CHAPTER 8
*TESSA*
“Are you here alone?”Ethan asked me.
“No,I’m with a friend.”
At that moment,Edgar pull over in front of me.
“Boyfriend?“Ethan cooed as soon as Edgar got down from the car.
“No…a friend.”I retorted but he smiled coyly.
“Good evening,sir.”I greeted Declan who ignored me and walked away with his client.
It wouldn’t kill him to at least reply.
“Edgar,this is Ethan Bascon,my colleague at work.”I introduced.
“Nice to meet you.”Edgar said as they shook hands.
Then he held open the door for me.
“Shall we?”
I grinned and got in.
As they car drove passed Declan and his client,our eyes met.
I quickly looked away.
I swallowed wondering why I was suddenly feeling nervous.
****************
Monday morning,I walked into the company and I was greeted by a tensed atmosphere.
Ethan looked pissed off.
“Good morning.”I greeted.
“There’s nothing good about the morning.”He snapped.
“What’s go

CHAPTER 9
*TESSA*
I started working overtime and barely had the chance to eat or do anything personal.
It was highly exhausting but I can only hope to achieve this goal.
One afternoon,my phone rang out.
I smiled seeing it was Edgar.
We had talked a few times for the past two days…though it was brief because I’ve been very busy.
“Hello.”
“I’m so sorry for disturbing you,busy lady, but I’m at the front of your work place.”
I gasped.”C’mon,Edgar.You know how busy I am right now.I can’t come see you.”
“I understand but I won’t take much of your time, I promise.I just guessed that you might not be feeding well since you had a project to work on and I got you something.”
“Oh,you didn’t have to.”
“It’s crispy chicken and pasta.”
I swallowed and shut my eyes.
I can’t say no to that.
And I’m very hungry right now.
I glanced at my watch.”Alright,I’ll be down in five.”
**********
“You’re a life sav

