ROSALIE

The last thing I want this morning is to be interrogated by Ava so I quietly sneak into the locker room to change and swiftly move to start working when I bump into her. So much for being careful and sneaky, I laugh at myself in my head.

"So, how did the date go?" Ava taps my arm as she walks by, on the way to her office. She stops in front of me and crosses one arm against the other, patiently waiting for a reply. I forgot to state earlier that she is the person in charge of finance and accounts.

"Dinner, you mean?" I say in a bid to correct her.

"Whatever. I want the details." She says, shrugging her arms.

"What details?" I roll my eyes at her.

"The date, duh." She gives me a sassy glare.

"Nothing happened. I made him know that my answer has not changed." I simply inform her, much to her dismay.

"Is it what I know that is holding you back?" She asks.

"I can't move forward if I have not fixed the pieces of my past together." This is the honest truth, what if I did not get pregnant just like that. What if I was committed to someone?

"I understand your point but Rosalie, six years is one long ass time to keep waiting. I believe if anyone was looking for you, by now we would have found out." She says with a straight face.

What she said actually did make sense but I do not want to make that my basis for assumption with regards to our topic of discussion.

"Still. I need to be certain I want to do it." I shut her up and continue working.

"So, what are your plans for the event happening tomorrow evening?" She taps me to gain my attention and sends a wide grin my way after asking.

"I have told you, I am not getting any man so do not get any funny ideas in your head." I tell her, matter of factly. To my amazement, she finally drops the topic which I am glad she did. Ava could be very disturbing sometimes. I love her like that, though.

"Where have you hidden my little munchkin?" She asks, arms akimbo.

"I am glad you know the way to my house." I reply in a sarcastic manner.

"I take it I am not the recepient of your sarcasm." She shrugs, unfazed.

"Oh. Really?" I laugh.

"You can baby-sit her tommorrow since you are not on duty for the event." I smile.

"I would have loved to but you see, baby girl, I am going to be attending with my man tomorrow." She says.

"That reminds me, he says to tell you he wants to discuss something with you during break." She adds.

"Alright. So, have you gotten a dress yet?" I ask her.

"Not exactly. You?" She replies. Good gracious! I am not the only one guilty of this. Well, as the head, I get to dress different and not on uniforms like the other waiting staff.

"When do we go dress shopping then? Urghh." She asks, this our job consumes our time and the only time we might have is tommorrow, during the afternoon hours of the day.

"Tomorrow afternoon?" I cock my brows in suggestion.

"Hmm. Do we have a choice?" She says, laughing. We bid ourselves goodbye.  She goes to her office and I continue organizing the waiting staff to attend to customers, making sure to always take note of tables unattended to and assign someone to them. So far, today has been smooth with no hitches whatsoever.

During break time, I call for a meeting with everyone.

"Tomorrow is another very important day for us. Klavetra holdings is celebrating its big 15. There were other brands to contract but for some special reason, we were given this job." I say while addressing them, resulting to a slight nod by most of them.

"Meaning, we cannot afford to mess this up. So it is expected that we all behave and work efficiently. Tomorrow is a half work day so you all can go home to rest properly in preparation for the big evening. Your outfits are already in the locker room and each pack is labelled with your names for easy identification." They nod in response to all I have said.

"Also, there will be bonuses attached to efficiency in delivery of task tomorrow." At the mention of bonus, most of them break into a grin. I then communicate how tomorrow's mode of serving will be and how each person is expected to be punctual.

"Any questions?" I ask and they respond with a 'no'.

"Alright, guys. Enjoy the rest of your break time." I say, dismissing them.

After that, I head to see Russell in his office.

Knock Knock

"Come in." He instructs.

"Hi. You requested to see me?" I say.

"Oh Hi, Rose. Please, sit." He gestures to the chair.

"From your team, what is the mode of operation for tomorrow's event?" He asks. I take him on a rundown of everything I had planned and iterated to them.

"Nice plan you have there." He commends.

"Thank you, Russell." I smile back, glad he is in agreement with the plans I made.

•••••

After work the next day, Ava and I headed to my car and I drive to the mall. On arrival, we head to the dress segment where we both purchase the  dresses. I pick a black, simple dress while she picks a stoned silver dress.
I didn't see the need to buy a new pair of shoes, I will make use of an old pair.

Then I remember I need to stock up on my groceries at home. I might as well use this opportunity to restock.

Dragging Ava along with me, we go to the grocery segment where I toss in every food item neccessary into the shopping cart.

The Milky Rice from Galanis Foods catches my attention and I add it too. It is one of my best rice varieties. For almost every category of food item, Galanis Foods is well represented and it is infact my best food brand. They must be pretty good at what they do.

When we are sure we are done shopping, we head to the counter, dragging our carts along with us, to make payments.

NIKOLAS

Today is the day I travel to Canada. I arrive at the hanger, speaking to Maya over the phone.

"I will be back just in time for your launch, Maya." I say to my grumbling younger sister.

"Promise?" She asks.

"Yes." I reassure her.

"Efcharistó aderfé (thanks, bro)." She says, excitedly and I end the call then get into the jet for my trip to Canada. I am proud of the fact that she wants to make a name for herself, outside the family business. To this effect, she would be launching her clothing line 'MG' which is short for Maya Galanis, very soon.

After the demise of her friend, she went to fashion school and when I asked her about her preference she told me she was certain she wanted it, plus it was her coping mechanism in adjusting to all that had happened.

She also explained how she had nurtured this for quite sometime and the loss made her realise that truly, we are on a time frame here and dreams are meant to be actualized.

In due time, we land in Canada when it is already night. My security details  are already here at the airport, awaiting my arrival.

"There is your vehicle, Sir." The head of the team here inform me.

"Thank you." I am taken to my hotel and settle in my room which happens to be the penthouse. I freshen up as I am already exhausted and go through my mail to see some forwarded messages from my secretary. I hastily go through the details before I sleep.

The next day, I take a stroll to the shopping mall to purchase some few things and I am proud of the way the brand is fully represented. Even though it is not a surprise, it still feels good to see it flourish remarkably in a country that is not its exact origin.

"Stop it, Ava." I hear a voice say as I approach the counter. I freeze, rooted to the spot. There is only one person I know that speaks with that voice and she is dead so maybe my ears are playing games with me. I continue in my steps and as I get closer, I notice that it is two women at the counter and they are making payments for what they had purchased.

The woman speaks again and I walk faster to catch up with them but the moment I get their, she leaves and I could not catch a glimpse of her face, only her back view.

I shake my head to bring myself to reality. It definitely cannot be her, she is not alive.