11
1154 Words
CHARLES
“You are my African queen…”
Singing was part of my daily routine. Falling in love had only made it worse. This morning was no different. If anything, I was louder. Happier. Irritatingly joyful.
I stood in front of the mirror by the corner of my room, still undecided between a black tie and a dark blue one, singing like I was auditioning for a concert I was never invited to.
Love will turn you into a child.
I tilted my head, examining myself. Fresh haircut. Clean shave. I smiled at my reflection. Life was good. A little too good.
My phone buzzed on the table beside me.
Obviously.
I didn’t even need to check the screen.
“Hey, babyyy,” I answered, my voice already smiling.
“My loveeee.”
“My heart.”
“The angel of my life,” I continued, stacking pet names like they were blessings.
If not for work, I would’ve stayed on the phone all morning saying nonsense with her.
“Are you at work?” Daniella asked, her voice soft and sweet.
“Not yet. I’m fighting a serious battle with my wardrobe,” I said, glancing between the ties again. “But I think I’ve won.”
“If you don’t mind, let’s switch to video call,” she said. “Let me help you choose.”
Tempting. Very tempting. But dangerous. Video calls with Daniella had a way of stealing time.
“I’ll go with the black one,” I said quickly. “Black goes with everything.”
She laughed. “Okay. I just called to remind you about our date this evening. And I’m coming over today, so please, arrange your house.”
“Don’t worry,” I replied confidently. “You’re going to have the best time this weekend.”
And I meant it.
After we hung up, I rushed through my morning routine. Toast. Tea. Keys. Bag. Out the door.
By the time I pulled up at the office building, I was still humming under my breath.
That was when I saw Mike.
He was just stepping through the entrance, calm as always, moving like someone who didn’t need to rush because the world would wait for him anyway.
I slowed down slightly.
Funny thing about Mike, he never did anything loud, but people still noticed him.
I parked, grabbed my bag, and watched him disappear inside.
Then I hurriedly followed him and caught up with him
“Morning, big man,” I said, clapping him lightly on the shoulder. “I hope you know that they don’t promote people who come early in this office.”
He chuckled. “Good morning, Charles.”
“This is the first time I’m meeting up with you, which means I came early today”
He laughed very weirdly.
We stepped into the office, and immediately I felt it.
Eyes.
People were staring.
Not at me — rude — but at him.
confidence quietly drips like perfume you can’t ignore. For someone meant to be finding his feet around, he looked very… settled.
Mercy passed us and slowed down.
“Good morning,” she said, eyes flicking to Mike, then back to me.
“Morning,” I replied. “You people should stop staring. He’s not a celebrity.”
Mike just nodded politely like this wasn’t his first time causing a small distraction.
Mr. Biodun appeared from nowhere, clipboard in hand.
“Mercy,” he said, “please make sure the trainee finishes his tour today and come to my office later”
Mercy blinked. Once. Twice.
“Ah sir, we already finished the tour yesterday, he’s good to go now,” she said quickly. “Very good.”
I raised my eyebrows. Interesting.
She turned to Aida’s desk immediately. “Aida, Shey you guys are done?.”
Aida looked up, and gave a slight nod
Mike glanced at her.
And just like that, something shifted in the air.
By lunchtime, my morning-high was still intact.
Work had been smooth, no unnecessary meetings, today was moving perfectly.
I stepped into the staff restaurant with one mission: food.
That was when I spotted Mike at a corner table, scrolling through his phone like someone whose entire life was in the phone.
I walked over and dropped my phone on the chair opposite him.
“Big guy, what are you eating sir?” I asked.
He looked up and smiled. “I was waiting for you, I couldn’t find you in your office so I came here to wait for you knowing fully well that your big stomach needs refilling ”
I signaled to the waiter and sat down properly. “So how’s the office, you know we’ve not spoken in a while ?”
He shrugged. “Interesting.”
“Just that, no drama, no fine girl,Interesting how?” I pressed. “Stressful? Confusing? Or you already want to resign?”
He laughed softly. “None of that.”
The waiter arrived and I ordered. Mike followed calmly.
“Do you know Aida”
“Hmmmmm, so it’s a girl” now that is interesting
Ah.
I leaned back. “Okayyyy. The office girl.”
“She gave me the tour,” he continued.
“So?” I asked, already smiling. “You like her?”
He shook his head. “No. I just noticed… she looks tired.”
I raised an eyebrow. “That’s what you noticed?”
He ignored me.
“She tries too hard to look fine,” he added. “Like someone who doesn’t want questions.”
I whistled softly. “Guy, you’ve been there one week. Calm down.”
He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Her boyfriend works here too,” he said. “He wasn’t… pleasant.”
That got my attention.
“How do you know it’s her boyfriend?”
“The way she shrank when she saw him,” Mike replied. “And the way he spoke.”
I exhaled slowly. “Ah.”
Silence settled between us for a moment.
Then I laughed lightly. “Mike, don’t tell me you’ve come to Lagos to be saving damsels in distress.”
He looked at me then.
“I’m not saving anyone,” he said calmly. “I just don’t like bullies.”
I shook my head. “This is how trouble starts.”
He smiled. “I’m not looking for trouble.”
I snorted. “That’s what trouble always says.”
Our food arrived, breaking the tension.
As I started eating, I pointed my fork at him. “Listen to me. Office friendship is fine. But if there’s a jealous boyfriend involved? Respect yourself.”
He nodded. “I know.”
But the way he said it told me something else.
This one won’t be as simple as he thinks.
And somehow… I had a feeling this story was only just beginning.
- Writer
