LOLA

CHAPTER THREE

It was a Monday morning, and the family were gathered at the dinning room eating breakfast and getting ready for work and as discussed a day before, Lola was to join her father and Jacob at the family firm. Within two hours, she was with her dad at Daniel enterprise, her father took her to the human resource department, where she was to work as the assistant human resource manager. Her father quickly introduced her to her boss, Mr Demola Hassan and was quickly on his way to his own office.

‘I am glad to be working alongside the chairman’s daughter.’ Mr Hassan said. He was quite young for the post he was occupying, so was Jacob as a matter of fact and she was sure they only occupied such positions because they were very competent.

‘The pleasure is all mine, Mr Hassan.’ She said. She was surprised he burst into laughs. At the rise of her brows, he pulled himself together.

‘No no, no need for such formalities, every one call me Demola, only your father calls me Hassan.’ He explained. Lola smiled, She was glad he was friendly and patient with her and even more grateful she was not in the same department as Jacob. She needed her short stay in this company as drama free as possible. Demola showed her the office the office she would be occupying and also put her through some of the stuff they were currently working on. Everyone at the department were pretty friendly and supportive and she was quite sure she would fit in nicely. She was almost disappointed when Demola rounded things up at her office and made to leave, just as he got to the door, he surprisely turned back to her direction.

‘So the team are meeting for lunch by two, it is something will do from time to time, I hope you would be able to join us.’ he said.

‘I would love to.’ She smiled and he made his way out of her office.

Lola collapsed into her chair and groan inwardly wondering when she would give up this charade. She picked up her phone to call Titi, she had not spoken to her since her birthday party and was wondering what the deal was with her and Chidi that night, knowing fully well Titi would not tell her anything regarding Chidi. At the third ring, Titi picked up the phone. At the sound of her voice, Lola smiled.

‘So you remembered me today. How are you doing?’ Titi teased?

‘I’m okay o, just resumed at my new job and I am loving it by the second.’ Lola confided.

‘Make them clear road for you o, peaks of having a multi billionaire father.’ Titi teased

‘I know right, so what about you, how is business? Due to the craziness at the party, I couldn’t ask, infact we need to meet up, so we can talk properly.’ Lola said.

‘Work is blooming jor, as a matter of fact, I am just leaving a new client house now and his house needs major work and so his manners, which is a total mismatch to his face. I seriously don’t know why God give mannerless idiots such good looks, it’s not fair I tell you. I can’t wait to start work on him, I mean his house.’ Titi quickly amended, but not fast enough because Lola could detect some heat in her words.

‘Umm, is he single?’ Lola teased.

‘Why? Are you interested? I think he is but he has a little adorable child with him and she is such an angel and no wife in sight.’ Titi said.

‘No, am not interested but it does sound like you are, must be quiet a man if he has you all flustered like this.’ Lola said.

‘Stop, don’t put ideas in my head, I am with Chidi remember.’ Titi said defensively.

‘Whom you have been with like forever and I have never heard you talk about him with this much excitement ever.’ Lola pointed out.

‘What do you mean? Look don’t start with you schemes, we are adults now.’ Titi said invasively.

‘Titi, it is okay for you to be flustered by a guy, it is not the end of the world. Moreover, you and Chidi have been together for so long that you’ve just settled for what is in front of you and am not really sure you have found what you are looking for in him. Explore a little.’ Lola said.

Titi was silent at the other line.

‘I’m sorry, if I crossed a line.’ Lola apologised.

‘No, you haven’t said anything I have not thought about, it’s just difficult.’ Titi said

‘I understand, just know I always got your back.’ Lola said.

‘I know, talk to you later, come by my office later, we have a lot to catch up on.’ Titi said.

After her conversation with Titi, Lola focused on work and was deep into it when a sharp knock made her lift her head, only to see Demola grinning at her.

‘Wow, you are such a hard worker.’ He teased. ‘It’s 2’ o clock, time for lunch the others have already gone down, told them to save seats for us.’ Lola quickly packed up her stuff and picked her bag, then followed him as he led the way.

