The food arrived and from the expensive plates And golden trays that they were served in, you don’t need Einstein to help you confirm that it’s not cheap to eat in this place.
“So you come here often?” I managed to ask as I picked up my fork and knife 🍴nervously and started eating slowly in my most courteous and sophisticated style. I didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of my narcissistic boss.
“I come here everyday for lunch and dinner since I don’t cook.” He responded with a shrug and continued eating like it was nothing. How come this guy is feeling so free eating swallows in front of his secretary? In the midst of so many other MVPs?
Though it was tempting to ask him if he even knows how to cook, I decided to shut my mouth.
At a point, I decided to do a little bit of forming and leave about half of my delicious rice untouched so it won’t look as if I’m a glutton. (Babe gats get swag and pride small na 🙄)
Actually, I was the only one pretending cause Alex finished his semo and soup and proceeded to clear off the left over rice while I watched in bewilderment. Man’s got a really ferocious appetite.
“Even Jesus Christ didn’t waste food.” He said with a laugh sounding somewhat fulfilled and satisfied as he noticed that I was looking intently at him like he was performing some sort of magic trick by making all the food disappear.
The waiter came back to clear the table and Alex got serious again as soon as he left us alone.
“I know you’re wondering why I asked you to meet me here after work. Well, ugh, I just want to apologize for my behavior and how I’ve treated you ever since we started working together.” He narrated and paused to examine my facial expression.
Wait, what? Alex is apologizing to me? For real? I must be Lasgidi dreaming or something! I’m speechless!
“I know it’s a shocker but that’s not how I am. I’ve been dealing with a lot of crazy stuff recently and then my secretary gives birth and has to go on maternity leave and you’re just fresh off the bench and clueless about how I operate. I was trying to force you to be like Rita.” He explained.
“I’m sorry Folake.” That’s it! The magic words. Proud Alex just admitted to me that he’s sorry? My head was almost bursting. That must have chipped off a ton of pride from him.
“So what do you say? Do you forgive little ol me?” He asked as I was just looking at him like I’ve seen a ghost.
“I forgive you Sir.” I said nervously.
“Call me Alex when we’re out here and thank you.” He interjected with a little smile which I returned.
“I want us to drop the animosity and just be cool.” He continued biting his lips. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that he’s very embarrassed and uneasy right now.
In the back of my mind, I felt like laughing about the whole thing. Ama, Promise and Tina are going to laugh their hearts out when they hear this.
But Wait oh, maybe I shouldn’t tell Ama and Promise. They might lose their regards for him if they realize that he made himself appear weak and vulnerable by apologizing to a common secretary.
We spoke at length about some random and trivial things before it was time for us to leave. He offered to drop me off at home. I sat in front with the driver so I could give him directions while he sat at the back like a king.
As soon as I got home, I crashed into a sofa and prayed silently thanking God for the fact that I still have a job as I thought Alex was going to put me in a tough position and eventually fire me or something.
“Lala is that you?” I heard Tina yelling from the direction of the kitchen and that was when I perceived the sweet inviting aroma of food hanging heavy in the air and I realized that she’s cooking. That’s new! But I couldn’t have been more thankful since I was still hungry.
“Yeah it’s me T.” I yelled back and got up making my way to the kitchen where I found her busy stirring a pot of stew.
“Welcome, you’re late today what happened?” She asked as she turned down the heat on the burner where the stew was. That’s where I noticed that there was another pot on the next burner which must be the one containing the rice.
I gave her the full details of all that happened including my encounter with Alex.
We shared a few good laughs about it before I went upstairs, got changed and rejoined her in the kitchen where we had dinner and Tina had to leave for somewhere that night being a typical ‘waka-waka’ babe while I went to bed finding it difficult to fall asleep as I kept thinking about all the things that Alex said and did today.
After two straight hours of staying awake in bed, I finally rolled over and fell asleep only waking up the next morning at the sound of my alarm.
***
Tuesday morning was a total mystery and I wondered what wonders Alex will perform today.
Is he going to go back to being Jack Frosty or continue being fun like James Corden? I thought to myself as I took slow steps towards my cubicle.
In a matter of moments, Alex arrived with his phone to his ear and only waved at me as he continued walking proudly and disappeared into his office.
He waved at me. Wow! Cool! My heart skipped a beat.
As I sat there thinking about it, the desk phone rang and like I assumed, it was Alex asking to see me in his office.
“Good morning Sir.” I said shyly uncertain of what his mood is going to be like today.
“Morning Folake. How are you today?” He asked swivelling in his chair with an intimidating expression on his face but not the usually disdainful look.
“Fine Sir.” I responded rather nervously as he has never asked about my welfare except that one encounter outside the store.
He didn’t say much as I read the schedule for the day to him and getting the tasks that he had for me.
“The ice has finally melted.” I said to myself as I returned to my cubicle to focus on the assignments ahead.
Throughout the week, Alex seemed to be in a very good mood and was less annoying and more human and kind. He didn’t criticize my work like he used to and wasn’t screaming at me to get things done like I was a robot. I was finally enjoying my life at work. Thank God for this blessing!
Two weeks later…
“Print that report and bring it to me at Kebari’s when you’re ready to leave.” Alex ordered and hurried off before I could even say a word.
Leave a Reply