Ten Hours Later.

Tacha couldn't tell what time it was yet. Her cellphone kept on ringing, but somehow she was sure it wasn't time for her alarm to ring yet. She moved about on the bed that contained two people, wondering why it was so free and easy to move about when her sleeping partner was no other person than the descendant of Jackie Chan. Many times, Tacha wondered if her sleeping partner was always learning Kunfu in her dream. Is either her partner's hand was pointing to her belly, her face, her jaw, or her leg kicking hers every now and then. The way she survived every night was beyond her.

Tacha's head hurt so badly. She had come home after the whole embarrassment and cried on her pillow. Not only because of the guy called Nathan, but because of the fool she called her boyfriend texting her how much he loved her after she wasn't picking her calls. Tacha was angry with the fact that everyone played her like she was nothing but a complete joke. She doesn't want to believe this serving of breakfast meaning one losing a relationship you stay dedicated to in a twinkle of an eye was real and not a joke like Instagram users made it look like. Now that she was served, she would reduced her laughing emoji for she had experienced what it looked like losing a part of yourself. She remembered standing at the front of the mirror last night dressed almost naked, trying to be like her best friend. No one ever criticized her best friend, rather, they praised her for always looking beautiful every blessed time. Yet, when she finally thought she was sexy and men would admire her too, the night ended in a complete disaster. Even in her sleep, Tacha saw Nathan's face staring at her. She wasn't sure if she was ever going to forget that face. She made sure to hide everything she wore that night so that her best friend wouldn't know either. Tacha was sure she didn't recognize her.

The phone started to ring again, giving Tacha no hope of going back to sleep. Tacha surrendered her eyes to the early morning brightness, unable to believe time had gone already. She decided to answer the caller, her voice coming out slowly. "Hello, who--"

The laughter that came through the speaker of her phone shut her up from speaking more."Hey Bitch!"

Tacha knew that voice too well.

"Kaffy."

"Yes Mademoiselle." Kaffy laughed, more like making jest of Tacha, as if she had been waiting for this day to come.She sounded very happy. "Let's make this snappy baby girl," Kaffy said. "Thanks for fucking off and getting yourself fired. Madam hardworking girl. Sister I love my job so much."

What! Tacha's eyes said it all. Tacha sat up, her brain unable to process the information she was receiving. "Fire-"

"Fired! But let me finish please." Kaffy yelled, her voice sounding like someone who had lost her voice after forty one days on the mountain, giving Tacha no room to understand what was going on. "So, my dear Tacha, Tacha, I can finally get the promotion I deserve. No more Tacha this, Tacha that like you are the only one in this company. Baby girl, you are fired! Fired!...oh, less I forget, your things should probably be at your door step now. That's what happens when you think you are perfect, and smarter than everyone here. Hardworking girl fired. Haha! See you around fat bitch--"

"Kaffy who is that?" A voice Tacha knew so well interrupted Kaffy while she was still on phone with Tacha. "Have you heard about Tacha being fired? Like, why would the boss fired someone like Tacha?"

"What! Why can't he fire someone like Tacha." Kaffy said with pride, sounding very annoyed. "What can she do that we are not doing. Whatever! All I know is, our Boss received a call very early this morning. He was shaking out of fear, saying yes sir, yes sir, and the next thing he said after the call ended was, Tacha is fired. So, I'm here doing my job. I'm even surprised that arrogant boss with that his ceramic, ever shinning head can be so submissive to someone. Whosoever, I don't care. Tacha is gone for good."

"Kaffy." Tacha could finally make up a word after what she just heard. Was this another imagination or a dream. She swallowed the saliva building up in her throat. "Please Kaffy, how can the boss fire--"

The next thing Tacha heard was the sound indicating the call had been dropped. She looked down at her cellphone and truly the call was dropped. Whatever happened next, Tacha wasn't aware until the only person she admired, who stood right in front of her spoke to her after standing for close to ten minutes watching her. "Tacha what is it? What's with the look?" It was her best friend, and she demanded ready to scold Tacha.

