Chapter 1 unexpected Ride
1149 Words
Rose stood by the pedestrian bridge, the sun beating down on her. She had been standing there for God knows how long. She was heading to Dekan's Tech Ltd, a rising tech company. She heard they had a vacancy.
It's been a year since she graduated, and it's always been like this—moving from one company to another, trying to make something out of herself to no avail. And today was just like every one of those days. Although Dekan's Tech Ltd had vacancies, she wasn't confident she would be hired, at least not with a third class. It wasn't like she was the brightest of them all. But this time, she was willing to accept even the lowest-paying job, even if it was to clean. Besides, cleaning in such a big company wouldn't be so bad after all.
"Excuse me?"
She raised her head to see a devilishly handsome face. Startled, she blinked.
"I have been calling you for a while, but you seem lost."
"Uhm, sorry. Just some trivial things."
He nodded.
"Uhm, do you need a ride?"
"Yeah, sure. Of course. But I don't think you're heading my way."
"Hmm, try me and see. You never know."
"Alright. I'm going to Dekan's Tech Ltd. I don't know if you could drop me there."
She saw him raise his eyebrows after saying that, but she didn't read any meaning into it, thinking he was just surprised she was going there. After all, Dekan's Tech wasn't just any company.
Just when she thought he'd refuse, she heard him say,
"Hop in."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. Otherwise, do you want to trek down there? I doubt you'll catch a taxi anytime soon with the way traffic is."
Rose smiled awkwardly.
"Alright then."
She went to the back seat to get in.
"Hey, what are you doing? I'm not your chauffeur. Come to the passenger seat," he called out.
"Oh, okay."
She chuckled helplessly as she walked to the front door and got in, placing her bag on her lap.
"Hello," she greeted.
He stared at her for a while as if checking her out before pursing his lips and giving a slight nod.
"I'm Rose," she said.
As he started the car, she added,
"Rose Olumide."
He only nodded.
"Nice name."
Huh?
She was stunned.
She thought it was a situation where she told him her name and he told her his. What's with the "nice name"? Even worse, he kept quiet afterward without giving his name.
Rose decided not to think too much about it. After all, he was just giving her a ride. She wasn't sure they'd ever meet again.
Just then, his deep voice sounded, pulling her out of her thoughts.
"Don't you feel curious about who I am? What if I'm a trafficker?"
He stared at her with a playful smile.
At the mention of trafficker, Rose nearly jumped.
Goodness. Impulse was a devil.
She hadn't even thought twice before entering a stranger's car, all thanks to Lagos traffic. She had been on the road for a very long time and was anxious to get there and get everything done. At least, even if she was rejected, she would still have time to mourn.
Now look where it had landed her.
But who was to blame?
He was just too handsome to reject.
Although she was scared, she decided to play it cool.
"Uhm, you wouldn't be a trafficker with such a handsome face, would you? It would be such a waste."
As soon as she finished speaking, the man beside her let out a low chuckle, vibrating through his chest.
Rose was stunned.
Even his laugh was pleasantly sexy.
God, how could You make someone so pretty?
She knew that wasn't exactly the right adjective, but who cared?
"You know, it's the first time I'm seeing someone in potential danger being so calm. Should I praise you for your bravery or scold you for your naivety?"
"Uhm, I think you should praise me."
"Silly."
"So, how do traffickers look?" he asked.
For a moment, Rose didn't know what to say.
How do traffickers look?
Was that even supposed to be a question?
Still, she answered.
"I... I think they're ugly and shabby. They usually look unkempt."
He stole a glance at her and shook his head helplessly.
"You've really expanded my worldview. Whoever said traffickers have to look shabby and unkempt? Although I'm not a trafficker, that was a careless move. You shouldn't get into people's cars so easily next time. Be security-conscious. This is Lagos."
She nodded.
But being someone who didn't like being talked down to, she lifted her chin and said confidently,
"Well, at least my judgment was right this time."
Feeling proud of herself.
"You really are silly. You're still in the mood to joke and feel proud of yourself at a time like this?"
She smiled at him.
"Of course, because I know I'm safe."
"But what would you really do to save yourself if I were actually a trafficker?"
She stared at him. Seeing the playful look in his eyes, she knew he was only trying to scare her.
She shot him a glare, which earned her another chuckle.
"Well, since it's you trafficking me, I wouldn't mind. Seeing you're so handsome, I'll let it pass."
She saw his eyes widen in surprise.
Good job, Rose.
Since he wanted to play, she'd play along too.
"You are really interesting, I must say."
"Ah, is that a compliment?"
"What does it sound like?"
"Well..."
She started, but he cut her off.
"Are you a worker at Dekan's Tech, or you're applying?"
"Well, I'm applying, but..."
"But what?"
"I don't know if I'll get the job."
Her voice was barely above a whisper, but he heard her.
"What now? You don't sound confident. This isn't the attitude you put up a while ago."
"Yeah. Uhm, the thing is... I have a third class."
She closed her eyes, waiting to be laughed at or ridiculed.
But after some time, there was nothing.
Just silence.
Slowly, she opened her eyes only to see him staring at her.
"Why are you hiding? You think I'll disdain you? You see, not everyone is meant to be academically brilliant. Otherwise, what do we need teachers for?"
Then he slowed the car.
"Alright. We're here. Get off."
"Okay. Thank you."
She picked up her bag.
"If we ever meet again, I'll treat you to dinner."
"Okay. I'm looking forward to it. Good luck."
"Thank you."
Rose got off the car and stared at the massive building before her.
Taking a deep breath, she plastered a smile on her face before heading inside.
When she reached the entrance, she turned around.
He was still there, watching her.
Rose was stunned.
Was he waiting for her to go in before driving off?
Hmm.
What a gentleman.
- Writer
