"Good morning Angela," betty greeted, but to her, nothing seemed good anymore. not mornings, not nights, not even life. Everything was becoming a mess again. Now that he is back, she lost herself again. she couldn't sleep. she had spent the night tossing in the bed, but all was in vain. she couldn't catch sleep. her mind was spinning, her heart racing. it was like she travelled in time, back a year ago. the same day she lost her love, her heart, and mostly a trust in love.
"Morning betty," she greeted back in almost a whisper. she felt so down like she was being deprived of air, she looked sick, which she was, so sick of everything. she was sick of this unfair world, which chooses to break women's hearts. stabbing them from the back and, as if not realizing the damage, stab them again when the wound was about to heal.
"Angela,"she heard Betty calling her name, but she couldn't answer. she was standing like a statue. she knew well that she looked like a maniac, yet she didn't have a heart to care. " angela dear, are you okay?" betty asked again this time, touching her arm, bringing her mind back to reality.
"Yeah, I'm okay." As she was taken back as she was, she managed to answer.
" Well, I don't think so." Here was betty, not easy to fool. " You look pale like a dead man, and here you are saying you okay? and your mind... seem to have taken a trip to Mars, not forgetting your voice, I would have mistaken you to be my mother in law if it wasn't for your pretty face. "
" Come on, betty, it's not that bad." she faked a laugh. " I didn't get enough sleep last night, that's why." At least this was true. she didn't have to lie to her nor tell her the whole truth. just then, Quen approached them. he greeted them, and his eyes rested on angela. she fake smiled when she noticed that his stare was taking long and his face showed displeasure, yet he didn't say anything but rather walked toward their office. angela stayed a little longer chatting with betty before she left for the office, too. she entered and went directly to her desk, opened her computer, deciding to focus on her work and forgetting everything. she started on her emails, reading them one by one as she responded to them when she felt eyes on her. she looked up to meet Quen's piercing gaze. she almost jumped from the chair out of shock.
"Oh my gosh, you almost killed me. how about making a sound while walking instead of scaring a shit out of people? " she snorted, trying to catch her breath.
" Would you have heard if I did? tell me what's wrong with you. " he asked, putting on his serious face.
" What's wrong with me?" One needs to play dumb sometimes, especially while being interrogated by a serious version of Quen Okefe. she told herself, putting on dumb face.
" Don't play this with me, okay?" he frowned. Yeah, this was it. If she found it hard to lie to Betty, it's even harder to fool Quen. It's like he can read minds or sense a problem. True, she looked tired, but that could be linked with work, right? She asked herself, trying to figure out what to say next.
" Okay. You know that we have been busy this week. Too much work, lack of enough sleep, that's all. " she saw a hint of hesitation and disbelieve as his blue orbs x-rayed her, so she decided to shut him up for really.
"Something is not right here Mr Okefe, you seem worried about me and that's something you won't spare time for if not in good mood" he frowned and A smile of satisfaction crept onto her face. Even his frown looked cute. " I was wondering if the girl said yes," his frown deepened.
" Angela," his annoyance was clear enough to make her stop.
" Okay, sir. No more fooling around. I'm just tired, two mugs of coffee, and I'll be as strong as an ox. " She watched as his frown relaxed into a small smile, easing her heart a little. She didn't like to express her feelings, mostly problems to anyone except Brena. Speaking of Brena, she decided to call her later that evening.
" If you say so. I'll ask someone to get you one, " he offered.
" That's so kind of you," she thanked in return. Quen walked out of the room, taking the all-Okay, Angela with him." The Angela who remained was the complete opposite. She sunk in her chair, the smile on her face fading away like it never existed. Sitting on her chair like a once boiled water. Before last night she was happy. She felt warm and complete that even her mind never dared to think about a year ago since the day she set her foot inside this company. Yet she was back to her cold state. She felt like everything that happened this last few months was a dream, and it was a time to go back to her reality.
Time seemed to pass but again seemed to have stopped. She tried to keep her mind on her work but how could she,when she didn't have a control over her mind?. She had to make some reports for Quen but she kept making mistakes over and over again because she couldn't focus. She knew it was pissing him off, but surprisingly, he didn't say anything except pointing out the mistakes and making her redo it. Later, they had a meeting, but she was absent-minded there, too.
" These are the files you asked for, and I wanted to remind you guys that its lunch time" Betty said as she put a bunch of files on the table." So there is this new restaurant opened near the company and I heard the food there is great, thought we go taste the menu." Instead of answering,Quen turned to Angela's direction, catching Betty's attention before following his eyes.
" What do you say, Angela?" Betty asked but got a complete silence in return. She met Quen's eyes and raised a questioning brow, which he just shrugged on. She called her name again, this time making sure to raise her from hell or anywhere she must have left her mind.
" Yes.. hah? Did you say something?" Angela asked, noticing a confused look on Betty's face.
" I asked if you are coming for lunch and you didn't hear. So dear.." she said, walking toward her desk and stopping right beside her." I don't think you are okay. Are you sick? Cause it's not like you not to react when I mention a new restaurant. "
" Oh, sorry, I might have left my mind at home today," she joked, faking a laugh. " But I'm not hungry, maybe another time."
" You surely are sick." Betty placed her hand on her forehead to feel her temperature." No fever?".
" I'm completely fine, Betty. It's just that I ate a lot at breakfast and I don't really feel like eating. You go on without me. "
" Sure? " She nodded in response.
" Okay. Let's go, Quen. " Quen's eyes travelled from Betty to Angela before turning his attention to his computer.
" I'm not hungry too," both Betty and Angela turned their attention to him.
" Not you too. that's not fair. I'm not eating alone. "
" I said I'm not hungry," he said using his serious business tone, but this was Betty, she has heard this tone more than enough time.
