My Precious

NINE

Grace paced to and fro the office. She was restless, mostly worried that something might have happened to Michael. She hadn't heard from him since Friday night, she called him countlessly but he didn't answer any of the calls neither did he call back. At a point his phone was switched off and throughout the weekend Grace was worried sick.

"Grace!" Mr Jide snapped at Grace. She shook in shock. "Where is Michael?" He said in whispers.

"I don't know sir. I've tried calling him but he's not answering. Have you called him also?" Grace said almost in panic.

"No." He replied briefly.

"Maybe Grace freak has done her wonders on him and he's trying to avoid her as much as possible, even at the cost of losing his job." Theresa said mockingly.

No one said anything but what she said registered deep in Grace's mind. He could actually be avoiding because she asked if they were dating just because they kissed and shared a brief moment. Still, he shouldn't avoid me to the extent of not showing up with the presentation project.

"Okay. Grace, Theresa. Let's go in and see Mr. Abba. Michael would join us when he is around." Mr Jide ordered and headed for Mr Abba's office. Grace and Theresa followed him.

Grace dreaded what Mr Abba was going to say when he finds out that Michael who was with all the project plan she had worked on has gone AWOL. Mr Abba arranged himself properly on his chair in a more cooperate and official way as they chorused a greeting.

"Good morning." Mr Abba responded. He looked impatient and for some reason he was in a hurry.
"Business of the day. Shoot!" He said unexpectedly. Grace exchanged glances with Mr Jide.

"Uh-" Theresa said clearly lost, they all were but she was more lost.

"What are you waiting for? Give me what you have." Mr Abba roared which made Grace shudder.

Grace was scared. Something made her scared in a way that was unexplainable, she didn't even have the slightest idea why. She looked at Mr Jide, he looked like he already had something planned out without anyone's opinion. He dropped the file he held on Mr Abba's table. Mr Abba wore his glasses and looked through it carefully while Grace continually gave Mr Jide questioning looks. After some moments of silence, Mr Abba applauded.

"This is brilliant but it could be more. I want something exceptional and I know we can get to it. You guys should work further on this. We still have a day or two." He said sounding pleased.

"Thank you sir. We will work on it sir." Mr Jide said sounding more assuring.

"Good. Uh, Mr Michael is no more with us." Mr Abba said as he reclined fully on his chair.

"What?!" Grace exclaimed

"Yes. He resigned. Ambitious little chap." Mr Abba said. "Well, you can all leave now."

"I'm not surprised he quit. I can guess why." Theresa said an earshot away from Grace as they all headed for their desk.

Grace didn't mind her, Theresa was the least of her worries at the moment. Why Michael resigned was still baffling to Grace. He didn't look like he was going to do when they saw last. Grace thought of a few possible reasons but none sounded convincing to her. She took out her phone and dialed his number. It didn't go through. She tried it again and again, it was still the same story. It was weird how no one thought Michael resigning was strange and sudden. She sighed but jumped to her feet few seconds later. Mr Jide tapped her table which made her jump, she wasn't in the present world.

"Are you okay?" He asked a little concerned.

"Yes."

"Well, let's talk about this project. Do you have any other suggestion?"

"Uh, I did but I think this one is great. So let's stick to yours." She said absent mindedly. She knew he would be glad to hear that, he loved his work to be praised.

"Well, then. Tell Theresa to join us at the mini conference room let's discuss this." He said and walked away.

Grace slowly walked to Theresa with a smile on. It's the least she could do to get on her good side.

"Why are you smiling? My desk is not as amusing as yours." Theresa said and Grace turned to the direction of her desk. She was so damn right, her desk was really amusing.

"Mr Jide wants us to meet." Grace said lowly.

"Okay. Whatever." Theresa replied and continued with her previous engagement -her phone.

"Like now. He wants us now." Grace said.

"Ugh, what's your problem. I said okay. You take everything too serious, I can guess why Michael resigned." She dropped her phone and pushed Grace aside as she walked past her.

**********

Friday swept in quickly and still Michael hadn't tried to contact Grace. She tried really hard to get to him, she even got his address from Mr Abba but when she got to his house, she was told no one goes by his name in the house. She was utterly surprised. Everything seemed wrong but yet it felt normal.

Mr Abba and the team were getting ready for the presentation they had all anticipated, they all transported to the venue of the presentation with the company's bus. Most of the companies were there already, the hall was filled with people of different uniform, something to identify each group. Grace's company all dressed in their normal attire, nothing special.

The presentation started few minutes later. Mr. Jide represented their team and delivered their project, it was wonderful. Many people there nodded alongside with him as he spoke, it gave Grace a sense of relief. She had started feeling guilty for not sharing her idea which was brilliant with them earlier but as she observed the look on people's face, she felt satisfied. Mr Abba was still giving Mr Jide a handshake after he returned to his seat for his good flow of presentation when a familiar voice Grace can never shake off rang through the room. She looked away from Mr Abba and Mr Jide and faced the speaker, her mouth went agape. So did Theresa's. Standing at the podium was Michael.

"The orphanage is a home with children in need. This society do not ignore them on purpose but we all have our race to run and the little that the society can do, it does but just think of what happens when a private company steps in-"

Grace had heard enough, her hands were shaking, hot tears were burning her eyes but she tried to keep it in. She was literally unsure of what was going on and what Michael was doing, she excused herself as she ran to the restroom.

Is It my idea Michael is using as his for the firm he is representing? What does it even mean? Does it mean he used me? Is this why he has been avoiding me? Why? She questioned herself as she wiped the tears on her cheek off. She comported herself, she was a soon-to-be-mother now and she shouldn't be seeing crying over what seems untrue.

"What is wrong with you?" Mr Jide asked in whispers.

"Nothing sir." Grace replied as she put on her eye glasses.

"Michael nailed it. His presentation was awesome." Theresa said smiling.

Grace felt cheated. It was her work she should be taking credits for it not the person who used her work without her permission.

After the last team presented their project, they all dispersed. Grace saw Michael talking to some men, she thought to seize this moment to talk to him, at least ask him how he was doing. Ask why he disappeared, ask why he was using her project and taking all the credit for it. She marched towards him.

"Ah, Miss Grace." He said as he smiled.

What Grace? Grace paused.

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