Meow.
My eyes flutter open as Lola treads along the bed, walking towards my arm. Her claws slightly pierce my shirt. What is she doing, and why? I reach for my phone and glance at the time.
"Girl, it's three o'clock in the morning. What are you doing?"
She meows in response and plops herself right by my shoulder. She can't be hungry, Lola just ate not too long ago, and she can't go outside. What could this thing want at this time of hour?
"Do you want some attention or are you just annoying me?"
Meow!
She moves closer to my hand to rub her head in my palm.
"You're a pain, but I love you. Now go to sleep."
Meow.
Despite being a morning person, I still like getting some amount of sleep. I don't need to be sleep deprived by the time I get up for work. I close my eyes and attempt to drift back to my lost slumber.
...
"Me and you are gonna fight one day, Lola."
Meow, she answers back.
I check the time on my watch. 04:30, the time I would usually wake up. Since Lola decided to irk my nerves this morning, I've already gotten my morning routine out of the way. I've already read, worked out, and fed Lola, so now I have nothing to do. This early morning gives me time to actually think and reflect. I sit on my couch and stare at the ceiling.
Finally, it's Friday. The weekend is coming up and I finally get to relax for a while. The volunteer meeting was successful, Gomez already approved the budget for the gala, Kylie ordered and contacted the business, and now all I have to worry about is my regular work. That's good. But the sad part is that I don't have to leave for work until eight o'clock, and I don't have anything to fill the time. So, I'm just stuck here. Now that I think about it, this is the first time I've ever been bored.
I'm gonna be honest, these past two weeks have been a fever dream. Ma'Kayla is back in my life, Jaime is still trying to get to me, and on top of that I have work to do. It's just been really crazy lately; I'm surprised that I haven't had a mental breakdown. But at the same time, why is this happening? Maybe this could be another lesson for character development that God is giving me. Either way, it's happening, and I have to deal with it.
My phone lights up with a notification. It might be an email from someone, but who would email me at this time in the morning? It's 4:30 in the morning. But, then again, I'm always up this early, so there's that. I reach over for my phone and see who sent me an email.
It's actually not an email, Ma'Kayla sent me something.
Ma'Kayla: Hey
Me: Hey
Ma'Kayla: I lowkey didn't expect you to respond this early in the morning.
Me: Same to you. Hru?
Ma'Kayla: I'm good, my dog decided to wake me up this early in the morning so I'm up. How about you?
Me: I'm fine. My cat woke me up, so I can relate to you on that lol
Ma'Kayla: Lol 😂
Me: What are you doing?
Ma'Kayla: I'm just chillin. I don't have to leave until around 6.
Me: Why 6?
Ma'Kayla: That's when the subway isn't very crowded and my stop is the first one so I have to be there early. I don't have a car, so I gotta make do with what I got.
Me: I can give you a ride, just so you know. It's only about a thirty-minute drive, depending on where you live.
Ma'Kayla: You don't have to, I'll catch the subway.
Me: I insist.
Text bubbles pop up on the screen.
Ma'Kayla: Fine.
"Thanks for the ride, Hakeem. Like seriously, you really didn't have to do this."
"It's no problem."
Ma'Kayla and I arrive at the office building and wait for an available elevator to head to our department floors. Thankfully we beat the 8:30 traffic, or else we would've been stuck there forever.
An awkward silence sits between us. What should I say to her? I mean, I don't even have anything to say to her. Well, not in a rude way, just...
"The elevator's open."
"Oh, uh, thanks."
We step into the elevator and I press the buttons "six" and "seven". The elevator starts moving.
I should say something.
"So", I start, "what do you suppose we do for the next meeting?"
Ma'Kayla shrugs her shoulders. "I'm not really the leader of the team, so I can't decide."
I nod. "That's understandable."
"Yeah, what do you suppose we do?"
"We've already called the places and booked everything, so now all we have to do and publicize and advertise."
DING! The elevator doors open to the marketing floor.
"That's actually a good idea, Hakeem. Well, I have to go, I'll see you later."
I bid her farewell and she steps out of the elevator, making her way to her office.
The elevator doors close.
Am I that stupid? I mean, why would I ask her that? I should've asked her about how her day was, or about her dog. Why am I that oblivious! Considering she doesn't even remember who I am makes it even worse.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. It's a text, from him.
