IT ALL BEGAN AT THE MASQUERADE BALL

IT All STARTED FROM A MISTAKE

Wow Paige your designs are beautiful , very exquisite and I felt as though I was the model made for it " Collins said eyes centered on the transcript.

Thank you ! Collins , I honestly thought no one would like it " I replied and took a sip of my tea.

Yuk ! this tea has very little sugar.

Erhhh ! , Collins is sugar available in the cafeteria " I asked him twice but no answer.

Sorry ! I was a little lost in this design " He apologized and finally answered my question "Yes"

Paige !!! you know you are weird , You have been working here for 5 years now yet you never sieze to ask me if there's sugar in the cafeteria .

Well I wouldn't ask every time , if my tea tastes perfect" I didn't wait a second for Collins to reply and I walked out of the office straight to the cafeteria.

That boy 'Collins' destroyed my mood , he indirectly called me a "Nagging woman! , the nevre of him .

Upon reaching the cafeteria I saw that one round face that could always give me a warm heart ,

Ms. Wilson , Welcome " The cafeteria woman greeted behind the stand with a huge smile .

Hi Magdalene , Please I am begging you to address me as Paige " I told her will taking a seat on the stool .

Alright then "Paige" I suppose you're here for sugar isn't it " Magdalene had a huge smile on her face and I wonder why.

"How did you know Magdalene ?

Well let me guess apart from you loving tea , it's like a daily routine of yours to always come to the cafeteria for more sugar in your tea " Magdalene took the tea cup from my grips and pointed to a table behind me.

That's not true " I defended myself while turning my attention to where her finger is pointing.

That's your favorite table , it has a freshly made hot tea with a bowl containing three cubes of sugar , and on the table your favorite salad is present with a very perculiar flavoured bottled water , as well as a note pad just in case you got any ideas for the finishing touch of your designs " Magdalene surprises me yet again and am speechless

"How does this woman do it " .

Thank you Maggie " I clasped my hand on my mouth immediately after the name fell out.

Sorry"I quickly apologized for it.

Don't worry , Paige I actually like it ! after 5 years and am finally getting a nickname from you , so you can call me Maggie and I'll call you Paggie "

Did Magdalene just give me a nickname.

Enjoy your lunch Paggie " I gave her a tight smile and said " Thank you Maggie" .

Magdalene is really like a mother figure to everyone in the office , I don't know how lunch will be without her serving us ... BORING "! Obviously.

I happily walk towards the table prepared lovingly by Magdalene , I excitingly take a seat and Look at my delicious lunch .

I picked up a fork and just when I was about to take a bite of my salad , my phone began ringing .

I look at the ID caller who is Collins and groan irkly , I have to pick... cause maybe who knows it might be urgent ! .

Collins what is it ? I said as soon as I picked .

Where are you Paige ?" Collins asked .

What kind of a stupid question is that ! " I answered the call with worry and now the worry has washed away like sand in rain and has now been replaced by irkness .

Just answer the question ! Collins yelled through the phone.

Don't yell on me , besides didn't I tell you am going to the cafeteria "

Well hurry up and come now ! " He ordered.

Hold up Mister I don't take orders from you , am pretty sure it is the other way round , So get the f*k of my phone " This boy has some nerve .

Hang up ! before I hang " I told Collins .

Don't you dare , Paige Or else ...

Did he just threaten me... Collins , Or else ? " I dared him , cause no one comes to threaten Paige and runs scout free.

But the words that came out of Collins Mouth next drove me off edge

" Or else .... Paige I posted your transcript "

I just couldn't believe my ears , He f**king said he...

You What ! " I didn't even realize I yelled till I noticed every eyes staring with zeal.

I am soo angry ! right now.

I stormed out and went straight for the elevator , I didn't even say good bye to Magdalene "Collins is such an asshole "!

Oh My Lord , Collins I'll kill you AHHHH !!! I had to yell and let it all out luckily there was no one present in the lift .

