Chapter Two

EVE

🎵 Lonely... I am so lonely, I have nobody to call my owwwwn. 🎵

If someone had told me this is how I'd be waking up the following morning, I'd probably have spat in their faces.

Just kidding.

I'd never do that, but as the sad words filter in through the open window of my bedroom from a passing car, they echo how I truly feel.

There is a deep ache building up in my heart. Rolling over, I hug my pillow tightly as pressure builds up in my chest and I struggle to take a shuddering breath to clear it away. Instead, a watery tear slides down my face and I let it. This has been a familiar routine with me almost every morning.

Being the last born of six children with all my siblings married out of the house, leaving me the last one standing and still living under my parent's roof isn't something to smile about, like - at all!

I feel like such a failure. There is no particular pressure from my parents to get married but when you live in a society where once you're 28 years old and counting and not married yet, you would be deemed old and ineligible for it.

In more direct terms - an old hag! Quote me on that!

I don't care though, because I decided last year on what I would do come the following year, if I'm still single.

Three options: Do an IVF treatment and become a single mother, adopt a baby and still become a single mother, or just plain remain single and act nonchalant.

Either way, the earth will continue to rotate on its axis, days will come and go and life will continue. I am not fazed. The ache would never leave me, though. I feel unloved and unwanted. It doesn't help either that I'm a conservative person, I never go anywhere - ever!

Sighing at the misery that's my life, I hug my pillow tighter.

What am I going to do with myself today?

Let me see, stay in bed and sulk or stay in bed and sulk?

Great idea.

I snuggle deeper into the sheets. With my eyes closed, my mind drifts to the events of last night. After walking out on Batman at the club, I texted Ebere while in the back seat of a taxi I'd luckily snagged.

The taxi man was on his way home and took pity on me by picking me up after much begging on my part. Ebere was livid, as expected, but it couldn't be helped. I just wanted to get away from the whole cloying atmosphere of the club and Batman, of course.

I remembered the way his eyes had raked over my body from bottom to top. I didn't even know his real name. What's the point? I'll obviously never meet him again.

My boyfriend, Dee, had been acting up lately. I'd call him but he wouldn't pick his calls. He'd then text me much later at a very late hour and expect me to text him back, depriving me of my much - needed sleep. I tried, I really did try not to feel bad, but I did.

Who the heck am I kidding?
I'm a human being with feelings - a woman, a special specie created by God.

I don't like being treated like I don't matter by anyone, least of all a man, even if said man is my boyfriend. I'm able to read the hand writing on the wall, it's basically over, but I still cling to the hope that he will come around and be the once - loving boyfriend he used to be.

Where does he get off acting all mysterious and wierd - that's a girl's duty.

I will never call him again, I vow to myself now. Matter of fact, two can play that game. If he dares call me back sometime, I will give him the finger, not literally, but I definitely won't pick his calls. And they always call, if not for anything, but for that itch in their groin, it's in their DNA.

Shit - ass men everywhere!

I take a swig from the bottle of strawberry vodka that is for emergencies just like this.

Ah! That's better. It numbs the pain - pain of being single, pain of being invisible to a man I like, pain of not having a family of my own. The pain of being alone.

It's just two 'o clock in the afternoon and I'm already feeling like shit. I'm in a sour mood all of a sudden.

Heck! I'm always in a sour mood.

What on earth do I need a man for anyway?

I can do bad all by myself.

I take another swig, and wipe at the errant drops that escape my lips. Getting up from the bed, I stand in front of the mirror and remove my clothes, appraising myself. I assess my pert breasts, my eyes trailing down to my flat stomach, then I take one look at my wide hips and grimace.

My eyes move down to my thick thighs and I grimace again. I continue my downward descent to my slim long legs and release the in-held breath I didn't realise I was holding.

Not bad --- but not fantastic.

A tear slides down my cheeks and I take another swig from the bottle and yet another one, until it's entire content has been drained, then I fall onto my bed.

As my eyelids droop, my mind swings to Batman yet again.

The last thing that crosses my mind as I fall into a deep slumber is how desirable he made me feel.

° ° °

The first thing I hear upon waking is the gay chirping of birds outside my window.

Suddenly I'm fully alert, more than I ever remember being. Picking up my phone, I start going through my e - mails and come across one that is marked important. It's from a prospective client whom I had sent a proposal letter to some months ago. I had been chasing this particular client for quite some time.

My eyes practically bulge as I take in the date it was delivered. It was just yesterday night, same time I had been getting ready to hit the club with Ebere.

The e - mail reads: We are pleased to inform you that we would like you to come train the HR section of Deuce Manufacturing company at 10am on Monday the 7th.
We hope to see you there.

Today is Monday and it's 8am.

Oh shit!

