Chapter 8

I trudged up to the main house, mumbling about how much I would rather be sleeping and than heading to work but being in Alcatraz, the last thing I wanted to do was piss of Hajiya so early into my stay.

I slid the patio door open and walked into the kitchen. The maids were busy preparing breakfast and the smell of fried eggs, potatoes and Hajiya's signature spicy chai tea greeted me. I couldn't help the grin that crept onto my face.

This, I didn' mind.

I exited the kitchen and took a left about to head to Hajiya's room when I heard her voice from the dining room. I made my way over to her. She was seated with a plate of food in front of her, a newspaper in her hand. She looked up as I approached her.

"Good  morning Hajiya" I greeted. She put the newspaper aside and gestured for me to sit.

"Good morning Abba, how was your night at the Chalet? Hope it wasn't dusty? I had the maids clean it out before you arrived."

"It was great, slept like a baby" I replied smiling as a plate of fries and eggs was placed in front of me with a mug of coffee. I took a gulp immediately grimacing at the taste.

Buy coffee!!!

I made a mental note, the brand was either horrible or the maids had no idea how to brew coffee. Either way I was going to get a coffee maker ASAP.

Look at you talking like you have the money

I glared at my food as the thought crossed my mind.

Great, I can't even afford good coffee

"Aren't you hungry?" Hajiya inquired. I cleared my throat before picking up my fork

"I am. I was just lost in thought" I answered taking a bite of the egg.

"When are you heading into work? It's almost 9am"

I held back a groan at the thought of work, my appetite disappearing immediately at the thought of dealing with the people from work.

God... Do I have to?

"Right now." I replied pushing the plate aside and getting up.

"You haven't eaten much"

"I'll get something to go. Don't worry." With that I made my way out of the house to my car.

It's just work... how bad could it be?

****************************

After the initial shock by everyone of me showing up to work, I was seated in my cubicle. I sighed looking at the ton of files in front of me.

"I couldn't believe it when they told me you were in the office. I had to come down and see for myself."

I groaned before swiveling in my chair to Abdul.

"If I didn't know better Abdul, I'd think you're obsessed with me." I smirked.

He scoffed turning beet red before moving away from my cubicle.

I chuckled and turned my attention to the files infront of me.

Not gonna happen

I brought out my phone and decided to go through my messages.

Stacey

Can we talk?

I smirked wondering whether to let her stew a little before replying her.

I switched to Twitter, scrolling through my time line.

"Hey Amaka, do you need help with that?" Abdul's snarky voice floated to my cubicle.

"Y..yeah. I still don't understand this whole system." She explained laughing.

"I could teach you one of these days if you're interested" He suggested making her giggle.

Just make out already

"Just enter the information into the software. It's a lot like using Microsoft Excel, except you have to input this formula."

A loud snort escaped my lips making them turn to me.

"Got something to say?" He asked standing straight. I spied Mr. Adeyemi making his rounds.

Oh, this is going to be so good

"Nope. Nothing at all." I laughed going back to my phone.

"Thought so" Abdul retorted turning back to Amaka. I bit back a laugh as he moved closer to her.

"Just watch the magic"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his statement.

A loud ping signifying an error had been made rang through the office attracting the attention of Mr. Adeyemi.

I bit the back of my hand to stop the laughter that was threatening to escape.

"What is going on here?!!!" He asked as Abdul scrambled to set the computer in order.

"This isn't your post Abdul. How many times do I have to tell you to stop involving yourself in matters that do not concern you?!"

At this point, my shoulders were shaking as I watched the drama happening in front of me.

Abdul stuttered rubbing his neck. Mr Adeyemi turned to Amaka who looked close to tears.

"And you, this is your job, if you can't perform your role in this organisation then you can leave. There are other people eager to take your position yet you are here gallivanting with an assistant." He turned away from her "Call someone from I.T I need this mess fixed immediately." With that he stormed away.

I couldn't hold the laughter anymore, Abdul turned to me, giving me a nasty glare. I raised a brow at him.

"Shouldn't you go kiss your boss' ass, assistant?" he clenched his hands before storming off.

I didn't bother sparing Amaka a glance, served her right. I kicked back and picked up my phone going back to Twitter.

******* ****** ***** ******

After that fiasco, the office got boring. I was tempted to leave but the fear of Hajiya finding out kept me in the office.

The last thing I needed was an earful the moment I got home.

I sighed turning my attention to the heap of files infront of me.

It wouldn't hurt to check.

Nope. Not happening.

I glared at the offending files before turning to the clock, groaning at the time.

