Perks Of Dating The Boss
"So, you mean the guy you mistakenly texted, thinking it was me, turned out to be your boss and is now your boyfriend?" Jessica asked, and I nodded.
"I'm even more surprised that he decided to take care of my mom," I said, taking a sip of the Coke she served me. I had told her about Mysterio and most of what had happened, but I withheld some things—even the abortion. Thinking about it, I was surprised that Henry didn't care about the abortion and still wanted to date me.
"So, your mom will be leaving the country next week?" she asked.
"Yes." It had been a week since I started dating Henry. We hadn't spent much time together since he was busy, and I was also preoccupied with my mom's travel preparations. Luckily, he gave me some time off work.
"So, have you guys done the deed yet?" she asked with a cheeky grin.
"Hell no! It's too early!" I nearly choked on my drink. Jessica had always been the type to take the bull by the horns, but I liked to take my time with things like this.
"Keep delaying..." she teased.
Truthfully, Henry had come over once, and we had almost done it, but for some reason, I held back. I wasn't sure why I didn't feel free enough. When I was chatting with him without knowing who he really was, I was sure I would have gone straight to bed with him the moment we met. But now that we had met, I was holding back, and I couldn't even explain why.
"Just don't miss this opportunity. It's hard to find a rich, good guy like that."
"Thanks for the advice."
"So, I have news of my own," she said, smiling. I could already guess what it was.
"What's that?"
"I'm three months gone."
"Wow!" I squealed. Even though I had already suspected it because of the changes in her appearance, hearing it confirmed still made me happy and surprised.
"I'm so happy for you!" I stood up, walked to her side, and gave her a warm hug before returning to my seat.
"I'll be going back to work on Monday. My mom will be leaving next week too. I'm so glad. I'm sure God will take control of the surgery."
"Money is good, my friend. In less than two weeks, everything is ready. It would've taken longer if there wasn't money," Jessica said as she stood up to check if the rice was done. I followed her.
"Well, there's nothing money can't do in Nigeria."
We kept talking about random things, even gossiping about our classmates who had gotten married. Jessica kept prompting me to hurry up with mine, as if I was the one holding myself back.
When I returned to work, Timi became my worst enemy. I had no idea how she found out about my relationship with Henry, but she called me a gold digger. I couldn't even refute it, considering I had agreed to date Henry because of what he did for me.
"How did Timi find out? Not just her, but the whole office knows now," I told Henry while sitting in his office. Everyone was treating me differently. Some, like Timi, were harsh, while others were overly nice, acting as if I were their ticket to heaven.
"Well, I told Mr. Akin so he wouldn't stress you too much anymore," he said nonchalantly.
"You shouldn't have! I don't like the special treatment I'm getting." Besides, I wasn't sure if I had accepted Henry out of overwhelming gratitude or because of the feelings I had when we first chatted.
"Don't worry, dear. It will pass," he said, still signing documents.
But what if the worst happened, and we broke up? Now that everyone knew, it would be unbearable to keep working here—and I needed this job. Damn, dating the boss was not easy.
"How is your mom?" he asked.
"She's fine," I replied. "I'll be heading back to work now," I said, standing up.
"You don't have to. You can stay here with me," he pouted.
"Very cute, but no, mister. I'm a very diligent worker, so I'll see you later tonight."
"Come to my place this time around," he said with a smile, and I nodded.
As I stepped out, I saw Timi, and she glared at me.
"You think you've won? Don't worry, I'll have the last laugh when I get to know the real CEO," she said before walking past me. I took a deep breath and went my way.
After work, I went to Henry's office, but he was gone. He was always busy. As I walked downstairs to take a tricycle home, I was met with a surprise.
"Ma'am, I'm here to pick you up," a corporate driver said. I looked behind him and saw a sleek Mercedes 4MATIC. I had no idea which model, but it was beautiful.
"You mean me?"
"Yes," he said with a bow.
"Who sent you?" I asked, just to be sure.
"The boss—Henry."
I had no reason to refuse. I guessed this was his way of being romantic. Smiling, I entered the car.
This was my first time riding in such an exquisite car. I was afraid to touch anything, worried I might break something. Being rich was truly amazing. The ride wasn't that long, though I wished it had lasted longer. I was speechless when we arrived at the house. I had only seen such beauty in the movies.
"Welcome, ma'am," a young woman dressed in corporate attire greeted me with a bow, as did several others. A lot of servants welcomed me, and I immediately thought about how uncomfortable it would be to have all these people around constantly. It would prevent me from doing things the way I wanted.
"You're here," I heard Henry say as he came to welcome me. He pulled me into a warm embrace. Thank God he didn't kiss me in front of everyone.
"Come to the dining table," he said, and I followed.
I appreciated everything he was doing for me. I felt honored, but it was too much. Servants stood at every corner. The food wouldn't even taste good to me because I'd be too anxious with them standing like soldiers beside me. This wasn't his idea of a date. He once told me he enjoyed dates where no one was around—just him and the girl. But this? This was the opposite of what he had told me. In fact, since I met him, he had been different, making me wonder if I really knew the man sitting across from me.
He looked at me and smiled. The dining table was so long that having a normal conversation wasn't possible. We had to speak loudly, meaning there was no privacy. I just smiled back and decided to focus on the food.
After eating—which was a silent torture for me—we went to the sitting room to watch a movie.
Maybe he'll oblige me by playing an episode of Naruto, I thought, since he once told me he liked it, only for me to later realize he had lied just to appear unique.
