CHAPTER 11: MY FRIEND IS NOT MY FRIEND

MY FRIEND IS NOT MY FRIEND

In Capital Q

A lady in her mid-twenties was lying down flat on a flat board, two masseuses were busy applying scented oils and perfumes on her supple body, they were gently massaging her body.

The woman's blond hair was packed in a bun, so it wouldn't interfere with the massage.

Anne closed her eyes in pleasure as she enjoyed the feel of their skillful hands on her skin, she groaned into the pillow as she pressed her face into the white pillow.

She was lost in ecstasy until one of the masseuses kneaded her shoulders tightly and she cried out, "Ouch! Careful," she said.

The masseuse wasn't feeling remorse about it at all, her aged face was stoic and she narrowed her brown eyes at Anne, "Aren't you going to work today?" The woman said.

Anne blinked her eyes in shock, "Mom, how did you get here and why are you dressed in a masseuse uniform? She asked in surprise.

The woman frowned her face in confusion, she was wondering if her daughter was going nuts.

She inhaled harshly, "Anne, will you wake up from there? She shouted.

Anne got up too quickly from the bed, she almost tumbled out from the bed, her forehead hitting the edge of the bed.

She stood up from her position beside the bed, rubbing her sore forehead, "Mom, why! You ruined a wonderful dream for me," she murmured under her breath, not happy with the way her mother interrupted her dream.

The woman looked at her daughter, she was clearly losing her senses and soon enough, it would be her job, she thought to herself "Anne, you are still in bed sleeping by this time when your colleagues are already in the office working," she said sternly.

Anne looked at the clock and gasped in surprise, her eyes widened in fear, "oh my god!" She exclaimed and ran to the bathroom in haste.

The woman looked at her daughter's flighting form and chuckled to herself, "Anne, this girl," she muttered beneath her breath and laughed softly in amusement.

She left the room.

Anne went out of the bathroom and hurried to the wardrobe to bring a white shirt, pink trousers, and her signature glasses.

She packed her hair into a ponytail style, she used a pink hair band to tie the tip, she wasn't a fan of makeup, she softly applied a red lip gloss, and she was ready for the day.

Her cat was on the bed, his black and white furs were glistening as he sat in the middle, he was licking his paws, she called him Mr. Pringles.

She faced her cat, "We women are beautiful with or without makeup, I am naturally beautiful," she pep-talked herself, Mr. Pringles meowed in reply and kept on cleaning himself.

Lately, she had been feeling down, having issues with her workplace, and was having issues with her self-esteem, she was trying to boost her confidence.

She put on her bracelet, kissed Mr. Pringles, and walked out of her room, she went downstairs.

Her mother had prepared breakfast for her, she didn't want her mother to feel bad and she was so hungry, she ate the pancakes and maple syrup in a rush.

She groaned in fulfillment, her stomach was happy, and the meal was tasty, she kissed her mother goodbye and rushed to her depilated car, she switched on the engine and drove away.

She didn't go far anyway, the car stopped in the middle of the road, she tried to get the car moving but it was knocked out completely.

"Come on move, you bloody car," She pressed on the brake, but it didn't budge, she knew there was nothing she could do, you won't blame the car, it was an old car that her late grand-aunt used in the past then handed it to her before she passed away, the 1980s ford model.

But she wasn't ready to let it go, she had bills to pay, and adding a new car to buy on top of that list terrified Anne.

She needed professional help for her car, "I need to save up for my apartment, so please don't misbehave," she said and dialed the mechanic service number to pick up the car and also work on the car.

She quickly hailed a taxi, she told the driver her destination and he zoomed away, he finally stopped in a parking lot and she alighted and paid him, he thanked her.

She walked briskly into the building, she was working in one of the branches for ASTRO World games in Capital Q.

Her heart was pounding, this wasn't the first time she was coming late to work and she knew she was going to pay the consequences soon.

"You are so late today Anne, what's happened?" Tina said in a singsong voice, drawing people's attention to herself not that she cared.

"How is life treating you? You look very Anny today, I would say radiantly ugly," she said looking at Anne from head to toe, she thought Anne looked funny with her white shirt and pink trousers coupled with the round glasses, it made her look like a nerd.

Anne rolled her eyes at Tina, not happy that the first person to greet her at work was Tina, it was like Tina was hell-bent on making her a Laughingstock in the office.

" It's high time Mrs. Franscera kick your arse out of this place, such a pity that she has to keep up with your Poor arse, Poor Anne," she pouted her lips childishly, mocking Anne.

Anne wasn't ready for any long talk with Tina, Mrs Franscera had always had a soft spot for Anne, and although she was the head of the branch, it made people envious of Anne.

She knew Tina just wanted trouble.

"Anne," she heard her name and stiffened in fear, it was the voice of Madam Franscera and she wasn't looking happy to see her.