I rush into the bath, silently cursing under my breath. If I loose this opportunity, I will hate myself forever.

I am a Project Management Consultant, just recently started my business. I decided to go solo because I was tired of working for people and being at their beck and call at odd hours of the day. I would get back home late everyday and never have time for myself. I never had a social life, no time to relax and smell the roses that life offered.

It was always work, work and more work. I conceived an idea in my mind some years ago when I took a course in Project Management and went ahead to do the exams. I passed with flying colours and as a result of this, I was called upon to train other people. I know how important Project Management is to every company and to life as a whole.

Deuce manufacturing company is a referral from a family friend who knows the managing director. I couldn't very well let her down. I know how difficult it as a female, carving a niche in the business world. So I must make a good appearance and be on time too.

After bathing, I ransack my wardrobe looking for the right attire to wear, knowing for a fact that I have to dress corporate and professional at the same time.

I begin to breath fast. I can do this, I must do this and it will be a success. I take several deep breaths to get my nerves under control and still my erratic heart beat. Time check: 8.30am.

Shit!

I have less than two hours to get ready. I pick out a white shirt that is already ironed and pair it with a matching black jacket and skirt. I honestly don't have the time to straighten my hair, so I comb it as best as I can and slip an alice band unto it.

A dash of nude lipstick on my lips, and some eye pencil is used to accentuate my eyes while small drop earrings complete my look. Slipping into comfortable peep toes, I grab my laptop idling on the table, sling my hand bag which contains my purse and car keys on my shoulders, and walk out of my room. I can already smell bacon wafting from downstairs.

Sure enough when I get to the kitchen, mum is at the stove, spatula in hand, singing.

"Morning mum." I kiss her and snag a piece of toast from a plate. "Gotta run, I'll see you later."

I catch the smile she gives me before running outside to where my car is packed. Not checking for oil or water, I put my stuff on the back seat, get in, start the car and drive off. The roads are quite busy today and I'm silently praying there won't be much traffic to delay me. A few danfo buses cross my path, trying to block me but I pull some stunts and extricate myself from them.

Some twenty minutes later, nerves filter into my stomach when I see the imposing height of Deuce manufacturing company, and I will myself to stay calm.

I drive into the open air car park, looking for a space to park. I am just about to give up, when I see someone driving away. I deftly park into the slot and come down, carrying my laptop and hand bag. Time Check: 9:15am.

Whew! I made it. I lock up and walk briskly inside the building. The cool atmosphere of the interior hits me immediately I step inside. It is a relief from the humid Lagos weather. A reminder that I have to take my car to the mechanics to refill the gas in my car, it is hellish driving without an air-conditioned car in Lagos

Everywhere I look, people mill around in business suits, looking professional and terribly busy. I gaze around the spacious reception, noticing the front desk officer tucked into a corner. I walk briskly towards her.

"Hello, good morning," I chirp, with a big smile on my face.

"Good morning!" She responds with an even bigger smile of her own.

"I'm here to give a training to the HR section. I represent Valen - J Concepts." Bringing out my business card from my bag, I show it to her. She glances at it and nods.

Pressing a button on the phone beside her, she puts it to her ear and speaks into it. "Hello Rachael, there's someone from Valen - J Concepts, says she's here to do a training." A pause and then. "Okay, I'll hold."

I take the opportunity to look around. She is currently sitting behind an imposing desk made entirely of glass. It looks quite solid from what I see. A huge photocopying machine sits on one side and a large desk top is beside it. There is a portrait turned towards her and I don't want to seem nosy by craning my neck to check, so I let go of my curiosity.

"Okay, thank you Rachel." Then she drops the phone and turns towards me. "Mr. Faseun is expecting you. That's on the 10th floor. You can take the lift." She points to a set of lifts to the right of her.

"Thank you." I smile at her and begin to walk towards the lift.

There are three lifts facing me but only the middle one is not engaged, so I press the button and wait for it to open. I breath a sigh of relief that no one is inside, because I need time to go over my notes and I need to do so out loud. That would not be conducive if someone is in here with me. They'd probably think I'm crazy.

I mentally go through my notes aloud, piecing and arranging contents of the slide in my head. The lift finally stops and I get out unto the 10th floor.

Plush carpeting covers the floor from wall to wall. The walls are lined with tasteful looking, expensive abstract painting. You'd think this is an art gallery instead of a manufacturing company if you didn't know any better. I walk along the corridor, not encountering anyone.

Looks like everyone is busy in their offices.

I continue admiring the paintings lined on either side of the wall as I walk further on. I stop when I see an open space office with a desk, which I assume is the reception office for this floor.

The front desk officer looks up and smiles. "Good morning. Eve of Valen -J Concepts?" She asks enquiringly.

I return the smile. "Yes, please, I'd like to see Mr. Faseun."

