CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN 37
RUINED PLANS
Rita’s POV
I ran into the company like cinderella abruptly leaving the ball before 12:00 midnight.
I was breathing heavily when I got to the entrance, I had to stop so as to catch my breathe because I was breathing too fast. I brushed up my face inwardly and sniffed heavily. My eyes was clouded with tears, so I wiped it off, comported myself and walked inside the company as if everything was fine.
I bumped into Evelyn.
“Rita! What are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be at the airport?” She asked me.
“Finn ruined my plans, you didn't know? He told me to run down here at once, he said there’s a lot to do” I said.
“But he granted you the permission to leave, didn't he?” She was puzzled.
“He claimed it was a mistake and that we’ve got a workload this period but look at you, doing absolutely nothing “
“Probably this has to do with you turning him down, go meet him quickly, he might still let you leave” Evelyn motioned me.
Other colleagues that were aware of my supposed absence gazed at me blantantly, surprised to see me. I ignored them and barged into Finn’s office rudely without knocking.
“Oh dear, there you are Rita. Welcome back” I met him on his feet, hands folded like he was awaiting my arrival.
“There’s nothing too much for Evelyn and co to handle”I grumbled
“But now you are cognizant of the rule that you are not supposed to be absent during the summer period” He spoke, I wanted to fire back with some better justification but he interrupted.
“I will give you a full month holiday all through next month”
“Ugh! I have a flight to catch in the next few minutes!!” I glared at my wristwatch: “Jeez, I already missed it” I groaned.
“A flight? Oh my God Rita! I am so sorry about it” He pretended to shocked and regretful.
“Why would you approve my request in the first place then take it back just because I won’t date you!” I blinked back the tears which were already forming around my eyes eventually a tear slid down my cheek. Now I couldn’t comport myself anymore.
“No Rita, this has absolutely nothing to do with us. I already told you that I won’t force anything” He came closer and placed his hand on my shoulder which I shrugged off.
“Throw tantrums at me instead and stop tryna ruin me indirectly!” I fired. “You already ruined my plans atlas! I have missed my flight, are you happy now?
He was mute, he gazed at me pathetically.
“Oh! You are the boss and I’m at your service always and forever” I said sarcastically fighting back the tears. “I get it, no break during this period. I’ll do as you wish” I bow my head in a perfunctory respect, I exited his office.
Evelyn consoled me sympathetically and I resumed to work reluctantly.
***
I was moody all through the day, I couldn’t even join Evelyn and Adam for lunch. I screamed within as I felt like doing on the outside. I barely notice it was time to go home untill my friends reached out, knocking on the desk which I placed my head on.
“I.. I can’t move, I can’t feel my legs nor myself” I murmured but Evelyn gently raised my head up.
“You had better waive off this glooming attitude!” She voiced but it didn’t help matter, my eyes were teary again. Neither did solace jerk me off the mood.
“She has been like this all day” Evelyn reported me to Adam.
“You both do not understand how much it hurt” I complained.
“I know it hurt but it does cause you to grief. Get over it already!!” She coaxed.
“I’m sorry Rita” Adam spoke softly unlike his girlfriend whom was kinda harsh on me maybe because she was fed up of consoling me already. Adam continued; “Finn will offer you a month break next month”
“Then next month, he withdraws his offer again?!”
“He won’t. I’m sure he is regretting why he didn’t let you go” He sighed. “Rita, I am sorry. I was the one who told Finn that you are traveling to Canada to see your boyfriend” He confessed, guiltily.
“I… I was the one whom ruined your plan, I shouldn’t have told him. He was so jealous that he canceled the break, I am very sorry. This is all my fault” Adam apologized coldly, feeling remorseful.
“What?” Evelyn exclaimed.
My jaw dropped. “Oh my God, what have you done Adam??” I stomp on my feet.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you " Guilt ate him up.
I dashed into Finn’s office and they ran after me; unsure of what action I was about to take next.
“Finn!” I hollered his name informally and brusquely.
He stood on his face and gazed at us suspiciously.
“You said this isn’t about us but Adam has just told me everything!”
I screamed at Finn whose face growled as he shot Adam an angry look.
“I… I just have to tell her. She was grave sad” Adam mumbled.
“He told you I wanna go spend some days with my boyfriend”
“Hmmm. Offense number one, the reason for your request for an absence leave is not genuine enough” Finn replied.
“Ugh!” I scoffed; “Why I am taking a break is none of your business!” I yelled at the top of my voice.
“Calm down Rita, I think you’re exceeding the boundary Finn set for us” Evelyn scolded in a whisper.
“And that doesn’t mean we do not have the right to voice out when a motherfucking CEO is doing something wrong”
I wanted to continue yelling and I could even beat him up yet I was a softie, I bursted into tears.
“It was high time to see my man. I already booked the flight and spent my whole life savings. Now it’s gone; I didn’t get to see him, I lost my money too. Why do you have to do this to me just because I turned you down Finn?”
“Rita” He called my name softly, his red eyes penetrated into my teary eyes. “There’s more to it” He said.
“Adam, Evelyn; leave just Rita and I alone. I need to speak with her. Go home by the ways” He told my friends, motioning them to the door.
They obliged.
*****
To Be Continued