"Great now that you are here"
I heard Stephanie my colleague say just after stepping inside my department. The queen of fresh gossip.
"Why? What's wrong?" I asked with a bored expression. It never quiets down in the office.
"Big news!" She gushed leading me to my chair.
"What is it?" I asked after putting my drawings on my table before focusing on her.
"Mr Emule... The big boss of our company, Chose this to be his headquarters!" Exclaimed Stephanie and I swear to the almighty I didn't know how to react to that. Like, am I supposed to gasp in shock at the moment?.
"Which is absurd if you ask me, He got like three big hotels in this city alone, why hide himself in this hell hole?" Stephanie continued with an
"Rich people are just stupid" Said Frankie with a shrug. You can say she's my desk mate with how our office chambers were. Freedom my foot. There was no privacy!.
"First of all, this is my chamber box and whatever the shit you were spewing here is none of my business. I'm paid to design maps not gossip around and lastly, don't let the extension trip you on your way out" I reprimanded coldly making the office go silent for a few seconds.
"Geez, such a serious person we got for a newbie, don't you think so, Hans?" Asked some guy whose office box was opposite me. The guy didn't like from the first day I arrived there.
"I heard he was working from the company's branch in H country. Is our country about to get rich?"Hans asked thoughtfully.
"Why?" Asked Stephanie curiously.
"I mean the billionaire is relocating here and... that guy, I don't know why but, he looks like an opportunist" Hans explained with a shrug.
"Are you ever gonna stop talking and start your actual work?" I had to ask because they were distracting me on mine and that was not okay.
"See you at lunch time, guys" Stephanie waved goodbye at me and the others before getting to her seat and got busy followed by the rest.
Such busybodies. Talking about my sweetheart in front of me, how dare them!.
The rest of my morning went by without a hitch, I had like three orders of customized designs on demand so, once I got in my working mode I couldn't think of anything else till I saw a lunch box on my table and the owner's hand blocking the computer's screen.
"What a hardworking person you are" The owner snickered and I scoffed.
"If it isn't Regan, what brought you here?" I asked, saving my work before folding my hands on my chest.
"Is it fun for you?" Asked Regan seriously after he took Frankie's chair.
"Hi to you too by the way and say directly what you want to say, I'm quite busy" I said with a raised brow silently urging him to fasten whatever the shit he came to do.
"Was it fun reducing me to be your food delivery guy?" Asked Regan with clenched teeth. I could detect his hurt underneath.
"You should actually take that as a promotion in my opinion. Now that the food is here I need to take a picture of it to show it to Damon right now. He was the one who sent it, right?" I asked while opening the container.
"I really don't get it, why you? You don't even love him like I do. You're just one big wicked weakness on his side. You're always pushing him to the edge of a knife... Is this what they always say that people are suckers for pain?" Asked Regan bitterly.
"I don't know about the lot out there because it's obvious they are them and I'm me. But for me? I only understand my pleasure. Next question before I take the picture of the food?" I asked impatiently. I didn't know I was starving untill I smelled the food.
"You're so freaking selfish! All I hope is for him to open his eyes before it all blows up to his face sooner than later" Said Regan calming his nerves and failing miserably. He's not good at hiding his emotions.
"Regan dear, I really didn't want to know earlier but, now I'm curious... Do you happen to take a like at me too?" I asked, batting my eyelashes at him cutely.
"Shameless! Who can like a cross-dressing freak like you?" Bursted out Regan, blushing profusely making me want to laugh at that but, who would've known there would be people returning from the cafeteria at that time?.
"Cross_" That was Frankie who seemed to freeze on the spot.
"You cross-dress, Mr Sybil" Mocked Hans with a raised eyebrow.
"Are you...?!" Trailed off Frankie who was apparently finding it hard to connect the dots.
"Guys, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen who are present here and those who'll know this through gossips later on... I, Anderson Sybil, am gay and I fucking love to cross-dress and I look great either with or without the make up, thank you" I declared boldly with my chest puffed up after I stood up to make that statement.
