Chapter 5

I was back at work again focused on my screen, the patterns dancing across it. Mrs. Peter said we needed to make a light blue circle pattern with little hexagons in it and also make it diagonal. I was trying to incorporate my idea into this to see how it’ll turn out but I was experiencing obstacles.

"How far are we Ms. Sterling?" Mrs. Peter addressed me.

"I was just thinking, if we could add a bit of purple at the edge and blend it in" I pointed towards the edges of the hexagons. She hummed and nodded slowly, scanning through my work.

"Good idea Ms Sterling, but we aren't altering anything."

"Yes ma'am, but that's what is trending."

I enjoy social media, putting up videos of my outfits and receiving online compliments, I am well aware of what the trends are.

Mrs. Peter looked sternly at me, it was as if she was trying to school her features. "We aren't following trends"

My eyes followed her as she walked out of the office, my peripheral vision saw people looking at us then at her.

I sighed and turned to my laptop tuning out the rest of the world and focusing on the already made design, I didn't notice that someone came into the office.

I was so occupied that I didn't notice until I felt a looming presence above me. I spun with speed only to be met by the man who took me out to lunch for being the 'newest' employee.

I placed my hand on my chest to calm my racing heart. "My goodness, you startled me"

"Apologies, I was just admiring your work." he tipped his chin forward pointing to my laptop.

"Oh, thank you" I blushed. "It's nothing"

He scooted closer. "It is award worthy. You should show that to your HOD."

I rolled my chair backwards to get a better view of him. "Aren't you supposed to be busy, it's work hours" I made the show of looking at my bare wrists where a wrist watch is supposed to be.

"Well," he hesitated. "I don't have much to do and I need to stretch."

"What department do you work for? I didn't see you throughout last week."

"You could say Accounting" he fiddled with his cuffs.

His movements was somewhat weird but he looked sophisticated enough to work in Accounting and besides department was a building away.

"Fair enough, I didn't catch your name though"

At the time I asked, Mrs. Peter came in with a bunch of people behind her.

The men were on suits and she seems to be leading them.

"This is the Design Department, we mostly focus on the designs and patterns of the fabrics, we house creative individuals here" she told the men.

"Oh, Mr. Ace. I didn't know I would see your here" she greeted him with composure.

"Yes, It was an impromptu visit. I was taking my leave aways." he gave her a slight nod and looked at me. "Ms. Sterling"

As he walked passed them, they all paved way for him until he was out the door. The response policy we had here was through the roof, as someone who had experienced it, I liked it.

She introduced me to the men and also my other coworkers.

As soon as everyone left, I went back to my work in relief, I needed to complete this design before next week. It was going to be tested by then before being introduced to the public.

The door closed behind her as she took the bag from the delivery man and brought it to the table. I already had our plates and forks prepared.

We brought out the food we ordered and placed them in the plates.

"And you didn't see him for a week after that?" Marie asked as she took a bite of the fries.

"Well yes, until yesterday he just randomly showed up to my space."

"Hmm, suspicious" I dipped my chicken into the ranch and ate it, the sauce dripping began dripping down my chin.

"Why is that? He said he was less busy, besides I was the newest employee and I think he's trying to make me feel among. It's hard coping with coworkers that hardly smile you know."

"Your jovial heart will lead you astray again."

"What!" I sat up and reached for the apple drink. "He just seems nice, I enjoy his company"

Her brow shot up. "For the one time encounter with him?"

"More than once but yes" I avoided her eyes, looking everywhere but her.

"You don't even know his name" she laughed.

"I think he goes by Ace or something"

“You think? her phone pinged, interrupting our discussion.

She checked the notification and placed her phone back on the table with the screen facing downwards.

“Who was that?” I stretched my neck to see her phone even though I knew she had hidden it.

“It's nothing, just spam,” I noticed her body language change. She could no longer face me fully again, it was more like she was hiding from me.

“Spam? Since when?” I was genuinely concerned. “Is everything okay, Marie?”

“Yeah, yeah why would you ask that?”

“I don't know, from the way you are behaving?” I gestured with my palms straightened moving from her head downwards.

“It's fine really.” she held my hands in hers. “Trust me”

Our eyes met, glistening with love and understanding.

I have known Marie since we were in the womb, nothing she does will keep me away from her and vice versa. We have never kept anything from each other and we will never do that but If she isn't ready to speak out, I’ll wait until she is.

I’ll give her the time she needs, what kind of best friend will I be if I force it out of her?

I squeezed her hands. “I trust you.”