The following weeks goes in a blur, Tony seems social and easy going and in a matter of time makes tons of friends. Whenever I pass by his desk, he seems to be surrounded by people which irritates me in a way. I meet my secretary on the hallway and we both head towards the elevator. A few seconds later, we are joined by a group of ladies from the sales department. They suddenly turn towards one another unaware that I am also in the lift and starts talking and giggling about how hot Tony is. “Do you think he is single? I mean he moved here alone so that means he must be single right? Should I ask him out?What do you think his type is? I would let him do anything he wants with my body, if you know what I mean. You know what they say- everything in Africa is big so that must mean he has a big d...”,Jane giggles and they all burst out laughing. I suddenly feel hot and impatient but before I can think of something to say, they all leave. I turn to my secretary with annoyance, “I want you to double the sales target this month!! Seems like people have too much time on their hands to be gossiping during work hours. And give them a warning next time to value their time in this company!!” I yell as I storm out of the elevator leaving a very confused Eva behind. I go back to my office and declare Jane my love rival. For the rest of the day I let out my frustration and anger to everyone that crosses my path.Tomorrow is Friday- would be good to go out and drink. I sigh. I get ready to go home and complain to my cats.

Next day, I decide not to extend working late but instead cloak out like everybody else. I pass by IT department and spot almost everyone near Tony laughing and talking. I scoff inwardly and make my way past them. Tony spots me and offers a sweet smile to me that stops me in my steps. “Good evening sir, everyone is going to this bar tonight to eat and have fun, want to join?” He looks at me expectantly. Someone jabs him on the side and tells him to keep quiet. The rest of the employees look at him half expecting me to chew his ear out . I nod and accept to tag along. There is an awkward silence as everyone looks at me as if there is something wrong with me. I am too happy that he actually invited me to even notice everyone’s jaws on the floor.

“Which club are you guys going to, I can give you a ride, there’s plenty of space in my car” I offer secretly wishing to share the ride with only Tony. John, an employee whispers to Tony, “hey, maybe ask the boss since he seems to be in good mood if he can take care of our tabs tonight too”, He jabs him playfully. Tony just laughs but doesn’t ask me.

We all head out to the garage, most employees have cars but Tony and a few others don’t. I’m about to offer him a ride again, when one guy- Josh drags him and a few others to his car. Disappointed I head to my car alone and we all drive to the club. I keep a note on my mind to add more tasks for Josh next week.

We all settle down and order food and drinks. I offer to pay for everyone and I'm met again with shocked faces which I ignore. We all settle down on the table, everyone hurries to sit away from me and I can’t really blame them. I sit down and scroll on my phone. “Is this seat taken?” I look up shocked to see Tony pushing forward to sit next to me. I just nod my head and scoot over for him as casually as I can.After a few minutes of awkward silence, I decide to leave to make them more at ease when our orders are brought to the table. After a few bites and drinks, everyone is back to their usual chatty self, and I am glad to see the tension with me around has faded and everyone seems casual and relaxed now. We all laugh and joke around. We order more rounds of alcohol and food. I make a mental note to come to this restaurant again as it has quite the delicasies.

“mmmmmmhhhhhh, this is sooo good, the pork just melts in your mouth like butter, I think I'm in love with my food, I'm taking you home with me tonight baby”, Tony half drunk suddenly shouts all excited to his plate sending the whole table rolling down with laughter.

“You have to try this Seo-Jun, open up now” He raises his fork with a piece of pork to my face and waits patiently for me to take a bite. Eva stands up and makes a move to go rescue Tony from me while Josh mouths Tony is a sitting duck waiting for my wrath. I surprise everyone yet again as I lower my head a little and take a bite of the meat. I chew it slowly while trying to avoid the fallen jaws of everyone on the table. I don’t really like pork and I tend to avoid it most of the times but seeing how excited Tony seems to be, I just can't say no to him. I remark its not too bad and goes back to eating my food, Tony ,satisfied with my answer goes back to eating his food happily, oblivious of everyone’s reactions on the table. The whole table seems to be in trance and suddenly forgets how to eat. Tony finally realizes how silent it is and raises his gaze only to be met by pairs of eyes looking at him. Confused he touches his face, “Is there something on my face guys?” I turn to glare at everyone who hurriedly denies and goes back to eating.

The rest of the evening goes well with some doing karaoke while others dancing on the dance floor, some just prefers to relax on the sofas with their drinks. At midnight, everyone starts bidding each other their goodbyes and leaves. I turn to ask Tony if he needs a ride back home only to find him passed out next to me. Such a light weight, I chuckle softly. Eva my secretary offers to call a cab for him but I offer to take him instead and persuades her to go home and rest as I handle everything here. After a while, I call the waiter and pay for everyone’s drinks and food. I decide to go outside for a smoke before taking Tony home.

After a few minutes, I come back to find Jane-my love rival touching Tony’s face and trying to wake him up. A part of me feels like yanking her arm and tossing her outside but I try to compose myself and head towards her with a tight smile on my face. “Jane, you are still here, I thought everyone left. Do you want me to call a cab for you? As for Tony, I’ll take him home so you don’t have to worry.” I proceed to call her a cab a mid her protests and urge her to go home as well. She seems unsatisfied and is about to argue more but decides not to. After making sure everyone has gone back home, I breathe a sigh of relief and sits down next to Tony who is now snoring quietly. I smile and lay my head close to his and just stares at him for a long time. I note he seems to frown probably because the table is not comfortable and so I carefully put my arm under his head so as to make him comfortable which seems to work as he is now smiling. I run my hand through his soft Afro hair marveling at how bouncy and curlyit is. It reminds me of cotton candy that my nephews like so much. After a few minutes, I shake him gently to ask for his address but I get no response. After awhile, I give up trying to get a sensible word out of him.

I decide to take him to my place instead. He is quite heavy and full of muscles I think to myself as I get him settled on the front seat of the car. I need to start going to the gym again to take care of him better. I smile. He groans softly as I buckle up his safety belt. It takes everything in me not to kiss him. I sigh loudly and decides it's a good time for another smoke before getting in the car. After a few puffs, I go back to car and speeds off.