A woman in her early forties was dressed in grey pants and a white shirt that was tucked in, she looked calm and collected but if one could check her eyes, it was blazing with fury.

"Mrs Franscera, good morning, how was your day?" Anne said awkwardly, Tina sensed the tension in the air and she knew that Anne was in trouble, she was watching in glee hoping for what would be happy.

But she was disappointed.

"Anne in my office now," she said sternly, she knew that Tina was a gossip and her ears were itchy for any new gist.

Anne followed her meekly like a lamb sent away to be slaughtered, her steps were slow and dragged.

They entered her office, which was elegantly designed to suit Mrs. Franscera's steps.

She sat on the chair offered to her by her superior, Mrs Franscera sighed and handed her an envelope.

Anne opened it and read the letter, her face fell immediately, "work as a secretary for Mr Richmond Ashvery? She raised her eyes to look at Madam Franscera in sadness, "I can't be a secretary.

According to the rumors she heard concerning Mr. Richmond, he is young, rich, and has everything in life. He is handsome, they said he has a killer smile and a burning gaze that could pierce the strongest of hearts but he had a shortcoming, all his secretaries quit within three months for no reason whatsoever and after they leave, they aren't able to find other jobs because he blacklisted them all, he was highly connected and powerful.

Anne's future wasn't looking so bright and was afraid for her future.

Mrs. Franscera sighed sadly, she had always loved Anne even though she always came late to work and was clumsy but there was something she loved about Anne, she was a hard-working person and had a love for people, she had a good personality that made people fall in love with her.

She hated for Anne to leave but the matter wasn't in her hands at all.

It's not in my hands Anne, the boss specifically asked for you, he wants you to work in the main office, everything has been arranged for your arrival from your flight to your accomodations, it has been taken care of, you can leave now."

Anne resignedly stood up from the chair, knowing her future was doomed.

Anne left the the office, her eyes filled with unshed tears, it was as if the universe was against her.

Anne sat in a corner, her mind was in turmoil.

Her colleague at work was passing by, holding a faulty laptop in her hands, she was going to the store room when she noticed Anne sitting in a corner, her face was looking down and moody, she walked up to her"What's up baby girl? She asked.

Anne heard the question and knew it was her friend Rosa, but she didn't raise her head to look at her friend, her eyes were still facing the ground, she couldn't talk but she gave her friend the envelope to go through.

Rosa went through it and a small smile appeared on her face, Although she didn't like Anne she had to pretend to be Anne's friend so she could get close to Mrs Franscera.

She was jealous of the closeness Anne shared with Mrs. Franscera, It was not news in the company that Mrs. Franscera favours Anne, even though Anne came late Madam Franscera wouldn't scold her at all instead she would smile at Anne and Rosa wanted Mrs. Franscera to like her like that, Mrs Franscera was the superior in the branch, she was respected by all even by Mr Richmond himself.

"I am going to be Mr. Richmond's secretary and in three months, I will be jobless. We all know Mr. Richmond and his reputation, I don't know what to do anymore," Anne raised her face to her friend, tears falling like raindrops from her eyes.

Rosa felt a little pity for her friend but envy pushed it away replacing it with more envy, "Don't be sad my friend, take it as your lot, Mr. Richmond specifically asked for you," she said patting Anne's back, wondering why Mr Richmond asked for Anne when they were better and qualified people out there, "what does people see in her anyway that makes them like her, but it doesn't matter, she will be fired within three months," she thought to herself as she grinned evily as she kept on patting on Anne's back.

Tina was already eavesdropping on their conversation when she saw Rosa walking up to Anne, she quickly hid herself to get the latest gossip.

She saw all the small smiles Rosa was displaying, she had always known that Rosa was a pretender and was only using Anne for her gain.

Rosa was already getting tired of Anne's tears and couldn't wait for her to leave, she rolled her eyebrows, "It's not the end of the world, there is nobody that can cope with a person like you," she said coyly.

"I am sure you will be able to cope with him, you are strong and I am sure you will be okay," Rosa said.

Tina could not hold it anymore, she had always acted badly towards Anne and made sure Anne knew about it but Rosa was a snake and a cunning one for that matter, she knew that Rosa had always been using Anne.

Anne was crying and was feeling bad, Rosa was supposed to sympathize with her knowing she was going to lose her job in three months but instead, she was making disgustful expressions towards her friend.

She has to expose Rosa and show Anne that her friend is the worst, it will be my parting gift to her, she thought to herself.

She coughed loudly and started laughing, making Anne and Rosa turn their heads to look at the person making such sounds, she came out from her hiding place in the corner.

"I was listening to you guys' discussion, I am happy you are leaving no doubt but do you know who will be the happiest of us all? Tina said laughing, she pointed her hands to Rosa.

