Chapter Eleven

Felicia and her husband were so excited to see their daughter. They hugged her and asked her what had kept her from coming home on time. James explained to them and apologized,excluding some details that couldn't be mentioned like how their daughter lay on him all in the name of ghosts.

      Felicia and Donald were relieved after the explanation but refused to let James go home for it was very late. Past eleven. They locked the entrance and exit door and took the keys with them inside.

       James sat beside Joyce who was not looking herself but ignored it. "Your parents are something, Joyce," he commented and smiled.

      "I'm sorry for that," she replied sadly and silently.

     Now,he didn't understand her sudden attitude toward him and he needed to know. "Hey,what's with this I'm sorry? It's getting too much," he said,hoping she could at least tell him what was wrong.

      "I'm sorry," she apologized and tried to rise but was drawn back to her seat by James.

     Still holding her hand,he realized he hasn't thanked her for saving him,so he said what she wanted to hear. "Thank you,Joyce. You saved me tonight. Thanks again," he said.

     "It's okay. You're welcome, sir," Joyce said. He nodded and released her hand. He stood and went to a sofa before them and lay there.

     Joyce also rise and smiled secretly. She went inside and took out the blanket she always use and gave it to him. She also tried to convince him to sleep in her room while she replaced him on the sofa but he only received the blanket and shook his head,saying nothing. He covered himself and slept off. She could only hope he was comfortable.

***

       The following morning, Joyce woke up to see her boss already getting ready to go. James told her he had to get home first to change his clothing. Mr and Mrs Donald met them in the living room.

        "Good morning,sir,ma," they greeted them.

        "I have to leave, sir," James said referring to Joyce's father.

      Donald nodded at him with his lips spread thinly in a smile. James eyed Joyce which she interpreted that he must not get to the office before her. She knew this because he had done it many times before. She smiled at him and nodded her head.

    Mrs Donald turned to her daughter after the departure of her boss and after her husband had gone somewhere inside. She winked at her teasingly and smiled at her.

    "What's the meaning of that,mummy?" Joyce questioned with a frown on her face.

      "You know what it means,my baby," her mother tantalized.

     "Mum,if you mean that maybe we're in love,you're totally. He doesn't love me and I  don't love him. Why would I love him in the first place? He's not even handsome. I don't like him at all even though some features of him are seductive but o won't give in. Not at all," Joyce ranted.

      By the time she landed,her mother's jaw was hitting the floor. She was used to her daughter's ranting but that was clearly not what she meant at all. She was just surprised her daughter could interpret the eye signal for something like that.

      "You got it wrong,dear," Felicia said.

      Joyce's eyes widened, dumbstruck, as if a log of tree had been put in her mouth to hinder her from responding.

      "You got it wrong," her mother repeated.

     She finally managed to remove the log of tree from her mouth. "What do you mean?" She asked in such a way that was bizarre.

      Her mother waved her hands and at the same time shook her head. "You're going to be late for work,Joyce. Go on," she said,changing the subject.

      Joyce sluggishly slinked outside the door to go to work. She had once told her parents that she so much loved the work.

      "Why?" Her parents had chorused.

      "Because of the high salary," she had responded,grinning from ear to ear.

        To be honest with herself, within the months that she had been working for James,although she had been earning enough money to care for her family and she had some savings too,she had been facing so many  hot tempered clients and co - workers. She would have retorted but it  was not really that simple. She had been trying her best to stay calm in all matters but it wasn't easy. She found herself talking back sometimes.

       She erased the thought as she got to the entrance of the company. She alighted from the cab she had taken,paid him and went inside the company. She paused when she noticed some eyes,no,all eyes were on her and the owner of these eyes whispers to one another what she couldn't get. She chose not to mind them and went straight to the broad passage that had the elevator to take her to her boss's office. She had to check if he had arrived.

      There, many workers glared at her. Some hissed while some shook their heads and clapped mockingly. She became really confused as she did not have any idea for the reason behind their attitude. She suddenly became scared. And she knew the person who could give her the answers she needed. Kristine.

     Kristine,the receptionist,was the only person she considered as her crony. She had been so kind and gentle towards Joyce. They were so close that they shared secrets knowing that they were safe in each other's hands.

     Joyce went Kristine after confirming that her boss hadn't arrived. Her friend could see the confusion on her face. She felt sorry for her and before Joyce could ask anything, she answered her.

    "Someone spread the rumour that you and boss were seen together late last night," Kristine said in pity. It wasn't just that anyway,she added,"They were spewing all sort of dirty words and things you did together ."

       Joyce was dumbfounded. Who could have spread the rumor, even though it was true. Well,except the dirty things of course. They did nothing. What could they be thinking? Could it really be that sort of dirty? She thought. Of course, that would be it. If not,why would they be looking at me that way? They thought James and I had s.....God!

        "Joyce?" Kristine called several times before she answered.

        "Kristine, it's true that I was with James — I mean boss till late last night but it was because he was sick. He was running temperature and he didn't want to go to the hospital. I had no choice but to stay and take care of him," Joyce explained.

       "I believe you, Joyce," Kristine said to her relief. "But I must tell you, there are some people that do not want to see you with the boss. They were already paranoid that  he has a female as his personal assistant," Kristine said making the personal assistant sound scary to her.

     What's wrong with these people? "Maybe they're right,but —," she was still talking when James strode in to  where she was. They immediately dismissed their words and greeted him. Those in twos and threes separated and left. James suspected something was amiss but he couldn't guess. He looked around as the gossipers dismissed.

       He turned to Joyce and Kristine. "What is happening and I demand the truth from you two," he asked with  all seriousness.

     Sometimes,he was just a strict man. Joyce thought and eyed Kristine not to tell him the truth.

          "Joyce! Kristine! Are you deaf?" James asked struggling to stay calm. He hated being put in darkness especially in a situation whereby he would be curious and worried.

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