Jake's POVWhy's she taking so long in the bathroom? How is this going to even go? Maybe I should just come clean, but that will definitely be a mess. I can't do it. For her, I can't. It will be too much trouble for her and any other living family she has.Suddenly, she walks out, looking like a diva and as if she suddenly gained a lot more courage in the bathroom, and her voice, silky and throaty, comes right at me strongly."I'm so sorry, sir. I think it was what I ate. I'm better now, can we go on with the interview please?"At first, I'm dumbfounded because that is so not what I thought would come out of her mouth. It shows me that she indeed has guts because somehow she's been able to get herself together, and maybe she thinks it's not me, I don't even know, but she's not flustered anymore. Now, it's my turn to keep up."Alright, Theresa. Tell me about you." I say as if I don't already know a little too much about her from that night. It was such a perfect night. I see her mouth
Why shouldn’t I take my own life? It’s a question that has run through my mind one too many times. Even now, I think, and I wonder why I don’t have the balls to do it. Sometimes, I imagine that it’s because I won’t make heaven. But even I know that that thought is just bull. At this point in my life, making heaven is not one of my top priorities. Other times, I think it’s because of my selfishness. Now, that’s more reasonable. I’ve always been selfish. I’ve always never given two fucks about anybody but myself. All things considered, I think I'm permitted that leisure. Although, I do think that no matter how much I hate my life, I’m simply too selfish to end it. Yes, selfishness is a more logical reason for me. And if I'm not selfish with myself, who would be? That aside, suicide is not something I think I can do, even with all my issues. I just wouldn't be able to bear putting my mom through the pain. Doesn't mean I don't think about how it'd be though. Just a thought. I only won
“Hello, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, I didn’t know anyone was there. Are you okay?” He says, trying to check me gently all over for injuries or anything. And even in the dim lighting, I can see his soft smile.He’s probably laughing at the stupid girl who’s been looking at him as if she could swallow him all in one piece. All of a sudden, my bitchiness reappears. I’m angry because of everything and nothing at the same time. “I am okay. Thank you,” I say as I snatch my arms from his hand angrily.“Maybe next time, you should watch where you’re going very carefully though.” I turn to leave, happy that I was able to find my stupid voice to at least has said something.“Alright. I’m sorry again. I was so distracted. Please, let me buy you a drink,” I try to look at him more carefully but he only smiles more and says, “Please? Just take me to your table. I’d buy just one drink. I feel really bad, please?”And I could say that’s what did it. Well, not just the gesture but the stupid dog grin al
When we step into the room, it’s as if a sudden spirit comes over me suddenly, and it takes my whole confidence away. I don’t understand it, I swear. All night, I’ve been so confident in myself. And even when I knew we might end up here, I never thought twice.But that first step I make into the wide room makes me shiver. I honestly don’t know why. I think it’s because we talked for hours and I didn’t get his name, or where he works, or anything else that can make me know him after today.This room is simply not a room–it’s too big to be called one. If he wasn’t stinking rich, I don’t know how he’d afford this. And of course, I don’t even know if he’s a serial killer or something. And even though my mind says otherwise, what if he lied to me about himself? I don’t have any more time for what-ifs. Because he moves over to me with apprehension on his face.“Hey, everything is okay, right? If you’ve changed your mind about this, there’s no problem. We could go back downstairs and continu
"Tess, are you okay?" it's my best friend. Since we got home after that night, she's been unusually weird and she said it's me that's being weird. How?Well, maybe because we usually talk about everything yet I haven't said a word about what happened the other day and she hasn't asked. It's just crazy but everything will be fine. I just don't want her to fret that I had the best sex and time of my life with a handsome nameless stranger. And trust Josephine to be really scared at that. She knows that no matter how bad bitch I am, I'm still a softie and a traditional lover girl at heart. However, I have to make sure she doesn't worry. Not that I won't tell her, but not yet. I honestly don't know what I'm waiting for, maybe to be sure it's not a dream since but I guess it's not cos dreams have never been so happy for me. And that was way too vivid to be a dream. But then, I also think that if it were a dream, I wouldn't have wanted to wake up so soon because why would life be that perfec
