Chapter Twenty-Two

It was the last day of the month. Bukunmi was sitting at her desk, watching a movie on her phone since it was lunchtime, and she was exhausted from all the work she had been doing all morning. The company's 40th anniversary was forthcoming, and every department was busy with one thing or another. She had been compiling reports upon reports, making sure preparations were going on smoothly, and trying to put up with Tade's perfectionism. When it wasn't something that was related to work, Tade was sweet and charming, but when it had to do with the company, he was back to being his annoying and not-easy-to-please self. However, she liked that about him. Being able to differentiate between work and your personal life was never an easy thing to do, but he did it so flawlessly well. One minute, he was being a total jerk to her, and the next, he was smiling sheepishly at her, the way he had been doing since they had both confessed their growing feelings for each other. At first, she had felt nervous about the whole situation, and even felt really stupid for opening up to him, but within a few days, she became normal with the way things now were. He'd compliment her when she came in the morning, hold eye contact with her every now and then, send quotes and short write-ups, which he said reminded him of her, give her a big hug before going home, and although it had lasted just for those few days, she had become so used to it, and it was like it wasn't new at all. In just a month, her greatest enemy had become the man she couldn't stop thinking about. How is it that one meets someone, and suddenly, you can't live without that person? How does someone become your world when you barely know them? How does it all happen so fast? At a time, he had only been an annoying piece of shit to her, but now, he was the person who made her smile even when nothing was worth smiling about. With every second that passed, her heart longed more for him, and she knew she was probably making a mistake and should stop before it became too late, but still; she couldn't stop herself from feeling the way she felt about him, and truthfully, she didn't even want to stop herself. She felt that she was happy right now with the way things were, but she also knew that falling for Tade had not been on her agenda when coming to work in his office. All she had wanted was to earn a living and see how she could go about getting justice for her father. Well, the plan still remained the same, and she convinced herself so desperately, that even though she liked Tade, she wasn't going to let it get in the way of the main reason she had taken up a job in his company, which was knowing why her father had been murdered in cold blood, who had murdered him, as well as finding evidence in order to punish the culprits. Her head was practically filled with thoughts on everything concerning Tade, while she was trying so hard to just concentrate on her phone and the movie she was watching. It was a lovey-dovey kind of movie, which she had had on her phone for a while, but was only watching now because there were butterflies in her stomach, and it wasn't different from the way she now only listened to love songs. Whoever started the saying of love being a beautiful thing couldn't have been more right. A message came into her phone. She rolled her eyes, certain it was her mobile line talking about some kind of promo, and went to check it simply to fulfil all righteousness, and erase the bothersome notification bell on the top of her screen. However, to her immediate surprise, it was a credit alert of two hundred thousand naira that had been the message. 'Oh my Gooooood!" Bukunmi squealed in excitement. It was the first time she was receiving such an amount of money in her life, and she had completely forgotten that it was payday, and that she was going to be paid. 'Congratulations," She heard Tade say, coming out of the bathroom as usual. She still found that gross, but hadn't gotten a perfect time to tell it to him, so she returned the smile he had on as he stepped into the office, with his hands in his pockets. 'Thank you, thank you, thank you," She repeated, beaming with so much excitement, and clapping her hands like a five-year old. 'You're welcome," He said, pleased to see that she was happy. 'Oh. Didn't you tell finance department to deduct 20,000 naira from my salary?" She inquired. 'How could I possibly do that? You're more than just my personal assistant now," He said in a deep drowsy tone and bent in front of her, sending a tingling sensation down her spine. 'You didn't need to," She said, avoiding her gaze, feeling really shy for no reason she could point out. 'Yeah, but I did anyway. Congratulations on getting your first salary ever," He said, and patted her head. 'This isn't my first salary. I worked as a part-time waitress in an eatery during my university days," She explained in a calm voice, still not looking down. 'Oh. I knew about that. I meant congratulations on getting your first salary as a university graduate," He explained. The tingling sensation changed into an overwhelming surprise. 'You knew? I don't recall telling you that," She said, feeling really suspicious. Tade was taken aback for a moment, and blurted out the only lie he could think of. 'Ben told me!" He exclaimed. 'He did?" She asked, wondering why Ben would tell him such. 'Yeah. He was telling me his sister is very hardworking and an independent young lady, and that she worked as a waitress in an eatery and still got good grades in the university. I'm so proud of you," He said, a smile plastered on his face. She returned his smile, finally looking him in the eye for the first time since he went close to her. 'Thank you," He said. 