Flowers
Flowers everywhere.
"Why are there Flowers on my desk?" Victoria asked, astonished that the first thing that greeted her on a fresh Friday morning was a bunch of roses and a corky note hung at the side.
'can't you see my heart? it's yours, my love'.
She almost gagged as she was reading that out, how corky.
She hissed and put the flowers, then threw the note in the waste bin.
"It will surely be Tega." she said out loud.
"It is, actually". Chidinma, whose desk was directly next to Victoria's desk said.
"Nice guess, miss, I would have never figured that out". She said, sarcastically. Some people just don't know how to mind their business.
"sorry oh".
Four hours into the day, Victoria was already famished, so she decided to get something to eat. There was a cafe just beside the office building called Kevin's place that had her favourite pastries. They literally tasted like heaven.
"Hey, you're going to get food, right?"Chidinma asked as she was on her way to the cafe.
Victoria was speechless. "How...how...how did you know?"
"Ummm, your stomach wasnt so quiet about it, you know, didn't you have breakfast this morning?" She asked.
"No, I didn't, what's it to you? Mind your business and let's go". Victoria replied.
Chidninma always behaved like she was her mother, nagging her here and there even though there was just a four year gap in their ages. You could describe their relationship as a love hate relationship. Chidinma had, for some reason, taken it upon herself to monitor Victoria and keep her from trouble since she came into the office newly. She looked so young and innocent when she came in, so chidinma just had to protect this baby turtle from the hustle and bustle and corruption of the business world.
Unfortunately, Victoria wasn't having any of it. She just wanted her to mind her business amd leave her alone. They got along a little well though, when she wasn't nagging her and telling her what to do.
"Alright, let's go".
**********************************
"Wow, what a surprise, you actually came!" Rita said excitedly as she opened the door to her house and saw Victoria on the front porch.
"Please, come in". She said, closing the door behind vicky.
"Thanks". Vicky replied, still wondering what had come over her that made her to actually come for the birthday party. Guess she just hated the idea of a broken promise. She had given her word and that was it.
Besides, Rita's abode was a semi detached duplex that was just beside her house and so it was easy to get there.
"The party is taking place in the backyard, please help me set up before the others come, thanks a lot". Rita said and handed Victoria a duster and a bowl of cold water.
Vickt collected the items rather reluctantly. She couldn't believe that not only was she able to come for the party, she also came very early!
Miracles do happen.
"Do you need help with that?" Someone said from behind her as she was dusting the chairs.
She looked back and her eyes met with the glassy brown eyes of a tall, dark, handsome figure wearing a checkered shirt, quite corky. His hands were stretched out towards her to collect the items.
"Umm..thanks? I'm fine." She replied.
"Oh no, please let me help you". He insisted.
"I've told you, don't bother". She replied.
"Well then, I'll ask you this way, can you do me a favour?". He asked.
"A favour?". Vicky asked, dumbfounded. Who was this guy anyways?
"Yes, a favour, apparently, I have a really mean elder sister that said she won't let me taste out of the desserts unless she sees me cleaning, so please, can you do me that favour?"
"Sister? you mean Rita? She's your sister?". Vicky asked, still dumbfounded.
"Yup, that's right". He said.
"Now hand me that duster, miss".
With that, he grabbed the duster from Victoria's hands and continued dusting the chairs. Vicky didn't say anything, she just watched him.
"You do know that I've dusted all the chairs, right?". She said, after a minute.
He glanced at her and glanced back at the chairs.
"Well, that explains a lot".
"Don't worry, I'll just tell your sister that you helped clean". Vicky said.
"Thanks miss, by the way, I'm Frank, you?" He said and extended his hands for an handshake.
Vicky ignored his hands.
"Victoria".She said, and smiled slightly.
"That's a nice name". He said and withdrew his hand, flustered.
"Thanks".She said.
"I'm guessing you are Rita's neighbour that lives next door".
"Yes, I am". She replied.
"Well, I hope you have fun, Victoria.". He said.
"Are you guys done?" Came Rita's voice from the kitchen.
"The children are here already"
"We're done sis!" Frank said and went to meet his sister in the kitchen.
"Where's mimi?" Vicky could hear Frank ask.
She just ignored the whole drama amd went to sit at the back, waiting for the party to be over, done and dusted.