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Chapter Seven

It has been a month since I got the job at the bookshop and I had already learned the journal and gotten used to all the customers that came around, and they have been so nice, some even leave tips for me when they purchase books.

My normal routine the past few months had been from work to the orphanage and from the orphanage back to work.

I was enjoying the new job and was super excited when I got my salary for the month.

Jean had always wanted us to hang out but I was always in a hurry to go back to the orphanage. I would not even agree to go out during my lunch break.

Jean was so nice to help me get lunch most times she went out to get hers.

The tips I was given enable my purchases and transport.

I wanted to also get Laurie, Lara, and Joe something when I get my salary including mother Pamela.

Mother Pamela had recovered fully. Thinking of it she was quite stubborn, she never wanted to speak up, if not I had insisted.

Ma'am Gina wanted me to keep slaving at the orphanage, she tried to make everything frustrating and difficult for me but I was so grateful to my mother Pamela who cautioned her and made her get off my back for a while because I knew she was definitely up to something else.

"Let's go and get lunch together," Laurie said

"No, you go ahead. I have some calculations to do before the day is over"

"But this is your lunch break"

"I know but I still have to do it."

"I won't be making any more excuses next time."

"And I won't be giving any" I replied to Jean with a smile and she smiled back in return.

A few minutes after Jean left. I heard the bell ring. It was coming from the boss's office. So I went to answer it since Jean was absent.

I got to his office door and knocked on it.

"Come in," the boss said

And I entered. He was seated opposite me with his table departing us.

"Yes sir you called"

"Where is Jean?"

"It's her lunch break and so she went to get lunch"

"Oh I see"

He stood up from his seat and came round to where I was standing and I didn't like the look on his face. It looked like he had something going on in his mind and he couldn't wait to carry it out.

He came to me and blocked my way out, such that I was now in between him and the table.

At this point, I was really scared of what he wanted to do to me. I was shivering at this point.

"Calm down Arya. You are so beautiful"

"Thank... you Sir" I stammered

"You can call me Edwards"

"I want you, I want to taste you, I want to make you happy, you do not need to be scared of anything. I'll make sure you have all you want"

"Thank you sir but I'm content"

That was the first time I heard his name, since I got here I had always referred to him as the boss.

"I like you," the boss said

"Thank you I appreciate your kind words"

"Touch me here"

He held my hands and placed them on something protruding from his trousers.

He grabbed my butt and pulled me close as he kissed my neck. I was irritated and I didn't like that, so I pushed him and he lost his balance and fell, that was my opportunity to leave the office.

I ran off from the office, and I felt like he was going to chase me, and I was right. But I was grateful we were no longer alone. Laurie's presence halted him and then he acted like he was searching for something around.

I was still shocked from what had almost occurred a few seconds ago and Laurie noticed my shock.

"I didn't know you were coming," I said

"Are you okay?"

"Yes... yes, I'm okay" And Jean came in. And walked up to us.

"I got you lunch," she said, placing the food on the desk.

"Thank you Jean"

"You are welcome"

"Jean this is my friend Laurie and Laurie this is Jean my colleague and friend"

"Nice to meet you, Jean," Laurie said

"Same here. Arya has spoken a lot about you" Jean said

"Of cos. I am her fairy godmother" Laurie said and we all laughed.

Deep in my mind, I was grateful Laurie came in when she did to save me from the hands of that pervert. There was no way I'd allow myself to be alone with him in this shop ever again.

Laurie spent some time with us at the bookshop and it was so good to see Laurie and Jean connect quickly. They even had more conversations with themselves than with me.

It was my closing time and also Jean's.

"You promised to hang out today and Laurie said is here, so let's go to a nice place and chill"

I was about to decline with my normal excuse when Laurie accepted the offer.

"That's a great idea Jean. Let's all go" Laurie said, pinching me.

"Okay" I finally accepted

"Yaaay" they both shouted in unison and we left. After Jean had changed the tag from open to closed.

We took a walk around the city and I must confess it was really beautiful.

We finally got to a bar and then Jean led us inside. It seemed like she was very conversant with the place. She led us inside without missing her way.

The bar was really beautiful, we went over to the drink section and Jean called the bartender to get us drinks. There was a man singing at the podium and everyone was listening.

"I don't drink alcohol "

"There's always a first time," Laurie said

"From the way you sound right now, someone will think you have taken alcohol before" And then Laurie laughed and Jean joined in.

The music suddenly stopped and the man left. Then a lady comes up to ask if there's anyone who could fill in for a little while before the man comes back. There was no response. Everywhere was quiet.

"You should go over there and show them what you've got"

"There's no way I'm going up there"

"You sing?" Jean asked

"Arya has a fabulous voice, one capable of making you love her"

"Then you should go," Jean said

"I'm not going up there" And before I knew it Laurie shouted

"We have someone here," she said pointing at me. And then everyone's attention was on me and they started clapping and at this point, I knew I couldn't disappoint them. I stood up.

Walking up to the podium, I could hear Laurie say

"Just imagine you're singing for Lara and Joe"

"Who are those?" Jean asked

But I didn't hear her response. I was already far from them at this point, on the podium facing everyone.

I had never sung in a public place before and I was going to pretend I was singing for Lara and Joe just like Laurie had said.

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