'I think he also mentioned you enjoy celebrating your little victories," He said, with a wink. This time, he wasn't lying against poor Ben. She chuckled. 'Yeah, I do," She agreed, still smiling broadly. 'Of course. That's why I ordered in pizza," He said. 'Aww, really? Where is it?" She asked, her eyes bulging in excitement at the mention of food. 'It should be here anytime soon," Tade replied. Knock! Knock! 'That should be Kate, with the pizza," He said, and left her side. Like he had guessed, Kate was there, with a box of pizza in her hands. 'Thank you," He said, and collected it from her. 'You're welcome, sir. Can I speak with Bukunmi?" She asked, wanting to say hi to her newly found friend. Tade had no idea as to how Kate and Bukunmi became good friends, when Kate had clearly not liked her when she first arrived. So much could change within a month, and him developing feelings for Bukunmi was enough proof that it was normal for her to become friends with Kate. 'She's busy," He declined, not wanting anyone to take Bukunmi away from him just yet. 'But it's lunch..." He slammed the door in her face, not bothering to wait for her to complete her statement. 'You're always so rude to Kate. What did she ever do to you?" Bukunmi asked. 'You know when you see someone and you just don't like them, not because you know them personally or they've done something to you, but you're just not feeling them?" He asked. 'Yeah." 'That's just how I feel about Kate." 'Why did you employ her then?" Bukunmi asked. 'I don't screen people for interviews. Besides, she met the qualifications, so, even if I had been the one to interview her, she'd have still gotten the job. I can't let my personal feelings get in the way of what's good for the company, can I?" He asked, really not expecting an answer. 'You absolutely cannot," She said, wearing an impressed smile on her face. 'What's up with that smile?" He asked. She shrugged. 'Nothing really. It's just that everyday, you keep giving me reasons to think you're a good person, erasing the thoughts I first had of you," She said. He pulled her arm, so she could stand up and face him directly. 'Well, I am a good person," He said. 'Indeed," She said, wrapping her arms around his neck. 'What do you mean?" The memory of Tade stepping out of the car when she and her father were ambushed flashed through her mind, and she cringed at his touch, and removed her hands from his neck. 'What's wrong?" He asked, urgency ringing in his voice. 'Nothing," She said, with a wry smile. 'Sure?" He asked, looking really concerned. 'Yeah. I was wondering why you lied about not screening job-seekers," She lied. 'I vividly remember how I became a worker for this company," She added. He chuckled. 'Well, you're the only exception," He disclosed. 'I'd believe that," She told him. He snickered. 'You have no other choice than to believe what I say, okay?" 'Okay," She agreed, not wanting to argue further. 'This pizza isn't going to eat itself, is it? I'm starving," Tade said, eyeing the pizza box, which he had placed on Bukunmi's desk. 'Perfect timing to bring up the toilet issue," Her subconscious said. 'Yeah. You can take yours to the restroom as usual, and I'll just eat mine here," She said. 'Restroom? What are you talking about?" He asked, perplexed. 'That restroom," She said, pointing. 'Don't you basically go there to spend hours eating or playing games, or whatever it is you do there?" She fired at him, folding her arms underneath her breast. He chuckled. 'You mean, all this time, you've been feeling like I go to the restroom to eat? That's wholly gross, and you know I'm classy to the core, why would you think such?" He asked. 'Everyone has a little something in them that's repulsive," She said, standing her ground. 'And you thought mine was eating in the restroom? You don't think highly of me as you should. Come here," He said, pulling her hand to the 'restroom". 'I'm not going in there," She said, adamantly. 'Wait. You still doubt me? Only an insane person will believe that Tade Wellington eats in a restroom. All I want is to just show you that you've been wrong all along," He said. 'Fine then," She agreed, still believing that it was a restroom and he only wanted to disgust her more by leading her there. He opened the door, and to her surprise, it actually wasn't a restroom. Behind the walls of their office, Tade had a comfortable home to himself, which no one in their right senses could have guessed. There was a high bed fit for a king, a sofa and a couch, a Plasma television, a fridge and a piano. The place was painted in black and white, and a picture frame of Tade wearing a suit was planted on the walls. There were two doors, one at the far left of the room, and the other, situated by the right. Thinking there were more mysteries that the place held, she went to the first door on the left and on opening it, it revealed a small kitchen, and she heaved a disappointed sigh. Pouting, she started walking over to the other door. 'That's where the restroom is," He said. She hissed, then collapsed on the bed, savouring its warmth, which soothed her aching back. She just wanted to lie there and sleep forever. 'You're disappointed that there's no more secret rooms, right?" He asked. She nodded. He collapsed on the bed, beside her. 'I don't have use for any more secret rooms, that's why," He explained. 'I know. So, do you live here?" She asked. 'Yeah. That's why I'm always early to work. People don't know though, because I leave the office when it's time for closing of work, then come back around 11pm," He said, then quickly added, 'Only the security guards are aware of it. They know I live in the company, but they aren't aware of this secret room," He explained. 'So, why do you live here? I'm sure you have more than enough money to rent an apartment. Why did you choose here?" She asked. He shrugged. 