Back in my office the following week, I was lost in my thoughts thinking about how blessed I am. After several years of job hunting. I was employed by Experience Visions Creations (EVC), one of the biggest construction companies in Lagos State. I wasn't even employed as a junior officer. I was employed as a senior officer, I enjoyed the privileges of earning a six digits salary, a private and well furnished apartment in Lekki and an official vehicle too, a Lexus RX 350 Jeep. What else could anyone ask for?

That morning, I was in my office, standing near the window pane watching the activities of things happening in and outside the company from the comfort of my office. I watched as Faridah's car drove into the company, she has a driver. I watched as she stepped out of her vehicle. There were securities around her. Damn, she was so gorgeous, walking gracefully with her long, black hair sexily swaying from the left to the right beneath her waist.
I hurried down to the first floor to meet her. She entered the building and passed through the security checkpoint and went straight to the reception.

"Good morning ma" i said smiling to get her attention. She stopped addressing the receptionists and stared at me for a moment then a seductive smile appeared on her lips as she continued to look at me.

"Good morning Mr Turner, you really look good today" she commended as she tried to flaunt her boobs which doesn't go unnoticed by me.

"Thank you ma" I blushed "I'm done with the report you gave me yesterday and I've mailed it to the Commissioner of environment." I added.

"Oh that's cool! I hope there are no errors and misspellings?" She asked, somehow impressed.

"No errors ma" I said while flashing my perfect smile to her.

"Good. Please bring a copy of the report to my office once you're less busy" she giggled and made me blush again.

Faridah left for her office immediately and the rest of us dissolved and went back to our various offices except for the receptionists who were left behind in their office.

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

On getting to my office, I switched on the plasma television which hanged on the office' wall and the air conditioner so as to further cool the room temperature. I changed the channel to MTV Base. Fireboy's 'Need You' was being played.

"You sweet pass mango, you sweet pass àgbálùmọ'
No know where I wan go ọmọ mí ò má gbádùn mọ
Na only you fit heal me baby don't go
You said lets be friends oh let's take it gently baby
Me I no get Benz oh, I no get Bentley baby
All I got is love for you (for you) Baby ṣe'oun gbọ' pé mí lórúkọ fàmí ni 'rugbon
Nkan t' ọn sọ kó má ni 'túmọ'Don't listen to them, you don't need rumours
I know you need me but I need you more
Oh my lover anytime you call me baby
You know that it makes me lose control (control)
I want to love you like I've never love before my lover
You know I miss you like I needle misses the point
I need you like eko needs moi moi
Can't do without you girl like two sides of a coin oh (coin oh) ahh
We made love more than memories
But in my song you're my melody
You're the only one that can be there for me
I need you now more than ever (now more than ever) ohh
Pé mí lórúkọ fàmí ni 'rugbon
Nkan t' ọn sọ kó má ni 'túmọ'
Don't listen to them, you don't need rumours
I know you need me but I need you more
Oh my lover (my lover) anytime you call me baby
You know that it makes me lose control (control)
I want to love you like I've never done before my lover......."

"Fireboy's just too good" i said to myself as I take off my suit and loosen my tie a little bit. Just then a text message entered my phone. It was from Grace. My ex lover and the mother of my daughter 'Iremide'.

"I really need to see you Timileyin." The text reads. "Why does she wants to see me? What for?" I asked myself somehow confused. Just then a telephone call came in. It was from one of the receptionists.

"Hello sir, a lady is here to see you. Miss Grace by name." The receptionist said.

"Let her in" i said after a long session of silence, deciding whether to let her in or not.
A few moment later, I heard a faint knock on my door. I knew instantly that it was Grace.
"Come in" i said while still sitting on my chair. I was very happy and also surprised to see her again but I didn't want to show it. I just sat there stiffened like a dead body. Grace looked around for a while opening her mouth like someone who's lost in mystery. She moved towards me

"Ayomi" she said and burst into tears. I don't really seem to understand the concept behind the tears and I also don't seem to comprehend why she still calls me 'Ayomi' since we were not together again. She gave me a tight hug, wrapping her hands across my neck.

"I'm really sorry Timmy. I don't mean to leave you. It's the devil's work. And I had to take that drastic step because of my mother.

She was the one who said I should leave you and find another man since you are unemployed and can't cater for my needs" she sniffed and continued "I've been visiting her in the hospital too." She added as she burst out into tears.

"Really? What happened to her?" I asked as I wiped away her tears and caressed her cheeks

"She's been in the hospital for almost two months now because of cancer. Actually, she needed a blood transfusion as soon as possible which I find it difficult and impossible since I had no money on me. My fiancee, the man I thought I was going to get married too also ditched me. I got to know recently that he is a married man with five kids." She said and burst into fresh tears again.

Her last statement made me yell at her furiously, her cries became too much as she noticed my angry face. She wanted to say something again when I excused myself and walked towards the sofa in my room.

"Timileyin, I really love you and I want you back as my husband. I want you to consider the sake of our daughter Iremide who's just a little girl."

"Oh really, why don't you consider our daughter before you left? Why are you just considering her all of a sudden? Grace, I searched for you everywhere. Oreoluwa, your bestie didn't tell me about your whereabouts. Your mom chased me away like a dog the day I went to your house." I said with tears now forming beneath my eyes.

"I'm really sorry Timmy."

"I watched my mom take up several jobs just to put food on the table. She worked as a cleaner in a primary school, she washed clothes for women who are way younger than her. She worked as a laborer in a construction company. She almost lost her life in the struggle for us to survive."

That moment, I wanted Grace out of my office. Her presence was making me see everything I didn't want to remember. I was surprised when I turned around and still found Grace sitting at the edge of my table with her gaze fixed on me. I assured her not to worry much about her ailing mother. I instantly transferred eighty thousand naira to her account so that the doctors could start treatment. She left as soon as she confirmed the payment.

I watched Grace stepped out of my office. I knew she didn't leave. She'll still comeback. I broke down and went on my knees, I felt miserable without Grace. I want her back yet I didn't want her back.