CHAPTER 8

“If you think a single night with Aldwin would change anything, keep being delusional.” He glared. “Now drop everything you're doing and get the fuck out of my kitchen.” He pointed at the door.

“What sort of trash are you talking about?” I slammed my hand against the table, unable to contain my anger.

“You are fired. Did you think I’d overlook you being late again? You've used up every chance. I warned you too many times.” He turned and walked away.

I stood there in despair. A slow, pained smile crept onto my face as I accepted the hurt as my inevitable due.

“What exactly was she even thinking?” Claire said, loud enough for me to hear. I had always been a pain in her ass for no particular reason.

“Aldwin Ellison? Bold move.” Glen sneered.

Everyone returned to their work, except for Mikel, who lingered, watching me with a pitying expression.

He squeezed my shoulder gently, “I think you should go apologise to Bobby.”

“For what exactly?” I asked, fighting back the tears that welled in my eyes.

“Kora… you were late again.” He looked at me with sad eyes.

I nodded, unable to argue, and left the kitchen for the changing room.

I opened my locker and grabbed my phone to call Lisa. I already had seven missed calls from an unknown number with two messages.

I tapped the first message. It read: “Why aren't you picking up your phone?”

I frowned at the screen. “And who is this exactly?” I wondered.

I opened the second message. This time, it was blunt and clear: “My assistant will pick you up. Tell him where to find you.”

Aldwin. I whispered in my thoughts.

I felt a flicker of relief. My phone rang again as I changed out of my work clothes; it was the same number.

“Hello.”

“Am I speaking with Kora?” a firm voice asked.

“Yes, this is her.”

“I've been instructed to pick you up. Send your location and a time.”

“I’m about to leave work.’ I replied. I'll message you an address when I get home.”

The call dropped.

I inhaled sharply, “Bobby, I'm going to make you pay for every hurtful word you've ever said to me,” I muttered, then stormed straight into his office.

“You know what? I quit.”

“Bullshit! I already fired your pathetic ass.” He shot back, wide-eyed.

“I don't care,” I said coldly. “And for the record, I quit!” I slammed the resignation letter onto his desk, then turned to leave.

“Fuck you!” He yelled after me.

I slowed my step, then glanced back over my shoulder. “No, you can’t. Go fuck yourself.” I walked away.

The air smelled different as I stepped outside, as if the tension had finally lifted. I dialled Lisa’s number.

“Hey, are you home?”

“Shouldn't you be working?” She asked.

“I’m on my way back. I'll fill you in. Listen, can you pick out a dress for me?”

“A dress? What for?”

“A really nice one,” I said. “Thank you.”

“A dress for what exactly? Kora.” She called out, but I’d already ended the call.

I laughed, amused by her growing desperation.

***

“What did you do that for?” She asked the moment I stepped in.

“What exactly?”

“You hung up on me.” Her eyes narrowed. “And why are you back this early? Did Bobby die?” She added, feigning shock.

We both burst out laughing.

“I got fired,” I said flatly.

Lisa gasped in utter shock, “No fucking way! Why exactly? Was it because of the news?”

“Because Bobby is a dangling dick,” I said, checking out the dress Lisa picked.

“A big, fat, dangling dick.” She agreed. “And I like that you are taking this so positively.” She added with a grin.

“Enough about Bobby, please. Is this dress okay?” I turned in front of the mirror.

“Okay for what exactly? Where are you going?”

“Aldwin,” I said, plainly.

“Are you kidding?” She covered her mouth in surprise.

“His assistant is coming to pick me up soon.”

A slow smile spread across her face, “Yes. The dress is perfect.”

Lisa helped with my makeup and fixed my hair. The black fitted dress complemented my olive skin, cinching my slim waist and full hips without trying too hard. I loved the woman staring back at me in the mirror.

Exactly thirty minutes after I was ready, my phone rang. Aldwin's assistant was downstairs.

“Wish me luck.” I giggled as Lisa walked me down.

A Maybach Obsidian was parked at the corner. A man in a black suit stood beside it. That must be him.