CHAPTER 4
Prisca stood by the roadside, her makeup subtle, her posture calm and collected as she waited. When a sleek car pulled up beside her, she knew immediately it was her boss. He stepped out, crossing over to the passenger side and opening the door for her. She gave him a warm, surprised smile.
"You didn't have to do that," she said, sliding into the seat.
He closed the door with a soft smile. "I would always treat my woman right."
Their time together felt like a collection of stolen moments, little pockets of happiness between long workdays. Prisca and her boss were soon seen playing basketball, laughing in the pool, sharing bites in a bustling eatery, and strolling along city streets. But amid the joy, Prisca's face suddenly twisted in pain as a headache struck her. She tried to mask it, clutching her head to keep the agony from showing.
"I… I need to use the restroom," she managed to say, her voice strained.
"Prisca?" Her boss's voice was laced with worry. "What's wrong?"
She quickly reached into her bag, pulling out a bottle of pills, swallowing one before leaning back with a sigh of relief. He watched her, his face a mixture of shock and concern. "How long have you been sick?"
Prisca's eyes softened, but she couldn't meet his gaze.
***
Outside, in the compound, Daniel scrubbed his clothes under the sun when John approached, his gaze hard and serious.
"Hey, how may I be of help?" Daniel greeted, unaware of what was about to unfold.
"Stay away from her," John warned, his tone dark.
Daniel frowned. "I don't understand. Who are you talking about?"
"Stay away from Prisca. She's married to me."
Daniel blinked in disbelief, then let out a burst of laughter. "Last I checked, she was a spinster. Did you marry her overnight?"
In response, John pulled out a dagger, its blade catching the light as he held it steady. Daniel's expression shifted to one of shock, his hands raised in surrender.
"Woah! Who is this Prisca anyway? I bet you, I don't know her."
***
Later, in the hushed atmosphere of a game house, Prisca and her boss sat opposite each other. The usual lightness between them was gone, replaced by an unspoken tension.
"You've been sick," he finally said, "and you didn't tell me?"
Prisca looked away. "It's not that serious, sir."
He shook his head. "It is that serious, Prisca. That headache wasn't normal. What… what exactly is wrong?"
Silence hung between them as she struggled to find the words.
"Prisca, I'm asking you. Please."
After a moment, Prisca looked at him, her eyes shadowed. "I think it's time I go home. I'll come by tomorrow to pack my things in the office. I just… I had such a wonderful time with you."
The weight of her words hit him, and he took her hand gently, squeezing it as if to keep her there a little longer. "Is it really that serious?" he whispered.
Her gaze dropped as tears traced down her cheeks. "I've always had a crush on you," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "Ever since I started working there. You were so focused… so wrapped up in work, you didn't even notice me. But I loved it. I'd stay late just to catch another glimpse of you." She let out a small, bitter laugh, shaking her head.
He stared at her, stunned. "That was four years ago. You've cared for me for that long and never said anything?"
She shrugged. "Even before you started seeing Nancy. I just… I got so good at hiding my feelings."
He looked down, regret filling his eyes. "I was so blind, Prisca. I didn't see it."
"No," she shook her head, wiping away the tears that kept coming. "It's better you didn't know. If you had, more would've happened between us, and… well, it wouldn't have been worth it."
She tried to hold back her tears, but he couldn't help himself. "It's not too late," he began, leaning closer.
But she pulled back gently. "Please, don't. Find someone else. Don't let me be the one to hurt you."
"How long do you have?" he asked, his voice barely audible.
Prisca's gaze fell. "Less than two months."
The silence stretched between them, each of them blinking back tears, sharing the weight of all that was left unsaid.
***
Prisca opened the door, and there stood John, his expression unreadable as he stared back at her. Her eyes were swollen, evidence of a night spent in tears, but she held her ground, tightening her grip on the doorknob.
"Oh God," she muttered, her voice sharp and tired. "This pervert again? What do you want?"
John didn't flinch. "It's time to be more than just a stalker to you now, Prisca. Let me know you don't hate me. Go out with me."
Prisca's face softened just slightly. She let out a long breath, gathering her thoughts. "I don't hate you, John. I don't. But you frighten me with all this stalking. It makes me feel… unsafe."