"Content Writer" for X'Development, a marketing agency. That was what the application form stated when I applied. I didn't even tell Jose when I applied because she'd warned me that in the bid not to be desperate, I shouldn't apply for every single job I see. And honestly, I understand that.When I think of it, it's funny how I studied Accounting yet my source of income is from Writing, a talent and a skill I honed. Getting out of the university and seeing that there was no job anywhere was tough. I applied to places that my CV resonated with, yet I wasn't able to get a decent job with decent pay. Everyone everywhere else said it was better to get a skill and I almost laughed at that, at first. You mean I spent four years and then some in a university only to come out and not see a job and then get a skill to get one? Why then did I disturb myself with the university process when I could have easily sat at home to learn a skill after secondary school? I asked myself that question a mi
"Girl, you're definitely kidding!" Vera laughs hysterically, making Jose join her."No, wait. Common! The man hit on you? Like continually? Guys, don't laugh. Stop now, don't laugh," but Tolani keeps on laughing as she's talking. And since I dropped the bomb, Kaisha hasn't been able to say a thing, she's been too busy laughing. She only asked if he was indeed bald and then fired up her laughter. I do blame myself for springing it up on them. I was just going to mention it like a passing thought since what I actually wanted to tell them was Jose still working at the school. And now, in our once-weekly or whenever-we-can virtual meeting, they're all laughing."Guys, stop. I trust Tess to hold her own against any bald lover-man, or boss," Jose chokes out and they all go another round laughing. But she continues, "Y'all, I wanted to tell you something else. Something sweet. You see, our girl here has a loverrrrr boy." She drags out and I groan and start walking to the room but Jose pulls
I lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling and wondering why the hell life is so twisted. On the outside, I have the perfect life. Multi-billionaire before 30. Engaged to the perfect woman (perfect woman my ass. If I had the chance, I'd run so far away from Clare). Son of a dragoness, as the press call her, but it's not really like that. It has never been and never will be.I just need some peace, is that too much to ask for? I slide my eyes to the wall clock next to my bed frame and my thought wanders to her. Tessa. The woman who has not been able to leave my mind ever since that night. Damn best night of my life. I'd forever be grateful to Lucas for making me go to that place. He doesn't know I've gone back there. In hopes that I'll see her. All fire and ice. Hot and beautiful, supple and sweet. Tessa. I can still remember what it felt like to have her under me. The arch of her back, the numerous sweet little moles she has on her body and how I'd take my sweet time to kiss them all
Jake's POVWhy's she taking so long in the bathroom? How is this going to even go? Maybe I should just come clean, but that will definitely be a mess. I can't do it. For her, I can't. It will be too much trouble for her and any other living family she has.Suddenly, she walks out, looking like a diva and as if she suddenly gained a lot more courage in the bathroom, and her voice, silky and throaty, comes right at me strongly."I'm so sorry, sir. I think it was what I ate. I'm better now, can we go on with the interview please?"At first, I'm dumbfounded because that is so not what I thought would come out of her mouth. It shows me that she indeed has guts because somehow she's been able to get herself together, and maybe she thinks it's not me, I don't even know, but she's not flustered anymore. Now, it's my turn to keep up."Alright, Theresa. Tell me about you." I say as if I don't already know a little too much about her from that night. It was such a perfect night. I see her mouth
Jake's POV"Theresa Thompson?" I say as I look at her, trying to ignore everything rioting through me. I won't be subject to the weakness I feel at the sight of her, after so long. I won't be subject to the feeling in me, the part of me that wants me to draw her close and kiss every part of her body over and over again till I place my mark on her. She's here for business, and so I am."You may have your seat," I nod towards the seat at my front, trying to be as proper as I can be. And then she looks at me as if she's hurt I can't remember her but she doesn't know what else to do she walks right to my front, looking pale as hell making me want to end this farce. Only I can't. I just can't. I have too much for her in me to put her through what being with a bastard like me would do to her. I want to protect her. It's why I haven't reached out to her all this while. It was like fate was laughing me right in the eye when I received her entry, right in the early hours of the morning after I
Two hours later, I'm not completely sure that my prayers were heard. The driver says it was normal for us to spend at least two hours given the distance, but it wasn't for me. The traffic was thick at some points, and thank goodness the driver was so sleek, he was able to manoeuvre his way, eventually though we still get there two hours after I entered the car. I look at my watch and see that it's 9:36 am. So I thank the driver and make sure to tip him before getting down. And oh my God am I met with the biggest building I've ever seen, in forever! The driver must have thought I was from the village or something, not to know a place like this. It's like a picture out of my movies. Tall as hell must be a couple of storeys high, all sleek and clean. Grey, white and black is what I can see from the outside, and there are so many, so so many glass windows. I get the sudden urge to throw a little stone to see what happens but I quell the urge immediately. How many people must work here???
