ESTHER

Chapter twenty one

"Ambitions huh?" I said drily. As much as I hated to admit it, coming in close contact with the twins after a long while reminded me of how handsome they were. I guess I had forgotten that when all the memory I had of them was about their betrayal.

"You know, I didn't tell Jack Rhodes at first." They both raised their brows.

"You didn't? What made you change your mind then?" Duke said.

"I decided that I also had the right to know his side of the story before I made any conclusion. And his side of the story was a whole lot different from yours - "

"Well duh?" Kingsley said, rolling his eyes.

" - and more believable too. At least he had timelines that one could cross-check. Yours sounded like a story that had been passed down when compared to his."

"I decided to leave it alone." I continued. " Knowing as you guys were my close friends," I stressed on the 'were'. " I still couldn't let you guys make a mistake. So I warned my boss, without betraying you both. Hoping sincerely that you guys were led to do it. Guess I was wrong."

They were quiet for a while as they looked at each other. When I first met them, I saw this action as a thing of awe, the ability for the twins to talk without moving their mouths. But right then, it was just getting on my nerves.

"We don't have anything against you, Esther. And I do not know what you think of us, but as a result of our past relationship, please do not involve yourself in what doesn't concern you." Kingsley said, then left with his brother. I stood there, not able to move an inch. To not involve me? It is already too late. I was in far too deep.

                                 *****

Working in Goulders was working out well, but the working environment was very uncomfortable. I could not understand why Jack Rhodes wasn't doing anything at all he seemed to be in a good mood. I saw Duke and Kingsley from time to time, but apart from a look of recognition that passed between us, nothing else was shared. I missed my friends I won't lie, but except they leave their ways, I do not think I would associate with them. Although I think they are already in too deep, it might be too late for them to leave whatever they were doing.

I was typing some documents in the office I share with Jack Rhodes. He wasn't in that day, and so most of the work was left for me. Mr. Haman came into the office just then, carrying several documents. Not even bothering to greet as a form of courtesy, he simply dumped the documents on the desk.

"I need that to be completed in two hours." He said. I looked at the documents then faced him.

"I'm sorry sir, but please what is this?" I asked politely.

"Your job. You should do it well, if I may add." He said then turned to leave.

"It was never added in my contract that I had to work for you, sir." I blurted out. I couldn't take it anymore. The snide remarks he always made of me, the rude stares, the snickering whenever I pass him, and now the dumping of more work for me to do. Just because my boss wasn't there didn't mean that I should encourage that type of behavior.

"Well, it turns out that the lady does have a temper. I was wondering if my nephew just hired you as an accessory to showcase." He turned towards me and walked to my desk slowly. When he reached it, he placed both of his hands on it and leaned in.

"I'll have you know, that I can get you fired whenever I want. Just because you are the assistant of the boss doesn't give you any power; you are more vulnerable. Don't get your hackles up missy. Just because your boss isn't here doesn't mean you can act however you want. So just continue to keep quiet and do the job that is assigned to you. Do you understand?" He said snidely.  I folded my hands so tight under my desk. I couldn't deal with this anymore.

                          **********

I left for home later than usual, because of the extra work given to me. Throughout my walk home, I was fuming. I had tried to reach my boss so many times that day, but it was impossible. Fed up, I had to swallow up my anger and do twice the work that was normally assigned to me. I finally reached home and once my uncle saw how I looked, he didn't ask any questions and just silently opened the door for me. I walked up straight to my room and closed the door. After taking a bath, I had calmed down. I lay down on my bed and started thinking about my day. I wondered when everything had started going wrong.

"Esther, food is ready." My uncle shouted from downstairs. I stood up and made my way down for dinner. After our prayers, we started eating in silence. My uncle was giving me enquiring looks, waiting for me to open up.

"I'm not feeling comfortable with where I work anymore." I finally confessed. I was tired of keeping everything bottled up inside.

"Mr. Haman and the twins?" He asked. I nodded my head in response. My uncle just sighed.

"You know, you can always quit. You have saved enough money to travel back home." He said softly.

"I know, I just- " I stopped midway. How could I tell my uncle that I had fallen for my boss? Even though it was only a one-time thing that happened between us, I have been dreaming about it every day since then. The barrier I had put up when I started working to prevent me from falling for my boss had been broken down. Even if my boss still acts as if nothing had happened, I couldn't help but still want to be there for him. If anything, at least till all the drama was over.

"You know Esther, " my uncle said, placing his palm atop mine. "I'll support you in whatever decision you make. So do not overly stress yourself okay?" I smiled at him and held his hand.

"Thank you, Uncle. For everything." I said sincerely. My uncle just smiled and we both went back to eating our dinner, the tense environment cleared.

We were clearing the dishes when our doorbell suddenly rang. I looked at the time and wondered who would be visiting that late. I walked over to the window by the door, to view who it was and was shocked to find the familiar face standing on my porch.