Tacha looked up at her best friend. Her eyes soaked with tears, yet trying to hold it back. Kaffy was one of those people she knew despised her at her place of work. Is it a sin to be diligent and faithful to one's work? Is it a sin to love one's work so much and work towards giving out the best? She couldn't lose her job. Not now. Not this critical time of her life. "Kenny, is anything wrong with me? Like, something terrible just happened to me last night and this."

Kenny turned her head. "Last night. What happened?"

"Last night," Tacha repeated, realizing she shouldn't have mentioned that. She looked up at Kenny, thinking of what to say. "Did I say last night?" Tacha feigned a confused look. "I meant last night I wasn't happy and this just happened you know." She twisted the whole thing and Kenny just accepted. Tacha stood up from the bed. "Have I offended anyone?"

Kenny shook her head. "Not possible Tacha. Your soul is too sweet to make anyone mad at you." Kenny was being sincere.

Tacha brought down her head into her palm, trying not to lose her voice as she voiced out and eventually cried. "Then why would my boss fire me? Kenny why? Why for heaven sake?"

"What!" Kenny was stunned. If Tacha had been a lazy person with her work, Kenny would have been frank with her best friend, but no, Tacha had been cheated and she knew it. "Twenty minutes and I will be back." Kenny picked up her bag and stormed out.

✨✨✨

One hour earlier.

Nathan climbed down the stairs that led to his sitting room. He was dressed in a black suit. The first two buttons of the black shirt underneath his suit revealed his hard chest, and his golden neck chain that cost him millions of naira. If everyone believed everything Nathan wore was made for him, only him knew he loved to show off his material things, especially if they were new. He never gave himself the opportunity to do that in the past.

"Good morning sir." Bolatito, his personal assistant greeted, but her shaky legs and long face were noticed by Nathan. "Sir I--"

"The new maid has refused to come again, and she's probably cursing me." Nathan finished for her,he knew what the restlessness was all about, looking up at Bolatito whose heart skipped a beat at the long stare Nathan gave her. His height, stares and huge body intimidating her, filling the whole space around her that she could barely breathe. Nathan stretched his hand forward and Bolatito gave him his cellphone. He received it and took a look around his sitting room. "I'm glad she left anyways. She's a bad cook, and probably puts more salt in my food. She's better gone than staying. Remember, it's never easy to make money. It's okay to complain, but you will definitely survive."

Bolatito swallowed.They are better gone than staying. She thought, knowing these people would always quit after their first day or week. "Thank you sir," she thanked him for his advice. "Sir, I can just make you--"

"Hello James." Nathan walked out of her presence, throwing his fingers in the air for Bolatito to take her leave. Nathan held the card in his hand up. "Tacha Williams," he called. "I need to teach someone a lesson."

James paused for a while, then spoke up. "What would you have me do sir?"

"Almond limited. Does that sound familiar?" Nathan read from the card in his hand and immediately slipped it into his pocket. "I heard they are going bankrupt and his father needs money. Also, I heard it's his share of inheritance and he doesn't want to lose it. I want to help him if he's gonna see to my need or I help his Dad."

"Sir," James responded. "Yes, but--"

"I will buy their property. Today."

"Sir." There was a long pause, but James understood Nathan. Nathan had called him because Almond limited belonged to his younger colleague whose father gave the company to him, but now that the father needed money, he would welcome any offer. He knew Nathan wanted something and they had to give him because Nathan could offer just any amount, and do just anything to buy the property away like he said. That name Nathan told him, he understood the whole thing. He had to take Tacha out of that company. As soon as possible. Give Nathan Brown what he wants, or he takes everything just to get what he wants.

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Thank you so much for the feedbacks and the love you guys showed in the first chapter 😁😃 I'm grateful 🙏 Thank you so so much😄

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