to do " I replied throwing myself on the couch.

" Too busy to check your phone?" She asked placing the last plate on the dish rack. I checked my phone immediately,  10 missed calls.

"My phone was on silent mode, I didn't know you called".

" its fine I was just worried , I wanted to make sure you were okay" she replied.

" I had a pretty rough day at work today so I will be going to bed now" I said in between a yawn.

" Remember to wake up early ,you promised to help me with the weekend sales!" She yelled when I was half way up.

Did I? I really need to stop making promises. I threw myself on my bed when I got to my room without changing into my pj's.

        I was worn out from yesterday so I woke up very late. I still had to prepare the special weekend treat (cupcakes) and by the time I was done Leah was gone.

When I got to the restaurant I expected Leah to be mad at me but she wasn't. " here" she said handing over an extra apron to me.

Leah left me at the restaurant earlier than usual, she complained 'bout a headache .

I had served the last set of customers and filled in the record book forgetting to turn the sign which hung on the door to the part that says 'closed'. I realized this when the door swung open and someone walked in.

He wore a long black suit and he had a black hat on which covered his face.

He took a seat close to the counter where I was standing.

"May I take your order sir?" I asked.

"Coffee" he said without looking up.

There was something about his voice when  I heard him speak and I could swear I had heard it somewhere but I couldn't remember. Why the hell would someone order coffee in the evening? I thought.

When his coffee was done brewing I served him, I expected him to look up or take off his hat while taking the coffee but he didn't,he just sipped it head bent. It was like he could see me through his hat but I couldn't catch a glimpse of his face, just his lips. When he was done he took out a dollar bill from his pocket and slid it on the table, then he got up and walked away. When  I checked it was fifty box, for a five dollar coffee? I had this  feeling that he knew me. His voice kept echoing in my head as I tried to recall where I had met him.

I cleaned up after the last customer was done and I decided to walk home because the house was just few blocks away (back street)  instead of walking all the way to the street in front to wait for a taxi which I couldn't tell when I would find one that would take me home. As I locked the door of the restaurant I felt someone was watching from across the street but each time I looked there was no one there, probably my imaginations messing with me I said to myself.

As I walked home I kept feeling the same way like the person watching when I was locking the door was following me and I was convinced after I had passed the second street where whoever mistakenly kicked down an empty bottle. I increased my pace immediately, I should call someone, maybe Bryan . I took  my phone out, called  Bryan but he didn't pick . I thought of calling Miles and I was about to drop the idea when whoever stepped on a can litter.

I quickly dialed Miles' number and I didn't care what he would think at this moment.

" Miles I think someone is following me" I said without letting him speak immediately he picked the call.

" where are you? " he asked in a concerned tone.

Well that was a relief I must say but I was almost home so I didn't answer, I just wanted whoever to know I was talking with someone and even if I get  hurt they would be found.

" Paige, where are you?" He asked in a more furious tone.

"I'm almost home " I said when I got to the T- junction that led my house which was at the end of the street.

I looked back when I had crossed to my street and no one was there ,whoever it was had stopped following. It was more like they wanted to know where I live.

" I lost 'em " I said to Miles who was still in the phone.

"You've got to be careful, why will you walk home alone by this time?" He asked. Like I had a choice I said to myself.

Finally I got home and I ended the call immediately. When Leah opened the door I rushed in and shut it quickly

"I was been followed today" I said before she could say a thing. I waited for her reply but none came she just stared at me with a worried look which I could see through her eyes, it was like she had also been followed once or twice or more.

"Leah?"

" I'm sure its nothing, you are imagining things probably because you've had a long day" she said.

Those words weren't real and I could feel it, something was wrong but what?