CHAPTER 7
*TESSA*
When I walked into the house,I met my sister and mother seated on the couch.
It turns out that they were waiting for me.
“Tessa,where have you been?I was worried…you weren’t even taking my calls.”My mom began.
I sighed and slowly sat down.
I was exhausted.
“How did you get home?”I asked,curiously.
I couldn’t even get a taxi and she got home before me.
“When you left,I had to say my goodbyes to Wilson so he asked his driver to give me a ride.”
I nodded in comprehension.
“What happened your face?”My sister,Ashley asked.
“Dad hit me.”
“What?!”Ashley exclaimed.”Why…how..”She hurried out of the living room.
“Don’t take it to heart,Tessa.You should’ve ignored Cassie instead of….”
“Are you seriously trying to justify what he did?”
“My dear…”
“Here…take this.”Ashley walked in again,giving me an ice bag.
“Thanks”I murmured.
“I’m just saying that if you had ignored Cassie’s outburst then…”
“Then she would see the need to trample on us more.You really need to cut off that soft spot you have for dad.He hates us!We’re literally strangers to him!”
Tears burnt my eyes.
I hate that my mother was this way.
Weak…she’s so fucking weak.
If I were her,the only thing I would feel for my father was hatred but I’m pretty sure she still has him in her heart.
It was so annoying.
“He’s still your father.”Her voice cracked and I really didn’t want to continue this conversation.
“I’m going to bed.”
************
I walked into my bedroom,dejectedly and slumped on the bed.
I was glad tomorrow was weekend…
My mind was scattered all over the place and I had no idea how I would put up with work.
I laid down flat staring at the ceiling wondering when I would finally be happy and not worry about anything else.
Almost an hour later,a knock sounded on my door and Ashley walked in.
“Does your cheek still hurt?”
I sat up and faked a smile.
I’ve always wanted to be the one to bear the problem of the world…not her.
So I always make sure to be okay for her sake.
“I’m fine now.”
She slowly sat beside.
“Don’t let them bring you down,sis.They aren’t worth it.”
I nodded and agreed.”You’re right.”
“What you should be doing now is finding a good guy.”
I rolled my eyes.”No…After Marcus,I think love isn’t for me.”
“Don’t say that.You just have to keep looking and speaking of looking…mom told me to inform you that a friend of hers showed pictures of you to a professor.He’ll like to meet you soon.”
I scoffed.”I should have known this whole boyfriend conversation was heading to this.”
She held my hand.”I’m also in this with mom.Just check him
out.Who knows?He might be the one for you.”
I snickered.”What do you know?Tell her I’ll think about it.I want to get some sleep.”I replied lying flat on the bed again.
Should I really get into the dating world again?
All men may not be like Marcus.
And that was how a week later found me in a restaurant in front of my date.
He was on a navy blue trouser,a white shirt and glasses.
We had exchanged pleasantries and he was called Edgar Duke.
We placed an order and started eating.
But I just wasn’t feeling any good vibes neither did I see myself seeing him again.
I decided to leave a bad impression so he wouldn’t want to see me again.
“Can I ask you some questions?“
He smiled.”Sure.”
“What kind of house do you live in?”
He might see me as a gold digger for asking this kind of question on our first date.
And in my records,men hate gold diggers.
“I own a duplex and an apartment complex.I live in the duplex hoping to share it with someone someday and the apartment complex are for tenants.“
He doesn’t seem a bit offended by my question so I pressed on.
“Do you own a Ferrari?”
His smile deepened.”I have a Benz and Land Rover but I can get a Ferrari if that’s what you want.”
I swallowed.
This isn’t going as I planned.
Why isn’t he disgusted by my questions?
“I don’t have a high paying job compared to yours and I’ve got a really bad temper.”I continued.
“It doesn’t matter.For the temper,I’m sure everyone has their own flaws.”
Ugh!
So I decided to tell him everything about myself to scare him off permanently.
“You’re a professor.You’re rich and handsome.Men like you shouldn’t be with women like me.”
“What’s wrong with you?”He asked,looking genuinely confused.
“I don’t have a good relationship with my father.I live with my mother and sister whom I take care of.My ex-boyfriend left me because according to him,I’m not gentle and feminine enough.”
“Anything else?”He probed.
There was still a smile on his face.
I shook my head and slowly sipped my juice.
He should back off now.
“You’re quite funny,Tessa.Honestly,I hate blind dates but when I saw your pictures.I was fascinated by your beauty and I really wanted to meet you.For now,I can tell you do not want to take this any further but it’s okay for us to be friends,right?”
I smiled and nodded.”Yes.”
I let down my defenses and we had a very fun and pleasant conversation after that.
I eventually enjoyed the date and I was all smiles when he insisted on taking me home.
I stood at the front of the restaurant waiting for him to get his car from the parking lot.
“Tessa?”
On hearing my name,I looked sideways to see Ethan Bascon…my superior at work.
“Good evening,Manager.”I greeted.
At that moment,Declan walked out of the restaurant with a middle aged man.
My lips parted….
If there’s anyone I hate running into…it’s him.

CHAPTER 8
*TESSA*
“Are you here alone?”Ethan asked me.
“No,I’m with a friend.”
At that moment,Edgar pull over in front of me.
“Boyfriend?“Ethan cooed as soon as Edgar got down from the car.
“No…a friend.”I retorted but he smiled coyly.
“Good evening,sir.”I greeted Declan who ignored me and walked away with his client.
It wouldn’t kill him to at least reply.
“Edgar,this is Ethan Bascon,my colleague at work.”I introduced.
“Nice to meet you.”Edgar said as they shook hands.
Then he held open the door for me.
“Shall we?”
I grinned and got in.
As they car drove passed Declan and his client,our eyes met.
I quickly looked away.
I swallowed wondering why I was suddenly feeling nervous.
****************
Monday morning,I walked into the company and I was greeted by a tensed atmosphere.
Ethan looked pissed off.
“Good morning.”I greeted.
“There’s nothing good about the morning.”He snapped.
“What’s going on?”
“The finance department made a major mistake in the project!”
“How serious is it?”I asked,a

I’m getting fired!