Chapter 32: Coffee and Cheap Dollar notes.

KIKI.

I rushed out of the cafe, my face flaring up, and managing to balance myself in my heels. Pete saw me rushing towards him with no coffee in hand and wondered what was up, I guess. Well, the expression on his face gave it away.

“What is the matter? There is no coffee?” He asked as I got to him. My face flared up the more. What was I thinking?

That a place as exquisite as this cafe would sell coffee in cheap dollar notes. I must be dumb.

“The amount for the coffee is more than I can afford,” I mumbled lowly, embarrassed. Pete without saying a word reached for his wallet and gave me some dollar notes. I crushed them in my hands, turned around swiftly, and walked back to the cafe to recover from my embarrassing state.

“Good morning,” I said again to the girl at the counter. I would not have been embarrassed if she hadn't laughed at me and called me a low life. Such an idiot.

She peered up at me from what she was doing giving me that cynical eye look. “You are back again.” She pointed out, stylishly eyeing me. “I hope you are not here with one cent?” She mocked me.

I smiled.

“I want to buy a cup of espresso and cappuccino,” I told her, sternly. She didn't take the bait. She started to get my orders while passing me subtle looks.

I looked around the cafe. It barely passed off as a cafe with its large room and finite setting. The tables were adorned with ornamental plants which matched the pink and white theme of the cafe. Only a few early birds were around and they were seated having their coffee or tea or chocolate with their eyes fixed on something. If not their phone then it was their laptop.

Nobody was paying attention to us.

“I hope you have enough dollars to pay for them.” She mumbled and then flashed me a small smile. I ignored her until my orders were ready and she parked them up.

“Thank you,” I told her dropping some notes on the counter. “Feel free to keep the change,” I told her, turned on my heels, and walked out.

Next time, she would watch her tongue before speaking to Kiki Ajayi.

I got into the car and Pete drove off straight for the office. “Thanks. I promise I will refund your money.” I told him.

“It's okay, Kiki.” He replied. He got to the office and I stepped down with my things, hurrying for the elevator. Since it was still very early, many workers had not arrived.

As soon as the elevator dinged that I had arrived at my destination, I rushed out only for my cappuccino to slip out of my hand splashing on my body. My hair framed my face and I struggled to get it off in the mess I had created so I could at least see. I wiped it off, making it wet. I hurriedly bent down to pick, cussing inaudible profanities.

What was I even doing at a job like this? The day had barely started but here I was always having unnecessary hiccups. Jobs like this don't fit my kind of person.

I walked briskly to the boss's office to put down his coffee. I turned the knob slowly and quietly. At first, I stood on my toes to peep into the room to find out if he was in but he wasn't and so, I rushed into the room and placed his coffee on his table.

Just as I turned around to leave hurriedly, I met his eyes and I flinched startled. He was resting on the door frame staring at me. I placed my hand on my chest to even my racing heart, my hair framing my face again. I was starting to get pissed with the hair. But it was all my fault. Why hadn't I packed it again?

“You scared me.” I accused.

“You didn't think I had arrived.” He pointed out nodding at the coffee. I went mute staring at him. Just like always, his outfit was on point. The usual office wears with always a spec of uniqueness attached to it. I love the way his hair touseled over with the gell.

“You are late, Kiki." He deadpanned.

I gulped, nodding slowly. “I'm sorry sir. Such won't happen again.” I apologized. He didn't say anything. He just continued to stare at me.

“And good morning, sir," I mumbled averting my gaze from his.

“You should get that stain off.” He pointed at my blouse, moving out of the way. “Good morning to you too." He added. I nodded and rushed out of his office to clean the stain. It wasn't exactly obvious cos I was putting on a black blouse.

As soon as I walked into my office, my eyes collided with the files upon files on my desk. Seriously? So early in the morning?

I was yet to finish deleting the emails he asked me to delete yesterday. I collapsed on my chair and got to work, starting with the emails. There was so much to do. So much to clear up.

As I worked, the hair kept disturbing me. It was like it was sent to make me mad this morning. Probably gets me frustrated. I reached for it and smoothed it to the back of my hair urging it to stay put. But it wouldn't, I knew.

I went on deleting the emails. Most of it was work personalized. I didn't waste my time checking it out. I just went on deleting them as he had requested. If by any chance I mistakenly delete an important mail, that was his problem. I was only following his orders after all.

The intercom buzzed halfway into my work and I picked it up. “Come to my office right away.” The boss ordered. I rolled my eyes as the intercom went off.

I wondered what the almighty boss wanted again.