'Why rent an apartment when my father has several houses?" He asked. 'Why don't you live in one of his houses then?" 'Cause he'd move in with me. Besides, this is my safe space. I'm too used to it, and I'm very much comfortable with it, so..." 'You don't like leaving your comfort zone, I get it," She said, with a smile. 'Exactly," He said. They held each other's eyes for a moment, and then she broke off the eye contact, feeling shyer than ever. 'I should go get the pizza. We'll be eating here, right?" She asked, changing the topic. He glanced at his wristwatch. 'I'm pretty sure your break's over, but as usual, I'll make an exception for you," He said. 'Thank you. You're the best," She said, and gave him a small kiss on his cheek, then sat up, in order to rise and go get the pizza. He sat up too, then held her hand, stopping her from leaving. 'What is it?" She asked. He didn't bother to give her a reply, and just crushed his lips on hers, and even though it had been unexpected, Bukunmi kissed him back, just gently, then she withdrew abruptly. 'What?" He asked, in a hoarse whisper. She stared blankly at him, not saying anything. 'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have just kissed you out if nowhere," He apologised. She still didn't say a word, and didn't even look at him. 'You know, you kissed me back. I don't get what you're upset about," He said. 'I'm not upset," She disagreed. 'Then, what's up with the attitude?" He asked. 'It's just...I'm just wondering if you'd ghost me like you did before if we make out now," She said. He heaved a sigh. 'Hey, I'm sorry about what happened the last time, and I promise that it isn't going to repeat itself again," He said. She looked up at him, searching his eyes to see if he was being truthful with her. 'I've been wanting to kiss you since the very first day I saw you. I still do now, but trust me, I won't do it without your permission. It's okay if you want to take your time with this, I totally understand," He said. She smiled. 'I never thought I'd say this, but you're a good man," She said, and leaned closer to him, touching his cheek. He gave a small smile, and stared at her intensely, making her heart flutter. The next thing, his mouth was down on hers again, and soon, his tongue slipped inside her mouth, making her convinced that she had never truly been kissed before, because this was a whole new experience for her. Damn! Tade kissed well. Her fingers gripped his hair, as his hands went under her brown shirt, making her feel a whole new set of emotions she had never felt before. She wanted him. She needed him. She craved him like a drug. So, she didn't try to stop him. He pushed her backwards, and they were lying down once again, with his body on top of hers. She didn't feel any pain though, she wanted him right there, touching her like she was really special. He removed the strands of hair from her face. 'You're beautiful," He said, staring down at her, his heart melting with each passing moment. 'You're beautiful, too," She said, smiling. As he bent down to smother her more with kisses, his phone started ringing. He shot an annoyed glance at the office, where his phone was. 'Do you need to answer it?" She asked. 'Yeah. I'll be right back," He said. She nodded her head, as he climbed out of the bed, and walked off to the office. She sat up and shook her head, feeling disappointed at herself. Her family probably thought she was working in the office, while she was there, making out with her supposed boss. About a minute later, he came back, his suit in his hands. 'Going somewhere?" She asked. 'Yeah. My dad needs me to do something for him. I'm really sorry, I'll make it up to you," He said, looking like he was really hurt by the change of plans. Bukunmi sat up on the bed. 'It's fine, I understand," She said, concealing her annoyance with the smile she had forced on. 'Thank you. I'm leaving now," He said. 'Yeah, sure," She said. 'Umm... You've got to go, I can't leave this place unlocked," He said. Bukunmi's brain started to calculate really fast. If he had a secret place no one knew of, and couldn't leave it unlocked, probably...just probably he was hiding something there. 'Hello?" He called, trying to call her back to reality. 'Yeah?" She asked, jolting back to the present. 'Do you need help with getting up?" He asked, trying to sound as polite as he could. 'No, I'm good. Sorry about that," She said, and stepped down from the bed, adjusting her outfit, and slowly left the room, wondering how she could ever get in again. He then locked the door, then planting a quick kiss on her lips, left the office in a hurry. Immediately he heard he needed his father, he had left her without thinking, meaning that he would definitely choose his father over her if anything were to happen. However, unlike him, she had gotten so attached to him that she wouldn't have left him for her father if he were still alive, because even as he was dead and had only her to help, she had forgotten what exactly she was in Welling Fam Heights to do. She hadn't even found anything yet that could help her with her revenge, and was busy, finding comfort in the arms of someone she knew definitely had something to do with the death of her father. That couldn't go on. Just like he had chosen his father over her, she needed to start putting her father first. He would be so disappointed in her, and as much as she hated to admit it, she knew that it was the truth. Staring longingly at the door of his little abode which she had first thought of as his restroom, and never even bothered to use it, she could only hope her hunch was right, and that there was more to it, than it being just a safe space for Tade Wellington.