Unexpected encounter
I had been begging him to tell me his name since morning, and every time he refused, I either grunted or scratched my head in frustration. I never realized the people around me were taking note of it.
I forgot he wasn't someone you could easily trick into letting out a secret.
Though he claimed he wasn't married, he didn't deny being a gamer. I guessed he was bored and had only me to chat with. I also knew he was a loner.
"Rose, do you mind putting the phone down? Though the Boss was unable to make it, we still have other matters to attend to," Mr. Akin said with a scowl. I had no choice but to obey.
The meeting lasted for over an hour, with many of us pitching ideas on how best to market the product. I didn't say anything—not because I didn't care but because I was more of a field kind of girl. Theory was never my thing.
I could feel multiple vibrations from my phone, and itched to reply to Mysterio's messages. Thankfully, I was back at my desk, so I quickly pulled out my phone. It warmed my heart to see countless messages from him, some quoting Naruto's famous words.
We kept chatting for a long time, and that was how I spent my day.
For some reason, the C.E.O postponed his arrival by a week. We were asked to start marketing the product without waiting for him. That meant I got busier, only chatting with Mysterio at night. He clearly understood.
Whenever I chatted with him, I felt an overwhelming joy. Most of my days were spent in anticipation of our conversations, and my nights were filled with the comfort of chatting with him until I fell asleep.
I learned a few things about him, like his love for good food despite having zero cooking skills. Naruto was his favorite anime, and he reads a lot—not romance novels like most people, but history-related texts. Surprisingly, he doesn't play games; he hates them.
Even though he was incredible, he still refused to tell me his name or where he lived, and I had yet to show him my picture.
"So, you mean this product is good?" a customer asked. She had recently opened her supermarket, and I knew convincing her to stock our product could lead to a long-term partnership if her business succeeded.
"Yes, as you know, we're already a household name. This new product is another innovation, and being one of the first to stock and sell it will definitely benefit you," I said, flashing my warmest smile. It wasn't easy, considering how rude she was being.
"Well, that's true. But how am I supposed to know you're legit?" she asked, her expression skeptical.
Are you blind? Our company car is right outside with the logo plastered all over it, I thought to myself, forcing a polite smile.
"You can check the NAFDAC number, and our company car is parked outside," I replied calmly. She nodded, seemingly appeased.
"Well, let me have a taste," she said. I handed her a sample. Though it's best served chilled, I figured it didn't matter to her.
"Not bad," she admitted after taking a sip.
"Now imagine it chilled," I added, my smile widening.
"Alright, I'll wait for my baby to come over. He also has a say," she said, finishing the rest of the sample.
Her "baby"? I assumed she meant her husband or boyfriend. I'd never called my boyfriend "baby"—well, my ex-boyfriend now. A giggle almost escaped me as I imagined what Mysterio would think if I called him "baby." Why did I even think of that? He wasn't my boyfriend to begin with.
"Will he take long?" I asked, glancing at my watch. I still had other customers to attend to.
"No, he'll be here soon," she replied, checking her wristwatch.
I took a moment to look around the store. It was clearly new, with some shelves still empty. Still, I was impressed—setting this up must have cost a fortune.
"It's not much for now, but my baby and I will make it work," she said, noticing me scanning the place. I smiled at her but couldn't help the twinge of envy creeping in. She seemed so young, maybe younger than me, yet her life appeared so organized and full of promise.
She might have been a little rude, but I found myself wishing her well. Her future looked bright and well-planned. I silently prayed mine would arrive sooner than expected.
I checked the time again—4 PM, just an hour before closing. I doubted I'd be able to finish everything I had planned for today. But I was more eager about the things I will tell Mysterio about my day. Without Knowing when it started but I always give him the details of how my day went and he always listens.
"He's here," she said, her face lighting up with a smile that spoke volumes about her love for him.
I used to smile like that whenever I saw Josh. A bittersweet smile crept onto my face as memories of my past with him resurfaced.
But when I turned around to see the "baby" she'd been talking about, my breath caught in my throat, and regret surged through me.
Standing before me was Josh.