"Okay, he's expecting you, just go straight down the corridor. First door, painted cream, you can't miss it." And she flashes me another smile.

What is it with these front desk officers and their blinding smiles? Guess it's part of their training, to make people feel warm and welcome. I walk down another long corridor. There are doors on either side, with names of people written on brass plates on each door. I glimpse a cream door at the end of the corridor and quicken my steps towards it.

On getting to it, it has the name of Mr. Faseun written boldly in gold plated fancy lettering with the name 'Director', also boldly written below his name. I am still admiring the lettering, one hand poised to knock, when it is opened by a tall, imposing looking man.

He gives me a once over and then flashes a wide, genuine smile. Bringing out a hand, he introduces himself.

"Hello, my name is Mr. Faseun, welcome to Deuce manufacturing company."

I take his hand in mine. It is warm and firm.

"Thank you." My voice sounds breathy and husky all of a sudden and I resist the urge to clear my throat. "The name's Eve, Valen - J . . ."

"Concepts, yes I know." He finishes my statement. "I've been expecting you. Please come in." And he waves me in, standing away from the door for me to enter.

His office is massive! There are floor to ceiling glass windows, providing the view of the sea as far as the eyes can see. It is a breathtaking background. A huge library filled with big binder books stand at one corner of the room, and I briefly wonder if he has read all of them.

His desk is in the middle of the room and it's filled with the normal office paraphernalia; a large desk top, a printer, and a paper shredder. A cup filled with stationery sits to the side, while two landline phones, and quite a number of picture frames turned away from me, fill the rest of the space on the desk.

I take my eyes away from his desk to see a room divider that indicates something on the other side of his office. Mr. Faseun is already walking towards it and I quicken my steps to catch up to him, my heels clicking on the marble floor.

He opens the door and waits for me to pass through. It opens into a conference room and I notice some pairs of male eyes latching unto me keenly as I step inside.

All conversation hushes as they all stand up.

"Hello, gentlemen, I would like you to meet Miss. Eve of Valen -J Concepts." He enunciates the word 'miss' with a smile, while briefly glancing at me. "I see you all got the email about the training." Then turning to me, he continues. "I'm sorry this is such short notice, it's really appreciated. This is just the H.R section, I need them to be trained first as they are a very integral part of the company. He smiles at me and then rounds up his talk. "I leave you in good hands. Once more, you're welcome. I'll see you during lunch break." He smiles at me and walks back the same way we came through.

Twenty pairs of inquisitive eyes stare at me. I smile tentatively and walk to the projector which is on the table and attach my laptop to it. Their eyes follow my every movement. I turn around to look at the screen and I hear someone loudly exclaim.

"Damn! Look at that butt." This is quickly followed by coughing, as deep throated chuckles radiate throughout the room thereafter.

I become suddenly angry, the quote 'livid with anger,' flashing through my mind as I whip round so fast, I hope I wouldn't get whip lash in the process.

"Excuse me men, oh — I'm sorry, boyys," I say, stressing the last word, my eyes flashing anger. "You all are behaving like teenage boys just experiencing puberty for the first time."

Mouths drop open as they gaze at me, stunned I had the guts to tchallenge them. I'm not fazed one bit, I grew up amongst three elder brothers so I know how to hold my own when it comes to men generally. I put a hand on my waist and face them like an avenging angel.

"I know it's in your DNA to act up, but it seems all that testosterone is messing with your heads right now." I look at each of them with a steely gaze. They are still in shock but I don't give any of them time to recover as I hone in for the final kill.

"Now I'm a professional, and I came here to train you all, but if you'd rather have a man who you can respect instead of having me then I'll just go talk to Mr. Faseun and I'll be out of your hairs."

Suddenly they all begin to talk at once and one of them stands up to act as a spokesman. "Um . . . We are so sorry Miss. Eve . . ."

"That would be Miss. Olaitan to you," I cut in, not letting him finish speaking.

"Okay, Miss. Olaitan, we are very sorry for the way we acted. Just that it isn't everyday we see a confident, young luscious looking woman as a professional, but we promise to be on our best behaviour, right guys?" He turns round to the other men who eagerly nod their heads and chorus yes.

I stand for some seconds debating whether to continue, but then I see the repentant looks on all their faces and the anger evaporates instantly.

*

A/N: Uh oh! I was actually worried that Eve would walk away at any minute. Unfortunately for her, she can't afford to do so, as this kind of business opportunity does not come everyday for her.

Why do men always have to act up when they see a full - bodied woman?

Anywayyyyy... Do y'all think she did the right thing?

Well, let's find out what happened in the next chapter.

I'd love to see what you thinking of by sounding off in the comments. Don't be shy! I'll definitely respond to each of your comments.

And please vote.

😏
Jirogzy

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