"You misunderstood me," he replied calmly, his gaze unwavering. "I want the best for you, and that means me. I can make you happy, Prisca. I don't want anyone taking you away from me." He hesitated, then continued with a touch of vulnerability. "Yesterday, I saw you… in a jeep."
She raised an eyebrow. "That was my boss."
John's face lit up, his relief almost palpable. "Good. That's what I thought."
Prisca sighed, ready to end this conversation. "Can I close the door now and get back inside?"
He shrugged. "Yes… if you agree to go out with me."
A reluctant smile crept onto her lips. She studied him for a moment, amused despite herself. "Just one date. Just to fulfill all righteousness."
John's face broke into a dark smile, one that sent a slight chill down her spine. "I'll call you tomorrow afternoon."
Prisca frowned, taken aback. "Do you even have my number?"
He chuckled softly. "Why wouldn't I?"
Her eyes widened with surprise as he walked away, leaving her shaking her head, murmuring under her breath, 'How did he get my number?'
The next day, Prisca was packing clothes into a bag when a knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts. She opened it to find Chi, Justin's older sister and her best friend, standing there, a wide grin on her face.
"What's up?" Chi greeted her with a playful slap on the back. "I was shocked when I saw your call! It's been months!"
Prisca pointed to a bag of clothes by the door. "I wanted to give you this."
Chi glanced down at the bag, her eyebrows rising as she rummaged through it. She pulled out a denim jacket, her jaw dropping. "Are you getting married or something? The denim too?"
"Yes," Prisca replied, half-laughing. "Everything in that bag is yours."
Chi shook her head in disbelief, her mouth hanging open. "Jesus, Prisca. Are you serious? Am I dreaming?"
Prisca rolled her eyes. "You make it sound like I don't ever give anything away."
Chi burst out laughing. "Girl, you're the stingiest person I know when it comes to clothes. What's going on? Wait… you're not marrying that rich boss of yours, are you?"
Prisca's cheeks reddened. "No, Chi, it's just a gift. If you don't want it, I can take it back—"
Chi quickly swatted Prisca's hands away, snatching the bag up before Prisca could change her mind. "I'll take it with great gratitude," she declared, giving her a playful glare.
"Exactly what you should've said from the start," Prisca replied, chuckling.
Chi glanced at her watch, letting out a sigh. "I gotta run. I have a blind date tonight, and I haven't even started getting ready."
Prisca raised an eyebrow. "You're still doing those?"
Chi shrugged, her smile sheepish. "I want to be married before the year's up! I'm not getting any younger."
Prisca gave her an encouraging smile. "Well, good luck."
Chi paused at the door, glancing back. "By the way, does my brother still come around?"
Prisca nodded. "Yeah, he was here a few days ago."
Chi sighed, her expression turning serious. "My bones are tired. I wonder when he'll move on. Mom's been worried."
Prisca smiled softly. "Don't worry. He'll grow up soon. He'll realize."
Chi shook her head but smiled, lifting the bag in a final wave as she stepped out.
***
Meanwhile, across town, John was getting dressed with a bright smile, practically bouncing as he straightened his collar. He checked his watch, then moved to his computer, powering it on eagerly. But as the screen flickered to life, his smile faded.
Prisca was on the screen, sitting on the floor with printed pictures spread around her, lost in thought as she gazed at them. John clenched his jaw, disappointment twisting his face. He snatched up his phone and dialed her number.
"Hello?" Prisca's voice came through the line, calm and distant. "Who's this?"
"It's me, John."
"Oh, hey, John."
He forced his voice to sound casual. "Are you ready?"
"Oh…" Her voice softened, almost sheepish. "I'm so sorry, John. I completely forgot."
He forced a smile, though his eyes betrayed his frustration. "It's no problem. As long as you can make it, even if it's late."
"I'm not home right now," she said apologetically. "And I won't be back till tomorrow."
John's eyes flicked back to the screen, watching as she rose to her feet and moved toward her door. "You're… not home?"
"Sorry, John," she said. "I promise I'll make it up to you tomorrow."
"Sure," he replied, fighting to keep his tone steady. He hung up, staring at the screen as she opened the door and welcomed Justin into her room.
The line went silent, but John didn't move, his fingers still clenched around the phone as he glared at the screen.