Unmasking Love

Shattered Dream

Alex watched Sophia’s tiny frame from his office window. He tugged at his tie in frustration and yanked it off. He was the one that initiated the interview, but he developed cold feet at the last minute, and he’s feeling bad for disappointing her. He was scared of what her reaction would be if she found out that she was wealthy and not the struggling guy that he made her believe. He picked up his phone with a heavy heart and placed a call across to her.

Sophia, who was on the premises of RothX and who was still confused from the event earlier, heard her phone ring and ransacked through her bag unenthusiastically to fetch the phone. Her eyes lit up when she saw that the caller was Alex. She picked up the call and placed the phone on her ear.

“Hey, Champ,” She intoned cheerfully, and Alex’s heart broke even more. Had he not known beforehand, he would not have guessed that she just lost an interview.

“Hi babe. Are you okay?” He asked guiltily.

“Yes, I’m good” She answered. “You sound sad, are you okay?” She asked him and he shook his head.

“I’m fine. I just wanted to check on you” He muttered. “Where are you?”

“Oh, I wanted to surprise you before but I got disappointed” She mumbled sadly.

“What’s that?” He closed his eyes and cursed himself for making her sad.

“I got an invitation for an interview at RothX and I ended up being rejected even before the interview started. It was crazy” She relayed and chuckled sadly.

“I’m so sorry about that” Alex said genuinely.

“No, it’s fine. I didn’t get my hopes high so it’s good” She lied. She has prepared specially for the interview. “Where are you?” She asked.

“Me? I’m at work. I mean my part-time job,” He replied quickly. “I will call you back babe, my boss sent for me. I love you” He said into the phone and ended the call.

“I love you too” Sophia sighed in relief as the call ended. She looked back at the building she had hoped would be her place of work starting from today. A tear slipped out of her eyes and she quickly wiped it off. She shrugged it off and walked smugly to the bus stop to board a bus.

“F*CK” Alex growled and threw his phone across the office. Luckily, it landed on the couch. He crouched on the floor and facepalmed himself. He wanted to let her know who he was but he was scared of her reaction.

“What if she rejects me for deceiving him?” He reasoned and shook his head at the thought alone.

“But she needed the money” His subconscious told him.

“I will find ways to give her the money” She muttered to himself while still on the spot. Marcus entered the office to find his boss crouched helplessly.

“Boss” He rushed towards him in an alarming tone and shook him.

“What is it?” Alex asked harshly and stood up. He walked towards the couch and plopped on it. His heart was shredding into pieces and he knew that.

“I thought you hurt yourself” Marcus was breathing heavily.

“I think I should do that. I deserve it for making her go through that,” He mumbled, and Marcus’ eyes widened in fear.

“Boss” He yelled.

“What?” Alex glared at him.

“I’m sorry” Marcus muttered an apology and scratched his head. He had lost his cool for a second.

“Lady J called again” He divulged.

“Marcus” Alex called menacingly.

“Sir” He replied cautiously.

“Do you love your job?” Alex asked.

“Yes sir” Marcus replied.

“Do not ever report to me about J or whatever again!” He announced icily and Marcus nodded frantically.

“Let’s go,” Alex said and stormed out of the office in rage, self-hate, regret, and sadness.

. . . . . . . . . . .

THYE CAFÉ

Sophia got down from the bus at the bus stop closer to the Café. She walked towards the Café with a gloomy countenance and she sighed intermittently. She entered the Café and saw that there were few customers left. It was still morning and they would be in their place of work by now.

“Sophy darling” Sara called from behind the counter. Sara is her co-worker and also her only friend. She took a leave from work and traveled out of town for a while but now she’s back.

“Sara” Sophia rushed to her and engulfed her in a warm hug. “Welcome back!” She beamed with a smile.

“Thank you” Sara replied heartily. “What’s up with you? You look more sleek than the last time I saw you” She teased her.

“Don’t tease me please” Sophia waved her off while smiling. “How is sales?” She changed the topic and sat down on a chair.

“It’s going well” She replied and looked her all over in admiration. “Where are you coming from all dressed up like this? Don’t tell me you have a new job!” Sara quizzed in curiosity.

“I wish” Sophia muttered.

“What happened? You don’t look good” Sara quizzed with concern written all over her face.

“Is it that evident? I thought I covered it well” She sighed.

“To me, my darling, you’re like an open book. The moment I saw you walk through that door, I knew you were sad. So, what is it? And don’t even bother to lie, I will know” Sara pointed out.

“I went for a job interview today” Sophia started. “I didn’t get the job” She intoned sadly.

“Oh my God. I’m so sorry about that darling. You will get a new job soon okay?” Sara hugged her in consolation. She broke the hug and looked at her pitifully.

“I prepared for it, I swear. They told me off before the interview started. Do you think I have bad luck?” She quizzed melancholically and her eyes watered.

“Don’t say that, please. You don’t have bad luck.” Sara rejected it and patted her shoulders to comfort her.

“I just need the job. I need to pay Clio’s school fees that’s piling up. I need to pay my house rent. We need to feed. I’m literally broke” The tears were falling freely now. Sara stood up to hug her again. She offered her a napkin and she dabbed her tears gently while sniffing.

“Why didn’t you tell me you needed money? I would have assisted you” Sara intercepted.

“I didn’t want to bother you with my plight. I thought I would get the job” Sophia mumbled.

“I will lend you Clio’s school fees until you find a job, okay?” Sara promised.

“Thank you very much, Sara. God bless you” Sophia was grateful and she appreciated her profusely.

“Oh please, don’t embarrass. What are Friends for?” Sara chuckled.

“You’re a lifesaver.” She appreciated again.

“You mean I’m like a life jacket or parachute?” Sara teased and they both burst into laughter.

“Please laugh often. Your crying face looks ugly” Sara teased and they burst into laughter again.

All these while, Alex was at the entrance. He had changed into a regular dress. He heard their conversation, and he felt more bad for her predicament. But one thing was confusing to him. He wondered who Clio was and why she hadn’t said anything about Clio, that’s a child.

“Is she her child?” He wondered as he stood at the entrance.

“Hello sir, do you want to come inside” Sara asked him. She had noticed him standing at the entrance for a while.

“Yes” He muttered in a low tone.

“Babe” Sophia’s voice rang out behind Sara. Sara’s eyes further widened when Sophia jumped on him.

“Babe?” Sara repeated in confusion.