That's it. I can't anymore. The boredom is going to kill me.

Hajiya's fury be damned

I dialled Stacey's number and she picked up immediately.

"Hey baby" she giggled.

"Hey" I replied "Are you home?"

"Yeah. Are you coming?"

"Yeah. Be there in 5" I answered hanging up.

I grabbed my car keys and walked out.

I arrived at Stacy apartment. Yeah, you can call me pathetic but she gets me.

I arrived at her place, I still had the key to her apartment and let myself in.

She was seated in the living room, wearing shorts and a shirt... my shirt to be specific.

"I always wandered where that shirt went" I said leaning against the door frame.

"What can I say? I love how it looks on me" she whispered standing and walking towards me, am extra sway in her walk.

I let my eyes wander down her figure.

She ain't wrong about that

She stopped in front of me, biting her lip as she toyed with the hem of my shirt.

"I think this would look better on me" she whispered.

"Oh really?" I murmured placing my hands on her waist.

"Yeah... but do you know what would look best on me?"

"You're going to have to tell me"

She giggled raising to her tip toes, her hot breath hitting my ear.

"Nothing" she whispered.

How predictable

I moved to kiss her when she pulled back.

"Actually... there's something I want to confirm"

I rolled my eyes.

"Can't it wait?"

"No" she giggled moving away from me.

"So a friend of a friend said she heard something from her boyfriend and when I heard it I just knew it couldn't be true. I mean you are Abubakar Abdullah Barde. It just didn't make any sense. So I knew I had to ask you." She babbled.

"Spit it out already" I said impatiently.

"Are you really broke?" She asked. "Did your dad's friend really freeze your account? The news is all over."

Not this again.

I forced a chuckle. "Do I look like someone who is broke?"

"Well... no but there is news going around that you moved to your grandmother house because you were asked to vacate your parents' house since it is part of the company's property." She explained, an expression on her face that almost looked like pity and disgust.

I had to think fast, there was no way I was going to tell her about Yasmin. Hell no. Not in a million years.

"I'm just redecorating and I decided to crash in my grandmother's house. There is nothing there." I defended frowning. "Besides don't people have anything better to do than peer into my life?"

I thought that would bring out some guilt but nope, she was like a vulture that had seen a dying animal. She wasn't about to let up, so much for unwinding.

"Look, I believe you" she started

Lies

"But you need to send a clear message that you still got it. People are talking and it's not pretty" she ended. "Why don't you take me out shopping. I know the perfect place"

I glared at her.

"What?!" She asked. "I'm trying to help your social status"

Fuck you Stacey

"I'll pass" I hissed storming out.

"Your loss" she called out as I slammed the door.

Fuming, I made my way to my car.

Shit shit SHIT!!!

I didn't need this. Not now. I was Abubakar Abdullah Barde, I was a member of the 1%. Brokeness was NOT part of my vocabulary.

Not anymore

The small voice in my head taunted.

I punched the steering wheel before starting the car. I drove home and went to the guest chalet, I needed a drink.

I checked the fridge but there was nothing there. I growled cursing under my breath.

Great... I can't even get drunk

I spied my sleeping pills, tempted to pop a few but I shook my head.

No way in hell. Not after the last time.

I decided to have a shower. That always calmed me down. I felt better when I came out and decided to get some sleep.

*******************************

I walked into the main house after Maghrib and made my way to the dining room.

Hajiya was seated with Yasmin.

"Good evening Ha..." a small body collided with me, I let out a laugh. Stacy's words pushed to the back of my mind.

"Good evening mama na" I whispered scooping her into my arms and walking towards Hajiya.

I settled her down on her seat and sat.

"How was work?" She asked.

"Fine Alhamdulillah." I answered

If only she knew what you did at work.

I pushed the voice back and concentrated on my food. Dinner was a silent affair and I left immediately after.

I sat on my couch and sighed. Stacy's words drifted back to me.

But you need to send a clear message that you still got it. People are talking and it's not pretty.

I groaned tossing my phone to the side. This was all their fault. That girl, Hajiya and Baba Mohammad... especially him. Hell even my parents were at fault. I wouldn't be in this mess because of them.

Go ahead... blame everyone except you. That's all you're good at.

I grabbed my car keys, I needed a drink and a drive to clear my head.

-----------------------------------

Yikes, I would hate to be in Abba's shoes right now.

How do you guys think he is handling the entire fiasco? Let me know in the comment section.

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P.s Ramadan Mubarak to all my Muslim readers. May this be the Best amongst the Best.