"Any comments, likes... Because I know there's gonna be so much to share to your friends and families" I asked boldly before taking my seat with a warm professional smile on my face.
"Gay? Oh my first crush!". Sobbed Stephanie in George's embrace.
"Such a sinner may the Lord help him find the right path" Prayed Frankie who sat to a nearby table because her legs went jelly.
"Hush it. Remember the no discrimination policy, this could get you fired!"Stephanie reminded her in panic.
"Who would've thought? All the self-righteous talk this morning who knew he's bent every night? And cross-dress? That's sick man" Commented Hans with a snicker.
"Maybe this was the reason why he was transferred here to our office" Thought Stephanie eyeing me weirdly.
"WOW, people can really say what kills..." I said casually eyes on Regan. Was I angry at him? No. I was grateful. Really grateful.
Since returning to the country. I never felt like I belonged untill then, when I told them what I thought should be kept a secret because of my fear to their reactions forgetting that one can only attract pure if he's pure to begin with.
Since, I don't deserve fake ass friends nor those half love/hate givers. I was the new me. And I was glad to cement that shit with my grand office coming out. All the thanks going to the furious looking Regan looking straight at me.
"It's work time now. Focus on your work guys before someone gets fired for not bringing profit to the company" I remained my awesome colleagues humbly as they were still caught up on my affair and I could see our manager coming. Fast.
"I miss you already" I said sarcastically with a plastic smile on my face to Regan.
"This is not over" He said standing up to leave.
"No, I agree. How about we meet this weekend? I'm kind of booked this week" I said leading him out.
"Well, I guess this is why I love being my own boss!" He said with a smirk.
"Good for you, Regan dear but..., You need to know that I'm not you. I can't lead nor am I decisive and that's okay by me. I like this" I replied with a bored tone and blank face but, I wasn't lying. I wasn't born a leader.
"There's my Mr money magnet! God, you're so good at what you do! Can I adopt you?" Came my manager's booming voice. He was so great in motivation speeches those kind that makes you want to push yourself harder and make him proud.
"Sorry, I already got three fathers in my life with a Godfather included" I replied blankly making him laugh that rich laugh of his.
"Why can't these people be like you for a change?!" He used a rhetorical question to make them feel shame.
"Don't make us hate each other, boss" I said humbly before my eyes met Regan who was still standing next to my boss.
"Oh boss this is my good friend Regan..." I introduced pointing at Regan.
"But, we don't hire at the moment or you got someone to eliminate in the office?" Asked the boss feigning seriousness.
"Don't use your father jokes on me" I said as I huffed a laughed.
"Welcome to our department dear friend of Anderson, Mr Regan" My manager welcomed Regan with a firm handshake.
"Thank you. Until next time, dear friend" Regan replied to the boss before he turned to me with a meaningful gaze.
"Any problems between you two?" Asked the manager after Regan left us at the door.
"No. What's life without the dramas, you get what I'm saying?" I said dismissively.
"Youths and their problems. Okay, listen up guys... For once since I became your manager and mind you that it was twelve years ago that, we made progress in our profit ratings this month and it's all thanks to Mr Sybil's hard work here. Give him your warm applause, since I'm taking you guys out tonight because of him" Shouted the manager before applause was heard around the office.
"About the food...?" Asked George our very own free boat expert. He would rather starve just to make you broke in any outings.
"I'll only order salad if you don't want it. You're free to buy us good meat Mr Golden but, the alcohol is on me!" Replied the manager making the office erupt with another round of applause while laughing.
"Now, go back to work!" Shouted the manager jovially before he walked to his enclosed office.
I could see the change in expression and attitudes of my coworkers towards me. I was not used to that and I didn't know that it'd hurt the way it did since I was sure I didn't need nor wished for their opinion on how to live my life but, I still felt hurt. I felt wronged.
I lived for three years with someone who was always physical on me for being myself and I lived. But, why did a bunch of strangers made me feel so low?.