Tegan 3

 

Photo: from Google

Tegan: darling

In the weeks that followed, Tegan acted like the new interns didn’t exist. In other words, she acted like Dozie didn’t exist. Whenever Lola brought up anything about them, she would talk about something else or ask that she refer them to Jack. She even agreed to go for the spa treatment Lola had been begging her to go for, just to get him off her mind. She avoided him so well, she almost believed she could keep doing it.

Everything changed one Friday evening. She had worked a bit late and thought she was the only one in her unit still around. She hummed to herself as she sauntered to her car, carrying a cardboard box of old magazines she wanted to go through that night. Most people would be singing TGIF and probably turning up at the club and here she was thinking of how she’d work more. Oh well, she’d work with a bottle of red wine. On the other hand, some people would be going for vigils. She remembered how she and her siblings were dragged to vigils by their mother. Being who she was, she would sleep through it all. Her mother would slap her most times to keep her eyes open. She smiled at the memories, she’d call her mother as soon as she got home.

 She opened the boot of the car and dropped the box inside. She made a mental note to clear out her boot once she got the time, it was filled with junk. She closed the boot and almost jumped out of her skin.

 Again. 

The boot had obscured him from her line of vision.

“What the hell? What is wrong with you? Why do you keep doing that?” Tegan put her hand on her chest as if to prevent her heart from jumping out of her ribcage. She eyed Dozie menacingly.

“Doing what?” Dozie asked, hands in his pockets. His black bag hung loosely from his left shoulder. He looked good in jeans and a Ralph Lauren polo. He also looked exhausted.

“Sneaking up on me, like a serial killer,” Tegan answered, walking past him and making her way to the driver’s seat. She paused when she got there and turned around to face him. “You’re not a serial killer, are you?” 

Dozie chuckled, “I’m not a serial killer, just a writing intern. Totally harmless.”

“Yeah, writing intern. How could I forget?” she rolled her eyes.

“You do realize this is the first time we’re talking and it isn’t related to work.”

“You do realize you’re wasting my time. Is there something you want?” Tegan asked, getting irritated.

He sighed, “I need a ride.”

“Okay, get yourself a ride.” She turned to open the door.

“I need you to give me a ride.”

It was Tegan’s turn to chuckle. She turned back around. “And why on Earth would I give you a ride?”

“My ride, someone,” he said, “has left cos I was working late. I was leaving when I saw you walk to your car.”

“You still haven’t answered why I should give you a ride. Do I look like I care that your “someone” left you?”

Dozie stepped some inches closer to her. She stepped back a bit and hit her car. She looked like a trapped animal.

“I think you should give me a ride because you won’t leave one of your interns alone at night even when he pleaded for a ride. It won’t be appropriate. What if something happened to me? What would people say?”

“Are you trying to guilt trip me?” Tegan asked, amazed at his boldness.

“Call it whatever you want, Tegan.”

“You clearly haven’t gotten the memo that I don’t care what people say.”

“Okay, you got me there. You don’t care what people say. The thing is you have no reason not to give me a ride,” Dozie rested his right hand on the car, trapping her more. He smiled mischievously and added, “what exactly are you afraid of?”

Tegan thought of a million reasons why giving him a ride was a bad idea. One, she didn’t want to be alone or close to him. But giving him the ride was better than being caged like this when she could feel his mint breath on her and smell his perfume. He smelled so nice.

“I’m not afraid of anything,” she looked him in the eyes.

 “Great. Would you give me a ride, please?”

“What makes you think we’re going the same way?”

“I’ll alight at the bridge. You’ll drive on to GRA. I know where you live, remember.”

“Right. How could I forget that too? Okay, get in the car,” she pushed him away. They both got in and she said, “consider this a favor, and I’m gonna need a favor from you soon.”

“Anything you want, Tegan,” he said as he fastened his seat belt.

“I’m T-boss to you.”

“You’re T-boss during working hours. Working hours are over.”

“Whatever analysis you have is your business. Don’t call me Tegan,” she said with a final tone.

