Chapter Sixteen

Vale spent a lot of time with Gideon and I was already hungry, but I couldn't leave the place. It would have been rude of me to do so and so I waited for him.


After waiting for over 45 minutes he shows up with Gideon behind him.

"I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting Arya" vale apologized

"It's fine..."


"Congratulations Arya. You can start tomorrow and Rosie here will lead you"


"Yes sir"


I and vale left the building and just to apologize for keeping me waiting he insisted he takes me for lunch and I was too hungry to say no.


We went to an eatery, it was a beautiful spot. I couldn't wait to order. The waiter came over and took our list and in a few seconds lunch was served.



"Now you have a job will you consider singing part-time"


"The more reason I should not bother doing that"


"You don't have to work for 8 hours. Yes the pay is good but you still need to make more money"


"I'll think about it but for now I want to thank you for making this possible"

"It was nothing. I saw how much you wanted one and I'm glad I could help"

He kept staring at me and it all felt awkward.


"Tell me more about yourself"


"There isn't much to tell. Well, I don't know my parents, stayed in an orphanage all through my life and only got my freedom recently, you know what happened at my old job."


"Yeah ... I am a talent manager and so I travel from place to place looking for great talents to manage and make them stars."


"Now I understand why you insist on me singing"

"Yeah... it's my job to make you understand that you are a star in the making"

"Well thank you but you see this particular topic... I'm not interested"

I was getting pissed at how much he was pushing it and I can tell he noticed my anger then he apologized.

"I did not intentionally plan to make you upset. I promise not to bring this topic up again"


We had the rest of our lunch in silence, when we were done we said goodbyes to each other and then he stopped a taxi for me that took me home.


When I got home I met Jean at home. She was packing her clothes and I was wondering if there was a problem.

"I got a call from home and so I need to go home"


"Hope there is no problem?"

"I'll know when I get there. Please take care of yourself"

"I will, I got a new job as an assistant Receptionist in Latitude group of companies"

"Wow.. that's so amazing. You are so lucky. I applied there several times but didn't get the job. You can only get a job there I'd you have a strong connection."

"Yeah .. so I heard. I wanted us to celebrate it tonight but you're leaving"

"You can still do that with Laurie, I'm sure she will be more than glad to celebrate. I wish I could wait another night but I can't"


"I can't say I understand but I wouldn't want to waste any time, so you go. We can always have another celebration when you get back"


Jean packed all she needed into her suitcase and then I saw her off.


I noticed the Vale was looking at me. He had his eyes all over me, he assessed me most times and when I caught him he took his eyes away.

"Could Rosie be right about what she had said?"

"Was Vale falling for me?"

I didn't want to have to feel indebted more than I already felt.

I'd like to make sure we talked about it the next time we saw it.


"Was singing at the pub a bad idea?"

It wasn't that bad for me. But then I wasn't convinced that it was necessary. I needed to think it through properly before starting it.

There was a knock on the door and before I stood up to open it the knock came again. This time harder and louder.

"I'm coming" I shouted to stop whoever it was from knocking again.


I opened the door to see Laurie, she was in the company of two men. One I recognized to be her boyfriend from the way she cling to him. And the other I didn't know. An introduction with the help I thought.

"Baby and Leon meet my best friend Arya," Laurie said
And I was right he was her boyfriend.
"Arya this is my boyfriend James and his friend Leon"

"Nice to meet you," James said

"Same here"

"She is very beautiful," Leon said

"I told you Leon my friend is a goddess and you'd like her," Laurie said

"Hello... I'm still here" I shouted and they all laughed. They were beginning to talk about me like I was not there.

Laurie excused herself and James leaving I and Leon in the room.

"That was not necessary," I thought


Leon moved closer to where I stood.

"You know m your friend wants us to have time together"

"That's what it looks like"

And the next thing I knew he was holding me by my waist. I was irritated by that act and I pulled away from him immediately.

"Let me go"

"Don't act like you don't know what I want"

"Like hell. I do not know what you want. Stay the hell away from me"


"You act like a child... I hate it" then he slammed the door behind me.

"Ooof.. what a relief... For a second I thought I was going to deal with another Mr. Edwards"


After a while, Laurie came in, she was looking so worried.

"What happened? Leon looked so kissed the moment he came out did you guys argue."


"Well he tried to touch me and I turned him down and he got upset"

"I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have brought him here: was just trying to get you hooked up, didn't know I was doing it the wrong way. Please forgive me"

"Can you please stop? I'm not angry at you."

"Are you sure?"

"Well I was upset at the beginning but not anymore"

I pulled her in for a hug and she hugged me back.

"I'm so sorry for putting you in harm's way. No more matchmaking. I'll bless whoever you bring home"

We both laughed.

"I have good news Laurie"

"Share..."

"I got a new job"


"Really? Where?"

"At latitude group of companies as an assistant receptionist"

"Wow!! That's huge, that's a big one. Congratulations Arya, I've told you that you're one hell of luck, my child"

"Thank you, Laurie and you are also a lucky one"

Laurie got glasses and the drink in the refrigerator and we cheered for the new job. I'd have loved to go out to celebrate but I had work tomorrow. I wanted to sleep early so I'd wake up early and report to work on time.

I didn't want anyone to think I was incompetent. I wanted to bring my A-game. It was unfortunate I couldn't choose my boss this time.