DECEPTION

Ch. 5: Crossing Paths.

As we sat at the cafe for lunch, I couldn't shake off the thought of breaking the news to Justina. I had been contemplating telling her that I would be moving into her house for good, but I knew she would be shocked. She had been persuading me to stay with her for a while, but I had always brushed it off. Now, with my Aunt's sudden arrival from abroad, I had the perfect excuse.

Justina noticed my distant gaze and asked if everything was okay.

"You've been acting strange since morning,"

She said, her brow furrowed with concern. I sighed, knowing I had to spill the beans.

"It's just that...my Aunt arrived unexpectedly, and it would be inconvenient for me to stay at home."

But before I could finish, Justina cut in, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Really? Your Aunt is here? I want to see her before sunset!"

I was taken aback by her enthusiasm. Why did she love my Aunt so much, anyway? I pushed the thought aside and continued,

"Justina, listen...I'm not just visiting; I'm moving in with you permanently, until I finish school."

Her expression changed from excitement to shock.

"What? Are you serious?"

She asked, her voice laced with disbelief. I smiled, knowing I had to reassure her.

"When have I ever joked about something like this?"

I took a sip of my tea, trying to appear nonchalant despite the gravity of the situation.

Justina's eyes widened as the reality sunk in.

"But...but what about your parents? And your Aunt?"

I shrugged, knowing I had made up my mind.

"I'll figure it out. Besides, I'll have you to keep me company."

She smiled, still looking stunned, and went back to eating her bread.

Mere minutes after driving through the gates, Miss Faith pulled into the sleek, modern skyscraper, her vehicle gliding to a stop in front of the entrance. She emerged from the car with grace, donning a pair of stylish sunglasses, and strode confidently into the building. As she stepped inside, a hush fell over the space, her elegance commanding attention. Her presence seemed to captivate everyone around her, with some struggling to place where they had seen her before.

Whispers began to circulate, with one voice mentioning her name and title: CEO of a renowned company abroad. It was rumored that she had played a pivotal role in revitalizing their own company's reputation after the tragic passing of Mrs. Wellington, which some had speculated was orchestrated by Miss Faith's own brother. Another colleague chimed in, praising her exceptional talent and kind heart, noting that she had selflessly cleaned up the mess left by her sibling, risking everything to restore the company's honor.

As the murmurs grew, a third voice added to the chorus, hailing her as a legend. The room was abuzz with admiration and curiosity, with all eyes fixed on Miss Faith. She acknowledged the attention with a warm smile, waving graciously as she made her way to the chairman's office. A chorus of welcomes erupted, with several voices calling out in unison, "Welcome back, ma'am!"

The atmosphere was electric, with an air of reverence surrounding Miss Faith's return. Her presence seemed to inspire a sense of hope and renewal, as if her mere arrival could revitalize the company's fortunes once more. As she disappeared into the chairman's office, the whispers continued, with colleagues eagerly sharing stories and anecdotes about the enigmatic CEO. Her legend had clearly preceded her, and it was evident that Miss Faith was a force to be reckoned with.