They drove in silence. Dozie kept stealing glances at her. Her car smelled of roses. Come to think of it, she also smelled of roses. He remembered the vase of roses he saw on her table when he  walked in on her in her living room. She had a thing for roses. Anyway, he was really pleased that he got to talk to her, certain that she had avoided him since he started working at Fashion Today. She had a wig on today. It was blonde and long. She wore a black Polo that she folded at the sleeves. She tucked it into a blue denim trousers. Her feet were protected by a pair of black air max. Her face looked great, with little make-up. Her lips had the same shade of red as it had the day he started working. He noticed her nails weren’t polished, but were long.

He had no right to be in her office except he was summoned. It made it difficult to actually talk to her privately. He could count the number of times she had addressed his colleagues and him since the first day. Shade, who practically worshipped her was not pleased with this. She’d look for any reason to speak to Tegan. She practically became best friends with Lola just to get close to her. A part of him thought she was just busy, but the other part kept telling him she was avoiding him. If she was avoiding him, it only meant he had an effect on her. Which was good.

As he saw her walk to her car, an idea had formed in his head. It would enable him to spend time with her. He hoped it would work. She got to the bridge and found a spot to park her car. 

“Okay, we are here. Now, get out of my car. I’m not doing this again. Make sure your “someone” would be there to drive you the next time you decide to stay late or you just walk here,” she didn’t take her eyes off the road.

“Relax, you’re always quick to get rid of me. If I didn’t know better I’d think you were avoiding me.”

“Pfft, and why would I avoid you?”

“Never mind. I have an idea on how to return this favor.”

“Oh, like never speaking to me again. That would be great,” Tegan smiled.

Dozie laughed, “and you weren’t avoiding me? Or maybe you hate me. You should smile more, you look prettier when you do.”

“I don’t hate you, I just don’t like you.  And don’t tell me when to smile. Now, what is this favor before I push you out of my car.” She did look at him then.

For a second he thought she would actually push him out of the car, so he spoke up. 

“I know there’s a fashion exhibition tomorrow and you’re supposed to attend and also give a feedback, you know, write about the exhibition.” He paused to examine her facial expression. He realized she still kept a straight face, clearly waiting for him to make his point. He quickly added, “what if I went with you? I record everything. I check everything, detail by detail and I write the report for you. Probably all you have to do is edit.”

“And why would I give the job of an editor to an intern who has only worked for about two weeks?” Tegan asked.

“Just take it as an assessment. You haven’t assessed us since we started working. And it’ll help you enjoy the exhibition. I’ll do all the work. You just have to trust me. You could ask Mr. Jack if I’m any good at my job. I’m sure he’d have nice things to say about me.”

Tegan thought for a minute. She had no reason to accept his help. It wasn’t really a favor as she’d still have to edit his report, but it won’t be such a bad idea to have an errand boy at the exhibition. She smiled to herself.

“Cool, you have the gig. I leave at 9:00am sharp, if you’re not here when I get here, I’m off. And I’ll make you pay for it. Now get out.”

Dozie wasn’t sure why she accepted. He thought he’d have to convince her more. 

“Err, how would you know where I would be? You don’t have my number, do you?”

“Dozie, I’m your boss.”

“Right, you definitely are. Which means that you have my number and you’ll call me when you get here before you drive off.”

He watched her drum her fingers on the steering. He didn’t know why that simple act scared the shit out of him.

“Okay, I’m leaving. Thanks for the ride.”

He got out and watched her drive off. He smiled to himself, he had to get ready for tomorrow.

                                           ***

Tegan sipped her red wine as she went through the last volume of the magazines she brought home. She was sitting on the floor in the living room, with magazines scattered around her. The bottle of wine sat beside her too. Soft music filled the air and the dim light cast a glow on her skin. It would have been a romantic scene, if she wasn’t working. And if she had someone. Taylor was at Kachi’s for the weekend. So, she had the house to herself. Dressed in a blue silky night dress, she scratched her cornrowed hair and thought of new ideas for the next volume of Fashion Today. They’d have to feature a model. She hoped to see her at the exhibition tomorrow.

The exhibition.

