Chapter 2


Most people in the Company would always gossip about me and Mrs Douglas's relationship. Most believed I was some sort of a distant relation, others felt I was like an unofficial help to her. I never really had the time to clear up their confusion and don't even plan to do so. I wouldn't blame them cause the love and special treatment I've always received from her is enough to make such a conclusion. Everything I have today is all thanks to her, and I'd be forever grateful to her. How can I possibly explain to them that I'm only an OND holder occupying a position in the company which most of them are more qualified to hold, and earning more than most of them?. I can't do that, so I rather keep my mouth shut. Sometimes, I feel like telling Zainab about it but I can't bring myself to do it. I really can't. That may bring some friction to our friendship and I wouldn't want that. I even pleaded with Mrs Douglas to let me share an office with some staff even though I am their line manager, with the intention of creating some sort of relationship as some of them were already treating me differently.

“Aren't you done” Zainab half yelled. It's closing time and she's ready to leave.

“Not yet, just some report to-”

“Madam pack up jor. You can do it at home. Mrs Douglas… or should I say, your office mother?......” She paused and raised an eyebrow at me “.......wouldn't mind” She completed daring me to counter her.

“Yes, she wouldn't mind but I do mind. I have to finish up. See ya tomorrow”. I said dismissively.

Just then my phone beeped. I peeped into the screen and sighed in disapproval.

“Who's it from?. A new boo?” Zainab teased appearing in front of my desk all of a sudden. I thought she was leaving already.

“It's no one”. With eyes focused on my laptop. I continued typing.

“Then I'll just…....” I immediately grabbed my phone before she could take it. She bursted into laughter. A mocking one at that.

“I thought you were so focused on typing?. When did you suddenly turn to flash?. Oshey, Berry Allen” I rolled my eyes in response.

“Fine….” I paused, raising her curiosity, knowing how much she hated such acts.

“Nora!” She yelled threatening me with her big eyes.

“Fine, fine” I raised my hands in surrender as I chuckled at her facial expression.

“Well, it's a former coursemate of mine. He just completed his house and he wants our set to have a get together at his house this Christmas” I explained, relaxing myself on my seat.

For some reason, I could feel my heart tightening.

Zainab rolled her eyes in confusion.

“So….. why aren't you excited about it? I mean, you'll get to see some old friends” She asked with furrowed brows.

"That's it. I do not want to see them".

She scoffed in disbelief.

"Why?"

I inhaled tiredly, exhaling almost immediately while running my hands through my long artificial hair.

“My ex would be there”

“What!!? You have an ex?” She looks so bewildered, like I said something abominable.

“Excuse me?”

“Madam, you are excused. You have an ex?” She repeated again, scoffing in disbelief.

“You know, I would have sworn with my life that you are a virgin. What the Bleep? How much more do I have to unveil about you?” Her eyes were piercing into mine accusingly.

“Well I never told you that” I defended, which was the truth. I never did. She just assumed that, and it's wrong to make assumptions about people's lives.

“Yes, you never did but you never accepted to be with a man. You decline whenever they approach you and turn down the ones I introduced you to, don't-”

“I go on dates” I cut in, defensively.

“Yes but you never accept going home with them. You don't even let anyone touch you when we go to a club”.

“Well, that's how I choose to live,” I simply replied.

We remained quiet for a while. I was slightly afraid to speak, at the same time afraid of what she would ask.

“You still have to go” she finally broke the silence. I gazed at her, am I really ready to face them?.

“I don't know if I can,” I muttered, almost to myself. But she heard it because she asked 'why’.

“We all have exes, so? Abeg babe you are going for that reunion, get-together…. Whatever it is. Where is it happening?” She asked with a don't-dare-me look.

“Port Harcourt” I replied.

“Ah! PH City!!! This Christmas will be a blessing for some people, oh” she said teasingly, I couldn't help but smile.

Well, everything that happened was six years ago. I should stop bothering myself and hope for a blissful Christmas get-together.

“Madam, better catch one fine rich Bobo oh. Na so I for just die for one Oracle front, if to say I go swear for you”

I chuckled but said nothing. What could I possibly say?

“Have you heard me?” This girl will never rest.

“Yes Mother. I will make sure to catch one fine rich Bobo and drag him back here to Lagos”.

“If that your ex is still single, you can-”

“Enough abeg. I'm going there to mind my business. I'm too busy to even keep a relationship” I cut in.

“But you are not busy going to the club abi?. This girl, your way no pure” she fired with a very amusing expression. Making me burst into laughter.


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Before going home, I stopped at the mall to shop for some items I'd be needing for my one week vacation. Sometimes I'd get excited over it, other times, a strong sad feeling will envelop me. It's been over six years since I left Rivers State. Over six years since I last saw my friends. Over six years since I moved one from all the sad memories and experiences I faced. Now, I'm going back there. Not the same person anymore. But someone stronger and more successful. I'd make sure to have fun and be as happy as ever.

