Second chances

Chapter eleven : loner

It was a dream!
I had noticed that Charles and I had drifted apart while we were sleeping. I focused my eyes on the space between on us and a memory came from that.

Flashback ***
(Clears throat)
Ummmm, are you comfortable?  Do you want me to get you anything?  I could call room service"Charles asked I could tell he was nervous and so was I.

The wedding was a blast and so many of my friends came. Esther danced her heart out at the reception, Grace on the other hand was busy with her child. Mom kept smiling and greeting people with father
We had been talking about my wedding night ever since Charles proposed. I had never been with any man or even dated any one else. Charles leaving me at a young age, brought distrust in men. I never gave anyone a chance, I feared they'd break my heart and leave.  

I got up in my white, transparent nightie and stepped into the bathroom. I picked my phone and dialed Esther's number and thankfully she was awake.

" Bia Vicky why you dey call me, you're supposed to be enjoying your honey moon na ah ah, the thing don finish already? "

"No!  We never even start, esy I'm scared seriously, I've just been staring at Charles for minutes now. I mean I want to touch him but I just feel so nervous and scared. You all told me how your first time was, the pain and all. What if I just freak out and run out, what if... "

I was cut off with " You won't freak out, my fiance was inexperienced, that was why mine was that horrible.  Charles has been with other women right, you told me yourself. I'd like to think he has an experience of some sort. You just have to trust him and trust yourself too. It'll be a bit painful but you will enjoy it. So biko get out of the closet or wherever you are taking this call and run to your man inugo!! "

Okay" I responded,  then exhaled before walking to the mirror to give myself motivation

" this is your night! The best night of your life!!  Get out there and do this shit!!

I walked into the room to find Charles pacing around mumbling words, that he'd probably be rehearsing to me.

Charles! 
He was startled when he heard my voice, but he walked up to me and stared into my eyes. As if he was telling me that, it'll be fine. I saw so many things in his eyes;fear, love, assurance but as soon as his lips touched mine all I could think of was letting him love me.

Reality**
I buried my face in my hands upon remembering that. That was so embarrassing. My mind flew to my dream once again and the urge to discover the truth was awakened.

Did Charles sleep with Esther?  She was like a best friend or something to me. I got up went to the kitchen to get snacks for myself.

I headed back to the room as soon as I had finished with what I was getting. The clock in the living room made a sound as to notify one of the time.
it was 3am in the morning, from the ringing sound.

I got to the room and Charles was not there, I checked the bathroom and he wasnt there either. I quickly rushed down to the living room but he was not there. He was not in the guest rooms neither was he in the kitchen.

I walked to christy's room with so much fear, I knew Charles had started sleep walking again.
I saw him seated in front of Christy's room just staring at the door. I quickly scooched to his side and sat down. I placed his hand in mine and he looked at me like I was a stranger but still kept quiet. We kept staring at her door till he fell asleep and rested his head on my shoulder.

My past was a huge mystery but so was Charles.
At exactly 5am Christy opened her door and was very much surprised to see us sleeping on the floor.

She woke me  up and she wore a puzzled look on her face.
Mom, o gini meziri? "
I only stood up, stretched and woke Charles.
He was shocked to see where he was, as was my daughter but I told them that I'll explain everything later.

Charles and I spoke about my job as he prepared for work. He agreed to my resuming even though he was against it.

I decided that I was going to resume that morning, it was an advertisement agency and I was directed to my office by a security man who was shocked yet happy to see me. They must have heard about the accident.

I walked into the office hoping it would be just my seat in it. But I was surprised to see seven more seats and tables. The occupants threw greetings at me like they were not too happy to see me. The last woman was facing the wall, she dug her hand into the butt, and started pulling her undergarment out. It must have brought her a great deal of discomfort if she had to do that in front of many people. When she finished she turned to face me with a big smile plastered on her face.

"Vicky you're back! " she gestured for a handshake with the same hand which she had used in her little exercise.

I scanned the hand not knowing if I should shake it or not, I quickly wrapped my hands around her in a brief hug. It was better than shaking her.

My eyes traced the tag on her shirt and her name was bodily written. Mrs Onyekachi Desmond Staff.
" Onyi how are you? " I enquired trying so hard to hide the fact that I didn't remember her.
She smiled at me and sat down.

"Vicky you have changed oo, you look beautiful, you even hugged me!! Hehe he! What has gotten into you. You used to  always walk into this office carrying face like okwa (a bird). You'll only speak to people when spoken to. At a point everyone stopped talking to you, but you weren't even bothered. So the lone wolf has finally decided to join the pack"

I only smiled at her history lesson which was quite helpful because I now understood why the other staff, barely spoke to me when I walked in.

Onyi, I need to speak with the boss now, is he around? "

We have a new boss now ooh, I think he's around, his office is the last one to the right. Make sure you have a good reason for going there oh. He's  very rude"

Ok thanks, I left our office and headed to where I was supposed to meet the boss. I could hear whispers from so many people and their eyes would linger on me.

"I thought they said she died, eche m n'onwuru anwu" I heard one person say

" this is a Miracle, she looks good o" the other voice replied

" I think she lied and faked the accident, her coworkers say she's evil and mean"

I didn't quite understand how they could pretend to be whispering when I could hear everything.

I was almost at the door when I saw someone who looked like Grace from my dream walk out of the boss's office. I froze and looked even harder at the lady to be sure, She noticed me staring and took the other way out. I went after her, hoping to stop her and talk to her. But by the time I was downstairs, she could no longer be found.

Was I hallucinating?  Or was it Grace that I just saw.

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A/N:I have no idea how this chapter came out, but I do hope you enjoy.
Vicky's nightmares are becoming real!!!