Becoming Mrs Dekan

Chapter 6 Missing Her

Work had been going smoothly for the past few days, and finally, it was Friday.

Rose was more than excited.

The weekend was already here.

She couldn't care less about the rumors anymore. She simply ignored them.

There was nothing more annoying than wasting your breath on someone who didn't care about your opinion.

During her four days as a secretary, she hadn't even caught a glimpse of the CEO.

It was almost as if he was deliberately avoiding her.

Although that sounded ridiculous.

Why would a powerful CEO avoid a small fry like her?

Yet that seemed to be exactly what was happening.

She found it strange.

She had asked Akin several times whether she had done something wrong, but he never gave her a proper answer.

She wasn't even allowed to take coffee into the CEO's office.

Anything meant for him had to pass through Akin first.

Knock... knock... knock...

"Hmm, Mr. Akin. Good morning."

"Morning. How was your night?"

"It was okay. Uhm, how may I help you?"

"I came for Mr. Dekan's itinerary. Have you sorted it out?"

"Yes, sure."

Rose hesitated.

"Uhm, can I give it to him myself?"

"No, sorry, Miss Olumide. I'm just following orders."

"Okay, no problem."

She handed him the file.

"Here."

"Alright, thank you. Have a great day."

"You too."

Knock... knock... knock...

"Come in."

"Good morning, sir."

"Akin, good morning. You can drop those on the desk. I'll check them later."

"Uhm, sir, are you sure you don't want to see her? It seems she really wants to meet you."

Yoseph paused.

"What did she say?"

"Nothing much. She just asked if she could bring the file herself."

"I see."

His expression remained unreadable.

"You may leave."

"Yes, sir."

After Akin left, Yoseph stood up and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window.

From there, he could see the endless Lagos traffic below.

It seemed he needed to create an opportunity to see her this weekend.

As much as he hated admitting it, he missed her.

He had deliberately avoided her throughout the week because he wanted time to sort out his feelings.

Unfortunately, that little experiment had only proven one thing.

He was completely hooked.

Oddly enough, he didn't dislike the feeling.

For the first time in years, he found himself looking forward to seeing someone.

He could feel she was different.

Soon it was time to close for the day.

Yoseph picked up his phone and called Akin.

"Hello, sir."

"Get me a change of clothes."

Akin blinked.

"Sir?"

"Something more casual."

There was a brief silence.

Then Akin replied,

"Sure, sir. I'm on it."

Fifteen minutes later, Akin walked into the office carrying a new set of clothes.

"Are there still many people in the building?" Yoseph asked.

"Not really, sir. Most people have already left."

"Good."

Yoseph nodded.

"Drive my car out."

"Alright, sir."

Akin tried very hard not to grin.

It seemed someone was preparing for another accidental encounter.

Although it was finally the weekend, Rose didn't feel the usual excitement.

Bills were piling up.

She had no idea where the money would come from.

There was transportation, food, rent, and Daniel's expenses.

And she had only just started working.

Her salary wouldn't arrive until next month.

Her savings were almost gone.

Standing beneath the blazing sun while waiting for a cab, Rose felt more frustrated than she had in a long time.

Peep! Peep!

She spun around, ready to complain, until she saw who it was.

"Oh, it's you."

"Yeah, it's me."

Yoseph smiled.

"Why are you always so lost whenever I see you?"

Rose forced a smile.

"Well, I think the question should be why I always run into you whenever I'm stranded."

Yoseph laughed.

"Well, I could say fate, but we're not in a Nollywood movie."

They both laughed.

"Alright. Get in."

Rose entered the car and fastened her seatbelt.

"You should get an umbrella, you know," Yoseph said.

Rose nearly laughed.

If this man knew how broke she was, he probably wouldn't be saying that.

"Do you think I enjoy standing under the sun?"

She shrugged.

"Well, you could buy one of those bottled umbrellas. Isn't that what most ladies use these days?"

"Hmm... I'll get one sometime."

Yoseph glanced at her.

"Is it me, or do you actually look sad?"

"C'mon, tell me. Work problems?"

"No, it's okay."

She looked away.

"I'm fine. Just some unimportant things."

"Oh."

He didn't push.

"Okay."

After a moment, he asked,

"Are you free tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I'm free."

Then she corrected herself.

"I mean, there's no work tomorrow."

