Caleb

I was furious at this point  Wasn't she the one begging me to calm down the other day, why was she now behaving like it don't matter anymore I brought out my phone and typed frantically. WE NEED TO TALK I watched her walk in with him and waited for her to sit before pressing send, while staring at her to make sure she read it. my eyes fixed on her face until I saw the slight stiffening of her shoulders. Good. She saw it. People were pretending not to look, but I could feel it. They won't ever mind their business,Even Francisca, two-eyed Francisca that should be focusing on fixing her eyesight instead of ruining it further, was watching. These office people lived for drama. Amebo was their full-time job.. . I could already imagine the whispers. Isn't that her boyfriend? Why is she with the trainee? Men are useless these days. I couldn't take my eyes off her throughout the day and surprisingly she didn't even notice me. Which was very new. Concentrating on my work was hard, I found my mind darting back to Mike. If he had been loud, cocky, obviously flirting, I would have known how to handle it. Men like that are predictable. But he's different, which is very dangerous. I told her not to smile at people like that. I told her. I picked up my phone, typed a message, deleted it. Typed again. Me: Why are you always letting people get into your space? No. Too soft. Delete. Me: I don't like the way you're moving lately. Still not enough. Delete. Mike stood up and walked straight into her cubicle. Was he doing this on purpose to piss me off? She was talking to him, using her hands. Explaining things very intensely . He leaned in slightly to hear her over the noise. Too close. Way too close. My chest burned. Did she think I couldn't see this? Does she think I'm stupid? I stood up again. Mercy passed by and gave me a look. The kind that said don't start. I ignored her. I wasn't starting anything. I was protecting what was mine. I entered her office and closed the door behind me  " Excuse me," I said coldly, "I need to talk to my girlfriend." Aida looked up, startled. "Caleb-" "E be like this guy deaf o?" I walked closer to where he sat opposite Aida and dragged his chair back, the sound scraped loudly against the floor. The noise it made drew the attention of others in the office. "I'm not done here," I said flatly. "When I am, I'll leave." What annoyed me most was how calm he looked I didn't want to create anymore scenes so I walked over to the other side of the table where Aida sat and dragged her up. "Let's talk outside" Her eyes flashed with fear.  Yes That's what I wanted  As I tried dragging her more I noticed Mike had grabbed her other hand. My blood boiled Before I could react, Aida spoke quickly, her voice tight. "Please let go, I'll be back in a minute"  she was talking to him. Why was she acting like a saint? I didn't care at this point. I made sure the next drag was harder than the first one, and it was. Within seconds we were outside her cubicle and into the hallway leading to the backyard. When we finally reached a quiet place. I raised my hand. For a split second, I saw it in her eyes, the flinch, the expectation. Like her body already knew what might come next. My hand froze mid-air. I clenched my fist instead, so tight my knuckles went white, my arm shaking with the effort it took not to bring it down. "Look at you," I said, my voice low and trembling with restraint. "You've reduced me to this." She stared at me, breathing shallow, one hand pressed to her chest. "What exactly is your problem?" I demanded. She was too stunned to speak. I know I promised not to hit her again but I think she deserved this one, if I was to hit her here. "Answer me"!!!!!!!  That was when a tear dropped out of her eyes. "You don't talk to me like that," she said quietly. I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "You don't walk around the office like you're single." Her lips parted. She looked around, then back at me. "This is my workplace." "And I'm your boyfriend." "I didn't forget that." "Then start acting like it." "You know I don't like you spending time with other guys, and this time you're doing it in my presence, is it because you're higher than me in the office?." She exhaled sharply. "He's a trainee. I was asked to help him." "You enjoyed it." "That's not fair."  Seems like the fear in her did resound her brain. She was more submissive now. I softened my tone, reached for her hand. She pulled it back. It didn't matter, I grabbed it back. "You know how people talk," I continued. "This office is not safe. People misinterpret things. I don't want your name involved in rubbish. "My name?" she echoed. "Or your ego?" At this point I was so sure I was glaring at her. "This is exactly what I'm talking about," I said. "You're changing." She was quiet again " I think we should continue this conversation at my place" I could sense her fear again. Now," I said calmly, releasing her hand, "go back inside. Smile. Act normal." I watched her walk away. No man was taking that from me. I arranged myself and quickly followed her. At least I'm still very much in control of my relationship.

