By the ti I arrived in front of my apartnt building, the sun was absent and the sky had darkened, clouds gathering with the promise of a downpour.
Switching off the engine, I rolled my shoulder and turned to Nadia, who had a bottle of milk in her hand and was sipping from a straw.
"I see you like it."
Scrunching her face, my prideful secretary looked away but mumbled a yes.
"Good."
Before going ho, I had decided to take my Nadia to lunch and stuff her belly. Of course, she was against the idea, but unfortunately for her, I was the boss.
"You'll be going to school tomorrow, right?"
"Yes."
"Good. I've been in contact with Sade over the past weeks. She's been quite willing to help mitigate the damage from your absence. I told her you were on a business trip."
"Oh. I didn't expect that."
Nadia went silent for seconds, pondering her next words before speaking.
"I can't say much since there is no precedent, but Sade seems to find you quite favorable."
"Favorable? Is that the best word you can use?"
"When it cos to Sade, yes. Her mind works in mysterious ways."
"Okay. How is she feeling now? She was quite grumpy the last ti we spoke. I thought it was her period, but thinking on it now, perhaps it was just the last feelings of grief causing her to lash out."
"Grief?" Nadia looked at , confused.
"Her cousin Rita."
There was silence in the car for a while as both Nadia and I stared at each other, realizations echoing in our minds.
"She has no cousin, does she?"
"No," Nadia replied, looking away, and I shook my head.
"Don't tell her anything about this. Is that clear?"
"Yes, but what are you going to do?" Nadia quickly looked back at .
"Nothing," I shrugged.
"I'm sure there's a good explanation for why she would tell you she lost her cousin," Nadia offered.
"Why are you speaking like I'm going to hunt her or do sothing unreasonable? It's just a lie. It's not like she's obligated to tell the truth."
Having nothing to say, Nadia slowly nodded, and I chuckled as I got out of the car.
Moving back to the driver's seat, Nadia gave one last look, her expression complicated, and then she started the engine.
Waving at her, I watched her drive away, and then I turned and headed into the tall structure behind , not once pondering what I had just learned.
"Perhaps I should buy this building."
There was no monetary reason behind the idea other than feeling nostalgic, and minutes later when I got up to Martha's floor, I paused.
"Echo."
My expression slightly tightened, my brows raising as I found the apartnt empty—neither the mother nor daughter present.
"No need to hurry the chaos."
Shaking my head, I climbed up the stairs, and when I reached my apartnt door and looked at the door after mine, my heart tightened and I was hit with a wave of weakness.
I felt like turning around and heading for the airport but suppressing the anxiety in , I unlocked my door and went in.
Just as Denise said, my apartnt was clean and free of dust. Everything was set in order, and even my dirty laundry had been done.
The thought of Martha ca to mind, and walking toward my bed, I did away with my clothes and collapsed on it.
I had slept multiple tis since I was last in this apartnt, but at the mont, all my struggles seed to pour back into —and in no ti, I was fast asleep.
I don't know how long I slept, but when my eyes flickered open, there was a heavy downpour happening outside, and my phone—back on my desk—was ringing.
Which of the two woke ,I did not know, but the phone did earn my ire.
Several pops resounded through my body as I got off the bed, and I groaned as I headed for my desk.
"Speak of the devil."
Tooon!!
"Hello."
"Hello."
"..."
"You sound relieved."
"I am relieved."
"Why are you relieved?"
"Nadia told you're back. Will you be coming to school tomorrow?"
"You haven't answered my question."
"You haven't answered mine."
"..."
"Why did you call if you're just going to be a hard-ass?"
"My ass is not hard."
"Says who?"
"Says ."
"We can't be sure—that's just your biased opinion. I'll need to check it to be sure."
"I don't need your opinion. And besides, Nadia has checked and she agrees with ."
"She's your friend—she's biased."
"..."
"I'm relieved you're back safe and sound."
For this sentence, Sade's voice was soft and full of care, and my mind couldn't help but go to the gutters.
"Thanks."
"So will you co to school tomorrow?"
"I will. Anything special happening?"
"Yeah. There are happenings you need to catch up on.
Also, we have a test today, and at first, my thought was to have the lecturer give you a pass, but I think it's better if you co to school real early and I help you prepare for it."
Taking the phone away from my ear, I looked at the na of the caller with squinted eyes and then brought it back close.
"When did you beco so caring?"
"Maybe Nadia didn't tell you this, but you've missed two tests and have four more scheduled to take place within the next four days.
Do you want kind or an?"
"Depends where we are, pretty."
"Will you be coming?"
"Yeah, sure."
"We'll et at the library by 5:00 a.m."
"That's early," I muttered, but Sade didn't entertain my comnt.
"Bye."
"Bye," I said to a call that had already ended.
Placing my phone back on the table, I turned back to my room, idly observing it.
I looked at the kitchen after, then stared at the window—and in the end, gave up.
There was a little hunger in , but nothing beat sleeping while it rained.
I dived under the covers with a smile, going to Wonderland in the space of seconds.
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