My Precious

SIX

Grace couldn't come up with the person she would really like to work with which made Mr Abba appoint Theresa, Michael and Mr. Jide. Grace was to spearhead the project but Mr Jide in his domineering spirit took over somehow and Theresa pretty much showed no interest at all which made it just three people serious with the project. It was evening by the time the trio finished their meeting on the project and still came up with nothing meaningful. They had a week left. Grace hurriedly packed her bag and left for her car.

"Grace!"

She stopped and turned back.

"I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me." Michael asked and grinned.

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Is he asking me out on a date? She asked herself. She smiled.

"That would be nice." She said.

"Okay? So, I'll come pick you up at your place today." He said excited.

"Yes. Yes." Then it struck her. "No. I can't. I have somewhere to be now and things to handle when I get back home." She said disappointed.

"I'm hurt." He said playfully as he held his left breast. She laughed.

"Stop."

"It's alright. We can do it some other time. I'll take it as my fault I brought it up all of a sudden. What about Friday night?" He said.

"That...sounds great." She said.

"It does? It's a date then."

A date. Awesome.

"Okay. Goodbye."

She waved to him and hopped into her car. She smiled till she got to the orphanage.

"I'm sorry I came late. Work." Grace said to Mother Clara as she handed the baby over to her. She smiled.

"Oh. You owe us nothing. Baby has gotten so used to you that she started crying when you didn't come at the time you used to." She informed her.

Grace smiled and looked at her face, she was giggling.

"I missed you too." Grace said and held her tiny hands.

"How long is the legal processing going to take?" Grace asked facing Mother Clara.

"Don't worry, in three weeks time, the adoption process would be over. After signing the papers and all, you can take her away. Officially yours." She replied. Grace was extremely excited.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Good news."

Mother Clara smiled.
"I hope you won't leave us when you have her?"

"What? No. I have a dedication to the orphans. I didn't tell you this earlier but I'm an orphan. I was at the orphanage home for years. I know the pain of these children." Grace said.

"Oh, I'm sorry dear. God bless you and keep on providing for you. These children needs more than a lot. The government does little, almost nothing. There was a time some NGO came helping but with time, they stopped. It's not as if they don't pity them, there are other factors. It is not what is portrayed that matters but the heart, the motive behind it." She stopped and looked at Grace.

"You have a good heart and I believe you will make a good mother." She said and gave a light pat on Grace's back.

********

Mr. Abba threw the file he was reading on the table. He was angry.

"This is not it! At all. Who even came up with this idea? Who?"
The team was silent.

"I advice you all work your ass out on this. I don't care how many sleepless nights you are going to have to get this project done. I want it done by Tuesday. Final! Now all of you, out of my office." He roared.

"I thought you people have been having a lot of meeting, especially you two." Theresa said navigating her fingers to Grace and Michael. "Or is it not the project you've been meeting up for?"

"Theresa." Mr Jide called. She shrugged.

"Let's meet tomorrow in the conference mini hall by 9 in the morning." Mr Jide said.

"I won't be able to make it. Sir." Grace said and looked away, she sometimes feels shy.

All heads turned to her.

"When did you start getting a life outside this firm?" Theresa asked uncool.

"I have a meeting. Somewhere." Grace said not wanting to reveal what meeting she had, it would ruin her chances of getting off.

"But I will work on it and report back to you. Sir." She said to Mr Jide.

"Okay." He said and walked away.
Theresa looked at her, then turned to Michael.

"If you are bored or you need a friend, find a hobby or go to clubs. Do not get sucked up with this." She pointed to Grace and walked away.

"Ouch!" Grace exclaimed calmly.

"Ignore her. She's just jealous." Michael said slipping his right hand into Grace's. She was shocked at the sudden move but she didn't take her hands away. She loved the feeling she got from holding hands with him. She quickly painted a mental picture of the baby, Michael and herself together. She smiled.

"So, do you have somewhere to be after today's work?" He asked with sarcasm. She laughed.

"Actually, yes." She said plainly. He dropped her hands.

"You are joking." He said.

"No."

"Where do you always have to be?"

"Can you stop that? Please?" She asked politely. He laughed.

"Sorry. C'mon, tell me."

"Somewhere. Just drop it."
He threw his hands up showing surrender.

"I'll call you tonight and I'm also anticipating our date tomorrow night." He said smiling. Grace smiled shyly.

"I am too. See you." She said and drove off.

If this was what love felt like, the joy and all it gives her, Grace was ready to go all the way down this road. She smiled repeatedly and and thanked her stars for having double joy. It felt great, she stopped at a fruit store and bought in bulk various fruit. The children were on her mind, baby was too. Mostly. She greeted the gateman at the orphanage and drove in.

Hello my lovelies. I'm so excited on Grace's date with Michael, who is with me?
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