LAST HEARTBREAK

NINE

CHAPTER NINE

Ayo had a way he made Jemima happy and according to Kamsi, he had her mumu button, also meaning he had Jemima wrapped around his fingers, figuratively. Not the gifts, not his undying love confession but a simple text from him made Jemima happy. She realized from this that she was still in love with him and even though Damola made her happy, she was still in love with Ayo, too much for her to explain. He finally texted after his one-week break, she could have texted him but Jemima had learnt from this relationship not to put too much of herself. She was excited to see his message which made her look forward to her day. Her feelings confused her sometimes, she wondered why a simple text from him made her happy and forgot he still owed her an explanation but she didn't know how to bring it up.

The simple How are you? Text she got from him as she was preparing for work put a smile on her face and she replied immediately forgetting her mantra of not replying as soon as he texted, instead taking another week to give him a reply. She didn't believe in her mantra but when he took long to reply her she gave up her belief. She wore a short black and white office dress with short sleeves and a collar, It was too short for office but Jemima wasn't in the business of caring. She left her house for work, and her days at the office were not too serious, most times after finishing any particular report she had on her desk, she was done for the day, allowing her to spend more time on TikTok and Youtube, watching anything till the time to close from work. Sometimes she was at Hauwa's desk listening to gist, as Hauwa always had gist and Jemima loved listening to gist as they were always spicy.

Kamsi hadn't been home for three days, she had gone to Ibadan for her leave from work and opportunity to meet her to be family which Ade had suggested. Jemima and Ade had perfectly kept the proposal a secret, Kamsi had not guessed they were hiding something thankfully, Kamsi's work made her too busy to catch Jemima off guard. The planning for the proposal took Jemima's mind off Ayo but still made her think about the kind of life she wanted. She was happy for her friend but somewhere in her heart she was a tad bit jealous.

Her phone beeped when she sent the report to Damola's email, she picked up her phone to see Ayo had sent a new message hours after she had given him her reply. The message put a smile on her face as she read it over and over.

Will you be able to get off work early?

She thought for awhile why the message made her smile. It was already in the middle of the day of a hot Wednesday and Jemima wondered why Ayo was asking while she pondered on the thought of leaving work by 2pm instead of the usual five, but that will depend on Damola who she hadn't gotten the opportunity to see as he has been busy, he texted on somedays not too regular especially because of their last meeting. He was a thorough boss, strict sometimes, loved getting the work done, if he noticed any little mistake on the report he would send it back with a detailed correction, even though she somewhat had feelings for him she enjoyed working with him sometimes.

She waited for some minutes to pass awaiting Damola's respond to the mail but when nothing came she replied Ayo.

Not sure.. How early do you want me to?

His reply came in a minute after

Preferably two... but if its not possible tell me.

She got too excited for his last reply for what he was planning which she had no idea of and wasn't mad about it. It was rare for Ayo to suddenly ask her to get off work early and she didn't want to blow her chances of a surprise. Her excitement got the best of her, she sent him a reply without checking in with Damola.

Sure I can make that work

Okay... I would come pick you up

Her heart was dancing in happiness, she wasn't going to feel bad for skipping work, she wasn't going to feel bad for what her relationship has turned her to. What mattered right now was Ayo wanted to see her and she as well wanted to see him. She quickly sent a short email giving a lousy excuse of why she needed to leave work by 2pm, she read it over and over again laughing at herself before sending it to Damola's mail. She thought about what Ayo was up to while still thinking about the idea of bringing up the lies, she concluded that it was a bad idea as she pulled out a small makeup purse she always had in her bag before leaving her office to the restroom to touch up her make up. On getting to the restroom door, some distances away she saw Damola and the Financial officer walk done the staircase to the reception. She wondered if he might have seen her mail with the hurriedness they walked down the staircase, she didn't think much of it before entering into the restroom to see Damola's step sister, Demi washing her hands in the basin, three basins away from where Jemima stood.