Fridays became the best day of the week after I got a job here at The Bryon's company because I had two days to myself and I wouldn't have to see Miles or any other annoying employee.
I sat in my office idle, staring at the wall clock, watching the hands as it ticked till it was 3 o'clock. When it struck 3, I stood up, and organized my table then I walked to the mirror, took a glance and turned off the lights. I was about to lock my door when I heard Miles shouting in an infuriated tone.
I stood there contemplating on going into his office or going home so he could sort his problems himself. After a while I knocked on his door, and waited for him to order me in. when he did, I walked in to find his office littered. There was a piece of paper here and there. I started picking the papers; and all he did was stare.
"Is everything okay?" I asked, placing the half-torn papers in the trash.
"Yes," he replied.
"But I heard you shouting a moment ago, or is that also part of your routine?" I asked, trying to create a joke which he didn't find funny, not like I expected him to.
"Like you care?" He asked with a furrowed brow.
" You are right, I don't care! I should get going, "I said, thus I turned to leave.
I had already swung the doorknob and was about to pull the door open before he spoke
"The external visit is in three days. I'm trying to put together my speech but it's not working." I halted for a minute before I released the knob and turned around to face him.
How difficult was that? I muttered under my breath while staring at him with crossed arms.
"Before you employed me a month ago, you said I would help you with the project, right? But...."
"You started hanging out with Bryan and his friends, how was I supposed to ask you?" He said, cutting me off before I could finish.
Wait! Was he angry that I hung out with Bryan and his friends? No! That's not possible, I said to myself. But then I needed to find out where he was going with this before I would misinterpret him.
"Hanging out with Bryan has nothing to do with this," I said, waiting for a reply, but he said nothing.
Fine then I picked up the paper on his table and read the content. He speech sounded more like he wanted to impress someone, probable his father. The only thing I told him was that he had to be real and true to himself, but then he flared up.
"Real is not enough. You don't know how much this means to this company, especially to me. My father is going to... Never mind, he said, snapping. I could tell he was under some sort of pressure, and I was in no position to ask. We barely even knew each other I was just his secretary and well he is my boss.
"Just a little preparation and you are good to go, "I said trying to assure him that everything would be fine but I doubt he was even listening to anything that I was saying because he was caught up in his thoughts and the script in front of him.
"It's not as easy as you think. This is the last chance for us and I'm in charge, if I mess this up, it is over the company, you, and me! Everything."
For what? I honestly didn't know what he was talking about but it sounded very important plus I just arrived a month ago and I'm still trying to figure out things. Moreover, I'm just getting to know that I will get fired if he cannot get a contract with the company visiting and I had just three days to fix it. Great! Just great! What do I do now? I thought, looking at the already confused Miles, who was also looking at me for a solution. I was speechless at the moment but I wanted to help but I didn't know-how.
"I will be your audience," I said unconsciously. Darn it! My thoughts betrayed me again.
"Really?"
"Yea, just take a deep breath and imagine we are in a room filled with people, "I said, still unsure of what I was doing at the moment.
I stayed there for hours watching him rehearse, and even though I wasn't sure of what I was doing but I was glad I could be of help. By the time I did him it was already late. He offered me a lift home, but I declined when I remembered how Leah reacted the last time Bryan gave me a lift home.
"I'll take a taxi instead," I said, about to walk out of his office.
"Why? It's pretty late and I think it would be better if I take you home myself," he offered again.
"Thanks, I will be fine," I said, smile.
"Is this about Bryan? I'm just taking you home nothing much."
Bryan? No! Does he think we are dating or something because this is the second time he has said something about him. Why does he even think so? We are just friends.
"No, it's not about him, it's my mum. I don't think she would support the idea of you bringing me home"
"Your mum?" He asked laughing.
Did he just laugh? I muttered, looking at him. This was the first I had seen him laugh in my entire life, and I made him laugh. I don't know why, but it felt good seeing him laugh.
"Well, I kind of understand, my dad is extremely strict, so I guess your mum is strict too, and I can't go against her orders." he said.
"Thanks," I said about leaving, and then he said.
"I'll walk you to a cab then."