Just when the elevator came to a stop with a loud *ding* I dashed out without waiting for a second to pass.

What the hell did you tell me on the phone Collins " I yelled as soon as I got into the office.

Paige , I can explain " Collins sat freely on my seat with his legs crossed at the ankle on my desk

- The audacity of this Guy!!!

Get your legs off my desk Collins and your butt off my chair !

Sorry Paige " Collins got up and walked to where I was standing.

Explain Collins , just 2 minutes!

Am sorry Paige , it wasn't my fault , it was the influence of my fingers " Collins held onto my arm ,

just when I was about to speak he immediately interjected ....

" I was just typing on my tablet when I got a notification from Ivy , she was in need of my help desperately and I had to help her ,so I wanted to reply but I mistakenly pressed post , I know I shouldn't drag personal life matters here at work but you know how much I love her "She's my World " Collins explained following me whiles I kept pacing.

Don't you dare drag my sister into this , just because you're her boyfriend doesn't mean I will spare you if you mess around at work , don't forget am still your senior here at work and you're my Partner so I'll let it slide if you fix your mistake " I told Collins with a pointing finger in his face showing him how serious am being right now.

"Sometimes I wonder what my sister See's in him , They are both strange couples "

How should I fix my mistake? Collins asked.

Are you seriously asking this question , it's obvious the only way to fix it is to unpost it or delete ! do anything that can erase that post " I stated while going through some papers on my desk .

I realized there was a problem since there was no response after I ended my statement .

I shifted my attention to Collins who looks like he's been shot billion times "What have you done now ?

"Me!" he frantically replied pointing to him self.

No ! The one standing beside you with the " are you stupid expression on his face "

I just couldn't help but give Collins a chicky answer for a stupid question.

Who else, who f*king else Collins ! Is any one else present " I yelled so loud that I was sure that someone passing by would definitely hear.

Calm down Paige no need to curse , I definitely will fix my mistake after we attend the masquerade ball " Collins kept rumblings and apologizing but after he spoke about the masquerade ball , he cursed "f**k" like it was a mistake .

What Masquerade ball are you talking about Collins ? I asked Collins who took a seat in the love seat looking like a kid whose parents caught red handed in a crime.

I walked to Collins whose face is resting in his palm , COLLINS speak to me what is going on ? I asked Collins calmly and tried to pull his arm away from his face.

Paige ! He called out looking at me intently.

Collins ! I replied casually , trying to suite the tension in my office.

Paige I know you will be very angry , annoyed and even worse but you are bound to find out anyways " Collins mumbled under his breath but loud enough for me to hear.

"I won't! I promised and urged him to continue.

Collins nodded and adjusted his position on the love seat and held onto my hands while speaking "Paige , you received an invitation by the P.A.O

-PROGRAM ADVERTISING ORGANIZATION., they are fully advertising your transcript via their masquerade ball".

I wanted to yell "WHAT!" but I refrained and casually said "

So?

Neither you nor I have accepted their invitation , so relax ! We haven't even said "Yes" to them "I rubbed Collins back to help him relax.

Maybe you haven't said 'Yes' but I have ! " Collins stood up and walked to my desk to take his IPad to show me the invitation.

Okay , I promised not get mad, so I'll keep my word and won't be mad "I reluctantly remained calm "No worries, we still have like days or weeks to rectify this mistake ! I turned to look at him.

Right ?! I enquired from Collins who went back to his previous seat.

Well the thing is ... " he paused to look at my reaction and continued , "Paige , it's tonight !.

To...too..tonn.. TONIGHT?

"I think I zoned out for a couple of uncertain moments ...

Paige ! PAIGE!!! " I very well heard Collins calling me but I decided to ignore.

Have you ever felt like your heart is on fire and you feel as though your mind is screaming "f**k YOU ! " I finally decided to give him a reply.

Is this an intentional or a planned work ¿ I questioned more like stated and threw a couch pillow at Collins , likely he caught it because I was aiming for his heart and how I wish it penetrated through.

