Episode 5
The One I Hated ๐
I continued pestering dad all day about Charles’s insensitive behavior, and the next day, being Thursday, he finally came around.
I was eating when he entered and without saying a word to me, he went and sat on a stool by my bed.
“I heard that you’re sick”. He began, after a moment of silence.
“Why did it take you so long to get here? or are you just hearing about my health today”. I asked, not turning to look at him.
“I don’t remember telling you I’m a doctor”. He answered abruptly”.
I let the spoon fall noisily into the plate as I turned to face him properly.
“You you see the problem I have with you?, you’re so rude”. I hissed.
“I’m just here to say sorry, not to fight with you”.
He dropped a small bag beside me and stood.
“I wish you a quick recovery”. He said before leaving..
After he closed the door behind him, I opened the bag and in it was a card that read๐
‘Get well soon, boss’
I placed it by my side.
By Friday evening, I was up and on Sunday, which was my 26th birthday, dad threw me a surprise party with all the staff in attendance.
That made me so happy. There was enough to eat and drink.
I scanned the place severally for Charles but he wasn’t anywhere around.
I had already concluded maybe he wasn’t invited when I saw him walking in through the entrance. But he wasn’t alone. He came in the company of a girl….a strange girl.
I watched them exchange pleasantries with the other staff and then he walked up to me and handed me a pack.
“Happy birthday, boss”. He muttered.
I collected the parcel with my face squeezed.He went back and sat besides the girl.
My mood changed as soon as he entered that party with that girl.
After they had all gone, I was in the living room, thinking about what happened at the party, when dad came down to get something.
“Dad, I know, you would still support Charles, but I still have to say this. What he did today is totally unacceptable… like who does that?”.
“What has he done this time?”. He asked.
“Has he any right to bring in a girl into this house?”.
Dad cleared his throat.
“Thank God you already know my stand on the matter, no need for further argument”. He said, picked what he came for and went back upstairs.
I know what I’m saying, Charles has no right to bring his girlfriend to his boss’ house, it’s a sign of disrespect but I don’t know why dad would be taking sides.
The next day at work, while Helena was helping me arrange some files in my office, I decided to share my opinion with her too.
“Did you see what Charles did yesterday at the party?”.
“No, ma”. She answered, shaking her head.
“Did you not see that he brought a girl with him?”.
“Oh! that, we all saw it… but, if you ask for my opinion, I see nothing wrong with that.. I mean, he is an adult”.
My eyes widened. Why is no one seeing this from my angle?, Why are they all taking side with Charles?.
“I can go now, ma”. She said and left.
I was with Emily later in the day, working on a project, when Helena entered the office. She looked so excited.
“What’s the excitement about?”. I asked.
“Madam, bet me, this thing I’m about to tell you now will cheer you up”. She announced.
“What is it?”. I asked, curious.
“Well, I just got off the phone with Charles and guess what, he said the lady in question was his younger sister”. she said, smiling.
“I don’t get, how is that supposed to cheer me up?”.
“At least, now you know that she is not his girlfriend?”.
I sat up to observe her very well.
“Helena, did say I’m jealous?…. when did I tell you I’m angry because I saw Charles with a girl?”. I asked, confused and embarrassed at the same time.
“I’m sorry, but that is what it seems like. You..”
“Helena!… leave my office, leave my office this minute!”. I thundered.
She ran out immediately, closing the door behind her.
“Is that girl alright?”. I asked Emily.
Emily smiled.
“I will tell you the truth, ma. From what I have heard about you and Charles, I think you have feelings for that young man, but you keep suppressing it?. Some times, try listening to your heart… and he may be feeling same way for you too”.
Has the whole world gone crazy?
“You can leave now, I think we’re done”. I said, booting the system.
She stood up, adjusted her skirt, smiled before she turned and left.
“Silly!”. I exclaimed….
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Story by โ Joy Ifunanya