You never give up, do you? I said in a low tone. He neatly put away his things, and he grabbed his coat, which he hung on his seat. He led me out to the hallway. This was my first time staying out this late in the company, and I noticed something as we walked. The lights behind went off as we walked through the hallway to the elevator, and by the time we got in, the hallway was already dark.
The elevator stopped at the ground floor and we got out, then we walked to the door together and out of the empty building. He walked me to the street where I got a cab, then walked back to his car.
When I got home, I met Leah doing the dishes. She stopped preparing lunch for me on weekdays; I felt she was overworking herself, so I asked her not to bother herself anymore.
"I had extra work to do, "I replied, throwing myself on the couch.
"You were too busy to check your phone?" She asked, placing the last plate on the dish rack. I checked my phone immediately; I missed her call three times.
"My phone was in silent mode, I didn't know you called."
"Its fine I was just worried. I wanted to make sure you were okay," she replied.
"I had a pretty rough day at work today so I will go to bed now," I said in between a yawn.
"Remember to wake up early, you promised to help me with the weekend sales!" She yelled when I was halfway up.
Did I? I need to stop making promises. I threw myself on my bed when I got to my room without changing into my PJ's.
I got out of bed when I remembered that I had not prepared the special weekend treat. By the time I was done with it, Leah had gone so I had to take a taxi. I got to the restaurant very late, I expected Leah to be mad but she wasn't. She handed an apron to me and continued with what she was doing.
Leah left me at the restaurant earlier than usual after she complained about a headache.
I attended the last set of customers, and I filled in the record book while they were still eating. I forgot to turn the sign which hung on the door to the part that says 'closed'. I remembered when the door swung open and someone walked in. He wore a long black coat, and a black hat which covered his face. He took a seat close to the counter where I was standing.
"May I take your order, sir?" I asked rushing over to his seat.
"Coffee," he said without looking up.
That voice I said to myself. There was something about it, but I couldn't recall. Coffee? By this time? Well it was none of my business.
I served him when I was done brewing his coffee. I expected him to look up or take off his hat while taking the coffee, but he didn't. He just sipped it with his head bent. It was like he could see me through his hat, but I couldn't get a glimpse of his face it just his lips at the tip of the mug of coffee. When he finished, he took out a dollar bill from his pocket and slid it on the table, then he got up and walked away. When I checked it was fifty box, for a five-dollar coffee? I had this feeling that he knew me. His voice kept echoing in my head as I tried to recall where I had met him.
I cleaned up after the last customer left. I decided to walk home because the house was just a few blocks away (back street) and I felt walking to the street in front to wait for a taxi would take a longer time. I couldn't tell when I would find one that would take me home. I felt someone was watching from across the street as I locked the door of the restaurant, but each time I looked there was no one there. Probably my imagination's messing with me, I said to myself.
As I walked home I kept having the feels that someone was following me. I was convinced after I had passed the second street, and whoever it was mistakenly kicked down an empty bottle. I increased my pace immediately. Maybe I should call someone? I thought. I took my phone out, called Bryan, and he didn't pick. I thought of calling Miles and I was about to drop the idea when whoever stepped on an empty can. I quickly dialed Miles' number, and I didn't care what he would think at this moment.
"Miles, I think someone is following me," I said without letting him speak.
"Where are you? "He asked in a concerned tone.
Well that was a relief, but I was almost home so I didn't answer. I just wanted whoever to know I was talking with someone and if they hurt me, they would be found.
"Paige, where are you?" He asked in a more furious tone.
"I'm almost home," I said when I got to the T- junction that led to my house. I looked back when I had crossed over to my street, and no one was there. Whoever had stopped following. It was more like they wanted to know where I lived.
"I lost 'em," I said to Miles, who was still on the phone.
"You've got to be careful. Why will you walk home alone by this time?" He asked.
Because I don't have a car, and not like I had a choice. Well I had a choice, but this was the best out of all. What if my stalker caught up with me while I was waiting for a taxi?
I got home and I ended the call immediately. When Leah opened the door, I rushed in and shut it quickly.
"I was been followed today," I said before she could say a thing. I waited for her reply but none came. She just stared at me with a worried look which I could see through her eyes. It was like she had also been followed once, or twice, or more.
"Leah?"
"I'm sure it's nothing. You are imagining things probably because you've had a long day," she said. Those words weren't real and I could feel it. Something was wrong, but what?