"Good."

Yoseph nodded.

"I'll come pick you up."

Rose frowned.

"For what?"

"Remember you owe me dinner?"

"What?"

Her eyes widened.

"You still remember that?"

"Why not?"

He chuckled.

"Although this time we'll change it to lunch."

He glanced at her briefly.

"I'll pick you up by two tomorrow afternoon."

"Okay."

By then, they had reached the entrance of her street.

"Right, here we are."

He parked.

"You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, sure."

Rose smiled.

"See you tomorrow."

"Bye."

Yoseph watched her walk into the estate before driving away.

Once she disappeared from sight, he picked up his phone.

"Akin."

"Yes, sir?"

"Get me two bottled umbrellas."

Akin didn't even sound surprised anymore.

"What colors, sir?"

"Blue and black."

"Alright, sir."

At this point, Akin had fully accepted that his boss was pursuing a woman.

Rose dropped heavily onto her bed.

She had just finished making a budget list.

The results were depressing.

At this rate, she'd need to rob a bank.

She checked her account balance again.

Just a little over one hundred thousand naira.

Her rent of four hundred and fifty thousand naira was due the following week.

Living in Lagos truly required a miracle.

She needed to send Daniel money for upkeep.

She hadn't been able to do that for a month, and he had been understanding about it.

Only God knew how he was surviving.

There was food.

Transportation.

Daily expenses.

And she still had several weeks before payday.

Her landlord wasn't exactly known for patience either.

Where exactly was she supposed to get the money?

If she paid the rent with what remained in her account, how would she survive until salary day?

Rose felt tears gathering in her eyes.

And this time, she didn't stop them.

Sometimes she wished she wasn't the firstborn.

It sounded selfish.

But the responsibility could be crushing.

Eventually, she dragged herself into the kitchen.

Three pieces of yam and some leftover stew sat on the counter.

That would have to do for dinner.

Rose woke up in a daze.

She hadn't even realized when she fell asleep.

Checking the time, she discovered it was already nine o'clock in the morning.

She freshened up and began preparing for the day.

She planned to cook vegetable soup later.

"God, please send me a destiny helper today," she prayed as she prepared to leave.

Then she laughed at herself.

"Either way, I'm going to pamper myself today."

"If I perish, I perish."

With that, she headed for the market.

Yoseph sat on the balcony of his house, sipping wine while staring at his phone.

Several times he had been tempted to get her number from HR.

But that would probably scare her.

He had never experienced a day moving so slowly.

Still, she had looked troubled yesterday.

He wanted to find out what was bothering her.

Perhaps he could help.

Then a horrifying thought entered his mind.

Wait.

What if she's heartbroken?

What if she has a boyfriend?

Yoseph sat upright immediately.

"No... no... no."

Why hadn't he asked?

His heartbeat quickened at the possibility that someone else might already have her.

"What a weekend."

Rose stretched lazily before checking the time on her phone.

Then she froze.

"Oh Lord have mercy."

The lunch!

She rushed to freshen up and quickly changed into a maxi skirt, a white tank top, and sneakers.

Then she hurried outside.

Spotting Yoseph's car from a distance, she jogged toward it.

"Sorry I'm late. Did you wait long?"

"Nope."

Yoseph smiled.

"I just got here."

He reached into the back seat and brought out a package.

"Here. This is for you."

Rose stared.

"Really? What's it—"

She opened it.

"Oh my God."

Inside were two bottled umbrellas.

"A bottled umbrella?"

"I wasn't sure which color you'd prefer, so I bought both blue and black."

Rose's eyes lit up.

"Of course I love them."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

A comfortable silence followed.

Then Rose suddenly remembered something.

"Okay."

She folded her arms.

"What's your name?"

Yoseph laughed.

"Finally."

"I thought you were never going to ask."

"Well?"

"My name is Ade."

"Oh."

Rose nodded.

"Nice name."

Technically, it wasn't a lie.

His father had always called him Ade.

Yoseph decided that counted.

"So," he said, starting the engine, "where do you want to go?"

Rose thought for a moment.

"How about the market?"

She smiled.

"You tell me what you want to eat, we'll buy the ingredients, and I'll cook it for you."

"Oh?"

Yoseph raised an eyebrow.

"How about jollof rice and dodo?"

"Perfect."

Rose grinned.

"Let's go."