HUMMING ROSE - Episode 7

This episode is dedicated to Dolapo and Fiona... Thanks for your comments and kind words.

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I opened my eyes as I stretched carelessly on my  yawning. It was 7:00am, Sunday morning. I got up, wore my flip flops, picked up my phone and headed to the kitchen. I needed to get breakfast done, and just at the same time; my phone beeped.

"Hey beautiful, can't wait to see you later today".  It was from Dave.

I hissed,  deleting the message as soon as I read through. There were also missed calls from Annie, I dialed her but the call rang out. I just had to call later.

I made scrambled eggs, french fries, toasts, coffee, tea and radish for everyone. As soon as I set up the table, I ran upstairs to call the rest of the family. We made a quick prayer, exchanged morning greetings and sat down to a sumptuous breakfast.

Early this week had been uneventful. We were given a break to help us prepare for our journey ahead to Abuja. Following that, I did my laundry, restocked my cereals and beverages, went shopping as well as made my hair. I was still packing and going through my stuff, when my door flung open.

"Princess, I will really miss you" Bryan said hugging me tightly. I really loved my baby brother so much, and hwarihe this made me weak.

"Hey baby, I would fly back as soon as we're done, okay?" I said tucking him closer.

"Alright princess, just be a good girl, and remember, no boys?" I couldn't help but laugh so hard at this.

"This boy could be silly at times" I thought to myself.

Standing in front of my long mirror, my reflection smiled back at me

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/humming-rose

. I had a really heavy makeup on, a red lipstick and my hair edges were perfectly laid. I wore a short vblac mini skirt exposing my laps to a reasonable extent, a big white polo with an inscription, 'GIRL BOSS'. I started brushing my hair as my heart went to George. I would be seeing him in few hours; our flight was an evening flight but we were instructed to reconvene for a debrief before departure. I was really happy, I couldn't just explain why I was all dolled up, blushing at the thought of him. I just had to make an extra effort to look good; I thought as I smiled mischievously.

Finally, I pulled on black knee-length boots; the type I normally see in American Fashion Magazines; a black leather strap watch and la Vogue shades. 

"Killer look" I thought.

I picked up my airpods, my big brown jacket, my white Christian Dior handbag and my travelling bag.

I was almost close to the airport when my phone rang. It was Annie,

"Hey Annie, what's up doll?" 

"I'm fine Tee, how are you? Sorry I missed your calls earlier"

"No problem, Ann. I'm on my way to the office now. We'd be leaving in few hours"

"Owww... Take care, girlfriend. I'll miss you, have fun...." She shouted

"Thanks Ann. I'll miss you more. My regards to Mike and grandma, major hugs!"

"Bye stunner, go kill them with the latest trends. They won't know what hit them girl."

"Thanks ann. Bye now. Talk to you later" I said laughing...

"Bye..." She replied from the other end.

I had barely ended the call when a text came through. 

"Hey beautiful, meet up at the cafe whenever you get here. I have our tickets with me" 

At that instant, I got pissed. Yes, Dave was being nice and all but I couldn't bring myself to accept that. 

We pulled up in the parking lot and I got down. My driver came through helping me with my bag. We started walking down to my office, I was in front while my driver was coming behind me as he wheeled my bag along. We just climbed the pavement about to start up the stairs into the building when a car started blaring behind us. We didn't look back but the honks and sound became so persistent that we had to turn. I turned around and it was my dad's car!

"Holy cow!" I said shockingly.

"What was he doing here?" I looked at my driver and he shook his head.

I beckoned on a porter to help wheel the bag to my office while my driver ran along. I walked hastily towards the car. Seriously, he was the last person I wanted to see. I was happy earlier on when I learnt from my mom that he drove out when Mom, Bryan and aunt steph we're bidding me goodbyes. We never said our goodbyes and I wasn't even bothered.

"Good day, day" I greeted as the driver wound the glasses down.

