The new year came and I couldn’t be thankful for another year and with Blue besides me, life was good.
Monday, 08 January
I was back at work and everyone seemed to be in a good mood as I welcomed our staff back. after I finished the speech I went to my office with Onika following behind. I won't let what happened get in the way of work, “Onika, get Michelle on the phone” I told her as we got in my office, she nodded and did as I asked.
“Beyonce, I-” I cut her off, “Its Miss Knowles” she looked hurt but I didn’t care. “I got a call from my son’s daycare” she stopped talking as I went to pour myself a glass of water “he is
sick” I looked at her puzzled “you are telling me this because?” it sounded rude than I intended “can I have the rest of the day off?” I nodded and she left in a hurry
I got a text from Onika when I got home;
Onika- thank you for the day off.
With nothing much to say, I left it on read.
Tuesday morning, I woke to a text from Onika, I know she is my PA but want could she possibly want at this hour it was 5am.
Onika- I know it’s a lot to ask but can I have the rest of the week off?
Me- right, it's alot
Onika- I really need it
I ignored her last text and went to get ready for work, I wasn’t having this discussion with her.
I arrived at work around 7:30am and she was not at work, I checked my phone and no text or call from her. Whatever it was must be important cause she just gotten herself a written
warning.
It was later at night I got a call from Onika and I answered;
Onika: I am sorry about today… I could hear her sniffling
Me: what’s wrong? It got to me during the day that her son was sick as she asked to leave work earlier on Monday and now I wanted to be kicked in the butt.
Onika: my baby, he’s not well…
Me: what do you need? I maybe a hard nut but I had empathy
Onika: rest of the week off
Me: of course, I apologize for this morning.
Onika: it’s okay, I didn’t say why I needed a week off
Me: how is he doing?
Onika: he… she choked up
Me: in which hospital are you?
Onika: KLF hospital
Me: I’ll call when I get there.
I got her something to eat, she must had been at the Hospital all day and food the normally sucks or probably the last thing on her mind.
When I arrived at the kid’s ward, I found her standing against the wall and her child sleeping on hospital bed. She heard me get in and immediately hugged me, I did not expect that but hugged back. "Shh…I'm here” I whispered as I held her tenderly. “I was so scared” she sniffled on my neck, “doctor said it was fever” she continued to speak and I nodded and looked at her child. She finally let go of me “his name is Papa bear” I would had laughed if the situation wasn't so serious. She sat down and I followed her. “he is cute just like his mama” I probably shouldn’t had said that but the smile on her face eased me up.
“When is he getting released?” it was after 15 minutes of uncomfortable silence. “once I get his medicine prescription and fetch it from the pharmacy” I nodded and checked my phone, it was 10pm.
I took them to her apartment after she got the medicine, “can you stay a bit?” Onika said after putting Papa bear down in bed, he was still sleeping and slept throughout the entire ride. I looked around and figured why not “Rumi is with my sister” that must be her eldest daughter’s name “of course, I’ll stay.” she looked like she had been running low on sleep.
“Why don’t you get some rest” I suggested. “I wanted us to talk” she said while putting on the kettle to make tea I assumed. “The kiss, did it mean something” she asked “I don’t go around kissing people for no reason” she had an unreadable expression. “I like you” I told Onika and she kept mum “see, you said you wanted to talk. You are not doing much talking” she poured a cup of tea for me. “this is not easy for me” she finally told me. “Onika just say whatever it is you want to say” she looked up from her cup. “I think you should go” and I left without a thought.
I was able to wake up on time the next morning and get Blue to school. After her drop off I arrived at work, thankful that Onika took the rest of week off but the week went by quickly much to my disappointment.
The thought of firing her crossed my mind over the weekend, but figured she needed the job. She was a waitress before this and I know they don’t pay that well. What did I even feel for
her? She is so confusing, for someone straight.
After a week off, Onika at work was nothing but professional and I kept my distance. However today she decided to come to my office during lunch. She’s really testing me “mind if I stay in here for lunch?” I nodded, this time I didn’t share lunch with her. She kept looking at me while I
typed, “talk” I concluded typing and looked at her, “why are you rude to me?” she is starting again, “it’s
called being professional, honestly Onika what do you want from me?” she didn’t answer and I stood up for a bathroom break. When I got back she had already left my office and I was glad.
It was Friday after work and I was in the parking lot waiting on Onika, she had asked for a lift and I am in my car thinking why didn’t I say no.
“How is Papa doing?” I asked while driving, “he is better now” I nodded “enough with the stares” I said as I caught her looking at me. We arrived at her place “do want to come in?”
definitely not “no” I simply said.
She made no attempt to get out the car “I know you are mad at me and I understand” is she serious? “we are not doing this” I leaned over her and tried to open her door but she blocked. “I am trying Beyonce” she said “it’s too late for that, stick to being my PA and what I pay you to do”. She looked butt hurt but got out nonetheless. I let her be for a while and I was over it.
Blue was in her room when I got home, I let her know I was home and brought pizza. After dinner and a nice shower, I settled in bed with a phone and checked my texts, replied to a few and went to sleep.