"I have some horror and home movies. Which one would you like?" Henry asked.
I sighed internally. I guess I was thinking too much.
"Put on a home movie," I replied. I didn't want to be looking over my shoulder all night, and it was already getting late.
One of the servants selected a movie, and I realized they really did everything. As we watched, about halfway through, I felt Henry's hands creeping up my skirt. I shifted uncomfortably, aware of the servants standing like silent soldiers around us.
"The servants," I muttered as he brought his lips closer to mine.
"Oh," he said as realization dawned on him. "Leave us."
"Yes, sir," they responded in unison before bowing and exiting the room.
Before they even fully closed the door, Henry was kissing me again, his intent clear. I could see he was determined to have sex tonight. I didn't necessarily mind, but the presence of all these people made me uneasy. I was someone who cared about what others thought.
His hands slipped into my bra, and I jerked. I had been so lost in thought that I hadn't even noticed when he unbuttoned my shirt. Why does this feel like I'm paying back a favor instead of making love with my boyfriend?
"I—"
The vibration of my phone interrupted me, and I grabbed it instantly, inwardly thanking my brother for calling at that exact moment. He had been staying with my mother and me as they prepared to travel out of the country.
"Hello?"
"Okay, I'll be back soon," I replied and hung up. When I looked at Henry, I could tell he was trying to hide his annoyance.
"I need to go home and make food for my mom," I said.
He took a deep breath and exhaled. "I hope she travels soon, so I can have you all to myself."
I had nothing to say to that. Instead, I got up and tidied myself. "I'll be going then."
"I'll ask the driver to take you home," he said, picking up the intercom to call the driver.
Money was good, and Henry had done amazing things for me with it. It wasn't a lie to say I had accepted his request instantly because of the hospital bills. But it would be nice if he exerted some effort, too—if he did things for me that didn't involve money. It would make me feel honored.
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then," I said, hoping he would escort me out.
Instead, he came closer and kissed me. "I'm missing you already," he murmured, his eyes dark with something I couldn't decipher—was it hunger for me or just for sex?
I walked outside, and the servants bowed as I passed. I didn't think I could ever get used to this kind of lifestyle. Somehow, I managed to walk to the car without missing a step.
The driver greeted me as always and drove off without hesitation.
"You can stop me here," I said when we reached my house. It was a two-story building with other tenants, but everyone minded their own business.
"Thank you for the ride," I said.
"You're welcome," he replied with a smile that revealed his perfect white teeth.
I smiled back and stepped out of the car, watching as he drove away. But I wasn't happy about tonight. I couldn't shake the feeling of being used. Am I really allowing this because I'm in debt? I sighed, heading upstairs, hoping to figure things out soon.
My mom left for overseas, and her surgery was scheduled quickly. I avoided being alone with Henry all week, using my mother's care as an excuse. It annoyed him to no end.
Now that she had left, she had instructed me to fast and pray for the success of her surgery, which I told Henry about.
"So, no sex till after your fasting?" he asked, his voice eerily calm.
I nodded.
"Well, I've endured this long. I guess I have no other option." He looked down and sighed. "We've been dating for more than two weeks, and I've only kissed you. I haven't even seen you naked."
"Don't worry. You'll soon have what you're waiting for," I said truthfully. He had been understanding, and I was dating him, so it felt only right.
"Alright. Do you need some time off work?"
"No, I can manage. She's scheduled for surgery on Friday. Work will keep me busy and help me not think too much."
"Alright. Happy fasting," he said with a wink, making me smile as I took my leave.
Timi was still keeping malice with me, but that wasn't my main concern. I was more worried about my mother's surgery. I prayed it would be successful. It was a major operation.
"Sorry, I'll be leaving for Ghana today," Henry apologized through the phone. He knew I needed his support on the day of my mother's surgery.
"You can be with Jessica and not come to work at all," I said, already dressed for work. Staying home would only worsen my worry, and I didn't want to burden a friend who had her own issues.
"Don't worry. So, when are you going?"
"I'm on my way to the airport," he replied, and I felt his absence.
"Alright. Safe trip," I said and hung up. I knelt down to pray again, asking God to take total control over everything.
At work, I kept saying silent prayers in my heart and messaged Chuks every few minutes to check on things.
By 5 p.m., I finally got the message I had been waiting for.
From Chuks.
I jumped and screamed. "Praise the Lord!!"
Thank God only Mr. Akin was in the building with me. I knelt down and praised God, tears streaming down my face.
I quickly called Henry, but his phone was unavailable. Oh, right. He traveled to Ghana.
Instead, I sent him a text:
After placing my phone in my bag, I realized I was super hungry from fasting. But this news made the hunger disappear. My fast would end tomorrow, on Saturday.
As I walked down the stairs, someone violently brushed past me, nearly making me fall.
"Baka!!" I shouted instinctively.
The person stopped. Even in my happiness, I was ready to confront this stranger.
He turned to look at me, and all reasoning left my mind.
He was tall—just like Henry. His haircut was neat, his lips red, his complexion lighter than Henry's, and above all... he was even more handsome than Henry.
"Baka," he repeated, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Then, he laughed—a deep, throaty sound, his head thrown back just like I had always imagined a certain someone doing.
"Isn't it a bit too much to call a stranger an idiot?" he said in a husky voice.
My throat went dry.
He knew the meaning of the word.
Only one person had this voice, this laughter, and knew that word's meaning.
My Mysterio.