5 //Crap

Sauti Sol's song blared out over the speakers, a little too loud, if you'd ask Nicole but she didn't mind. Her lips moved along with the music, weaving through each word like the easy peasy it was. She worked on her hips on the dance floor, keeping in synch with the groove that whirled around the club. The young ravers kept her on her toes, pulling her into a carefree spirit. She laughed and smiled so much, her jaws ached.

"Being twenty four shouldn't be this tiresome," she breathed heavily, dropping onto a seat, next to Kiki.

"You telling that to a twenty five year old is a bit rude," Kiki answered, her thumb finger grazing the rim of a pint glass.

"Ain't my fault that you are lacking in the dance sector."

"I like to enjoy my gin in solitude."

"That's a poor excuse," Nicole tugged a smirk, adding some tonic to her drink. "Anyways, how was your date? " she asked.

Kiki smiled, "I wouldn't call it a date. It was more of a familial reunion. Like a withered branch of a family tree finally gasping for air. I think guka sent him to me."

"Do they look alike?"

"They don't really look alike but they share the same addictive smile and a subtle sense of humor," Kiki choked and stared at her drink. "He also plays darts just like guka," she added after beats of silence.

"Kiki don't _"

"It's like I finally have him back, like the past five years didn't steal him away from me."

Nicole watched the sullen expression on Kiki's face and finally said, "You need to let go of your grandpa. He is in a better place and you need to accept that."

"I miss him Nicole. I guess I still need more time to wrap up my past," Kiki felt her eyes itch. She blinked and managed to fight off a tear. "Anyways, did you get a job?" she smiled but Nicole was quick to note that it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Yeah I did," Nicole answered, disappointment distinct in her voice.

At this Kiki genuinely beamed, "Wow, that is great news. But why the sad face?"

"It just isn't what I wanted," Nicole sighed and downed some of her drink. "I still can't believe I have been reduced to a janitress."

Kiki gaped and stared at Nicole as if she had grown two horns on her head. "What happened to not selling yourself short? " she asked.

"I got desperate."

"Still, accepting a job as a janitress is a low cut, even you know that. From polishing books to polishing floors.  Trust you me, desperation will be your fall."

"Am running down on cash and if being a janitress will stop me from running back to my parents, so be it," Nicole quipped, emptying her drink.

**********

Nicole inched from the display window, making sure to dodge shafts of light that fleeted through the foyer. She edged her hands to her forehead and wiped off sweat with the back of her hand. A grimace curved on her face as she glanced at the brown overall draped on her body. Coloured stains grazed the old fabric and Nicole could've swore that Faith, or whatever her name was, intentionally gave her that unflattering overall. There were many other overalls in the store room, more...clean ones yet she ended up with the soiled one and a smug look from Faith.

She stoored in discomfort and traced her eyes back to the pane. It was crispily clean except for a bitty white spot that stared right back at her. She cursed under her breath and tapped cleaning fluid at the white spot. Using the piece of cloth in her hand, she rubbed at it furiously.

"Nicole?"

Nicole heard Faith's voice and groaned with distaste. Drawing her hand from the display window, she turned to Faith. As usual she sat behind the reception desk with an expression that Nicole so much craved to rip it off her.

Something else caught Nicole's attention. More precisely, a man. She had seen that figure more times in her mind than she would openly admit to. Her feet instantly remained deep rooted on the ground and she heard an implore in her chest.

Wayne Bajuu.

He stood across from Faith, his orbs glued on his phone, oblivious of the chaos he stirred within her. Nicole thought of the possibility of having to slink away but Faith had her eyes on her, impatience written on her face.

"Did I not call you?" she roared.

Nicole saw Wayne's attention fleet from his phone to Faith, then to her. She felt the air inside the foyer dip into a hazardous level and she took a deep gasp. Those familiar eyes watched her and Nicole immediately tore her gaze from him, afraid that her emotions would be descried.

"Yes, sorry," she managed a stable voice and walked towards Faith.

Wayne's stare was on her the entire time and Nicole would be lying if she'd say she didn't feel her legs wobble just a little bit.

A call came through Wayne's phone. Nicole sighed in relief as she watched him amble to the elevator, his phone held to his ear. Once inside the lift, Wayne orientated his frame towards the door and his eyes searched around until it landed on Nicole's.

Was that a smile or was Nicole just imagining her own things?

"If you are done checking him out, could you please take these magazines to the conference room in the second floor." Faith's voice rung behind Nicole.

Nicole's cheeks grew a blush. "I wasn't checking him out," she countered. She wiped her hands on her overall and reached out for the stack of magazines that laid on the table, holding them onto her chest.

The elevator dinged. Second floor. At least Faith saw her fit for orientation on her first day. Finding the conference room was no hassle and in just few minutes, she rapped the double glass door and made her way in.

"Our magazine for this month is set to be in the market by next week_"

The door tinkled behind her and everyone stilled, staring at her. She saw their eyes delve to her oversized stained overall. She felt out of place, like a fish out of water battling for air.

She dropped the magazine onto the large marbled table.

"As I was saying, this month's magazine is way better than the previous ones. It captures our designs and aesthetic pieces in the most beautiful form that will captivate our readers," said a short stout man with a strutting belly.

Nicole knew that she had to leave the conference room, her work there was done, but somehow she still remained rooted, much to the disappointment of many. She threw a glance at the magazine that laid atop of the others.

Curiosity kicked in and she stooped towards the table, her orbs skimming over the different pages, specifically over the art of description. A pregnant silence engulfed the room and the only sound that could be heard of, was that of flipping pages.

Nicole was well aware of the glares that pierced her frame. She didn't mind. After all, she had nothing to lose.

She looked away from the magazine and finally said, "This is crap and myopic. Not worthy to be circulated in the market."

Silence built up to whispers and Nicole took the time to regard their reactions. Her eyes landed at Wayne Bajuu and immediately colour drained from her orbs.

He looked beyond pissed.