FIRST REJECTION
669 Words
4
Stella was looking resplendent as usual with her blue feminine shirt and a long blue skirt. Her black Fendi bag was firmly on her shoulder while her black kitten heels made a short footstep sound as she walked gracefully to the reception of the company.
She pushed the large glass door open and cat-walked into the reception. She was received by the amiable loud "Good morning Stella" of Tope, the receptionist.
"Babe, how far?" Stella returned her greeting as she placed her thumb on the biometrics attendance machine which was fixed on the wall beside her.
"I'm good. What's up?" Tope asked firmly.
"Nothing much o. I'm just..."
"Mrs. Chukwu!" A manly voice called.
Richard pushed the large glass door open and joined Stella at the reception. Stella was bewildered. The Managing Director doesn't just come to work without notice. Usually, he gives notice of his coming to the supervisors of each department to prepare the employees.
Stella recounted the scene that met her at Richard's office. Suddenly, she began to feel claustrophobic. She wanted to leave his sight immediately.
"Good morning, sir" Those words manage to string out of her reluctant mouth.
"Morning. I would like to see you in my office" Richard requested.
"Sir?" Stella sounded reluctant.
Richard waved off the "Good morning, sir" of the receptionist. He took a glance at her and returned his gaze on Stella.
"Right. That won't do" Richard sensed her reluctance.
"Come, walk with me"
Stella proceeded with him to the stairs. She was wary of him. She made sure he never came too close to her. That was her way of making sure she doesn't fall into his playboy trap.
"What you saw on Friday..." Richard started.
"...was none of m business, sir" Stella replied brusquely.
There was an awkward silence between them as they walked the stairs. Richard was captivated by her. Something about her felt special. She had this courage that he found challenging. She has a self-pride that drew him to her.
"Are you doing anything after work today?" Richard broke the silence.
"Today? None that I can think of" She replied sharply.
"Would you like to go out for an early dinner with me?" He requested pleadingly.
"No sir"
"No?" Richard was mortified.
"I live far from work, sir and I would like to get home early," Stella explained.
"Oh, that's fine" Richard replied abashedly.
No girl has ever turned him down before. Girls would do anything thing to make sure he falls for them. And here was one measly thing who dared to refuse a date with the son of one of the richest men in Nigeria.
***
As usual, he had his attention wholly on the paperwork and computer system before him. John was stressed out. He had so many issues on his mind that is preventing his concentration on the job. However, his introverted nature prevented him from confiding in anyone.
"Psst!" Anthony called him the first time
"Psst!"
John raised his head barely conscious of his surrounding. His eyes were red with tiredness, his face covered in distress, and repeated sighs escaped from his sad lips.
"What?" He asked Anthony lifelessly.
"Are you okay?" Anthony queried worriedly.
"Yeah, I'm fine"
"No, you're not. You have sighed for like seven times now and you look like one whose lover jilted him."
"It's just... I. Never mind"
Just what? Talk to me"
It's my mother. She wouldn't let me breathe" What do you mean?"
"She wants me to get married. I mean, I don't get why..."
John's lament was interrupted by Anthony's stifled laughter. John felt embarrassed.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Sorry... It's just... just that..." Anthony tried to recover from his laugh. "I never expected you to take that kind of issue with such seriousness"
"What do you mean?"
"All I'm saying: cheer up and enjoy your bachelor life before one marriage will come and scatter it all for you"
"You've got a point there," John remarked
"Do what you gotta do"
- Writer