Come on ! Paige you know my actions are not intentionally " Collins stated holding the pillow , following me whiles I went through and fro.

well I'm not going " I folded my arms as I spoke to Collins .

C'mon Paige you know you can't just say you won't come , what will people say about it , what will they think of you " He tried to convince me but it was definitely not working , if he wanted to hit the helpless convulsive button of mine , he's gotta try harder cause he's failing.

You know I don't care about what people say about me ,

I Have Never Cared And Never Will ... " I can see through this boyfriend of my sister , he's trying too hard 'poor boy maybe I should give him some space to the persuade me a little.

Paige you might not care about what people say about you but ... imagine what the CEO will think of you ! He might even think you are joking about the company. You know very well that he precieves you as his daughter " Collins sang the words as though it was music .

I see where Collins is heading ! he's trying to persuade me and damn! he's hitting the nail directly on its head .

Well Collins you would have to kindly find somebody else " I told him and packed my stuff off my desk.

'I was not going to allow him to intimidate me'

What do you mean by find someone else " Collins quaked raising a questioning brow at me.

Yeah ! you heard me right , find a replacement or better find a new a Piage" I ignored him and went on clearing my office desk .

Do you have a twin or a clone or a duplicate I can find somewhere cause I will gladly do so " Collins crossed his arms and stood In front of me and added

"

But now there's only one Paige and that's you "

Am not going to continue this banter with you , it was your mistake ,so figure something out ... I told Collins whiles walking out of my office .

"it's thirty five minutes past five " I looked at my watch ... I have to get home by six so bye . CALL ME WHEN YOU FIGURE SOMETHING OUT"I yelled from outside when I exited my office.

~

From the office I took a taxi straight home,

When I got home I didn't even change from my working attire and I threw myself on my bed,

"God how much I missed her 'BED' , like who in his or her right senses never misses their bed when they get home from work or school -imagine the things you can do to your bed if there's no such thing as school nor work.

Just when sleep was about to envoke me , some body began ringing my door bell hysterically

"Who in the name of the lord would disturb my peace making with my bed, Who could it possibly be at this time of the night " I groaned into the pillow and with soo much difficultly I dragged myself out of bed to open the door.

"How could you !" I was met by an angry teenager at my doorstep... "How could you leave me alone outside?

"Ivy , what did I do now ? I asked my sister who kept yelling dramatically.

You were suppose to pick me up at soccer practice today 'You promised! " she walked inside and straight to the kitchen and I followed.

"Ivy , I forgot ! I told her and pulled out a seat at the counter.

You forgot " She repeated the words more than I can count ,

" Please stop being a baby about it, for God sake you're 19 and in college "

"I waited from 3pm till now 6:45 and you sit here to tell me am acting impulsive and on top of it all you are literally yelling on me " Ivy slammed my fridge door shut .

"Am not yelling Ivy and please don't drag my fridge into this , Am sorry I forget "I apologized hoping it could suite her anger which I know it won't.

Sorry! sorry isn't going to change what you did , don't you remember your own words " this girl is using my own tricks on me. "

Remember when I broke your new iphone or when I broke your brush or when ... Dear sister you told me sorry is going to fix it " she listed.

why are you dragging the past into this , plus I was literally 13 when all these things happened" I crossed my arm as I looked at her go up and down in my kitchen like she owns my house-

'And plus I said " I'm sorry and I promise to make it up to you.

"Ohh Yes! you'll definitely make it up to me ! she gave me one of her sinister smiles and added " Well thank God I have a boyfriend who saved me when I called .

I just rolled my eyes at her in response.

Hey ! Ladies " Collins walked in ,

Speak of the devil " I muttered under my breathe .

What's going on here " Collins walked into my kitchen and made his way to the coffee machine .

I noticed he was holding some boxes but it's none of my business so I ignored.

Oh! Come on! You guys should stop raiding my house as though it belongs to you" I complained and this time Ivy rolled her eyes in response.

