Love At A Cost

Chapter 3

Chapter 3:

Stuck In Between Two Options

Tina's POV:

I refused to tell Philip what my boss, Salone, told me yesterday at the restaurant, for it would make him bothered.

I never expected Salone to act like that. I and Philip had known each other for three months. And he expected me to forfeit our relationship and go for him? No way.

Even though Philip had cheated on me, I had forgiven him and he remained my lover.

I looked at the clock, remembering that Philip was coming. It was a Friday and he had promised to pick me up.

Even though I acted like I didn't care that night, I was looking forward to it. And today happened to be my day off work.

I checked the time, and it was 2:00 pm. I was already in my dress for the outing, waiting for him. We have hung out other times, and it was mostly by eleven or twelve noon. what could be keeping him till this time?

I heard a knock at my door. I got up from the chair and rushed to the door. I opened it and I saw Nora smiling, looking at me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked excitedly. We had grown to be close friends, just by working at the same company.

“I came just to know how you're doing.” She replied. Today was also her day off work. She came inside.

“I hope you aren't staying for long, cause Philip is coming to pick me” I told her.

“Are you trying to pursue me?” She asked with sarcasm in her voice.

“Why will I do that?” I asked, chuckling. She chuckled too.

“You and Philip.” She said, “I hope he has repented from his Casanova lifestyle.” She asked.

“I hope so too.” I said.

I looked out the window and I saw a car pulling into the parking lot. I recognized the owner.

“Philip is here.” I said to Nora.

“Then I guess I better start going,” She said.

“Why not wait to see him personally.” I urged her, as she had only sighted us together on occasions and had not met him closely.

Philip opened the door and came in.

“You are welcome honey.” I said. Philip came close and hugged me, and kissed me on my forehead.

“Who is this?” He asked, looking at Nora.

“Sorry for not doing an introduction” I apologized.

“Philip, meet Nora, my friend and colleague” I said, turning to Nora.

“And Nora, meet Philip, my man.” When I finished, they shook hands together.

“Nice meeting you,” Philip said.

“Nice meeting you too,” Nora replied.

“We are actually hanging out now, why don't you join us?” Philip asked her.

“Nope, sorry I'm actually in a hurry to go somewhere else. Maybe some other time.” She lied.

She walked towards the door “Bye, Tina. See you later.”

“Bye” I said, and she left.

Philip looked at me. “Where do we go today?”

“Anywhere” I replied, smiling.

He came closer and touched my chin. “Anything for you my love.”

We came out of the house and got into his car and we drove out. We kept driving and we arrived at a drinking shop.

“Let's have a drink.” Philip suggested.

We came down from the car and went inside, hand in hand. We sat down and a young man came to us.

“What type of drink do I offer you both?”

“Give us two bottles of non-alcoholic drinks,” Philip said.

The young man returned with two bottles of drink with tumblers, in a tray, and placed them on the table and took his leave.

Philip opened one of the bottles and turned the content into our glasses. He gave one to me and took one.

“To my beautiful lady" he raised up his glass.

"To my cherished lover” I said, raising up my glass too.

We touched both glasses together, smiling.

……

It was on a Monday, the first working day of the week. Having spent the weekend well, with Philip and I going on fun outings, I looked forward to another one.

I got to work late today. I had so much fun with Philip that I slept late yesterday. It was 9:00 am and I was supposed to be at work by 8:00, as it was my resuming time.

I rushed through the stairs to get to my office. Just then, a female worker stood in front of me.

“The CEO wants to see you,” she said.

“Okay…” I replied. My heart was beating fast. Why was he calling me? I knew he wasn't happy about the fact that I rejected his request for me to become his girlfriend and the way I walked out on him at the restaurant.

I walked slowly towards his office, afraid to enter. I finally summoned courage and knocked. A voice from inside asked me to come in.

I opened the door. Salone was sitting behind a huge desk, a pen in his hands, writing. When he saw me he stopped what he was doing.

“Sit down.” He asked.

I sat down on one of the chairs opposite him, feeling nervous.

I looked blankly at a book on the desk not wanting my eyes to get in contact with his.

“Tina” he cleared his voice. “The reason why I called you is because you are becoming unserious with your work here. You came to work late at times and I won't tolerate it.” He said.

“I'm sorry sir.” I said, my head bent. I refused to look at him.

“You don't have to be sorry,” he said.

I looked up at him. He got up from where he was sitting and moved close to me and sat on the desk, in front of me.

He looked at me deeply, and put his hand to my chin. “Just accept being my girlfriend. That's all I want from you Tina."

I swallowed my saliva. I wanted to say something, but the words weren't forming.

“I love you Tina. I want you to be with me just give me a chance in your life"

He looked further into my eyes "Just accept my request”

"Siir.. I can't. I already have a lover” the words finally came out of my mouth.

“Here we go again,” he said. Forget about anyone else. Let me be your lover.”

“No sir I can't do it” I said bravely.

He looked at me, his eyes questioning mine. Immediately slapped his hands on the desk.

“Then get ready to be fired if you don't accept doing it." He spat out in anger.

“Now leave." He was furious.

I got up slowly and walked towards the door.

I was stuck in between two options now, either I choose Philip and lose my job, or accept Salone's request in detriment of my love for Philip.