Chapter 8

AT THE OFFICE.

7:00 am, Monday morning. I just arrived at my workplace. Heading straight to my department. Other staff have arrived too. Everyone is going to their place of assignment.

“Hi Sofia.” A voice echoed. I quickly turned to my right as Jessica, my colleague in the office, hollered again enthusiastically.

When I got closer, we embraced each other excitedly. Other staff were just eyeing us with smiles on their faces as they walked through to their various departments.

“How have you been, Sofia? I have made so much effort to get in touch with you, but each time I dial, it proves abortive.” Jessica voiced, with a glaring look.

“It could be a poor network,” I responded.

The smile I put on didn't let her notice the agony and pain bleeding through my heart.

“Was there any complaint about me from Mr. Charles?”

I threw up the question, trying to prevent her from asking me about my wedding with her questioning attitude.

“Not really”. She responded.

“Let's get inside Sofio, I can't wait to glance through your wedding pictures.” She spoke eagerly.

I feel so pained. I almost lost control of my mind hearing that from her. Tears threatened to leak out of my eyes. I made every effort to be in control of my emotions

I no longer feel secure with friends. Considering Linda's brutal betrayal.

How she snatched away my world from me.

But then, I can't hide it from her. If I decide to keep it to myself, she will definitely hear about it one day.

I couldn't, at the moment, dictate the exact thoughts I am dealing with.

I don't know the drama Mr. Charles could come up with. However, my mind is very much prepared for any eventuality.

Charles, is too pompous of himself. His condescending attitude stinks!

If he decides to fire me for not resuming earlier, it is perfectly okay.

Jessica has been a very nice colleague.

Very jovial. You could hardly notice when she is angry. Always wearing a smiling face. Dark in complexion with glaring teeth and charming structure.

She is loved by almost all the staff. Her smile and charming look will always force a smile from you. She always appears hot and s*xy.

Always in a short skirt and top, which kept part of her hairy chest open.

She couldn't make it to my wedding. Because she was newly employed to be my assistant in the recording department.

She holds my bag as we walk into the department. She can't just hide how she feels. The ecstasies surround her whole body.

“Gist me, Sofia, how was everything? Oh, sorry, Mrs. Sofia, I meant to say. Excuse my French.” She burst into uncontrollable laughter.

My heart skipped. I felt my heartbeat go from 0 to 100 just by hearing Mrs. Being mentioned.

My response will certainly dismiss all smiles on her face. Such is never what she would expect to hear from me.

“As I couldn't make it to your wedding, can I take a look at some beautiful pictures on your phone?” She asked tenderly, looking directly at my face. While thrusting out her right hand. We are already seated in the office.

“Jessica, I don't know how it is going to sound to you. The truth remains, I'm not married. The wedding was cancelled under weighty circumstances.”

As if I knew, her facial expression reduced drastically. The little smile on her face is now mixed with a touch of shock! She still couldn't believe what echoed out of my mouth.

“Did I hear you correctly? What did you just say?” she asked, shockingly!

There was no atom of a smile on her face again this time around.

“Jessica, you heard me right.

The man who kept my hope high above the earth. A man I so much cherished and loved. All my body and soul were upon him.

A day without a hug and kiss from him is a total starvation to me. A night without his love text keeps me awake all through the night, like a watchman at the security post!

A man highly loved and respected by my parents.

A groom sent from celestial glory to come and shape my future finally dumped me for another woman!

I don't want to start reminiscing about my past ordeal, Jessica!

Miguel really dealt with me. He held my emotion and smashed it on the ground, he crushed my feelings and even trampled upon it when I least expected it.”

Jessica was just staring at me in utmost shock. Still having some doubt, as though I am trying to play with her intelligence.

“Are you serious about what you are telling me?” She asked curiously.

“Sofia, come on! Be serious!” her tone rose above usual.

“Did you see any wedding ring on my finger?”

I lifted my two hands and projected them to her face. She was rolling her eyes across my fingers. Not knowing what to say next.

We were busy discussing things as though we were not in the office.

“Jessica, let's end this discussion. It's too early for this! Tell me how the office has been since my absence.” She was still wrapped up in shock, staring at me in surprise.

From where I sat, my eyes flicker through the window. Lo and behold, Mr. Charles was driving in. At once, I started hearing the sound of my heartbeat. As I watch him trying to park at the car lot.

I started putting myself together for whatever outcome.

As soon as he walked past, heading to his office, Jessica echoed out morning greetings to him. Immediately, I offered mine. He didn't say a word. He only lifted his left hand and waved. With his black suit across his right hand.

He was so mean, without a trace of a smile on his face, like someone being provoked by his wife at home.

“Someone might have triggered his anger while coming to the office this morning.” I guess.

Jessica had already turned on the system in front of her. I moved and sat in my own position and turned on the system in front of me.

After the system booted, thousands of unfinished tasks popped up. I went through the information one by one, and I realized that Mr. Charles has been the one forwarding that information even when I am not around.

“I hope this is not a format he will like to hold onto and fire me? He is fully aware that I am not around. What stops him from forwarding that data to Jessica to process?” I spoke silently.

“Sofia, Mr. Charles is requesting your presence in his office!” I held my breath, which almost carted away from my body when I heard such information from the security man.

A crushing weight coming from my chest threatens to suffocate me!

I quickly release a weighty breath and balance my emotions.

Still, fear gripped me. For I know for sure the hour of reality has come. Either I face a query or am fired.

Whatever the outcome, my mind is very much ready for it!

Jessica was busy on the computer, not knowing the emotional battle I was going through.

I stood up immediately from my bench.

“Jessica, let me go and answer Mr. Charles!”

“Alright, dear,” she responded, as I left her presence..