" Look, I know you are the boss, but this isn't working hours, and I'm older to you, so you coming or not ?". He never treated Betty as his secretary but as his sister, and now was the time to backfire.
" Don't worry about me. Just go and enjoy your lunch, " Angela persuaded him.
" Okay. Let's go, madam. " he took another glance at Angela before following Betty outside the room.
" Hey, what's wrong with her? She has been acting strange since morning, and now she doesn't wanna eat. Something is not right with her. " Betty burst out after closing the door behind them.Quen has been telling himself that she must be tired as she said, but now that even Betty thinks that Angela is weird, his worry rose.
" She is keeping quiet," he suddenly said, confusing Betty, who couldn't get anything out his words. She made an attempt to ask, but he bit her to it." She is keeping whatever shit to herself." It was frustrating him. The last time he met her,she was fine. Bright faced, joking and laughing yet, what changed overnight?
" It's getting me worked up," he cursed before walking away, leaving a dumb founded Betty behind.
" What's that about!" She asked herself and ran after him.
He entered the office with a takeout in his one hand, another on the door handle when he saw her lying her head on the desk. Assuming she is asleep, he slowly closed the door behind him, careful not to cause noise. He put the bag on the desk and leaned over to check on her. She was peaceful sleeping, her lips forming a cute pout. She was so angelic despite the frown, which was clear on her pretty face. He caressed her cheek, feeling the warmth of touching her soft skin. That's when he realized that she must have been crying. Tear drains were formed on her cheeks. The feeling of guilty and self disappointing pierced his heart like a sharp knife. He wanted to wipe away her tears. The hell he wanted to destroy everything that upset her, but the fact that he couldn't was a complete disgrace to him.
" Don't worry, princess. As long as I'm here, I won't allow anything or anyone to hurt you again. Not anymore, " he said, caressing her hair.
Angela opened her eyes and met Quen's. He quickly stood straight and looked anywhere away from her.
" When did you come back?" She decided to break an awkward silence which was growing between them." Why didn't you wake me up?"
" I just got here, and about that, I didn't want to disturb you," he said, regaining his serious tone. He grabbed the takeout and put it before her, pulling a chair to sit himself in process." Put something in your tiny stomach."
" Thanks." she pulled out aluminium plates and started eating. Later, she felt his gaze on her, and when she looked up, she confirmed her instincts.
" Why stare like that?" She asked, feeling a bit uneasy. The guy's gaze was intimate that she felt like he was drilling a hole into her using his eyes. Instead of answering, his stare grew.
" What's bothering you?" Angela was relieved that he finally said a word cause his silent gaze was scaring her to the extent she felt thirsty, yet the question wasn't pleasing either.
" I told you that it's nothing to worry about," she said, avoiding his eyes. He stared at her for a moment before his face relaxed into a bit smile.
" Okay. Have more, I don't want you to get sick when we have a trip, " he said, pushing a bottle of juice toward her.
" What trip?" She asked, gulping the juice afterwards.
" I called you last night to tell you about it, but you didn't pick up. It's about the trophy that our company recently won. There is this ball, so we must go together to receive it since we are partners. "
" Okay with me. Nice timing, I also wanted to be somewhere else. " her voice was hiding something for sure. He felt it but dared not to ask.
" When are we leaving?"she asked.
" In two days," just then the door opened, revealing Betty with a bouquet of red roses in her hands. Both Angela and Quen turned to each other with a confused look.
" What's that ?" Quen was the first to ask.
" Wrong question," she grinned, matching toward them." The real question is, for who?" Her grin widened, her eyes averting from Quen to Angela. That's when both Quen and Angela realized the situation. Quen clenched his teeth and tightened his fist in anger. He stood up and walked to his desk, not wishing to witness anything more than that.
" Throw them way." Quen turned surprised at Angela's words. Her eyes were glowing of anger and despise. Even her cheeks were burning red.
Betty opened her mouth to say something, but Angela was not in for anything like listening." Throw them away," she half yelled, shocking both Quen and Betty.
" Don't you even want to know who sent them?" She asked nervously. no one thought that Angela had this side of her. She was always glowing with happiness and emitted cool vibes but now she looked like she was possessed.
" I already know. Didn't you hear me? I said I don't want those shits before my eyes," she shouted again, this time messing up her hair with her hands. Betty reluctantly turned and walked toward the door.
" Wait," she halted on Angela's voice." What's was the company that delivered it?".
" Smooth delivery," she answered before sharing a look of bewilderment with Quen.
" Just as I thought it," she murmured loud enough for them to hear, picked up her phone, and dialled some numbers. " Look, sam, we are supposed to be friends, 0but if you play this trick with me again, I'm afraid we won't be anymore. One more thing, tell your other friend to stop this fucking disgusting shit of him and go to hell. Got it" she didn't even wait for the person to say anything before she cut off the call.
Angela.....
" Not now please" she snapped.
A moment of silence passed. Angela took a deep breath before taking her bag. She went to Quen and stood in front of him.
" I'm sorry that I snapped at you but I really wanna be alone". She turned to go but Quen held her arm ,turned her around pulling her to him in a tight comforting hug. A few tear drops which have been threatening her to come used this chance to fall freely down her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around his waist and allowed herself to hide her despair in his embrace. They stayed in that position for quite long before they pulled out.
Quen bend down a little, cupped her face in his hand and smiled.
" It's gonna be okay just go home and rest".
She nodded and returned the smile. she walked to the door, gave Betty a quick hug and disappeared from the room. Betty approached Quen and stood beside him.
" That was so touching. Never thought I would witness your warmth toward a girl. You must really like her"
" That's bullshit " he said and left the room too.
" Believe me. I got some experience" she shouted behind him.
We will see about this so called bullshit. She giggled.