"Yahuah, why me?" I say out loud.
How's Common Grounds? I heard they have a lovely accounting department.
I swiftly pocket my phone. What is going on? How does Jaime know I work here?
The elevator doors slide open. It's Noah.
"Hey Hakeem!"
I let out a long breath. "Hello."
"Did you hear? We're getting a new director for accounting."
"That makes sense, Anderson wasn't even here half the time."
"Right. But I wonder who it is."
"Well I don't. I've got work to do. I'll see you later."
I quickly walk to my desk and take out my phone.
Me: What do you want from me?
Unknown Sender: I want what you took from me, all those years ago.
Me: I have nothing to give you. You've ruined my life once, why would you want to do it again? What have I ever done to hurt you, Jaime?
Unknown Sender: You know what.
Me: Actually, I don't. Why don't you tell me?
Text bubbles appear, then vanish. I knew he couldn't say what. I did nothing to this man, why does he want to constantly get at me? Going through all of this work just to ruin my life, is he crazy? It's like he's obsessed. I set my phone face down on my desk. I can't deal with him anymore. I can't deal with this anymore.
"Hakeem?"
I turn around to see who called my name. "Yes?"
"Gomez wants to talk to you."
"About what?"
"I don't know, she just called for you."
"Alright, tell her I'm on my way."
I stand up and leave my desk to make my way to her office. I didn't even expect her to be here today. Considering Gomez is rarely even at the office at all. But I digress, time to go to her office.
As I'm walking to the elevator, a familiar figure passes by. I don't see his face, but he looks strikingly similar to someone I know. I can't think of who it is right now, but I'm pretty sure I know him from somewhere. I make it to the elevator and press the up button. It's annoying that Gomez's office is all the way on the first floor, but who can blame her? She did start this company all by herself, so she might as well be on top.
The elevator doors slide open and I almost run into someone.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see you there."
"It's fine-oh Hakeem!"
I look up from the ground and there's Ma'Kayla. "Hi! What are you doing here?"
"Gomez called me to her office. I don't know why though."
So I'm not the only one? Cool. "Yeah, she called me too."
"Why though? That's my question."
I shrug my shoulders. "I don't know, we'll find out when we get there."
"I guess we will."
The elevator doors close again.
After a long elevator ride, Ma'Kayla and I finally make it to the first floor. I'm not going to lie, being called to her office terrifies me. I know I haven't done anything wrong, it just feels like it. But anyways, she called for us and now we're here.
The elevator doors open and we step out. I feel a cold wind burst in my face, sending shivers down my spine.
"Hello you two, Ms. Gomez is waiting to see you." He says.
"Thank you."
This place isn't what I thought it would be. It's just, bland. Grey covered walls surround the place. There's only one desk, leading to her office.
"This doesn't look like the type of office Gomez would be working in." Ma'Kayla states.
"I know", I respond. "I'd expect it to be more-"
"Lavish?"
"Yeah."
"Ahem." The man clears his throat. "Are you two going to just stand there or are you going to walk into her office?"
I guess not. I walk to her office doors with Ma'Kayla and take a breath. I open the doors.
"Hey you two! I've been expecting you. Come, sit!"
A bright light slaps my face as I step in. Her office is way better than the rest of the floor is.
"I know you're probably wondering why I called you here." Gomez states.
"Yes we are." Ma'Kayla responds.
Gomez chuckles. "That's expected. Don't worry, you both are not in trouble. I wanted to inform that we have a new accounting director. Since Ma'Kayla is one of our directors and Hakeem works for our accounting department, I wanted to talk to you about him."
Now that she's talking about him, I actually want to know who he is. Considering that she keeps mentioning him, she might as well just tell us.
"If you don't mind me asking, who is this new director? I mean, I have to know him since he's gonna be my boss pretty soon."
Gomez shakes her head no. "You two aren't going to find out until later today. I told the rest of the department heads that we're going to have a new director but you, Ma'Kayla, missed the meeting that we had. So I decided to tell you now."
"Wait", Ma'Kayla starts, "if you're going to tell me about the new director, why is Hakeem here?"
"Because he's practically going to be the second in command, he already was when Anderson wasn't here."