I couldn't bring myself to admit that I was scared of losing her, so I opted for the very best option available, Control. 

I need to control her, she seems to be forgetting that we started together and we must finish this together.

Aida  By the time I walked back into the office, my hands were shaking, so I curled them into fists to keep anyone from noticing. I pasted the smile he asked for on my face. The one I had perfected over the years. Seven years is too long a time to love someone but I did it. Caleb and I started dating in my first year at the university. We were young then, naive, hopeful and very foolish, in the way only first love allows. He loved me loudly. I loved him completely without holding back. Back then, his jealousy felt like passion. His possessiveness felt like protection. Everyone said we were inseparable, and I wore that like a badge of honor. We'd be seen coming back from class, holding each other's hand and smooching publicly on the road. Being in the same department with him made it even more gross for others because we didn't really care about the world then.Nothing mattered to me more than his happiness. We thought we had it all figured out until our final year. Things weren't as easy as they used to be,he was really lagging behind.  Two carryovers and BOOM he had an extra year. I graduated before him.And just like that, something shifted. It quietly started with small comments, questions disguised as jokes. "This one you've graduated, I hope they won't collect you from me o" "This your bumbum is increasing I hope nobody is pressing it" And then I got a job working at a finance company, it was quite popular in the area, I started earning and it made him feel more uneasy. I never planned to leave him. I loved him too much for that. So when he suggested we move in together, I didn't question it. "It'll strengthen our bond," he said. I believed him. At first, it really was beautiful. We were wild. Reckless. Always touching, always laughing. Endless nights, loud music, shared meals, shared dreams. We'd fuck throughout the day and end up fucking at night too. We tried all the sex positions we could find online. The people on our street thought we were married. My parents weren't around, they died when I was small and no siblings, so no one was asking questions. It felt like freedom. I felt accomplished. But freedom doesn't come with rules. Slowly, the warmth changed. It became Where are you going? Then why are you wearing that? Then why is that man looking at you? Love turned into monitoring. Concern turned into control. Arguments ended with apologies but somehow, I was always the one apologizing. I didn't want to think too much about the past and by the time I reached my desk, my chest felt hollow,I sat down carefully, keeping my back straight, and my face calm. Breathe, Aida. Just breathe. My phone vibrated. I didn't need to check to know who it was. Instead, I stared at my computer screen, blinking hard, refusing to let the tears fall. Not here. Not now. "Hey." Mike's voice was quiet. I looked up and saw him standing a few steps away, holding a file against his chest. His expression wasn't curious. It wasn't a pity either. It was... concern. "You forgot this," he said, placing the notepad I'd dropped earlier on my desk. "Oh. Thanks." My voice came out thinner than I wanted. He didn't leave immediately. Are you okay?" His voice was low. Careful. Like he didn't want to startle me. I nodded immediately. Too quickly. "Yes." Lie. He didn't call me out on it. Instead, he glanced around once, quickly then leaned closer, lowering his voice. "You don't look okay." Something about the way he said it without judgment and without pressure made my eyes sting. "I'm fine," I repeated, softer this time, like if I said it gently enough it might become true. He studied me for a moment, then stepped back, giving me space. I appreciated that more than he knew. "Mercy said I should sit with IT for now," he said. "But... if you're busy, I can come back later." Busy. I almost laughed. "Give me five minutes," I said, surprising myself. "I'll walk you there." His brows lifted slightly. "You sure?" I nodded again. This time, slower. "Yeah." We walked side by side toward the IT section, not touching, but close enough that I could feel the heat from his arm every time it swung near mine. I focused on the sound of my heels against the tiled floor, counting each step like it was a lifeline. One. Two. Three. "Thank you," he said again, breaking the silence. "For earlier. And... now." "You don't have to keep thanking me," I replied. "It's literally part of my job." "I know," he said. "Still." That word again. Still. "You don't have to come if you don't want to," he said quietly. "I can find my way." "I said I'd take you," I replied. "I meant it." He glanced at me then. Really looked at me. There was something restrained in his expression, like he was holding back words in his head. "Okay," he said simply. We reached the IT section and I showed him where he was told to go, then I turned and left him. By 4:47 p.m., my head was pounding. The office had quieted down, the way it always did when people started leaving. I pretended to focus on my screen, but I'd been staring at the same email for ten minutes. I knew he was around. I hadn't seen Caleb all afternoon, and that alone made my chest tighten.  By 5:05, I gave up. I packed my bag slowly, slipped my phone inside, and stood up. I looked in Mike's direction and he had already left. As I stepped out of the building, the evening air hit my face, warm and heavy. "Babe." My heart dropped. I turned slowly. Caleb stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets, and standing beside him was sayo.  I didn't have the energy to exchange pleasantries so I didn't spear sayo any word.i could only focus on my boyfriend  "Hi," I said, already tired. He walked closer.  "I watched you today," he said. My stomach sank. "Watched me do what?" "Don't do that," he replied softly. "You know exactly what I mean." I swallowed. "There's nothing going on," I said quickly. "He's just a trainee. I was assigned to-" "I didn't ask for an explanation," he cut in "You've already said this before" I hated the fact that he couldn't wait for us to be alone to talk to me like that. He had to do it in front of her. "This thing you're doing," he continued, lowering his voice, "end it." My hands curled around my bag strap. "You can't tell me who to talk to at work." He smiled. Not kindly. "I can," he said. "And I am." "This is the last time I'm saying it, Aida," he added. "Don't let me see you entertaining that boy again." He stepped back. "Go home." And just like that, he turned and walked away. I stood there for a long time after he left, the street noise rushing back into my ears. My phone buzzed. A message from Caleb. Don't make me repeat myself, we'll talk later.