She was beginning to think accepting Dozie's offer was a bad idea. The aim was to stay away from him, which she clearly had been doing. Staying away from him was supposed to make her not think of him or like him. She told herself she didn’t like him. He was a smug bastard and Cynthia’s little brother. She scoffed. Cynthia was smug too, of course they were related. She remembered few of her encounters with Cynthia. The lady acted all sweet around Taylor, pretending to like her but turned into a tiger once Taylor turned her back. Cynthia was proud too and would fret if she didn’t get her way.

She knew why Cynthia didn’t like her. And that was because she hadn’t gotten her way.

 There was a man, Isaac. Cynthia really liked Isaac, but Isaac liked her instead. She wasn’t even interested in the guy, but for the fact that Isaac had chosen her and not Cynthia, the hatred seed was planted. Ever since then, Cynthia frowned whenever she came close to her. It wasn’t her fault that Isaac liked her. That wasn’t Cynthia’s problem anyway, she had to have someone to blame for it.  Well, at least that was why she thought Cynthia didn’t like her.

 She didn’t want to have anything to do with her brother. It’s not like she ever wanted anything to do with him in the first place. But he worked under her and she had eyes. Dozie was gorgeous. She remembered how he looked some hours earlier. How the car felt too small with him in it. How she wanted to ask him what his perfume was but instead threw him out of the car. 

She sighed, thinking about him would make matters worse. She dropped her wine glass beside her and picked up her phone. It was about 10:30pm. She unlocked her phone and dialed a number. Hopefully it wasn’t too late to place the call.

“Hello,” the voice at the end of the line said.

“Hello, Mummy,” Tegan said, smiling at the sound of her mum’s voice. “Good evening ma.”

“Nneoma, kee kwanu.”

Tegan’s smile deepened. Only her family called her by her Igbo name.

“I’m fine, Mummy. How are Daddy and Tony?”

“Ha dicha nma. Kee maka Nneka?”

“Nneka is good, she’s at Kachi’s.”

“Why is she at Kachi’s? You children won’t hear word. She’s not yet married to him and she’s—”

“Mummy, they’re engaged na. She can sleep in his house.”

“If Nneka gets pregnant before the wedding, I will personally—”

“Mummy, relax na,” Tegan laughed. “She won’t get pregnant. I didn’t call you to talk about Nneka, biko. I called to hear your voice.”

She could swear her mum smiled at that.

“Oh, nwa m. Daalu.” Her mum cleared her throat before she continued, “ehm, any man yet, asking for your hand?”

“Mummy! You know I don’t like these questions.”

“Oh, ndo. Ndo, nwa m. I was just curious.”

“I have to date first, before someone asks for my hand.”

“Remind me again, why aren’t you dating anyone? Because I know you are a fine woman, Nneoma. Nwa m di sharp.”

Tegan laughed at that. “Thanks for the compliment, mummy. I just haven’t seen the guy I want to date.”

“Okay. I believe he’ll come soon.” Mrs. Maduka was optimistic. “A fine man.”

They talked some more about other things before she ended the call. She packed the magazines, turned of the light and music. She said a little prayer, for God to give her a peaceful night rest and for Him to take Dozie off her mind. It seemed God had other plans for her for even her dreams were plagued by the same person she wanted off her mind.

                                      ***

“Have I told you that you look exquisite in that dress?” Dozie said to Tegan.

They were at the fashion exhibition. It was an outdoor event. White chairs were arranged at the side of the makeshift runway. Flowers were used to decorate the place. Models were already coming out, dressed in different styles of Ankara. Gowns, skirts, tops, jumpsuits and so on. It was an Ankara exhibition. There were a lot of designers too in attendance.

Tegan wore a black and blue patterned Ankara, styled into an off shoulder play suit. Her laps and legs were magnificent. She wore black heels that made her almost his height. They were standing side by side. Dozie didn’t think he had to wear Ankara, so he opted for a pair of jeans and a peach long sleeved shirt. It was well starched and ironed.

“What are you doing?” Tegan asked him.

“Giving you a compliment. You smell like roses too. I think you like roses.”

Tegan turned to look at him and rolled her eyes.

“You’re supposed to be working. Taking notes. Observing.” She turned to face the runway.

