My Precious

TWENTY

Grace walked into the office with all confidence, she smiled courageously as she looked at her soon to be ex-colleagues. Office opens at 8am and this was some minutes past eleven.
Clara hissed as Grace passed her. She stopped and turned to Clara.

'Girl, go and fix your manners. Only then would good people surround you. Who knows if you put your mind and concentration to this job and not other people's business, you may get promoted. Stop hating and get a life.' Grace said and walked away.

Clara's mouth dropped. Girl?

'Grace, I see you are late. Don't take this opportunity for granted. You are lucky you were called back.' Mr Abba said as he relaxed on his chair. He knew his work-lifting saviour has returned.

Grace smiled.

'Thank you Sir for being who you always have to be but maybe your wife haven't told you and besides to make it official.' Grace said and dropped the enveloped letter on his table.

He looked at her and feared something which he cannot see or place his fingers on. He picked the letter, opened it and just read the headline.

'Letter of Resignation? Grace!' He shouted.

'Yes sir. I'll leave now.' She said and walked to the door.
'One more thing. Can you please tell your wife to stay away from me? I beg of you.'

Mr Abba was still in shock.
'Grace.' He said in whispers as she left.

She felt so alive. She sang along with her stereo as she drove. She had another interview by 1pm. She headed there directly, the earlier, the better.

                 *******
Precious was playing with Tina beside Tobi's car when Grace drove into the school compound. She frowned.

'Good afternoon.' Grace greeted him.

'Good afternoon. How was your day?' He asked plainly.

'Fine.' She replied.

'Cool. Precious, your mum is here.' He called Precious who had taken the fun few feet away from the car.

Grace tried to understand the dry vibes she was getting from him. He wasn't himself, he usually had something to say and never stays cold like this to her. And why wasn't he talking about her standing him up? Why was he so cool about it?

'Mummy!' Precious hugged her. 'I invited Uncle Tobi and Tina for dinner on sunday. I hope it is fine?'

Grace looked at Precious angrily but she concealed it. She looked at Tobi who stared at her blankly.

'I'm sure Uncle Tobi would be busy.' Grace said not taking her eyes away from Tobi, he returned the favour.

'It's fine. I'm not busy.'

Precious and Tina danced, then Precious jumped on him. He laughed.

'I'll see you on Sunday, I guess.' She said with a dry smile.

He nodded.
'Bye. Precious, bye.' He said and entered his car, so did Tina after she bid them goodbye.

Grace felt really bad. Why is he acting like everything is cool between them whereas he's putting up an attitude. The drive home was really silent. He's making her feel guilty, if he had said something regarding her standing him up, perhaps, she would have an inkle to the whole issue.

'Mummy, you look so sad. Are you okay?' Precious asked after they had dinner. She went to her side and touched her cheek.

Grace sighed. With all the things going on, she can't be okay. No work, guilty feelings. Everything just seemed tiring. She smiled to Precious.

'Baby, I'm fine.'

'Are you sure? Or is someone bothering you?' Precious pressed on.

'Not at all. I'm fine, really.' She said.

Precious gasped. 'Are you upset I invited Tina and Uncle Tobi without asking you first?'

'Precious, I said I am fine. Gather the clothes you no longer wear. We are going to the orphanage on Saturday, okay?' Grace said dismissively.

'Yes! Okay.' She said and ran to her room.

Grace picked her phone, she replayed the scene from the day. She shook her head, she should have a little more nice. She should apologize. She looked at her phone, searched through it for his number, she dialled it then hanged up immediately. Why was she calling?
She turned on the TV, she paid no attention to it. She went through her mail, nothing exciting. She stood up and went to Precious, she joined her in sorting out the clothes. They did this for an hour, Precious retired to bed as she was tired.

Grace went to her room and paced around. She wanted to talk to him so bad, she wondered if she should call him. Just then her phone rang, she vibrated to the sudden, unexpected call. Tobi. She smiled, something in her rang bells. She took her time before she picked the call.

'Hello.' She said quietly.

'Hi.' He replied from his end.

She closed her eyes tight. Since he called, she can as well seize the moment to apologize.

'I'm sorry.' They said in unison. They paused for a while to process the situation.

They laughed together.

'How have you been?' He asked after they stopped laughing.

'Good and you?'

'Arrrhh, I can't say really but I think I'm good now.' He replied.

'I'm sorry I stood you up. I was just-'

'It's fine. I shouldn't have pressured you. I understand.' He said.

They went silent.

'You were like an Ice king today.' Grace said remembering the way he looked at her. He laughed, she joined him.

'If you don't mind, I'll love to have that lunch with you.' Grace said sweetly.

He was silent, then. 'I'll love that.'

She smiled. 'Tomorrow?'

'Tomorrow.' He confirmed it.

'Okay, goodnight.' She said and hanged up.

She slapped herself. Why was she sounding like a teenage girl who just spoke to her crush. She pinched herself then smiled. She felt good and calm, every part of her found peace. She liked how she felt now just as much as she feared it.

Hello guys!
Bye guys!
🌟