Many days passed and everything appeared normal. Ella was getting used to her work and her friendship with Rosa got more intimate.
A few more of the employees already know the two ladies are friends. They often go for lunch together and leave the office together with the staff bus.
Alex was observing Ella without her knowing. He had just one week left to fulfil his grandfather's request.
He had tried talking things over with him and making him realise that he doesn't have an alternative and the only option was for him to do just what he wants.
Festus had already taken a liking to Ella. He wouldn't come to the Foster cooperation without checking on Ella.
He took her to lunch one of the days and asked her how she was finding her new life without Bill?
Ella had smiled and said Bill was in the past now. She soon forgot about it like he was never there in the past.
Festus was impressed.
He told her she's a brave woman. And women like her can endure anything and achieve everything they set their eyes on.
While they got back to the company, Festus told Ella that she shouldn't see Alex as a bad guy.
On the contrary,he is a good guy. He doesn't have issues with anyone who doesn't cross his path.
She should keep her distance and she would have a great time working with the Foster cooperation.
Ella nodded. For a while now, they haven't had any issues with each other. She thought Alex was going to treat her harder than he did when she just resumed but he didn't again.
When she saw that he was behaving nicely with her, she gave him his space and place. Give him the respect of a boss and do her work well.
Ella thanked him and told him she appreciated his kind gesture.
When Festus returned to his office, he received a call from Alex:
"Hello buddy" Festus chimed, as Soon as he answered the phone.
"Tell me something, Festus, is there something I need to know about you and Ella?" His voice was hoarse.
There was silence for a few seconds. Festus least expected such a question being thrown on his face.
Did he just ask him if he was having something to do with Ella?
"Why do you want to know?" Festus asked, question for question. Alex has numerous girlfriends and Lisa by his side.
He doesn't want to believe his thoughts that he might be interested in Ella as well. Not after the incidence of the past days.
"I am asking because I want to know. I think I should know, being Ella's boss and being your best friend" Alex snapped at him.
"Nope. There's nothing intimate" Festus declared. He sighed. Somehow, he doesn't feel comfortable if Alex was going to treat Ella like his numerous girlfriends.
The woman just recovered from a heartbreak. He doesn't want her to experience something similar or worse than that.
"Are you sure?" Alex inquired further. He hasn't told Festus his intentions towards Ella.
"Yeah, absolutely" Festus affirmed.
"Ok" Alex Foster was relieved.
Alex was going to hang up when Festus stopped him.
"Alex, wait" Festus said through the phone.
Alex squinted.
Festus' voice was calm but a bit of emotion. Was he having a crush on her? Has he already fallen in love with her but hasn't expressed it?
"I want to make a request, please don't say no. I am pleading..." Festus said, sighing silently.
"Speak,"Alex ordered.
"Like I said before, Ella and I have nothing intimate at least for now. But I treat her as a friend. Don't think of doing anything silly with her" Festus declared.
There was another long silence.
"We need to talk" Alex finally ended the silence.
**********
The next day at work, Ella was busy and checking her time for lunch. Her phone started ringing.
Checking the caller ID, she saw it was her mother. She was surprised, her mother hardly calls her when she's at work except when there's an emergency.
"Mum" Ella said immediately she answered her phone. But the voice that came through was not her mother's.
"Ella, your mother needs you now. Please come to Uptown city hospital…" the caller instructed.
Ella's heartbeat almost skipped.
Her heart was beating fast and hard. She was already covered in her sweat. She seemed to be panting for air.
Her mother, in the hospital? Is anything wrong with her? She just received her salary that morning and was going to take it to her mom to decide how to pay their bills.
Now, Ella was covered in sweat. She dashed towards the door and just as she was going to open the door, she remembered that her phone and handbag were not with her.
She went back, picked everything she needed and dashed out. At this time, she was about to start sobbing. Her eyes were moist.
She almost collided with Alex. She instantly paused when she saw him. She had almost forgotten she was supposed to make it known that she was going to see her mother.
"I'm sorry sir…" Ella apologised and was shivering. How will she say it,that she was going to see her mother in the hospital?
"Are you alright?" Alex asked, towering over her with a poker face.
"No, no sir. I...I..am not alright. My mom is in the hospital…. I was called to come over.."Ella stammered.
Alex nodded and walked away. He already knew that her mother was physically challenged.
And to have an emergency is something else. He hoped her salary would be enough to take care of her bills.
He had thought he would call her and asked her about the contract. If she agrees, fine. But if not, he would have no option than to seek someone else, even if it's Lisa.
Ella stood for some seconds. She was surprised that Alex would just let her go without yelling at her.
She soon recovered herself after she saw him strolling into his office. She recovered immediately and dashed into the elevator.
As Alex got into his office, he took his phone and dialled a certain person's number "Trail Ella and find out where she went and what exactly is wrong with her mother?"
Perhaps things might be easier for him than he had thought: