Thank you Father for life...
I know today will be better than yesterday.

It is true that if you say something constantly, it becomes real and a part of you...so I remind myself daily of God's strength in my weakness, God's favour in my lack and God's love in my loneliness.

Wednesday

Flemming street

Port Elizabeth, SA.

It rained heavily in the night. I stretched my hand towards the edge of my bed with my sleepy eye to get my blanket. Eric used to do this sort of thing but well, I better get used to the fact that he's gone. I checked the time... 5:47am. I had to get enough sleep before 8:00am.

Few minutes later...(We know how alarm and morning sleep behave)

8:00am...alarm rings.

I woke up shocked. Really? I haven't slept that long I mouthed loud. Mumbling to myself, I stretched and got up, arranged my clothes on the bed, played 🎶You waited by Travis Greene...also saw a message from my boss

"Bring my coffee to the house... we're gonna control everything from here."

I looked at the clothes on the bed...hmmm...needs change; changed them to something appealing with a don't mess with me and I'm single and upset look.

Fast forward all my activities

8:55am

Forbes, Port Elizabeth, SA.

I got to my bosses house with his coffee and I met lots of food on the table.

'Good morning sir,' I said, looking at him and back at the table.

'About time Becky. I was beginning to think you won't work today.' He walked past me to the dinning. 'Come, sit and have breakfast,' he beckoned.

'Are we having people over sir,' I asked. What I saw on the table wasn't food for two....it was to feed a nation. What time or let me rephrase who cooked?

He laughed. 'Don't be silly. It's breakfast, lunch and dinner. You'll be here with me today till maybe tomorrow...if you wish tomorrow, just saying. We'll microwave when it's lunch and dinner time.'

Tomorrow? What? I couldn't stay with him till tomorrow. I couldn't stay close to him that long...he had this side effect on me that I needed to get rid of. I cleared my throat. 'I can't stay till tomorrow sir. I don't have clothes with me for such sleepover.' Wrong! You should have found another excuse.

'That can be arranged,' he said. He picked his phone, pressed it a while and placed it on his ear. 'Hello Susan. Long time no see...it's nice to hear your voice again.' I couldn't make out the other end of the chat but I could tell from the smiles and wide eyes that he was enjoying his conversation girlfriend I thought.

'Yes Susan. I need some good outfits...both casual and official for a lady.' not his girlfriend then. I started waving my hands in a NO motion which wasn't working. I couldn't stay...I wasn't going to stay even though my entire body said otherwise.

'Thank you Susan. If it's possible...now,' he added. 'Hold on,' then he looked at me 'what size do you wear?' I didn't know so I shrugged a don't know to him. I usually picked what fits in the shop.

'Bring something for a perfect lady. Gracias sweetheart.' He dropped the call and continued his breakfast, like nothing just happened. I sat on the opposite side of the table and picked two slices of bread, poured coffee into the cup, some milk and a teaspoon of sugar, then stirred quietly, ignoring his gaze.

'Tell me something Becky.' I looked up. 'What do you desire in life?' Ehmm...I wasn't expecting that.

'I want to be remembered by the good I've done for others, not by fashion or material things, to put smiles on people's faces that I come in contact with daily.'

He listened as I rambled on and on and he smiled at intervals. 'Wow,' he said, 'so much to fulfil. You've gotta wear bigger shoes than what you're wearing right now, if you know what I mean.'

'I understand. Quick question sir...why did you ask?' I was curious.

He dropped his fork and knife. 'Well, Phoenix, you're smart and beautiful.'
I know that... everyone knows that...

'I believe you are more than what you are to me right now...my personal assistant. You can achieve better.' For a moment there, I was  touched by what he said. Eric had never asked me what I desired...this man was beginning to crawl under the thick wall I was building around myself.

'Thank you sir.' I cleared the table of breakfast and left lunch and dinner. The romantic time was over to me and I needed to work...I hoped he knew it was time to work too.

Four Hours later

A knock on the door paused my work. My boss got up first. 'I'll get it,' he said walking towards the door. He opened it and I peeped from my seat, careful not to fall over. He kissed the lady and ushered her in. She walked in and looked at me, dropping her shades down to examine me better.

'Is she the one?' the blondie asked. He nodded. 'Susan meet Rebecca... Rebecca, Susan.' Oh! The Susan on the phone...she was so beautiful and amazingly dressed.

'Come in guys,' she ordered and a swarm of ladies and guys walked in.

*****************
Author's note

Enjoying the book? Well, click that vote button below and read too.

That's a wrap for The Better Man I...the other is coming soon.

Thank you so much.

Next update : dunno...wrote this chapter Friday at 5:53pm...posted it today (predicting what I have done).

Words : 983

By the way, I smell Christmas but it's still raining here so that's it.

With love ♥️

Joy Akpan 😊