Lateness can’t be condoned

Claire arrived home very tired and weak, Myles was already asleep when she arrived, she freshened up before collapsing on the bed.

Claire overslept, she woke up hearing the noise outside, she looked beside her and found her son still sleeping, how possible is that?

She quickly took her bath and helped Myles to take his, she had no time to waste, after serving Myles breakfast she sent him downstairs to Em's place but he returned saying that Em had already left,

Claire was confused at that moment, she quickly wore a dress before taking Myles to school

By the time she arrived work, it was fifteen minutes past nine, and normal routine had commenced, she tried sneaking into her office but luck was not on her side.

Jeff came out from the war room which was opposite her office, she stood still while Jeff gazed at her, she looked tattered and dirty, her hair was not neatly packed.

finally Jeff cleared his throat to say something "you are late" Jeff spoke in an authoritative manner "sir I… I … I'm sorry" Jeff studied her physique before speaking again

"I will pardon you because this is your first time, I do condone lateness in my organization, next time you are late, you will be in trouble" Jeff said before taking his leave.

Claire entered her office, she quickly repacked her hair and adjusted her dress, she then went through her phone and found out that Em tried calling her, she breathed in deeply before continuing doing her job.

Claire stomach growled showing that she hadn't eaten anything, lunch was still three hours to come, she tried to fight the urge to eat, she barely couldn't stand it for up to ten minutes, she left to buy some biscuits from the shop

Claire knew it was against the rules to eat during work time but her stomach needed some food, she was lucky enough to sneak the biscuits into her office but the same luck caught up to her when Jeff and McDonald walked into her office without knocking, she was caught red handed

"Don't even try to hide it" Jeff thundered

"Why are you eating during work time?" McDonald asked calmly

"And not just that she was trying to hide it" Jeff said

"Calm down Jeff everything happens for a reason"

"I'm sorry, I was hungry and I decided to…"

"It's okay" McDonald replied

"We're here to tell you that you will be coming with us for a meeting at the Sunrise Flour producing company, so get prepared, like come late again" Jeff said sarcastically.

"No I won't" Claire said, Jeff paused looked at her and said "better for you". She watched her boss and his PA {personal assistant} leave her office.

Her boss was a true definition of arrogance, pride and less regard for the poor, she shaked her head in disapproval, somehow Em was right, money rules the society, people worship money, she hissed and continued filling her forms.

Lunch time soon approached, as usual everyone went about buying what they want to eat, before Claire arrived there was a large queue at the shop she had to wait till her turn, someone tapped her "the boss want to see you" the sanitary personnel said "alright"

'What else have I done, why can't this man leave me alone' Claire asked herself, arriving at the entrance of the building she found Jeff and McDonald "sir you sent for me" " enter the car, we are going somewhere" Jeff replied without even raising up his head

"sir where are we going" McDonald took a quick glance at Claire, no except him had the audacity to ask for the reasons why he is doing something, Jeff looked surprised for a moment but quickly hid it as his hardened face came back.

he looked at Claire, he couldn't understand why he could not get to hate her, she looked very innocent, a single mother, how innocent can she be? he closed his eyes and rested his head on the car, what was this deep sensational feeling he had for her, he had never felt like this before, he couldn't just understand "you will find out when we get there" Jeff finally said before leaving the company, the driver drove to a Chinese restaurant, 'restaurant, why would they be taking me there?’ The driver drove into the parking lot

The trio had a wonderful time together, Claire never knew that Jeff was a very funny man, the two of them walked side by side talking about Asia

"you are really funny" Claire said "outside work" "for me, I think that you are to harsh on your employees" "I want the best"

"nobody wants the worst, I just think it's right to have a more friendly relationship with your employees" "I try to mend my acts" "I really had a great lunch with you" "me too" "why did you go out with me?" "I go out with my previous secretary so you are not going to be an exception, I talk business with them" "oh I see" Claire said "you guys should hurry up it's past lunchtime" McDonald queried. Jeff and Claire finally ended their discussion and went back to the company.