THAT NIGHT
Episode 8
I got to ANNIE-PECU petrochemical company at 5:20 am since I was told by the Secretary that their MD said if I didn’t get there by 5:30 am, I should forget about the contract. Since I was ten minutes earlier, I had this confidence that the contract would be awarded to my company.
Unfortunately for me, their so-called annoying MD didn’t show up that day. At half-past six, her Secretary had to tell me to go home and return the following day. I was so pissed that I didn’t know when I yelled at her, I missed breakfast and lunch because of the annoying time they gave me.
I picked up my briefcase intending to go to the boss that I have had enough, he should rather send someone else or forget the contract. Getting to the parking lot, I let out my anger on my car by banging it.
After breathing in and out, I slide into the driver’s seat and was about to drive out of the company when I set my eyes on her. Her face, stature, walking steps remain the same but she now looks sophisticated. No doubt, she is the MD of ANNIE-PECU.
How come? Like how did she get to that position in the space of five years?
I jammed my car door and went after her, I won’t give up till I speak to her. She is Peculiar, the woman who has stolen my heart, she disappeared into thin air with a part of me in her.
The Secretary was surprised to see me back but I didn’t care. I made to enter Peculiar’s office without the Secretary’s permission but she was fast enough to stop me.
Me: Please, I need to see her. She is someone I know
Secretary: Sir, you can’t see her
Me: Please tell her that Edwin wants to see her, Akinola Edwin
Secretary: you can’t see her. Please, you need to leave
Edwin: (raised my voice) what is your problem lady? I said she knows me, just mention my name to her
While I was still arguing with the Secretary, Peculiar who was disturbed by our noise came to see what was going on.
Peculiar: what is happening here, Tina?
Tina: Ma, this man here wants to forcefully enter your office claiming that he knows you
Me: Peculiar, it’s me. Edwin, Mrs. Akinola’s son
Peculiar: (shocked to see me but quickly pretended not to know me) Who is Peculiar, I am Annie young man, you seem you lost your way. Tina, if he refuses to leave, get Musa to bundle him out
Tina: Yes ma, oga oya leave before I call the security bundle you out
Me: Fine! I will leave
The embarrassment was too much for me to bear, I walked out of the company in shame and vowed never to return there. I dropped the document regarding the contract with the receptionist and ask her to give her boss.
PECULIAR’S P.O.V
Me: No, this isn’t happening, It’s Edwin, why can’t the past stay in the past. I am already living life afresh, why won’t the past let me be?
I know I wasn’t supposed to treat Edwin the way I did but I just don’t want to have anything to do with anyone from my past. Edwin and his mom were once my saviors and I am supposed to love and cherish them but I just can’t.
THAT NIGHT
Episode 9
PECULIAR’S P.O.V
For the past two weeks, I have been so restless. After treating Edwin badly, the Holy Spirit corrected me and ordered that I make amends. Seun, the receptionist brought the files concerning their contract to me and I award it to their company.
My Secretary informed Edwin’s company that the contract has been awarded to them. I thought Edwin would come but someone else came to sign the agreement form.
Luckily for me, I was able to get Edwin’s contact from their representative. I called to apologize for my rude behaviour and ask if he could come to meet me so that we could discuss things. At first, he replied rudely but later promised to come.
Edwin’s P.O.V
My boss thought I was joking when I said I would never step my foot in ANNIE-PECU, it was when I threatened to drop my resignation letter that he knew I was serious about me not going back there.
Surprisingly, we received a call from ANNIE-PECU informing us that the contract has been awarded to us. Still, I refused to go there. My boss had no choice but to send a younger colleague to go sign the agreement form.
I was hurt by Peculiar’s action, this is was someone my mom and I stood with during her trying time, we spent a lot of money searching for her after her disappearance and all she could do was to give instructions that the guards should throw me out if I refuse to leave. My mom noticed my moody state but I just couldn’t disclose anything to her.
To my utmost surprise, I received a call from peculiar some weeks later apologizing for her rude behavior and asking if we could meet up. At first, I refused to hearken to her but after some moment of pleading, I decided to meet up with her.
I was about to go meet with Peculiar two days later when my baby boy came to ask if I was going out again.
Miracle: daddy!!!
Me: yes baby
Miracle: are you going out again?
Me: yes but I won’t be gone for long
Miracle: but you promised to spend some time with me today, you also promise to help me with my assignment
Me: I am very sorry baby, something came up that’s why. I promise to come back home on time and help you out with your assignment
Miracle: alright daddy, don’t forget to get me my favorite drink on your way back
Me: sure I won’t. Okay, go meet grandma, I have to leave right now
Miracle: bye daddy, drive carefully
Me: thanks darling
I drove out of the compound with a smile plastered on my face, Miracle is such a cute sweet boy who is just too smart for his age. I am so happy to have him in my life.
After an hour drive, I arrived at Oceans, the eatery where Peculiar chose. Since I got there before her, I took a table and ordered a drink. Few minutes after getting my order, she walked into the eatery majestically.
Heads turned at the sight of her, she was still the same peculiar I knew but she was now sophisticated. I was lost where I sat, her greeting was what brought me out of my reverie.
Peculiar: good afternoon Eddie
Me: (hearing her call me Eddie awaken the butterflies in my belly) Good afternoon
Peculiar: sorry, I am late
Me: it’s alright, got here a few minutes ago. So, you said you wanna see me, hope there is no problem?
Peculiar: You see Eddie, I am very sorry for the way I treated you back at my company. I have been restless and unhappy knowing fully well that I treated my helper badly
Me: hmmm, thank God you realized that.
Peculiar: I am also sorry for leaving without notice, I just hope you and your mom can forgive me
Me: Let me be frank with you, my mom and I are highly displeased with you. Despite how we cared for you, you didn’t deem it fit to inform us about your relocation. We spent a lot searching for you. The pastor and his wife also spent a lot. That is very bad of you
Peculiar: I am so sorry for how everything turned out, I never planned it that way too but something happened which changed the course of my life
Me: something?? What is that??
Peculiar: I got r@ped by the pastor’s first son and I had to leave because no one would believe me if I had reported to his parent and if I had come to your place, there would be a problem
Me: Jesus!! This is terrible
Peculiar: I felt used again. I asked God if he created me for r@pe and m0lestation
Me: I never knew you went through such again but how do you manage to attain this position like becoming the owner of one of the biggest petrochemical company in the country
To be continued.