The weekend is over and it's time to go back to the den; Exxon Mobil group of companies. Earlier before that day, Nichole had set her alarm to help her arise early. She always wishes that the weekend never comes to an end. She was also still in suspense of the price she had promised to pay.Quickly,she had brushed her teeth, taken her bath and dashed out of the bathroom while rushing towards her wardrobe. She wouldn't want to incur his wrath. She was yet to handle the ongoing one though.
Her neighbor, Jessica Davidson who saw her rushing out down the stairs in that manner had attempted to stop her. She had shouted,
"why are you in so much hurry,Nikky?Hope you are good?
"Yh, I'm all cool." Nichole had shouted too since she had waved down a cab and zoomed off.
"If only Jessie will understand her merciless predicament." She had thought.
"Well, no need for that, everyone have got their own cross." She had said quietly.
Just as Nichole stepped into the company, she had frozen just by remembering the price she is yet to pay.Quietly,she had walked up the stairs which led to her office. On a second thought, she had decided to stay put, strong and brave notwithstanding what Martino Brown had in stock for her. Few minutes later, the telephone right there on the table started buzzing. At that point, she shivered more but had decided to take hold of herself. She knew who it was.
"MARTINO BROWN,THE BEAST."
"Good day Sir?" She had managed to say.
"Come over to my office this minute."
He replied while at the same time ignoring her greetings. He had switched off the call from his side like he always does. Just as Nichole got to leave her own office, she had hurriedly left for her boss's own.
"What the heck is he up to this time around? What is he really plotting?" She had kept wallowing in her own thoughts.Gently,she had knocked on the door and when the faint response came, she had gently pulled the door open from its handle.
"At your humble service Sir," she had said.
"Take these documents. Ensure that you finish them all. They are the pending office reports. Also ensure that you report them to me once you are done and make sure you do that before you leave the office tonight. Every last one of them." Martino had said even without looking in her direction.Nichole,who was stunned with the pile of documents neatly arranged on each other couldn't believe it yet. It was so clear she wouldn't get to finish the work all by herself tonight.
"But..Sir, these are really too much for me to handle all alone coupled with the fact that I still have to report them to you tonight. Can I at least report them tomorrow or better still get another person,may..be, Tessie to help me out with the work?" Nichole had said still looking worried. Just then,Martino who was busy with his laptop had removed the glasses that were placed comfortably on his eyes and had smirked gently at what Nichole had said.Slowly,he had said to her,
"Miss Lockwood, you promised to pay any price that comes with the mess you riff-raffs of friends pulled out the other day, right?" He had asked while looking into her face in search of a favorable answer to his question.
"Yes Sir, but…," she had attempted to speak but was interrupted by him.
"Then, get to work and stop with the flimsy excuses. I suggest you save this your time and also channel your energy into those. Documents because you won't dare to leave this office if you don't finish them." He had concluded.
Quietly, she had taken the documents with her while attempting to open the door.Ofcourse the documents were heavy that she had dropped them on the closet nearby while in an attempt to open the door. She had carried up the documents and left for her office. Just as she sat down on the office chair, she had let go of herself. The tears which had clouded her eyes had attempted to drop but she had taken control of them.
"You don't let your emotions control you, you control your emotions." She had said to herself.
"You promised to remain strong,Nichole.You have to stay put." She had braced herself up while pulling her laptop and getting to work.
*******
The office clock struck ten that night, its steady ticking echoing through the empty building.Nichole's fingers ached from typing, the glow of her computer screen reflecting the exhaustion etched her on the face. The silence was so heavy; the kind that pressed against her chest and made her feel every second of her punishment. This was the price she had promised to pay. The hours dragged on painfully. One report blurred into another, and the endless rows of figures danced vigorously before her eyes. Her head throbbed, but she kept typing. She had made a promise and wasn't about to break it.At that point, the last of the employees began to leave.Helena,the receptionist had smelt something fishy since she haven't seen Nichole leave the company.Helena,out of concern, had taken the stairs leading to her office and when she got there, she had let herself in as always.
"Oh my goodness! She had exclaimed just as she got into the office.
"He's such a mean… urghh…," she had managed to stop there.
"Careful, he can actually hear you?"Nichole had said to her.
"Wow, what makes out think that he's still around the four corners of this building huh?" Helena had questioned her.
"Wait, so he actually expects me to do this alone while he sleeps away his life?" Nichole had questioned.
"That's Martino Brown for you and I guess he instructed you not to move an inch till you are done with all of this, right?" Helena asked while Nichole gave her fainty nod in affirmation of her question.
"Well, I'm here now Nichole,you can't do all of this alone tonight. It's way too much for you." Helena had said.Nichole gave a weak smile.
"I'll be fine, I made a promise." Helena had frowned at the sound of that.
"A promise to a man who doesn't even know what compassion means? He's cruel, Nichole."
"Maybe," she had replied Helena softly,
"but he listened. My friends are free now, and that's all that matters." Helena signed, clearly torn. She hesitated for a long moment, then quietly sat beside her.
"I really insist on helping you out. Besides, everyone is gone.Mhn?" She had said while looking into her face.Nichole looked up, grateful tears glistening in her tired eyes.
"Thank you, Helena." Then, the two women worked in silence, their keyboards tapping in rhythm. Helena handled the data entry while Nichole crosschecked figures and compiled summaries. It was close to midnight when they finally finished. The last report printed with a soft whirring sound. The stack of papers stood tall-A TESTAMENT TO NICHOLE'S DETERMINATION. Helena leaned back in her chair, yawning.
"It's too late to go home now. The streets won't be safe." Helena had said.
" You're right. I'll just rest here for a while."
"No," Helena said firmly.
"You're not sleeping in this cold office tonight. There's a hotel across the street; Westview suites. I have a friend there who can help us get a room. You'll rest properly tonight."
At first,Nichole hesitated. The idea of spending money she didn't plan for made her uneasy, but Helena's stern look left no room for arguments.
"Fine," she said finally.
"Just for tonight."
*****
The hotel lobby was quiet when they arrived. The marble floors gleamed under soft golden lights. Helena spoke briefly with the receptionist, who handed her a keycard with smile. They took the elevator up to the third floor. The room was modest but comfortable two beds, soft lighting, and the faint scent of lavender. Nichole sank into one of the chairs, finally allowing her body to relax.
"Thank you," she murmured. "For everything." Helena smiled gently.
"It's all good. You would have done same for me." She had said still beaming with smiles.
Nichole nodded, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were red, her hair a mess, and fatigue had turned her normally radiant face,pale.Nichole had tried to sleep but it didn't seem to come easily. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her mind replaying every word, every look from Martino Brown. His face, his voice; the cold authority that never seemed to waver. There was something about him that both infuriated and unsettled her. She turned on her side, pulling the blanket tighter around her. The air conditioning hummed softly, filling the room with white noise.
Tomorrow, she would have to face him again; to deliver the finished work,to endure what ever smug remark he might throw her way.But she would not show her weakness.She couldn't.For now,she had paid the price.But deep down,she knew Martino Brown wasn't done with her.This is nothing but a STARTTTTT.