Okay, next week came too soon. I had all week to obsess over what could go wrong and what couldn't. So Jose and the girls decided to make me calm down. Jose for one was so busy with her preparation for the 50th birthday party, and I helped her out. We made market runs, tried out new recipes, got the dessert plates, we even got a new refrigerator with the down payment the woman made. And it's safe to say that the event couldn't have possibly gone any better than it did. It was beyond amazing. And finally, at the event two days ago, Jose and I went together. We rented a bus to take us with all the desserts, and we took the mini-fridge because well, desserts and chilly environments are besties.At the event–which was glamorous by the way!– We met so many elites, and when the desserts were dished out, let's just say the business cards we printed out went to no waste. Every single person got Jose's number and promised to call her soon for an event or the other. When we got home, we were so
It's Jose's voice over the phone that wakes me up. Apparently, orders are rushing in already and I couldn't be happier, but just ten more minutes of sleep, that's all I want. I drag my pillow and place it firmly over my head. Suddenly, it's wrenched off my head as Jose's voice blares through like a speaker. "Get your ass up, you lazy ass! We have work to doooo.""You didn't call me lazy when I was helping your ass yesterday," I mumble and firmly place the pillow over my head again.Her laughter booms through and then she says, "Sorry, what was that? I didn't hear you.""Nothing. Go, please. I want to sleep.""Nope!" And she pulls me up this time leaving me no choice but to accept that it's game over for my sleep this morning."Oh, God. What do you want, now, Josephine? Why are you disturbing my peaceful sleep?""A sleep being slept at 10:00 am is no sleep. Girl, I've been up all morning, and you won't believe what just happened!!!""My brain is not awake, Jose. I can't guess. What ha
It's the D-day. A week after I quit. And of course, Jose's sweet tooth opening day. I couldn't be more excited, trust me. Especially considering the fact that the untouchable Jose has been so fidgety all week. Especially yesterday. She double-called everyone to be sure everything was in place. It's a big thing, and I'm glad something good is happening in one of our lives. Jose deserves it all. And of course, the local press will be here today, there will be free treats for everyone who comes. And Jose's sweet tooth will officially be open for business. Love it! "Tessa, my gloss!!!" Jose's voice, or scream rather, drags me out of my mini reverie and I roll my eyes a little too dramatically because Jose really has been fun to watch being so nervous, literally like a gassed-up drink waiting to erupt. I step into the room and right by her bedside, grab the gloss, and just as she's about to collect it, I hold her hands instead, making sure her eyes are on me."Josephine, I have never, eve
Jake's POV"Good morning sir, here's your coffee, sir."I grab it from the receptionist and head on to the elevator, ignoring the way everyone who was chatty and gisting suddenly shut up and faced their work as I walked in. I might not necessarily like it, but I don't have a choice. Moreso, I'm used to it. I'm used to being the centre of attraction in every room I walk into. And most especially, here. At my base, Fleggs Oil and Gas. As the elevator moves, I taste the coffee and cough almost immediately.Ever since I fired the bastard, Junior who worked as my secretary and personal assistant, and at the same time, a secret spy for our biggest opponents, I've been left secretary-less. I'd rather have it that way though, even though it means suffering badly made coffee by the receptionist, rather than having a spy, right in my own office. It took some time for me to fish the bastard out, but I did, and he's still paying the consequences. Yes, I'm brutal that way. I never even needed a se
At first, I walk. I just walk, because it's what I do best to clear my head. Why should life be so shitty? Why in the world should life be so twisted? I don't want to go home and dump my worries on Jose, though I know I'll still have to, but instead, I call the dearest person in my heart.When she picks on the first ring, my heart swells a bit more. "Hello, baby? Is everything okay? How are you doing?"At first, I can't say anything, for fear that I'll break down. But I know that if I do, my mother will take the first vehicle she sees down here and come see me herself so I try to hold it in. "Mom? Um, fine. Fine. How is everything ma?" "Everything is okay. How are you? What's going on? I can hear the tears in your voice. What happened?"" Everything is… o" I burst out in tears because I can't hold it in anymore. I know that wasn't supposed to happen because now mom will want to come over here just to make sure I'm okay. It's been that way ever since. Ever since my shitty father aban
"So Tessa," he begins, "How has your one month been so far? To me, you've been doing beautifully well and I look forward to many more months. But let me know what you think. And then I know we're yet to have those meetings with the rest of the team but…"All of a sudden, I'm so angry, at everything else and most especially, the fact that they lie so blatantly even right to my face. "What team, sir? Is there actually a team?" I ask. And trust his wife to jump us asking what I mean by that and that I should explain immediately while her husband doesn't really look like he wants to hear that."Gladly, ma'am. Before I came here, the job description was as a content writer. I got here and found out that it was an SEO content writer you needed instead but I didn't complain, because thankfully, I have some experience there. I worked hard every day doing not just the role of SEO content writer, but everyone else who's supposed to be on the team. If we're going to go further after this month,