Chapter 3

Spinning head, nausea and headache are the aftermaths of alcohol. While the inability to walk is the aftermath of good sex.

When Tom and I both fell on the bed, catching our breaths, I gave myself one to two hours of sleep before waking up and walked the walk of shame. But my feet led me to the kitchen instead of the door. I remembered him telling me that he started labelling his stuff cause his roommates would confuse their stuff and he will be left to buy them again. So, when I opened the cabinets and saw two beautiful bottles of wine staring at me like art written *Tom’s property,* I knew I hit a jackpot.

At three am, I was in a taxi with a big smile on my face and two treasures in my hands. As soon as I got home, I ironed my clothes and prepared everything necessary for today. Then took a nap that didn’t last long because four hours later, here I am standing in front of the company I’ve always dreamed of working for.

I got this.

“Ms Hunter, it’s nice to see you again. On permanent basis this time.” Kathy, the receptionist, greeted.

“Hi Kathy, it’s nice to be here, on a permanent basis. I’m so excited, I hope I’m not late.”

“No you aren’t. Big boss isn’t here yet but will surely join you in about ten minutes or so. I’ve called Gary to take you to do the necessary procedures like fingerprints, identity card and etc.”

“Thank you.” I waved at her once Gary arrived to take me away.

The procedures didn’t take much time, although they were extreme. At some point the machine had to scan my eye. I know this company is the biggest and part of the most successful fifty companies in the world, but insecure much?

“Here you go.” Gary handed me my ID card, “the boss’s office is on the tenth floor, it’s the only one there so you won’t get lost.”

“Thank you Gary.” I smiled at him.

He is cute I must say. And he carries himself with class, and if he is part of the technical team that means he is smart. My kinda guy.

“If you need anything, don’t be scared to come searching for me.” He winked, letting his hand push back his hair showing those beautiful blue eyes.

“I won’t, it’s a promise.” I winked back before walking out of the office.

This is going to be very fun.

“Ms Hunter, it’s so good to see you again.” Yvonne, the former pa, joined me in the office, five hours later of nothing.

“Mrs Johnson, it’s good to see you too. Uhm, do you have any idea when Mr Zwide will be at the office?”

“Dear, I’m so sorry but he won’t be able to be here.”

You’ve got to be kidding me, I spent five hours in utter boredom being told every thirty minutes that Mr Zwide was on his way yet he is not.

“He instructed that I give you his schedule and walk you through everything. I’m really sorry once again.” She walked to the sofa with files in her hands.

“It’s fine. At least I will have something to do now.” I joined her, tying my hair behind.

“That is the spirit.”

I’ve never been this disappointed in my life. A great outfit was laid out, good hairstyle and I even woke up early after a freaky night. Only for me to get to the office and not be able to make any great first impression.

However, that does not mean that I didn’t work hard. Boss or no boss, the pressure was felt. Having a job is much different from schooling, it’s more hectic and stressful. At least at school I had some breaks during the day, some classes got cancelled or I bunked, I can’t do that here. I will get fired and be tied to a big ass loan, I can’t afford that.

Which is why when I got home at eight pm, I ate and slept. I had promised earlier to go out with Rebecca but I was too tired.

*Day Two*

With the schedule in mind, I arrived at work thirty minutes early in order to slip to the kitchen and make Mr Zwide his morning coffee just as the notes instructed. Man loves his coffee dark and steaming hot.

“Please hold the doors!” A husky, sexy voice begged.

Being a good person, I blocked the doors and when they went back, before my eyes stood not just handsome but beautiful tall dark beauty of art. Bald with a well kept beard, and attractive light brown eyes.

“Thank you.” The man said, stepping into the elevator and pressing one of the buttons, I didn’t see which cause my eyes are scanning his handsomeness.

“Yo… you’re welcome.” I pulled myself together and stared straight ahead.

But burning eyes are all over my face, turning my cheeks pinkish.

“Do I know you?” He asked, with a warm smile that could melt all icebergs.

I shook my head, slapping my forehead in silence. Why couldn’t I just say no like a normal person? Why am I embarrassing myself like this? This is not me.

“Are you sure? Cause your face looks familiar.”

The red marking on the elevator read 4, only two floors left before I got to the kitchen… I might as well have more fun. What are the chances of seeing this handsome face again in a tenth floored building?

“I am good with remembering faces, but I memorise handsome faces like yours. I don’t think if I knew you, I would forget.” I smiled at him.