"Paige you don't have to be a baby about it" Collins said.

bullseye baby !!! Ivy and Collins gave each other hi-fives .

Very funny! " I faked smiled

"These two couples planned pay back words -didn't they - !

After A moments of silence ,

Ivy cleared her throat loudly ! once , then twice and just when she was about to try her third attempt

"Don't even try it ! " I quickly stopped her .

What is it Ivy! what do you want ? I looked at Ivy who was pouting frantically.

I know Ivy all to well , she only clears her throat more than thrice when she needs something and wants to draw your attention.

Hey ! " Don't say that dear sister "Ivy spoke in sweetest voice.

She's definitely up to something!

You know your tricks don't work on me; so Speak Ivy or forever hold your peace! " I said whiles going through my novel .

Paige my favorite sister " Ivy coaxed

Ivy I am your only sister, stop beating around the bush " I looked at her as she walked towards the counter to grab an apple from the fruit bowl.

It's past 6 and it's almost seven " She said taking a bite of her apple .

SO ? Now Ivy has really gotten my attention I very well know that she's driving at something.

Paige I was wondering, what time you'll be going to the ball ! Ivy stole all my eyes and my attention as well.

And how do you know about this ball dear sister ? it wasn't even a question to ask cause obviously her beloved knight in shinning armour boyfriend Collins was definitely going to tell her .

Well my sources informed me you were going to a ball tonight " She dramatically stated.

Well am sure your sources told you why am not going! I looked at Collins , who took a huge gulp of his cereal and practically choked on it.

Water !! He tried to speak .

I was the closest to the water and I being a good Samaritan poured him a glass and helped him drink .

Paige see what you caused " Ivy accused me and went ahead to rub his back.

What did I do ? I asked .

You stared at him to hard , and see ! He choked on his cereal " Ivy spoke and went ahead to get Collins some paper towels .

Oh ! Please the guilty always chokes when he's caught red handed , don't think I didn't see you guys giving each other signals and gestures to one another " I rolled my eyes at Ivy trying to defend herself and her boyfriend.

Fine ! Since we've already been caught "Paige get dressed we are going to the masquerade ball .

Am not going , so please stop dreaming " I ignored Ivy and went back to my novel.

Remember when you promised me you will get me a Mac book pro on my nineteenth birthday " Ivy is definitely blackmailing me right now .

You know a Mac book pro will render us bankrupt for a year " I frowned at her.

It's just a year of bankruptcy not eternity, so me being a good sister am giving you an opportunity to rid yourself of this promise if only you agree to go to this masquerade ball " Ivy stated looking me straight in the eye.

Oh wait ! it's too bad , am afraid I can't go because ;

firstly, I didn't prepare to attend any event and secondly, I don't have any dress to wear to the ball 'How Sad' I quipped .

Even two can play this game, Ivy might be forgetting who I am...

Don't worry dear sis , I got everything covered " Ivy smiled wickedly and threw the leftover apple away.

I raised a questioning brow alerting ivy I wasn't getting what she was saying 'I was practically confused.

She walked towards Collins and brought out five boxes,

"What are those for? I asked while pointing and eyeing the boxes discreetly.

These are clothes and shoes ' Ivy went out to pull the first dress .

Oh ! So that's what those boxes were for " i whispered and it hit...

Ivy how did you buy these clothes and shoes " I asked and crossed my arms.

Discount available in market and a couple of friends owe me " Ivy said packing the boxes and walking straight into my room.

'I don't believe her but what to do ...

PAIGE come here !!! Ivy kept yelling my name from my room.

Am coming !!!

I have a feeling this is going to be a long night" I mumbled and turned to find Collins staring at me.

What are you looking at it !" I asked Collins more like a statement.

It's all you fault , I picked an apple from the fruit bowl and threw it at Collins , lucky for me he didn't catch it this time.

Oof ! ouch !!! Collins whimpered .

that's what you get , trouble maker " I said and left him there.