“Knock, Knock”

Amanda tilted her head on hearing the knock on her office door and smiled a bit tiredly after seeing who it was.

“Wow! Look what you’ve done with the place.” Amazed, Nelson felt like he had just walked into a stranger's office. “You know what they say, keep a woman in a room and watch how things fall into place.” He praised Amanda, noticing how she had managed to tidy the hopeless office.

Amanda nodded in satisfaction, also appreciating her effort “A new broom sweeps clean.” She voiced “This office was a mess I couldn’t even figure out how he finds anything amidst the shambles.” Amanda dusted her hand on her brown, knee-length skirt,  holding steadily a satisfactory smile on her face at the sparkling, new, well organized office.

“You are amazing.” Nelson complimented, clapping his hands cheerfully.

“What? Were you thinking because I’m a celebrity I can’t handle chores?” She asked, smiling at Nelson who nodded his head slowly.

“You can take a break. The cafeteria won’t be so boring.” He offered.

“That’s not a bad idea, I’m famished.” She added then, they walked together out of the office.

They both chatted and laughed aloud, not minding the attention they attracted o their direction. Amanda felt free with Nelson; sometimes she hardly realized she had given him too much information about herself. But did she care? No, they were many things going on in her head and she was happy she had a friend to talk to.

Amanda never ruled out the fact that she had Bridget but, she also knew that Bridget had a wedding to plan so Amanda thought it would be unfair to burden her busy friend with her personal issues.

They sat together at a table with their food in front of them ignoring the eyes of people around and their silent babblings.

Nelson talked and talked non-stop. Amanda just sat there laughing so hard she almost dropped a tear.

“A friend of mine once dared I and my roommates to watch a scary movie titled light-out at night with him. And guess what? All along, I thought he had the mind to sleep after seeing the movie but he was more frightened than any of us and since then, it took us time before we could sleep without our light on.” Nelson said eating his food “trust me from that moment, I promised never to watch any scary movie again unless it’s a vampire or ware-wolf movie.”

“Why only vampire and ware-wolf movies?” Amanda asked curiously.

“It’s not that scary to me and I like watching those.” He replied.

“You do? tell me, what kind of movie do you also like?” Amanda asked, getting more and more interested putting her straw in her mouth and sipping her drink.

“I love romance comedy, that’s why I love your movies.”

“Well I’m thinking of doing an action movie and maybe a ware-wolf movie. How would I look being an alpha female?” she asked bulging her eyes and trying to make a wrinkle underneath it at the same time, as if trying to morph.

“You will look spectacular. Haven't anyone told you about the uniqueness you bring to your movies? I can’t explain it but, there is this kind of Emotion you bring to people when you are happy, sad, in love and so on.” Nelson went on with so much passion lacing each word.

Amanda sat quite confused. How was it that this kid could say nice things about her movies while her fans just do nothing but judge her and at the same time,  say hurtful comment about her at the slightest opportunity? “Not everybody appreciates my work the way you do, Nelson. It’s people like you that gives me a reason to want to give my best no matter what. Knowing sincere people like you exist out there always help ease the stress.” She flashed a small side smile then, dropped her gaze on her cup of soda.

“People must talk but, you are in authority of whose opinions are important. Be yourself and enjoy what you do. Nobody not even your fans, your manager or your agency has the right to tell you who you are. When you allow them declare who you are, you are submitting your right of being yourself to them. Remember, human beings can never be hundred percent satisfied even if you kill yourself.” Nelson said looking round the cafeteria “try waving at those people over there and smile” He order in an authoritative tone.

Amanda was astonished by the wise word that came out of Nelson’s mouth. She wondered if he was as young as he claimed he was or he had an old soul trapped inside his body.

He had given her a lot to think about and also had managed to change her perspective.

She did exactly as she was instructed without protest and to her surprise, by number, her table were filled with people from the cafeteria. They must have thought she was a snub or Unapproachable at first so,  they kept their distance.

“Fans are not only on your social media and your TV set.” Nelson continued watching the people bring out stuff so Amanda could sign on them.

Amanda collected a pen from a lady among the small crowd then, she heard the lady say “My daughter, Christiana, she loves you. When I told her I see you every day at work she made me promise to one day bring her to see you.”

“That’d be lovely. Please tell her I’ll be delighted to meet her.” Amanda took the card she was holding and signed on it, leaving he lady laughing and warmly thanking her.

She signed on everything everybody held while some were busy taking picture. She was happy with everything then, her mind flashed to the coffee guy at the park and she realized she needed to properly apologize to him.

“I always thought people here hated me too” Amanda said as she watched them leave.

“Why would people hate you?” Nelson asked curiously.

“You know, after the incident I had with my ex-fiancé, Troy Humphrey.” Amanda said with her head down.

“I saw what happened online. He didn’t deserve you. Didn’t you know he was gay before that time you saw him?”

“No, he was perfect.” Amanda had no Ill feeling against being gay. What hurt her was that he hid that truth of himself from her at the same time, played with her emotions and cheated on her.

“Is it because of the incident you left L.A?” Nelson carefully asked, hoping not to upset her.

“Yes.”

“Amanda! Well just think about what I’ve said” Nelson told her finally. He noticed her attention move to the guy sitting at the table close to the wall. He was putting on a black polo over a full blue jeans trouser. His face cap indeed, did a poor job concealing his face and Nelson found his sitting appearance a lot suspicious.

“Who is he?” Amanda asked.

“I don’t know. I’ve not seen him around here before” Nelson stuttered involuntarily. He had hoped Amanda isn't notice. “Maybe he’s a client” He added.

Nelson certainly knew who the suspicious man was but it wasn't safe to tell Amanda the man's identify.

Amanda looked very closely, she had a photographic memory and never forget things easily especially a face and that had helped her since when she was little.

The strange man noticed Amanda’s eyes on him; he quickly adjusted his face cap and turned his back too late. Amanda had recognized him already from the Chris coffee shop with his colleague holding a camera and taking pictures of her. Immediately, she felt uncomfortable.

“Thank you for taking me out of my boredom and for making my day but I need to get back to the office before my boss returns.” Amanda stared down at her brown, leather, wrist watch to check the time.

“Oh, that’s true. I’ll work you back to your office.” Nelson offered.

“Thanks.” Amanda swiftly got up and left the cafeteria with Nelson.

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