𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 20. ~~

               It was half a minute almost after lunchtime and Fareed and Adam had not come to drag him out of his office for lunch. Although Adam was not in the office and he was grateful that Fareed didn't come to disturb his work. But it was so unusual. Although he had given them an assignment it doesn't affect Fareed for him to miss his lunch. The guy can eat anything that can enter the mouth. He does not joke with his stomach.

             The intercom buzzed on the table and he pressed the button to answer his secretary.

             Uche's voice came alive from the intercom. "Sir, he is still in office."

"Okay. Thanks." He said and he stood up from his seat.

               He took his wallet and he put it inside his suit pocket then he picked up his phone and he walked out of the office.

               Uche's face was glued to the laptop in front of her. She is tapping some words into the computer at a fast speed. Sometimes, he stood to admire how fast she was in typing.

"Uche, won't you go for lunch?" He asked.

             She looked up from what she was typing and gave a small smile.

"I will eat my lunch here. Everyone is busy because of the contract we are about to work on. Even Fareed is still in office." She said. Demilade knew she was trying to suppress a smile. She also knows how Fareed never jokes about his lunch. He guessed she had missed the funny man that always come to remind them it was lunchtime.

             He couldn't help but smile.

"Yes. Don't worry, we will have the contract. Our work will be the best marketing strategy. Go have your lunch. You have been extra busy since Dayo took his leave. Don't overwork yourself. We will win." He said confidently.

              She smiled at him. She trusted him. He must have had a good reason to say that. But he was right. She shouldn't overwork herself. She thought.

"Okay, sir." She switched to a secretary mood.

              Demilade shakes his head. And he walked away toward the elevator.

              Fareed was tapping on his desktop and at the same time ordering his secretary when Demilade walked into the office. His secretary seem surprised to see him. She said a polite greeting as she walked past him to go carry out her boss's order.

"Hmmm. Looking so serious." Demilade said and he took a seat opposite him.

             Fareed looked up, surprise written on his face.

"Am I seeing double? Or have I begun to hallucinate because of hunger?" He asked and Demilade chuckled.

"Maybe. How far?" He asked.

"I dey. (I'm fine)." Fareed answered and he picked up a folder and began to look at something in it.

"This one wey you serious? (You are looking serious). Hope all is well. Lunch is almost over you know." Demilade teased his friend.

            Fareed looked up at him grimacing.

"Demmy you dey mad? (Demmy are you mad?) Who says make you remind me? (Who ask you to remind me?) "

              Demilade chuckles. "I'm your boss remember?"

"God punished the boss."

"Fareed. I'm going to fire you."