“You’re right. You’re supposed to accept a compliment too.”

“Boy, I know I’m exquisite. Do you think you’re the first one to say that to me?”

Dozie’s face fell at that. “I guess I’m not the first person.” He brightened up the next second. “I'll say it differently then. I think you look exquisite in everything you wear.” Or don’t wear. Jeez, how had that thought crept into his mind.

She looked at him again. He could see humor in her eyes.

“How old are you, Dozie?”

“What?” he was thrown off guard by the question.

“You heard me. How old are you?”

“I’m 23.”

“You’re a bit older than I thought, but still young,” she said. 

He frowned at her statement.

“Here’s the thing, Dozie. I’m your boss—”

“You remind me of that every second of the day.”

“Don’t interrupt me when I’m speaking to you.”

He gulped and nodded. “Yes, boss.”

“I’m your boss. You have no business flirting with me. Forget we met before you started working at Fashion Today. Forget whatever is going through your mind about me. Are we clear?”

He didn’t say anything.

“Chidozie, are we clear?” she smiled at him.

Her smile was scary, so he answered, just to get her to calm down at the moment. “Crystal.”

“Good. Now, get to work.” She turned to face the runway again.

“Yes ma'am.” He left her standing.

                                   ***

“This is the report,” Dozie said as soon as he walked into Tegan’s office on Monday morning. He dropped it on her desk and folded his arms.

“And good morning to you too, Dozie,” Tegan took the report smiling to herself. “You didn’t knock.”

“I’m sorry, but I figured you already knew I was coming, since you called me to bring the report to your office.”

“Yes, but still, knock before barging into my office.”

He simply sighed and nodded.

“You’re usually more chatty than this. What’s wrong with you?” she asked, going through the report.

“Other than the fact that you turned me to an errand boy on Saturday, plus the main job I was doing, I think I’m perfectly fine.” Plus the chat we had, he thought.

“Oh please, you were the one who wanted to tag along, now you’re complaining.”

“I wanted to help you get the report done faster, not get you a drink 10 times or help carry your extra bag or help you take pictures of yourself and your friends. Oh, it’s funny,” he said when she laughed.

“Next time you’d think twice before helping me. Besides, you did the report. I’ll check it out. If it’s no good, you’ll write it again.”

“You know what, darling, it’s fine if I write it again. But, you will be the one owing me a favor—"

“Excuse me?”

I said, you’ll be doing me—"

She cut him off, “okay, inasmuch as that particular statement of doing you a favor is irrelevant, I want you to know and remember that I’m your boss, and you don’t speak to me the way you want much less call me darling. Are you crazy or something?”

“Oh, I see that got to you. You’re all feisty.” Dozie walked to her chair. He turned the chair away from the table and put his hands on the two sides of her chair, trapping her. “Doesn’t Tegan mean darling? I’m sure it does. Anyway, I’ll call you darling from now on. Take a look at my report and get back to me.”

He straightened and saw relief wash over her. She didn’t have a comeback for that.

“I’m here. You can’t get rid of me or fire me.”

“What makes you think I can’t fire you?”

“Maybe you can, but you won’t. So, deal with having me around.”

“What if someone had walked in when you had your hands on my chair?”

He smiled, “thank God they didn’t, then. And I figured others would have more courtesy to knock than I did.

He turned to leave, then paused briefly at her door. 

“I haven’t had the chance to say, your ass looks good in that skirt, darling. Boss.” 

He left her gawking.

Okay, he always found a way to get on her nerves. What gave him the audacity? How can one person infuriate you and please you at the same time? She was gonna accept he worked here all right, no one ever said she’d make it easy for him. She didn’t have to fire him. She stood and walked to her door. She locked it just so no one would barge in. She checked her ass in the high waist pencil black skirt she wore. Her ass did look great in the skirt. 

“Hmmph. Damn him for saying things I want to hear!” 

Glossary for the Igbo words

• Kee Kwanu: how are you?

• Kee maka: what of?

• Ha dicha nma: they are fine

• Nwa m: my child

• Biko: please

• Ndo: sorry

• Daalu: thank you

• I di: you are