"What sort of skirt are you putting on Thelma!?" He thundered ignoring my greetings.

"Are you are aware of where you're coming from? Thank goodness I came here to drop off a colleague just in time to behold your stupidity well orchestrated to the entire universe! Ain't you even ashamed of yourself? You're going for a conference not a fashion show, Thelma! And even your mom turned a blind eye to this? Fine, go ahead but I'll make sure that you and your so-called manager pay dearly for this foolishness, Ojali!!!" He sneered stressing the last statement, as they drove off 

Indeed, I was dumbfounded. My dad never addresses me by my native name unless hesh really furious, and obviously he was. I couldn't even utter a word, I knew I wasn't supposed to wear that but I had to make my statement, for George at least.

"What again has my manager got to do with this too?" I thought to myself as I continued back to my office. My dad has a bad habit of blaming my manager for every single thing I do especially if my work is involved. 

"Hey Thelma" she called out snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Hey Ella" I replied faking a smile.

"You'd be traveling with us right?" I asked absentmindedly.

"Yeah, and gosh, you're looking hot" she pointed out as we both laughed.

I strolled down to my office, anny was off today so there was virtually no one to talk to. I opened my laptop as I continued to edit my presentations. I hadn't done much when my phone started ringing, it was Dave. I ignored the call without blinking an eyelid.

"Tee, ain't you here yet. Get to the boardroom immediately, debriefing is in ten minutes" his text read.

I shook my head in disgust. What a pest!

I took out my mirror and had a good look on myself, severally before picking up my handbag and laptop as I scurried down to the boardroom. The room was almost filled up as I scanned through for an empty seat amidst handshakes and casual greetings.

I had barely sat when someone put a cup of coffee before me. 

"You haven't been replying my messages neither did you return my calls. What's up? You're looking hot babe"

At the mention of babe, I eyed him slowly keeping a straight face, pushed the coffee aside and faced the podium. Dave wasn't even moved, he let out a weak smile, drew his seat and sat beside me.

"My ticket please" I managed to say. He handed it over as I muttered an inaudible 'thanks'. 

I sat pretty scanning the whole room, moving my eyes to and fro as I looked for the only guy whom I made this conscious effort for. Throughout the meeting, I felt uneasy, half of what was said fell literally on deaf ears, I lost concentration to a large extent. I wasn't even listening. Towards the end of it all, I was convinced that he wasn't going to show up, at least for the meeting. 

The whole thing ended and we we all headed to the departure where we waited for our flight. My mind was occupied with a lot and that was when it dawned on me that our manager too was conspicuously absent.

I sat down there when Dave came to me yet again. He sat down beside me crossing his arm over my shoulder.

"What's up babe? You've been unusually cold since today. Any problems, talk to me" he said.

"Excuse me Dave, I'm in no mood for a chitchat right now" I said with a stern look as he withdrew his arm from me and started pressing his phone. I liked that!

I kept on looking out for him until the announcements came through and we were instructed to check in. My mom and sister, Sharon called and we had a heart to heart talk, they bade me well and I promised to call them as soon as we get to our destination.

Soon enough, we started boarding and we all entered one after another taking our seats according to our numbers. I had already taken my seat when I noticed that Dave was to sit next to me. I was frustrated. At that point, I felt like crying. I left immediately to Ella intending to switch positions with her only to find her all coupled and cuddled up with another guy. I felt miserable. This guy was beginning to suffocate me and I knew very well that he did that on purpose.

I had no other option than to sit there. I sat down, pulled my brown jacket over my shoulders when he turned and gave me a mischievous wink.

"Fool!" I murmured.

"Fasten your seatbelts ladies and gents, switch off your devices, we're about taking off" the flight attendants announced.

We did as instructed and before we knew it, we were already flying. That was when my tears finally rolled and I let them flow freely. George wasn't going with us anymore!

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George why? Lol*

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