He looked taken aback but smiled, his eyes closing in the process… giving me a memorable image to last me for days.

“You’re new in the building?”

“Yes, don’t let that be a bother though. I promise to be well equipped, in many departments.” My eyes darted from his face down to his legs and up again.

He got a sense of style and is well built.

“Are you flirting with me?” He crossed his arms and leaned on the steel bars.

“Nope, I’m just being a basket baller… you are worth the shot after all.” The doors made a ‘ding’ sound, opening in the process.

I winked at him and didn’t turn around as I walked to the second door I saw, being the kitchen.

I leaned against the door once in, my heart was beating at an alarmingly fast rate while my body was on fire. If I ever see that man again, I have to get his numbers. It’s been long that I’ve witnessed such beauty! He is a walking masterpiece, his voice is majestic and his smile! My word, his smile is everything.

After a couple of breaths, I composed myself and went to prepare the boss’s coffee, that is if he is to present himself at the office.

There I found recycle coffee cups, making it safer and easier to carry. Once poured into them, I make my way to the elevator. Greeting a couple of people by.

I pressed the up sign and waited for the doors to open. A number of people passed me by and I went in with some. By the time it got to tenth floor, I was the only one in the elevator.

I walked like a snail because really, what are the chances of him coming in? Entering the office, I didn’t bother to look ahead. I went straight to my desk and dropped everything off and started stretching my back… until a forced cough had me glued in my position.

Slowly, I turned around and my dignity and heart jumped out the eloped far away from me.

“Y… you?” I stuttered, before blankness invaded my eyes and I fainted.

>>>>

“Hey, are you alright?” A smooth tone asked, while a damp substance was being applied on my forehead.

My eyes heavily opened and I was face to face with the guy from the elevator.

“What happened?” I tried sitting up right but my head throbbed even more.

“Relax, you hit your head when you fainted.” The nice gentleman helped me sit up straight.

“I… wh… how? I mean, why did I faint? My mind is bit blurry. I just remember walking in and, oh my word.” I massaged my temples, until the headache seemed to go away.

The stranger was smiling when I looked at him, causing me to do the same.

“What?”

“You fainted when you saw who was behind the boss' desk…” his bottom lip was trapped in his teeth throwing me off guard.

“Uh huh.” I continued looking at them, his words not registering.

“Okay, let’s try this again.” He took his left hand from his pocket and stretched it out to me.

I took it and stupidly spoke first, “I’m Candice Hunter, Mr Zwide’s personal assistant.”

“Nice to meet you Ms Hunter,” why the formalities?, “I’m Delroy Zwide, your boss.”

And just like that, I lost my speech and ability to breathe. I… I flirted with my boss. I… th.. shamelessly so, I’m so going to lose this job. What was I thinking? I mean… I didn’t know it was him but, this is not a good first impression.

“Ms Hunter, I think you need to breathe. You look pale.” He dropped my hand and went to fetch water for me, “here, drink up.”

With every sip I took, a thought crossed my mind;

Sip 1- I eyed my boss with him aware

Sip 2- I shot my shot at him

Sip 3- I winked at him

Sip 4- he saw me stretch, that is so unprofessional

Sip 5- I fainted… what a good first impression

“Are you okay now?”

I nodded my head, still looking at him shocked.

“I am going to need words, just to make sure you’re really good.”

“I… i am fine, just shocked to say the least.”

“I get why.” He smiled at me… is it to break my walls and when I’m unaware, fire me?

“Mr Zwide, I just want to say I’m sorry for what happened in the elevator. I didn’t know who you were and would have never ever said the things I did if I knew. I’m deeply sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“No it’s not, I know I was out of line and-“

“Ms Hunter!” He shut me up, “it’s okay. I figured that you didn’t know who I was, and I don’t blame you. And, what happened in the elevator was actually exciting. I don’t normally have such moments because people are scared of me, they say I have an intimidating aura.” He finished with a smile.

“So, you’re not angry?”

“No, as long as it doesn’t happen again now that the identity crisis has been resolved.”

“Absolutely! I promise to be on my best behaviour.” No matter how dang fine you are.

“Good. I trust that I am to enjoy working with you Ms Hunter.” He helped me to my feet and walked to his desk.

Oh you will, as long as I cut down my embarrassing moments and get my dignity back.

“Thank you.” I smiled back at him, feeling a foreign feeling in my stomach.