After my body began returning to normal, I walked straight to the living room, where I met Rose calmly eating, and watching an action movie. She turned to look at me, and a smile played on her lips. If only she knew how much I would love to wipe that smile off her face with a life changing slap.
I held myself and walked to the kitchen to make myself something to eat. When I walked into the kitchen, I saw two different pots where two separate porridge were. One had little content and the other had a sufficient amount of porridge.
Wait…why did she cook the porridge in two different pots? This doesn't make sense…unless…. Then it clicked. She was comfortably eating the same kind of food I ate before passing through those unwanted experiences, but it's not exactly what I ate. She must have added some things to my food. That's probably why there are two different pots.
I can't believe she would go so far as to try to harm me. There is a saying that says "every day for the thief, one day for the owner." She would regret her actions one of these days.
I settled for jollof rice, and took some bits of chicken out of the fridge to prepare alongside the rice. The company sure stocked this place with enough food supplies. I wonder if this is an accommodation for workers or a five star hotel, with an annoying roommate.
***
It was 7:15AM the next morning. I was tucking in my shirt, and putting on my tie. Today was going to be my first day at work. After checking myself out in the mirror, I walked out of my room and into the living room, only to be greeted by the face of that winch.
I refused to apologize after we bumped into each other, same with her. We simply threatened each other and fought on who would leave the house first. Eventually, we walked into the compound only to be greeted by the company's driver.
Turns out, the company had sent someone to pick us up. So nice of them. We boarded the car and within a few seconds, the driver swerved into the street and entered the highway. The ride to the firm was silent, none of us willing to look at the other talkless of starting a conversation.
Rose began humming a song, her eyes fixed on the passing buildings on her end of the passengers seat.
"You sound like a choked frog just begging to breathe." I fired at her.
As long as I'm still breathing, nobody will have peace. She turned to look at me, shock clearly written on her face.
"I don't know what your deal is with me, but I'd advise you to avoid me." She responded.
"Avoid you? Such a shameless woman. Others are planning how their day would go, you are busy humming a song. Does this look like your private car?" I responded. I wasn't going to let her off the hook that easily.
"Daniel or whatever your name is, you better mind your business." she replied, her face curving into a frown.
"You know you are silly, others wear a corporate dressing of white shirt and black skirt but you…you are wearing a yellow shirt that has flower patterns with a black skirt as though you are attending a party. I thought women have a great fashion sense. I guess you are the exception." I said, not bothered by her sudden rise and fall in breathing.
"Says the guy whose tie is knotted on the left side of the neck. Did you take a look at your dressing before you left home? Or are you just naturally blind to details?" She responded angrily.
"You're just jealous that you didn't wear a tie. Take a look at yourself, your make-up didn't do much to hide how ugly you look." I replied. There is no peace for the wicked.
"Please, can you both just chill out a bit, it's not nice that you both are…." The driver tried saying.
"SHUT UP!" We yelled at him.
"Do you know that the very moment I set my eyes on you in that party, I knew poverty had eaten deep into your brain. I just didn't know it was this bad." She said, adjusting herself to face me.
"Says the daddy girl." I chuckled. "Truth be told, you are really beautiful…as beautiful as a pig could ever be."
Before she could respond, the car came to a halt. We grudgingly came out of the car, cursing each other underneath our breath.
ROSE POV
What wouldn't I give to have an opportunity to press his neck? This guy is so annoying. He doesn't want peace. I'd deal with him, but it seems yesterday's experience wasn't enough to teach him a lesson.
We walked over to the receptionist, with him trailing me from behind. After exchanging greetings and a few talks, we made our way to the manager's office.
He welcomed us with a warm smile and asked how we were doing. We had to force a smile and told him we were fine. To be honest, I don't know about him, but I was already planning how I'd make Daniel pay for ruining my day.
He called in one of the receptionists and told her to direct us to our office. I thought he meant that we had separate offices, but noooo, we were placed in the same office. I couldn't help but frown after we both stepped into the office.
Don't get me wrong, the office was really beautiful. It's just that I'd have to share it with the number one most annoying person in the world. As though it wasn't bad enough, we were to work sitting opposite each other.
"Ladies first." He said, smiling mischievously.
I ignored him and picked a seat. He sat down as well, and we were both given the login password to access the company's website. After signing in, I saw a book by an author titled "My biggest regret", subtitled "Had I known." I called the attention of Daniel who seemed confused as to why I was calling him.
He took a look at my computer and saw the book.
"This will be your story soon Daniel." I said, smiling.
He laughed loudly.
"I can already picture you writing season two of this in tears." Daniel replied.
I rolled my eyes at him, and got to reviewing the book. What do you mean by "she jumped off a cliff and suddenly an eagle dived in, catching her mid air, and flew her into the sunset?" All these authors should be gentle with their exaggeration please, though it feels magical.
"She fell on an egg, and it cracked. A baby eagle came out of it. She picked it up and gave it a soft peck, and the baby eagle turned into a handsome prince."
There's no way I'm going to accept this story. This is extreme. A baby eagle suddenly became a prince? Yeah, soon, I'd read there was some witch in a far away tower that cursed him to be a baby eagle.
I picked up the glass of water that sat close to me, and took a sip, placing it down on the desk. I was so engrossed in what I was reading that everything else around me didn't seem to exist.
Slowly, my vision became blurry, and I suddenly grew tired. Eventually, I rested my head on my desk and drifted off to sleep.
After a while, I kept hearing someone calling out to me. I turned around and I saw a monster chasing a girl towards my direction. I turned around and ran in the opposite direction, not willing to ask questions. I jumped off a cliff in fear, and an eagle caught me, carrying me into the sunset.
It was just like the novel I read, just that it was so much real this time. I fell on the eagle's egg and it cracked open, revealing an eagle's chick. I picked it up, remembering the story, and pecked it, but it didn't turn to a prince.
I kept hearing the strange voice calling out to me, but I couldn't tell where it was coming from. Suddenly a slap from nowhere landed on my cheeks, and my eyes sprang open.
Gosh! I had been asleep. Standing before me was the manager, and a mischievous looking Daniel behind him.
"My office, now!" The manager yelled at me.
Fear gripped me. What just happened? What came over me? How did I sleep off like that?
I turned to look at Daniel only to see a sinister smile playing on his lips. Does he have anything to do with this? I really hope this won't cost me my job. What have I gotten myself into?
I got up, and walked out the door to the manager's office. The glass of water was still sitting on my desk. I remember taking a slip, after which I felt weak. That was the last thing I remember before I had that dream.
I stood nervously in front of the manager's office. My first day at work, and I'm already in trouble. My body shook as I knocked on the door. A rather harsh "come in" was the response I got.
The manager sat facing the window, looking out into the city. It was as I had always seen in the movies, just before the worker got fired of course.
"You know Rose, when I saw you, I already believed you were one of value, one who knew what she was doing. But I am starting to have a rethink." He said, not looking up at me.
My breath hitched.
My heart beat doubled.
This is it.
TBC.