my spirit leave my body , I didn't know what to do.

CHARLES

"You are my African queen..."

Singing was part of my daily routine. Falling in love had only made it worse. This morning was no different. If anything, I was louder. Happier. Irritatingly joyful.

I stood in front of the mirror by the corner of my room, still undecided between a black tie and a dark blue one, singing like I was auditioning for a concert I was never invited to.

Love will turn you into a child.

I tilted my head, examining myself. Fresh haircut. Clean shave. I smiled at my reflection. Life was good. A little too good.

My phone buzzed on the table beside me.

Obviously.

I didn't even need to check the screen.

"Hey, babyyy," I answered, my voice already smiling.

"My loveeee."

"My heart."

"The angel of my life," I continued, stacking pet names like they were blessings.

If not for work, I would've stayed on the phone all morning saying nonsense with her.

"Are you at work?" Daniella asked, her voice soft and sweet.

"Not yet. I'm fighting a serious battle with my wardrobe," I said, glancing between the ties again. "But I think I've won."

"If you don't mind, let's switch to video call," she said. "Let me help you choose."

Tempting. Very tempting. But dangerous. Video calls with Daniella had a way of stealing time.

"I'll go with the black one," I said quickly. "Black goes with everything."

She laughed. "Okay. I just called to remind you about our date this evening. And I'm coming over today, so please, arrange your house."

"Don't worry," I replied confidently. "You're going to have the best time this weekend."

And I meant it.

After we hung up, I rushed through my morning routine. Toast. Tea. Keys. Bag. Out the door.

By the time I pulled up at the office building, I was still humming under my breath.

That was when I saw Mike.

He was just stepping through the entrance, calm as always, moving like someone who didn't need to rush because the world would wait for him anyway.

I slowed down slightly.

Funny thing about Mike, he never did anything loud, but people still noticed him.

I parked, grabbed my bag, and watched him disappear inside.

Then I hurriedly followed him and caught up with him

 "This is the first time I'm meeting up with you, which means I came early today"

He laughed a very weird awkward laugh

I