We got to Cal's house and it was magnificent. I wonder how much he's being paid to be able to live in this kind of luxurious smart home.
"Hey Siri, turn the living room lights up," Cal said as we got in.
I was battling with my emotions and curiosity
"Are you really going to hire me?"
"If I don't hire you, who will. Annie would tell the whole of Abuja how you tried to kill her and no one would want to hire you"
That sank inside of me, he was right. "That means you will be hiring me out of pity and I don't want that"
"I actually need help at home, when I am at work, the house is … just there. Siri and Alexa would be needing company" he smiled at me, "What's your salary range?"
"Mrs. Annie pays me 150,000, but I wouldn't be living with you, so please I would need a little addition"
"Who says you aren't living with me?"
I was dumbfounded. "Would I live with you?"
"I practically do not live in this house; I am only around during my vacation like this period and just some other occasions"
"Oh, that's fine then"
"Scared to live with a man?"
"Not really, just…"
"I will give you 200,000"
"Really?"
"Yes, just make yourself comfortable and be good." He went upstairs, I guess to his room and I started taking a tour around the house.
"I am bothered about something" he called out as he approached me.
"What?"
"Those men who invaded Annie's house. They were hurt. Did you do that?"
How do I answer this question now? Should I tell him that I have a black belt in martial arts?
"Yes, I did, I am good at martial arts. I have a black belt, I just didn't intend to hurt them so much, and I let my guard down"
"Where did you learn martial arts?"
"I wouldn't answer that until you tell me what it is you wanted us to talk about"
He gave me this stern look and I just felt really compelled to tell him, "I learned it from a Chinese master"
"How?"
I told him the whole story, how I was an orphan and was adopted by my Chinese master and learned from him for a year.
"I am sorry about your parents, and I'm glad you know the act of self-defense"
"Thanks. Are you not hungry?"
"I am starving. I do not have any foodstuffs here"
"I should go get some foodstuffs; I saw a market at the first bus stop on our way here"
"Okay, I will go with you. I am coming, I should go get my card" he went back upstairs, and I thought I heard him say I should come along, I followed behind, but he must have forgotten something and was coming back down, somehow stumbled and was about to fall but held unto the rail. He was too close, looking into my eyes; I was shocked because it all happened so fast. He kissed me.
I pushed him away immediately and ran back downstairs.
There were a few moments of silence. I was so scared, it is unclear to me why, but my heart wouldn't stop fluttering.
"We should go to the market"
"Yes, we should," I said immediately, stood up, and went out of the house and he followed behind. All through the journey to the market was another holy silence.
"Wow, you both look good together," one of the market women said as we bought some vegetables from her.
"Thank you, ma" Cal said, smiling sheepishly.
"No, we aren't a couple. He is my boss" I defended immediately. I can't have people make me feel more uncomfortable than I already felt.
"Thief! Thief!" we heard the scream from a distance and I saw a man approaching us, running really fast. He was obviously the thief and needed to be caught. I dropped the groceries I had bought and, immediately, aimed at catching him. It was easy-peasy to seize him as he ran past us, but he struggled and hit my stomach with his elbow, forcing me to let go of him, but before he could run any further, Cal held him back and smacked him down.
Immediately, two other Soldier men approached us. They saluted Cal, who obviously recognized him as a senior, and he ordered them to take the thief to the barracks. He asked that we follow them, and I didn't hesitate to. I want to see the end of this man, how dare he give me that hit in my stomach? Come to think of it, I am growing really poorer in my skills and need to start training again.
***
We got to the barracks just a few distances away from the market and Cal ordered them to take the man to the detention room.
Then, a man came to that detention room where I Cal, and some other soldiers were, and they all saluted him, including Cal. He had a higher rank, he was a Colonel.
"David! I heard you were around. Where is the culprit?" he asked as he looked at me from head to toe.
So, Cal's surname is David.
"That's him there!" Cal said, pointing at the thief who was sitting still and acting all innocent.
"Who are you? He asked me curiously.
I was perplexed. Didn't know what to say, I would rather not say Cal's maid because I didn't want to be looked down on as "His girlfriend! Cal's girlfriend"
They all looked at me, very surprised, and I wondered why they were so shocked at my answer. Is it impossible for a girl like me to be Cal's girlfriend or wait a minute, does Cal already have a girlfriend that they know or probably a wife?
I looked at Cal, and of course, he was looking at me surprisingly too? Oh, goodness! What have I done? I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to say that since he entertained that thought from the market women earlier.
Immediately Jake came into the detention room. I was really surprised to see him, "Sidney?" he was also surprised to see me.
"Do you know her? She's David's girlfriend" the Colonel said with this little side smirk and I saw the change of countenance in James' face.