TWO

As they walked, Drake could feel eyes boring large holes at various sides of his head.  His knuckles turned white from balling them in a fist for too long and he struggled to breathe naturally.

Thinking of what to do to calm himself whilst trying to keep up with Nicole's fast gait, he missed a step and almost fell, earning some side chuckle. 

He steadied himself and watched as Nicole responded to greetings tossed her way, hugging and fist bumping whatsoever hand she saw. She seemed not bothered by the uncomfortable attention they were getting; instead,  she pulled him closer to her, holding unto his wrist firmly. 

Drake's step faltered a bit when his eyes met with that of Jeremy who had been leaning by the wall, talking with a fellow colleague before they walked in. Alarmed, Drake tried pulling his hand from Nicole's grip but she glared at him; her fingers piercing into his skin as she held him firmly. He gestured to Jeremy so she could see this was a very bad idea but she seemed oblivious to his effort.

Sighing in frustration, he lowered his head, matching his pace with that of Nicole as they made way to his office which was at the left block. Relieved to be released finally, he stared at her smiling face as they stood by the door. 

"I'll see you after work today." She told him and scampered away, without waiting to get a reply. She stopped to wave only when she had distanced herself a bit from him. Drake was sure she did that to avoid having to hear his never ending excuses.  

He turned the door knob as thoughts of what Jeremy would do to him filled his mind. It was true Nicole was the only one that spoke to him regardless of the hate he got from others - he sure appreciated that someone as beautiful as she was spoke to him: she was the only one he could call a friend in the whole country though he had his doubts sometimes that she could be talking with him only to hurt him in the end like he had experienced in the past - yer,  he still didn't want to get in the black book of Jeremy - or anyone.

Jeremy had always had a thing for Nicole and it provoked him she never acknowledged his feelings. Drake wondered if she was deliberately ignoring him since it was quite clear as day that Jeremy had a thing for her.

Her acquaintance with Drake had only skyrocketed the hatred Jeremy had for him. It didn't even help that people never missed a chance to ridicule Jeremy about this. It felt like the princess had chosen a beast over her prince charming 

Drake cast furtive glances sideways for signs of Jeremy before pushing the door open. The entire room quietened immediately he walked in; murmurs from various angles ensued almost immediately, as they whispered words to one another,  staring at him like he was a stranger.  

Drake ignored them and made way to his seat which was at the rear end of the room, beside the window. Though his colleagues considered his seat the worst ever, he loved that he was given a seat secluded from the rest. The bright comforting light from the window added to his love for his seat position; It felt like he was on a throne - a throne only him could see.

Dropping his briefcase on his desk, he noticed that his colleagues were still staring at him; an anxious look on their faces. He wondered why they were all gawking like they had seen a celebrity. 

Ignoring them, he made way to sit on his chair under their watchful eyes but what happened next was a blur.  In a blink of an eye, he was on the floor; his chair toppled over. The room boomed with laughter as they all laughed in delight - some who couldn't control their laughter, stomped their feet and clapped their hands, laughing heartily.  The clicking and flashlights told Drake they had taken a picture. 

Embarrassed,  he got up from the floor and ran out of the office room; tears blurring his vision as he ran hurriedly to the restroom, bursting out in tears as he did. He pushed the restroom door open, pulling his glasses and wiping his eyes furiously as he stared at his reflection on the mirror.  

The pale lean figure of a guy with a pair of large honeyed eyes stared back at him; full afro hair hanging on his head like an umbrella. He brought a finger to the mirror, tapping at his forehead for a while, when the door opened and the angry face of Jeremy came into full view. 

Drake who had seen him from the mirror, cowered and began to move back at reflex. This only made Jeremy smirk as he took small steps towards him, totally enjoying the reaction he was getting. Scared shitless, Drake kept moving back until his back came in contact with the wall. 

Jeremy's smile grew bigger then as he increased his pace; his menacing gait making Drake shiver with each footstep. His lips trembled in fear as he sought for a way of escape.

"You know you're nothing but a coward yet you keep pissing me off. " Jeremy was a feet away from him now. He slammed his palms at opposite sides of the wall, muscular arms trapping Drake in place as hot breath fanned his forehead. Though Jeremy was only a feet taller, he was three times bigger.  

"Jeremy. . . Please." Drake couldn't help but plead for mercy. He knew he was being pathetic but he would do anything to get himself out of this present situation.  It finally dawned on him that he was done for when he noticed the sardonic smile on Jeremy's face. He watched as Jeremy lowered his head like he wanted a kiss - the mere sight making Drake's hair stand.

"Stay away." He whispered and Drake shut his eyes in irritation and panic; dread consuming his entire being. Hot breath fanned every area of his face and Drake wondered why he was this close. Of course,  he could pass his message without having to come so close. 

Nodding his head in agreement, he hoped Jeremy would let him go already.

"Look at me, prick!" Jeremy ordered instead and Drake did as he was commanded.

What he didn't expect was a heavy punch to be launched by the side of his lips and before he could react, another was aimed at his stomach, making him topple over, yelping in pain.

"Stay away!" Jeremy spat again before leaving the restroom, feeling fulfilled. 

The metallic taste of blood filled Drake's tongue as he buried his head in his lap and curled into a ball. Tears burned his eyes but he shut his eyes tightly with a steeled determination not to cry. Trying to hold back his tears,  he bit his lower lip, paying no attention to the ache he felt. 

Why was he being punished for something he had no power to change? It was clear as day that Nicole was the one coming for him and not the other way round so why then was he paying for something he wasn't guilty of? Why not take out all frustration on her instead?  

Wiping the stubborn tear which had found a way to escape despite his eyes being tightly shut, he stood up and wore his glasses. Taking a deep breath,  he walked out of the restroom and back to his office with a broad smile plastered on his face.

"Just hold on." He said to himself. 

☆ ☆ ☆ 

Drake couldn't stop excitement from forming in his chest when he checked his wrist watch. He picked his briefcase from his desk and walked out of the office without saying anything to anyone.  Ever since he returned from the restroom with a broad smile on his face coupled with his swollen lips, they kept casting glances his way.

Apparently,  they were wondering what had happened to him and why he looked  unaffected by what they had done. He knew they wanted the satisfaction of knowing they were getting to him and he swore never to give it to them - again. 

Walking down the hallway with his briefcase in his hand, he noticed Nicole chatting with few of her friends. Her last words flashed into his memory and he quickly backed away, running to the elevator. He prayed she hadn't seen him; he knew she would run after him if she did. 

Though, he felt bad to avoid her, he knew there was no other way; he had no power to fight back. He needed to be smart and tread carefully. The devilish glint he had seen in Jeremy's eyes  spoke nothing but danger and he felt it would be wise not to provoke him further. He had just few months to leave so he wouldn't want to mess it all up. He craved a  peaceful life, away from all sort of problem.  

Heaving a sigh of relief to be finally out of the company and done with the day's job, he got into his car. He fetched his key from his pocket and leaned forward to insert his key when the loud knock on his window startled him.