I got home and rushed into the shower. Letting the warm water caress my soft skin while I imagined what the event would be like, at the same time, reminding myself that I have to let Mrs Douglas know of it.

I remained in the shower longer than usual, until...... Wait!!! Is that the smell of something burning??. My eyes almost popped out. I immediately grabbed my towel, wrapped it round my wet body and rushed out of the bathroom.

I have never felt so stupid like I feel right now. I rushed to my kitchen to realize I wasn't even cooking anything and the smell is from my neighbors house. Sighing in annoyance, I headed for the location.

With all seriousness I knocked on the supposed door. Gradually I was choking from the smoke and wondered if there's no one in the house. I knocked harder.

"Neighbor!!" I managed to scream.

In a little while, my always-at-home neighbor came rushing out with a lady, while they coughed and spat.

"Do you people want to burn down the place?" I scolded, obviously pissed.

"Nothing serious happened. it wasn't intentional anyways" he replied casually.

"Next time be more intentional, people live here too" I replied. He almost burned down the place and here he is talking as if it's a small thing.

"You too have to be intentional about yourself. You don't stand here wrapped in a towel, dishing out advice to people ''....

Did he say towel?. I looked down at myself and realized I was still wrapped on my towel. Kill me already.

@Isobug..... I have dropped oh.
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Chapter one


The beeping sound from my alarm kept disturbing my wonderful sleep. What can I do? I have to reckon with its call. Getting up from my bed, I grabbed my phone from my mini table and turned it off. My eyes wandered to the message notification at the top of my screen.

"Ah!! Zainab'' I unconsciously muttered, attempting to open the message. But that tiny little voice in my head…. That voice that gets me pissed off most times reminded me that I haven't prayed yet. At this point, I was tempted to change the system of praying first before any other thing in the morning. I mean, this is Zainab we are talking about, every gist or message from her was always fascinating. She should have been a blogger or something cause she always has something interesting especially when it comes to things happening in the company. Most times, I wonder how she gets them because they always appear to be true.

Inhaling deeply, I decided to pray first. I won't completely say that I am a devoted Christian but my late mom would always emphasize the importance of prayer up until she passed away.

"Baby girl, I think Mrs Douglas is going to make us smile today" it reads.

I read it over and over again with a broad smile on my face. If this happens, as usual, we both will go to our favorite restaurant and have our stomachs filled up with all the food. I love food!!. Then at night, Zainab would drive down to my house, to drag me to a club for more celebration.

Zainab is a vibe giver, there's never a dull moment around her. I remember once when she came to the office wearing a Santa outfit. I mean, it was hilarious…. Interestingly, we had an important meeting that same day with some investors. My boss was very mad at her because of the outfit, thinking it would make it seem like we were some bunch of unserious people with every form of unprofessionalism hovering around us. Funny enough, we got the deal.

"Your employee appears hilarious but I like the aura, the comfort her appearance brings"

Those were the exact words they had said to us. That day, my boss credited me and Zainab with some good cash. I'm not as energetic as Zainab…. But I'm not a boring person either. I just love doing my things my way and my name is….. Nora Raymond.


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The hustling and buzzing in the city of Lagos is something we all have become accustomed to. Everyday, there's always something to either amuse, annoy or frustrate you. This particular cold hamattan morning, it's the drama from my bus driver. He practically parked his old looking bus by the side of a gas station, only to rush into the station to demand debt from one of the station's attendant who has been owing him for months now. Did I just say demand?. I got it wrong.... Cause he's out there throwing punches at the hungry looking attendant.

How can this be happening on a Monday morning??!. You need to see the reactions from my fellow passengers. Some yelled in anger cussing and swearing, calling on the gods of their lands. Some resolved to quarreling the bus conductor and asking for a refund of their transportation fare, which wasn't easy as the young sharp tongued bus conductor was ready to give them back hot hot. While the rest like myself, got down from the bus murmuring and complaining under our breath as we boarded another taxi.


"Miss early bird arrived late today". Zainab teased immediately I walked into the office we shared with one other colleague. She was dressed in a black chiffon and a yellow penciled skirt, a perfect combo for her sweet shape, then a small ijab on her head.

"All thanks to all these annoying Lagos drivers, always ruining my mornings" I replied, getting annoyed all over again.

"Gist me" she said giving me a mocking look. I rolled my eyes at her.

"Abeg jor, give me gist". She nudged making herself comfortable on her seat.

Zainab almost had herself rolling on the floor in laughter after I narrated my experience to her.

"Do you mean the aboki man called the conductor an epileptic squirrel?. Omo!! See aboki man ohh". Zainab asked as she bursted into laughter again. This time I joined her, the whole anger disappearing into thin air. That's what happens when you're with someone like Zainab.

Hi everyone.

I'm Zara, I'm new here and would love to post my story. I'd appreciate your comments and constructive criticisms. Thank you 😊