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Rosemary33:
Episode 13

It has been a busy day for both of them, Imelda had been busy with writing and replying mails and also cancelling appointments for her Madam.

Three appointments has been cancelled already since Grace entered into a close door meeting with two other Heads of departments.

But one Number kept calling, insisting to speak with Grace,

"Sir she is in a meeting and will not be coming out soon" Imelda tried to be polite for the third time

"Put her through, just for few seconds it won't take more than that" the Caller insisted

"I can't do that sir, she instructed me not to disturb her for anything " Imelda was getting impatient

"Then give me her private Number, that is all I ask for" I can't do that either Sir

"We won't be doing this till if you had either put her through the line, or given me her private number, it is not a difficult task for you, is it? " the caller continued

"Sir I can not give you her private number without her giving me the permission to do so, am sorry Sir, but I have to go now" Imelda said with finality

"I may make it worth your while young lady, you may not know what some extra cash can do for you"

Imelda heard the soft chuckle at The other end of the phone, she Imagined the triumphant dance in his eyes,

"Fifty thousand box just for a Number, damn it, young lady you are practically doing nothing than giving out a number " The Caller continued

"What do you need the number for" Imelda asked after a little pause

"Allow me to worry about that, but I assure you that am not going to kidnap her or blackmail her"

"Fifty thousand for doing nothing?" Imelda thought, fifty thousand would be enough to make Ahmad happy for a while before she would receive Her salary by the end of the month.

Ahmad had asked her for a loan, promising to pay back when ever he gets some money, that would be one out of many loans Imelda has given him and was never paid back.

She doesn't want to ask Grace for money again, the last time she had begged Grace for thirty thousand, with the story that her mother was sick. She also feel that Grace was becoming suspicious of her many lies.
This would be a good opportunity to get the money for Ahmad, and buy herself some peace.

"Send the Money then I give you the Number "

She wasn't sure if what she was doing was right

"good girl" the caller said with a laugh.

*

Grace left the board room first before other HOD's, to answer the call that has persistently came through her phone during the meeting until she was forced to switch her phone off,

"Hello who is this "

"Finally she decided to speak to me" said the excited voice at the other end

Grace did not find it funny, she really hoped that who ever the caller was, didn't disturb her during the meeting just to exchange pleasantries

"Who am I on to please "she said, walking down the hall to her office, the 'click click' from her shoes announced her entrance into the main hall, she gave an acknowledging nods to some worked as she walked towards her office

"Can you guess " the caller continued playing with her

"look Mr, I don't have time for Childish chit chat, it's obvious you have nothing of importance to say, please have a good day... "

"Wow lady! Chill, don't be too serious with life... "

"Being serious has gotten me to where I am today so... "

Grace turned towards her office, she peered through Mary's half closed door, Mary had her eyes glued to the television in the wall, definitely watching the Kadarshian show,

"ok it me, Me Morgan"

"Which Morgan?" Grace asked

"From Wilson Beverages"
Grace made an abrupt stop,

"What? " She shouted, attracting the attentions of some workers

"Surprise I guess " Mr Morgan was enjoying the reaction he got from her

"How did you get my Number?" she asked with a clinging teeth.

"Money talks babe, Money talks" he laughed

"it's not funny Mr Morgan, I want to know who gave you my Private number" she insisted

"Don't forget I can get anything I set my heart on, including your number babe" he said

"you have my official Number"

"I need to call you anytime, day or night, don't forget, you still work for me" he answered

"I don't think you acquired my Number just for the sake of the job we are doing for your company" Grace accused

"Ehm... no..."

"So what do you want?"

Grace walked towards Imelda's desk, picked her keys, opened her door and walked inside her office.

"What do you think I want" Mr Morgan teased

"I don't know" Grace got herself seated "you tell me" she said

"I want you Grace, be my girl" Mr Morgan said

"you are joking, seriously" Grace said
"I never joke with anything I want, so am asking again, Grace please date me" he assumed a serious tone

"I can't believe you sir, you don't even know me, we only met last week, how can... " Grace was saying

"It takes just a day to know someone, and knowing a formidable lady like you will be a nice job I want to take up"

"You know what Sir?... "

"call me Morgan"

"Morgan... I can't date you please accept that" she said with finality
There was silence at the other end of the phone, then:

"I will not force you into doing anything Grace, but I will like you to promise me you will think about this" Morgan said

There was really nothing to think about as far as she was concerned, but she wanted to get him off her back and her phone,

"Are you?" Morgan continued

"Am I what? Oh! Sure I will think about it" she said

"OK that's better, thank you"

The line went dead. She wanted to get angry at him but was surprised she wasn't, rather she had a smile on her face.
She had that smile on when she got another message on her phone:

"thank you so much Sweet, I am expecting a positive response, sorry for the last time, I have missed you so much. K"

She read the message over again, what was Ken trying to do? Calling her Sweet? When was the last time she enjoyed the pleasure of hearing him call her that?

She was amused as much as she was confused.

She picked the office phone to call Imelda.

*
"I will be there in a minute Ma"

Imelda felt her heart pumping fast, she did not know why her Madam would be summoning her into the office.

"could it be that this unknown caller has
spilled the beans and told Madam that I gave him her Number?" she thought

She moved her chair backward, straightened her cloth and went into the office to face her Madam.

"Sit down Imelda" Grace said

She noticed how uncomfortable the young lady was and wondered why, May be she was feeling guilty about her relationship with the boss, Grace through.

"How are you Imelda" Grace asked her

"I'm fine ma" Imelda answers, relieved and surprised.

"Imelda I want to know what is going on with you, lately you seem to have lost some weight and your usual excitement, are you passing through some problems? "Grace asked with concern

"no ma, am just ehm... Watching my weight... "Imelda defended

"Don't tell me that Imelda, you have always been Slim and have no reason to watch your weight"

Imelda held her head down in silence

"How is your mother's health? is everything alright with her?" Grace asked

"She is ehm... Getting better Ma" Imelda lied
Grace sighed softly

"Imelda, talk to me, am sorry but I feel there is something going on with you, you have ehm... You have collected money from me three times in less than one month, and they are not small amounts..."

"Sorry Ma, I will really pay you back immediately I get my salary..." Imelda was uncomfortable now, Grace could see it in her countenance and the way she kept adjusting herself on the seat

"I am not interested in you paying me back Imelda, I want to know if you are in any sort of trouble, are you being blackmailed?"

"N... N... No Ma, not at all"

Grace looked at her for a while, wishing she could open up to her what ever it was that is making her this uncomfortable. Then she remembered the marks on her body

"I saw a some marks on your body last week and today" Grace carefully said, Observing her reaction

Imelda looked up shapely, fear was written all over her

"You are being abused Imelda" Grace added

"Who told you that Ma" Imelda asked

"You just told me now, the look on your face and your reaction when I said it, confirmed it" Grace said, looking at her with pity

Imelda couldn't hold her gaze, she bent her head and was crying softly.

"It is Mr Ogungbeso, our boss, isn't it?" Grace asked, not knowing who else to accuse