I'M EVE; THIS IS MY LIFE - SHOULDN'T MEN STARE?

Continued from here

Another week at the office.

Everyone is becoming independent, self-motivated and goal-oriented. And you got to be careful not to be left behind.

I've been having very long days. It literally feels like every day is more than 24 hours; so much to deal with so much to contend with. A new blue chip firm appeared on the radar

and it's been all hands on deck, trying to win the pitch for the account.

"High-pressure" became the term that seems to describe my work environment accurately. It can be taken as positive or negative by each person who reads it. Work wise, I'm currently battling with the enormity of my responsibilities.

My phone has been beeping all day, I choose to ignore because for some reason I am not in the mood for a tête-à-tête. As much as I love being checked upon, I feel his own is too muchjoor. That was the same way Akin paid me so much attention that I became the envy of all my colleagues, only for him to turn out to be a psycho with a PhD.

I recall quite clearly how he invited me to dinner at Radisson Blue on the Island against my wish, I'd rather do Protea Hotel, at Isaac John, Ikeja. Akin is one of those perception driven people  who feel for some vain reasons which I am yet to wrap my head around; the Island is better than the mainland, when in my opinion is a matter of choice not cash.

Okay, before you Island living guys and babes begin to roll your eyes and debate, let me say there's no bad- belle, I don't mind the island but I hate to embark on a journey with excitements that will be dampened by the traffic and exhaustion upon arrival, and then rush back to the mainland before its mid night.

It was on one of those dinner dates, the tinkle of glass of drinks in the air, we began to get really cosy and romantic in the warm, soft glow of the dim lights and the smooth music resonating around us.

From a few tables away, a dude had been checking me out and I jokingly shared the gist with Akin. He didn't find it funny, before I could apologise and emphasise it was a joke, Akin stood up, holding his glass of wine in his hands, walked straight to the dude and threw his drink at the face of this guy aiming for his eyes to teach him not to stare at another man's woman. The man said nothing, he gently stood up and like lightning punched Akin in the face. Akins nose became bloody immediately, before he could retaliate, the security guards pulled both men apart and threw us out of the hotel.

Imagine the embarrassment!

When did it become a crime to stare?

I still don't know if it was his staring at me or my joke that made Akin act that way. After so many other embarrassments, I called it quit with Akin.

Here I am, single and maybe searching but of course, not desperate.

Phew!

My name is Evelyn Opara, My friends call me Eve, I am a single woman in my mid-20s; this is my life