UNCONDITIONAL

SEVEN

I was really hoping I could redeem myself for last time at the mall when I kind of asked Khanyi out on a date but I wasn't awarded the opportunity because she was nowhere to be found when I went looking for her at lunch time. That was three days ago,today I have another trick up my sleeve.

"I thought you and I were done?"

"Is that how you greet your first youngest daughter father?"

"Hello babygirl,I thought we had concluded our business matters last week. How may I be of assistance?"

"Thought I should stick around a bit longer,since your accountant position is still vacant"

My father looks up from his computer screen,that he was absorbed in since I walked in. He looks at me from above his reading glasses with a questioning look and without warning,smiles at me while removing his glasses and laying back on his chair.

"Who is she?"

I am impressed,my father knows me well. We could never hide anything from my father as kids,my siblings and I believed he could read minds But I am not admitting to anything just yet.

"What are you talking about. I cannot just want to spend more time here,without you thinking it is because of a woman. I am going to inherit a portion of this company one day and what better time to learn more about the advertising world than now"

"Perseverance do you really think,you can lie to me. I know you and I know how you hate this place. In your 17 years of coming here,you have never wanted to spend more time here than absolutely necessary and today you spin me that lame story?! Try again love"

"Dad I really want to re-check the books and make sure I did not miss anything. I enjoyed my time here,so since your guy is not coming back till next week . I could attend to other finances and learn about the family business"

"Yeah right,just do me a favour...... do not distract her from her work. Whoever she is"

We both smile at each other. I can never fool my dad but again,, I am not admitting to anything just yet. He turns his attention back on the computer screen,while mentioning the fact that he knows me well enough to know that I am up to something. I leave his office but not before letting him know I will be seeing him during lunch time. Before walking out to look for my real reason for being in this stuffy place. I hate corporate places. People always in suits and worried about money while forgetting to live life.

"Growing up my grandmother used to tell me stories about people disappearing into thin air but I did not believe it till you dissapeared on me friday"

I see her tense a bit at the sound of my voice. She probably cursed her life at this moment because she took a minute before turning to face me,that's after looking up for a brief second with a little shake of her head.She smiled at me even though her facial expression betrayed the curve her mouth had formed. Even though she gave me that 'it is my job' fake smile ,I could not help but smile back too.

"Miss Richardson,morning. How can I help you?"

She was just being polite,probably because I am technically her boss but I could not help but feel this warmth from her. She has this inviting aura about her. She is the type of person you meet for the first time and want to tell your life story to.

"You can help me by showing me to the company's accountants office miss"

"Not to sound rude or anything but you were here for like three weeks,did you not get orientated to our finance department miss Richardson?"

She needs to stop being so formal with the miss Richardson..

"I did not plan on staying this long so I did not ask for one"

"But you knew where my office was?"

"I asked around"

She starts to say something but changes her mind instead,she picks up the telephone on her desk,pressing the number nine. Just might have a great start to my day.