FIFTEEN

A few weeks later

Lora had been sleeping in Isha's room because she was so tired of Bill's stupidity. But come to think of it, why hadn't she this courage all the while he had been harassing her not until she met Austin and why was Bill not hurting her anymore, he has suddenly become calm...this is so strange. She had wondered.

Everyone reported to work and headed for their department as usual. Again and again, Naomi kept taking the stock book from Lora's desk to Austin's but earlier before Lora gets to the supermarket. Lora kept warning her but she wouldn't listen. She had taken this as her very own responsibility cuz she realized that Austin was getting too close to Lora.

Austin heard a knock on the door and he went to open up.

"Hello, Austin!"

Naomi greeted as she smirked.

"Naomi, what are you doing here again?"

Austin asked, devastated. But Naomi came in and shut the door behind them.

"C'mon Austin, why do you see it as an offense to come to ur office."

"It's not like I see it as an offense but you've taken over Lora's responsibility.... why did you deprive her of her work?"

"I didn't deprive her of her work. Anyone can do it."

"Well, I don't believe you, Naomi. Please return that book to Lora, it's not yours."

Austin fired and then turned to work on his system like no one was there except him but Naomi's countenance changed on hearing this.

"No! am never returning this to her. If you don't wanna have it from me, throw it in the trashcan for all I care... huh!!"

She flung it on his table as she frustratingly brisked out of the office and banged the door against him.

"What the heck is wrong with her?"

Lora's office

Naomi returned to the office looking all angered like a wounded tiger as she paced about the small office. Austin was getting on her nerves already, why would he reject her all because of Lora? Everybody goes for Lora, Lora, Lora! Lora all the time. Was Lora more beautiful than her? What was that that Lora had that she didn't? She was going to teach Lora a big lesson she would never forget in a hurry if she doesn't let go of Austin.

While she said all this outwardly, Lora came in to meet the furious and irritating sight of Naomi but Naomi didn't wait before she advanced on Lora.

"Lora you can't ruin my joy."

"How do you mean?" Lora asked and headed to her table as she hung her suit and bag.

"Are you and Austin seeing each other?"

"And Where's this coming from all of a sudden?"

Lora asked stunned.

"Answer me!" She yelled

"Naomi, what is your problem? Are you being jealous or something?"

"Yes.... and am also crazy."

Naomi blurted and this got Lora to laugh.

"You're, and am happy you know that." She said still laughing.

"I am madly in love with Austin."

This statement sounded like a bomb in Lora's ear and she stopped laughing immediately. She wished she didn't hear right but unfortunately Naomi's expression and her behavior made her believe she heard clearly.

"You're .... in love with Austin? Was that what I heard?"

"Am certain that's what you heard."

"Since when?"

"Since the first day, he resumed work here. That some sort of slut wants to snatch him away. Listen, Lora, stay clear of Austin, or anything that belongs to him cuz he's all mine... and don't make me cross my limits, else!"

Naomi yelled pointedly to her face and brisked out of the office, leaving Lora in a jaw-dropping situation.

"Oh my God!"

Lora exclaimed as she exhaled sharply. This was something she usually saw in movies but today, she had watched it in reality.

"What has suddenly gone over Naomi? I thought we used to be friends. The funniest part of all is that we aren't seeing each other but rather intimate colleagues... so why all her ranting? No no no, Naomi has got it all wrong."

She soliloquized as she leaned on the table, clenching her hands on it.

Bill's office

"Those couples have been here for the past few days as their anniversary is fast approaching. Take an order for everything they need, anything they demand."

Bill told Tina, his secretary as she sat and wrote on her list book.

"What do we do about their decorations?"

"I have informed the decoration manager to gather his workers for this work," Bill said

"The couples have selected some flowers to be used," Tina said

"The quantity?"

"About five thousand pieces of flowers."

Bill's eyes shone at this. They were the first customers to select five thousand.

"How much does it cost?" He asked

"It costs $ 2.5 million."

"Quite a lot of money." He commented as he took down his document.

"Right? Well I don't think you have 6 uploadings today even that amount in your account, do you?"

Tina said mockingly.

"Don't tryna insult me, Tina? My money can feed your entire generation."

Tina laughed horribly.

"What money Bill? Those chicken penny you give after fucking me? You call that money?.....geez! that shit can't feed a pauper for a couple of days talk more of a classic lady like me! Who knows how ur wife would be coping."

Tina was referring to 5o million dollars.

"What da fuck!"

Bill felt irritated by this that he had to call on his security to take her away. And as they were about to grab her, she stopped them.

"I have my legs to walk out of here."

She smiled lopsidedly at Bill and left while the two securities stood.

"And the heck are you two standing and staring at? Get lost!"

As Bill yelled, their sight was no longer seen.

* * *

Austin had met Lora on her way to the canteen to get packet food for her lunch, looking all pale. So he decided that they had lunch together.

"Naomi has changed for good, it's not the nice lady I used to know."

"Sometimes she's gonna change, Lora. Maybe she's mentally unstable."

Austin said.

Austin hadn't found out that Naomi has feelings for him too. What if he finds out, would he look her way and go for her? Gosh! this is such a puzzle. Lora thought.

While Lora and Austin were together in the canteen, Naomi sighted them from afar when she was passing by but did nothing rather than gnash her teeth.