"Do you know that your friend Rosa has always been using you to climb in this company, she sees you as her meal ticket and tries to get close to Mrs Franscera using you, she doesn't like you and I watched as she smiled when you were crying," she paused and shook her head.

"Honestly, I don't like you Anne but I don't pretend, I show you my real colors, but Rosa here is not a friend but your enemy, if you don't want to believe me, it's fine," Tina said and started walking away, Anne's mouth fell in disappointment.

Tina was everything but a liar, she had worked with Tina for almost two years now and had never seen Tina lie once.

Tina turned her back and gave Anne her best smile, "Oh! I heard Mr. Richmond is the worst human being to work for, he is annoying, overly sensitive, and gets angry over little things. Congratulations on your new job Anne, hope you get sacked within three months of working for him," she walked away, having done what she wanted to do.

Anne and Rosa stood in total silence before Anne decided to break the ice, "why? She asked simply.

Rosa scoffed, "Oh please save those sentiments for someone else," she looked at Anne with hatred in her eyes that made Anne surprised, "You are so pathetic yet everyone likes you, I have been working here for five years, I couldn't talk to Mrs. Franscera but within a month of you working here, she became your bestie, maybe it's time you leave, you bitch!" She spat out in spite, her eyes crazed.

Anne was seeing the true side of her friend, the hateful side and it looked really ugly on her, "no need to get all rabies on me, I will be leaving soon, so you can get all lovey-dovey with Mrs. Franscera, but I am sure she won't like an ugly person like you, you disgust me Rosa," Anne said, looking at Rosa as if she was a disgusting creature she couldn't wait get away from.

Rosa's face became more uglier as her frown deepened, Anne saw it as a waste of time to keep on talking to Rosa and walked away, leaving Rosa behind.

Anne lay on her bed, she pulled the bed cover over her body, covering her from head to toe, her eyes were swollen from crying and her nose reddened from sniffing, her mom was beside her patting her back, drawing invisible circles on her back, Anne felt comforted.

Mrs. Mccody's face was filled with compassion for her child, when Anne showed the letter to her, she felt worried for Anne's sake, "You can't quit your job like that," she said softly.

Anne pushed the cover from her face to her waist and sat up, "Mom, you don't understand, I will soon lose my job, it is just a matter of time, in a few months from now I will be jobless," Anne said, tears were glistening on her eyes.

Her mother smiled and held Anne's hands and said, "No sweetie, there is always a purpose for everything, don't see it as an obstacle Anne, see it as a challenge, it is a fight that you and only you can fight."

Anne became confused by her mother's words.

The woman laughed softly, "I will tell you a story,"

"A slave girl was caught trying to escape from her master, they made little cuts on her skin to draw out blood before throwing her into a deep pit filled with a hungry lioness and her two cubs. She screamed for mercy but no one heeded her pleas, Everyone thought she was going to die, so they left her there sad and scared for her life.

She decided to stop begging and accepted her fate, if I perish let me perish, she told herself submitting herself wholly to her fate, and closed her eyes.

She waited and waited, but nothing was coming to attack her, she heard a groan and opened her eyes, she saw the lioness groaning in pain, her left leg was badly injured and maggots were already coming out from the injury.

The lioness was gradually losing her life but she didn't want to die when her cubs were still in captivity, do you know what happened after that?" She asked Anne.

"The lioness died and the slave girl killed the two cubs and escaped the pit and lived a long and beautiful life," Anne said and winked at her mom.

The woman sighed and continued telling her story, "She made a pact with the lioness to protect the cubs, the slave girl promised to take care of the cub when she was bruised and had nothing to fend for them but she was ready to try her best. She faced her challenges with her head raised high.

Using her last strength, the lioness broke the wall of the cave and the slave girl and the two cubs escaped, while the walls of the cave fell on the lioness killing her on the spot.

The slave girl was now free, she could have sold the cubs for money but she decided to take them to the forest, she stole some knives and other necessities they would use in the journey, and she trained them as hard as she could until they became adults.

When they were ready to leave to make their own families, she gave them her blessings, the two adult lions made sure she was protected and kept her from danger just as she did for them and she lived a long and blissful Life.

The moral of the story? She was brave enough to face her situation, she took her ground, gained her freedom, and also got two children even though they were lions but to her, they were her kids."

"Mom, you and your stories," Anne said and groaned into her pillow.

"Anne, everything has a purpose, even if he fires you or you decide to leave after three months, fine! Fuck it but in that three months, make sure you do your best and leave the rest for God to handle, don't give yourself worries for no reason,"

"I will take care of Pringles, Live your life, Anne, don't let anyone take that from you,"

The woman said and kissed her daughter on the forehead, she left the room afterward.

Somehow Anne felt inspired, her heart became lighter and she slept like a log of wood.