They both walked down to the cafeteria, the place was already breezying with workers. Demola led her to where the top executive sit for lunch. As they manoeuvre round the table to get to their spot, Demola placed his palm at her back to guide her through. Before they could get to their table, Lola was almost surprise to see Jacob and even more so that he was coming towards their direction with his little girlfriend in toll. Lola rolled her eyes inwardly, so many thoughts and lashing she would have love to say out loud just to get a reaction out of Jacob but she was on her drama free campaign. Jacob gaze was fixated on Demola hand on my back, Lola almost smirked.

‘Jay, my man how work today now?’ Demola oblivious to Jacob death stare greeted cheerfully.

Good, I see you have met Lola.’

‘Yes, I have met your beautiful sister, she is in my department and we are happy to have her with us.’ Demola smiled at her. Lola couldn’t help but smile back, he really was just a decent guy.

‘Maybe a little bit too happy’ Jacob grunts. Demola dropped his hands in confusion and before he could say anything. Jacob spoke almost immediately with a notch of dismissal. ‘I will like to speak with my sister for a minute if you don’t mind, Tosin I will you join at our table later.’ Tosin left immediately like a lap dog, in Lola opinion of course.

Demola gave her a nod and walked to a table where her team sat down eating. Lola looked at Jacob with raised brows, not giving him the pleasure of speaking first.

‘I thought you went on a date with some hulk of a man according to you just yesterday and today you are all over some other man, your boss for that matter, please you are a Daniel for God sake.’ He paused and raised a finger, ‘I can see you have made yourself comfortable here at Daniel enterprise, please bear in mind that this is a place of business and not a place to flirt with men.’ He said condescendingly.

Lola scoffed angrily.

‘Ah! You are one to talk, I hope my father is paying your little girlfriend for actual work and not for spreading her legs for you. I beg you don’t put me in her category.’ Lola retorted. Jacob laughed in amusement.

‘Little, she is not little in anyway, please use your eyes, plus she is older than you and more mature, she knows the time and place for when things are to be done. You could never be in her category even if you tried.’ He said sarcastically. If his words hurt her, Lola didn’t let it show and was looking at him with boredom written in her eyes. Years of being apart and learning ways to act detach around him came in handy. God knows she couldn’t afford to break down in the front of her father’s staff and more importantly, giving Jacob the satisfaction of knowing his words cut deep.

‘What do you want from me? Because I am over this chitchat.’ Lola sighed, putting her arms akimbo.

‘Walk with me to my office, lets have a talk about fraternising with the male staff, I’m sure you wouldn’t want to put Demola in trouble, would you? Father has given me total supervision of your performance at the company before giving you higher responsibilities. I don’t want to stand and talk in a crowded cafeteria anymore, lets go.’ He commanded.

‘Like I said I am done with this conversation, I have a lunch date right

now and I am hungry and you are being an hindrance and a big baby, excuse me.’ Lola pushed him out of her way which was no small feats considering his size, this attracted some attention from co workers but they quickly averted there gaze due to the glare from Jacob. Lola got to her table, Demola bless his soul made room for her so she could occupy her seat beside him easily.

‘What was that about?’ he asked. Lola quickly reassured him.

‘Nothing serious, just family issues.’ He took her words for it and she quickly ordered for food which was brought to her in time. The food was good and everyone seem to be enjoying their meal but Lola found it difficult to enjoy hers because Jacob who has apparently returned to his lunch table and his partner was trying to pull him into a discussion and they were sitting right across from her table and he was glaring at her in anger.

Jacob walked into his office and fell into his seat in frustration, his entire day have just been ruined as he couldn’t get the thought of Lola and Demola making gogo eyes at each other all day. He wished he had not refuse his step father when he suggested Lola be in his department for a short period, at least he would have being able to keep an eye on her and put a leash too but he didn’t want her presence to affect his work but it would seem she still does even when she is at another end of the building. When he returned to his table after his altercation with Lola, Tosin seem to have guessed there was a tension between them and called him up on it.

‘Ever since you sister came back, you seem out of sort, what is going on?’ she asked. He couldn’t answer her and have kept quite, what could he have said, that the woman he has ever loved was someone he could never ever or think of loving.