ROSE POV
There is absolutely no way I'm gonna live in the same apartment as him. I can't believe these people are really setting us up together. First off, I ain't comfortable working with him, and now I have to live with him?
I tried to protest, but the manager told me his decision was final. I took a look at the poor wretched human being who was sitting next to me. Our eyes met, and just staring at his big lips made my blood boil. You don't have money and you still have full lips?
Poor boy with a touch of handsomeness.
DANIEL POV
The manager dismissed us after giving us his rules and regulations. He introduced the rude lady to me as Rose, and introduced me to her as Daniel. So finally we got to know our names.
Rose kept stealing quick glances at me, her frown getting deeper with each look. I could tell she was raging inside, her legs tapping uncontrollably on the tiles. We both got up with our luggages, and made our way to the company's car that was provided to transport our luggages and us to the apartment.
At first, there was complete silence. No one wanted to talk or look at each other. Something irritated my throat and I coughed to clear it.
"Oh please, don't infect me with your infections." She said, irritated.
"Oh really, infections? Let's assume you attended college, you were probably among the students the college kicked out due to poor grades." I fired back at her.
"At least I'm better than you, you wretched human." She said, turning to face me. "What do u have huh? Just your name and probably this shirt which I believe was borrowed." She rolled her eyes at me.
"Oh, I'm wretched? At least I'm not some spoiled brat that parades as the queen of the world while secretly seeking for a job with a supposed wretched human." I spat back.
"I'm glad you admit you are wretched. I could literally smell your poverty from a mile away." She said, folding her arms across her chest.
"Just take a look at yourself." She continued. "Your level of poverty is so great that even your borrowed shirt couldn't hide it."
"I don't blame you at all. If having sense was a crime, I'm pretty sure you would be innocent." I said, anger laced in my tone. I wasn't gonna let her have the upper hand.
"Oh really? So you see nothing wrong in yourself? No wonder you are in this condition. Your sense level is yet to differentiate right from wrong!" She fired back.
"At least I have sense. Take a look at yourself. If with my supposed little sense I could get this job, I wonder what's up there in that little brain of yours. Coconut head with wigs." I replied.
She got so annoyed that she slapped me. I returned it immediately. We started hitting each other in the car. The driver had to intervene and break off our fight.
It's me and her in this job.
She would regret the very moment she picked that application form.
When we got there, we were greeted by the security guards and made our way in. Rose used her body to hit me to the side and tried to take her luggages in. I didn't succumb to her. I immediately grabbed one of her luggages and threw it across the yard. That was the straw that broke the camel's back.
She lunged herself at me, and I dodged her. We began chasing ourselves round the compound, both trying to overpower the other. The security guards refused to intervene. They sat down, watched us fight while laughing, and started placing bets on who would win.
Typical Benegota.
After a few minutes, we agreed to a truce as no one was getting the upper hand. I can't believe this is how I would be living my life for the next few years. Rose wasn't sorry, she gathered her luggages, and walked into the house, making a mockery of me.
I mocked her as well, and I carried my luggages into the house. Something tells me this house won't be able to accommodate us both. The manager has no idea what he just unleashed upon his company.
I went into the house, and located my room. The building is designed in such a way that we had separate rooms, but were to share the same living room, kitchen and dining room.
Oh, that's nice.
I began unpacking my stuff. My best friend had gotten me a new phone to use, while I paid him back after my first salary. The rest of my salary advance should be enough to sustain me for now.
***8PM***
Nightfall, and the house has been quiet since. None of us were willing to set our eyes on each other. We were secretly making plans on how to outwit each other and survive. It was a matter of the survival of the fittest.
I felt hungry so I decided to settle for something light. Bread and a cup of tea. I will prepare a better meal tomorrow. The milk and Milo I'd use in making the tea had already been provided by the company as they made sure to stock the house with food.
That's very commendable actually.
I still had to get the bread myself. So I took a part of my salary advance, and went out in search of bread after taking directions from the security guards there. I went across the street to the only shop I could find there, and told the seller, a man, that I needed fresh bread. According to the guards, the bakery was closed so I had to settle for this.
The man affirmed my request, and suddenly started talking about the country's problems. How our leaders are acting, and how things are getting more expensive, and how the economy was performing badly. I sat down on a chair provided and started debating with him on the current happenings.
We debated for what seemed like hours and I finally realized how much time I had spent arguing what won't change my life. I asked for my bread, and before I could pay, a group of men walked towards us.
I suspected them, but I felt that since I was in the estate, such things didn't happen here. One of the guys rested on the counter and began placing orders. Two in the group of five stood behind me, acting as though they were doing something else.
Before I could react, one had reached into my pocket and took my money. I tried to respond but they beat me in the presence of the shop owner, who seemed unfazed by my predicament.
Could he have been a part of them?
After the beating. They began playing different pop songs and told me to dance and smile to show that I wasn't angry. I had no choice but to dance and smile.
What kind of humiliation is this?
My first day of living in this estate and this happened.
After a while, they chased me away. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I believe I ran faster than my shadow. I reached the gate to the apartment, and began banging on it with force.
The security guards rushed out, and I explained to them what happened. I showed them the direction to where the incident had taken place and pleaded with them to help me recover my money.
They just stood where they were, consoling me and telling me to let it go.
Let it go?
I don't understand.
What's your use if you can't help me recover my stuff?
They told me that I should have been back earlier, as the streets were extremely dangerous at night. An information they didn't see the need to tell me earlier?
I had no choice but to ignore them and walk into the compound. Benegota is truly a zoo. Reporting to the police was of no help, just the normal "we will start investigation immediately," and it ends there. No arrest, nothing.
I walked up to the front door and tried to get in only to discover that it was locked. It seems this girl wants to suffer for 600 years. How dare she lock the door to the apartment that we both share!
I began to knock on the door, but there was no response. I kept knocking as hard as I could but still no response.
"Who is that crazy fellow that wants to bring down this building?" She yelled from the inside.
"Rose…open this door right now!" I yelled back. I can't believe this.
"I thought you said I had a coconut head. Use your pear-shaped head and find a way in." She replied.
"Rose…I've had a long day. Please don't add your problems to mine." I responded, defeated.
"I'd advise you to swallow your pride. Oh, I forgot. You can't." She said, walking towards the door. "Your stomach is too small to contain that pride of yours."
"Rose, Rose, Rose, how many times did I call you? I hope you know I'd repay you back." I responded, my voice low.
"Hahaha, how have the mighty fallen. You suddenly can't shout anymore. Let me bring something into your consciousness. You can't do me anything. I'd frustrate you in this house until you pack your bags and run away. You can bet on this." She replied.
I didn't respond. I didn't have the strength to quarrel. I was tired, broken, hungry and weak. Exchanging words with her would be like pouring water on a rock, expecting the inside to get wet. I just wanted to rest.
She finally opened the door, hissed, and made her way back into the house. She looked back at me, brought her tongue out as a form of mockery, and walked back to her room. I hope she can handle the heat that is coming.
This is strike one. It's me and her in this house. She has started her own wickedness.
Let no one call me wicked when I begin mine.
TBC