It felt so good being back at the office after being away for so long. Well, it’s only been two days but it felt like a very long time. As I signed countless forms from the board requesting my authorization regarding so many things, which weren’t even all that big of a deal, I remembered what Omar had told me about our company. I picked up the phone.
“Yeah?” I heard Penny’s voice on the other side. Through the glass door, I could see her holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder while typing on her phone.
“Can you please let my father know that I’m coming up to see him.” I told her. “And please put your phone away, you’re at work.”
“Oh okay…” She said awkwardly while eying me.
I placed the phone on the receiver and got up. I had to do something about this. Whoever it was creating those fake portfolios was in our
I sat in dad's chair just staring at him literally stress. He had his hand to his chin and he looked thoughtful, thinking about what I had no clue. I just hope that what ever was going on in his head right now was more about the scammer and not the hacker.The phone on his desk ringed."Yes?" He picked up. "Oh..."I paid close attention. I hope that Steven won't be available anytime soon, at least to buy me more time to think of what I would do. I don't want to bring Dan back here. In fact, he wouldn't even want to set foot here again. It would just create chaos. The workers on the floor where he was working obviously know him."So he can only come down here tomorrow?" Dad said.Yes! Tomorrow was in just a few hours but at least I had a little time to figure out what I would do."12 o'clock? Alright. Clear my schedule for 12 tomorrow." Dad was saying. "Give me at least 2 h
It was the second day Nathan was sleeping over. We sat at the dining table as Rosalie served our dinner.“Yesterday I sent out the design I want, right? The designer is still busy with it. Called him this morning but he said he’s not done with it yet.” Nathan was telling me. “Today is Thursday, Saturday is in like two days. That guy is really starting to slack on me. At first whenever I gave him a design, he would jump all his other clients’ and finish mine first.”Rosalie finished dishing for me. She had made stew and rice. Delicious.I began eating. “Give it time. You only told him yesterday afternoon.”“What about you?” Nathan asked me.“What?”“Your dress? Is it done already?”Oh… I haven’t even thought about that once. But obviously I cou
“So, Gen, do you mind introducing your friend?” Dad asked me.“Of cause not.” I turned to Dan. “Everyone, this is Dan. My hacker friend. And Dan, this is my dad-““Mr. Raphael. Of cause.” Dan said smiling politely. “I truly admire you, sir.”“What do you admire about me?” Dad wasn’t smiling back.“Your hard work.” Dan nodded. “Building an empire this huge is not child’s play. So much must have been invested. Energetically, financially…”Dad nodded. “Yeah, that’s very true. That’s why when Gen told me about you hacking our system and what you found out, it worried me sick.”Dan nodded. “Of cause.”“Anyway.” I said. “Dan this is Steven, our family and company lawyer. This is Francis my dad’s nephew and right hand man.”Dan nodded.“Does Dan have a surname?” Dad asked.“Dan Forbes.” I quickly said. I didn’t want dad hearing ‘Danlie’ and p
"Raphael." Steven said when he got to the door. "I think we need to talk.""Sure." Dad said. "But you'll have to be quick because I have another meeting in half an hour."Both Dan and I watched Steven re-enter the office and go sit in Dan's seat."Please, close the door behind you, Gen." Dad said.Yoké and I exchanged looks."It's all cool." I whispered to him. "He won't tell dad anything. I spoke to him, remember.""You think? Cause I don't think so."Nope. I don't. I actually think that Steven is going to spill everything out to dad. Even the guts. But I had to be positive, right? It wouldn't help if both Dan and I were stressing.I closed dad's door as we stepped out of the office. Francis was standing by the lift waiting for it."I'll see you tomorrow?" I told Dan. "I need to talk to Fr
"Oh you'll really love the dress." The designer, Paul was telling me. Unlike most male designers and stylists, Paul was straight. Straighter than straight. He didn't talk or sound like a girl. He didn't walk or behave like a girl. None of that. Everything of his was just pure musculin. Except the fashion style was exceptional. Better than a guy would dress in any given day. And he always wore bright colors with many patterns."I actually like my dress." Alice told him. "You really gave it your all.""It would have been better if you didn't insist on plain black." Paul told her. I should add, Paul was openly honest. What? I know. He tells you the truth, anywhere and in any situation. He was the biggest critic there could ever beSometimes he even criticized his own work. "It made you look a bit emo. Dark little character."Alice just frowned and exchanged looks with Mom."Where is Francis?" Mom was lookin
“Quickly fix up her hair she’s supposed to go down now. It’s almost 8.” Mom told the hairdresser. A woman with colorful highlights in her hair. She had purple, pink, maroon and red.“Yes, just need more pins to keep your hair up then you’re good.” She smiled at me and then continued fumbling with my hair.“We are running out of time.” Mom said. “And did she put on perfume already?”“Not yet.” The stylist said. Another woman, but she was a redhead with a nose ring.“You people are so slow.” Mom said going to grab perfume on the draw. “I hired you instead of our usual because this day is very special, now you’re making me regret it.”“No, that’s not her perfume!” The stylist told me. “That’s Alice’s.”I looked up and saw mom with a purple bottle of perfume with a black grape drawn in the front. “Where is hers then?”“It’s right here.” The stylist took the perfume from the dresser. “I’ll just wait for Kisha to finish with her hair first.”Mom looked at her diamond wrist watch impatiently.
I hate him. I hate him. I hate him so much. He just took it too far this time. How could he sleep with Alice? How could he take it that far? How could he do this to me when I felt so bad for sleeping with Nathan even though I did it because I thought I’d never see Yoké again. But him, I’m right here. How could he? And then he still had the audacity to come dance with me after doing such a despicable thing. How has Yoké changed so much and so quickly? This is not him. The Yoké I knew would never lay a finger on another girl. What changed him so much? Maybe I’m the one in the dark. I’m the fool. Sitting around thinking that Yoké and I are playing games. Maybe he really means everything that he’s been telling me. How could I be so stupid? I can’t believe that I’ve been fooling myself this whole time.The worst thing about what he did is that he didn’t even feel bad about it. He came back wanting to dance
When we finished dinner, neither Alice nor Dan came back to the table. I could see that dad was not at all pleased with this but he didn't say anything. We sat at the table chatting with the guests until everyone finished eating. The maids began clearing the table and bringing dessert.After dessert, which was mixed fruit and some yogurt, mom got everyone's attention with a glass and a spoon."The party has basically ended now and I thank you all for being here tonight." Mom began. "If you do wish to stick around longer, please do not hesitate to. In fact many of you know that we have a guesthouse with a couple of bedrooms so those that decide to spend the night should be good."People began getting up and coming to hug us goodbye."Tomorrow is Sunday." Nathan told me, putting an arm around me as everyone left the kitchen."I know." I chuckled."Yeah, what ar