She's not wrong. Whenever the old director, Jeremiah Anderson, wasn't at work(which was pretty much everyday) I took over pretty much everything. Gomez had originally asked me if I wanted to be the head of the accounting department but I declined the offer. I never wanted to advance in my work, I just wanted to stay where I'm at. That's good enough for me.
"Plus, Hakeem can show him the regular work around the office."
"So, do you want me to show him how to do his job?" I ask her.
"Hm...not quite. But show him what you would normally do whenever Anderson wasn't here."
"Alright. That seems doable. I'll be sure to do that."
Gomes smiles. "I knew you would, since I pay you to do it."
"That's true."
She claps her hands together and swiftly stands up. "Well, that's all I needed to say to you guys. And...yeah! Don't forget to smile! Buh-bye now!"
Glad that's over. Now I can go back to doing my job that I get paid for doing. Goodness gracious, I'm so tired. But I can't rest right now, I still have to work.
"Are you sure that it's him?"
"Absolutely. It has to be him."
The few hours of work that I had before lunch weren't that bad. Thankfully, twelve o'clock has come around, a time where I can update Marquis on what's been going on. We haven't been talking in a while; he's a married man and has a kid. I expect him to be busy. Considering we've been best friends for years; it doesn't make sense. But I digress.
"How do you know it's him, 'Keem?"
"Who else would send condescending text messages to me, talking about my time in prison? No one else but him. No one."
He sighs. "What I'm trying to figure out is how he got your number in the first place. That baffles me."
"I know. And the thing is, why is he doing this?"
He sighs. Marquis is just as stressed as I am. I mean, what kinds of mind games is he playing?
"What do I do?"
"Keep trusting Him. God got you through the last time, He can get you through this one."
"I am. But I've been feeling disturbed lately."
"How so?"
"Kind of like I've been bothered in a way."
"Because of Ma'Kayla coming back into your life and Jaime randomly texting you from day to day?"
"Exactly! You know, you're like another me."
"That's because I know you, haven't you realized that?"
I let out a little chuckle. Life is always a little bit better when you have friends. I check the time on my watch. It's 12:30. I have eaten yet and I have to finish that spreadsheet for the winter sale.
"Ok Marquis, I gotta hang up. I haven't eaten yet and I have to finish a spreadsheet."
"Alright man. I'll talk to you later."
"Bye."
"Bye."
I hang up the phone. Now that I think about it, I don't know what to eat. Normally, I would go out and grab something, but I don't really feel like it. I might as well get it from the cafeteria, but I absolutely despise going in there. The cafeteria is constantly crowded, the food isn't the best, and it's way too loud. But it's my best bet if I want to eat before the day is over.
"Hakeem, did you finish that spreadsheet?"
I nod. "Yep. I finished it at lunch."
"Alright cool. The day's almost over. Thanks for submitting it!"
"No problem."
Lunch actually wasn't that bad. There weren't a lot of people in the cafeteria and the food tasted decent. Thankfully, I was able to finish that spreadsheet before lunch was over so I don't have to spend the rest of my work day with it, and now, the day is over. Well, nearly over. It's only four fifty-six. Apparently, Gomez is introducing the new head of accounting to the entire staff at five, so that's fun. Although I could care less, I actually wonder who this man is. Maybe he's actually a hard worker and will actually come to the office and do something, or he could be just like Anderson. Only the Most High knows.
I begin packing my bag to leave and a loud noise rings throughout the office. Sounds like an intercom, I didn't even know we had one. You learn something new every day.
"Hey everyone!"
Gomez.
"If everybody could gather downstairs in the main lobby to meet our new accounting director, that would be amazing!"
It's that time. I hope this guy's not a drag like the last one.
I grab my backpack and computer bag and head towards the elevator.
The elevator reaches the first floor and I meet a swarm of people looking up. I tilt my head towards the ceiling and Gomez is on the balcony.
"Hello everyone! Thank you all for spending these few moments with me to introduce our new accounting director! I know this seems strenuous but I want everybody to meet this young man!"
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I take it out and it's from him again. I open it.
Unknown Sender: It's good to see you again, Keem. It's been 5 years since I saw you, and now, I get to be your boss.
"I would like you to introduce our new accounting department head, Jaime Fuentes!"
You have got to be kidding me.
Â