ZANE, MY INTERNET BOYFRIEND

Rita's POV

Practically, I'm literally starting a new life today.

And to start with, i'm gonna stop doing some things and start some new things.

Geez! I can't believe that I'm kinda eager to find a partner, all of a sudden. Let's see how it goes, how long it would last and if it'll make me happy atlas!

I woke up very early that day, quickly engaged in some simple domestic chores which didn't take much of my time because I have the whole small house to myself.

I searched for and jostled out a really nice outfit out of my wardrobe, with a matching pretty footwear. I'm fashion conscious but these days I've been less concerned about whatever I put on simply because I have this sort of mentality that there's no guy out there to wear a dress to kill for. But today I say Bye- bye to that mindset.

I blsuhed secretly when I realised that my mode of dressing has captivated men's attention.

Gosh! When and why did I start thinking about guys? Yet I won't give them a minute to talk to me. Ain't being too pompous or full of myself instead I see them as strangers. I'd choose Friends to lovers rather than strangers to lovers.

But come to think of it, I prefer friends to lovers but I've got no friends other than Evelyn and Adam.

Accepted, I have to meet and mingle with people, Strangers.

Several thoughts ran through my head as I tried to fight off the old mentality.

*

Thank goodness I arrived at the office earlier than yesterday. Haven exchanged pleasentaries perfunctorily with some colleagues, I looked around forr Evelyn because she arrives at the company before me. Talk of the devil, Evelyn walked in.

"I guessed right, I actually saw you alighted from a cab but since I wasn't so sure. So I didn't wanna yell out your name" Evelyn said as she walked closer and gave me a greeting peck.

"We were gonna meet here anyways." I responded. "You don't need to embarrass yourself out there by yelling out my name"

"Oh another stressful day." She sighed and took a seat.

"Good morning Rita" She added.

"Good morning to you too" And I suddenly remembered what she did yesterday. "And Evelyn what have you done?" I screamed at her.

"What have I done? Like what? How? I don't understand" She pretended.

"I don't understand" I imitated her with an ugly expression.

"You told Janet Johnson to hook me up with a guy!" I fired.

"Well that's not a bad one, I was only helping as a friend" She said, ignoring the fact that I was mad at what she did.

I stared at her, waiting for her to at least apologize or give me better reasons why she did that.

"So how did it go with the guy she introduced you to?" Evelyn asked me instead.

I rolled my eyes.. "Jokes on you, It will never go well"

"Don't tell me you ignored him?"

I snubbed her and sat properly "I didn't, but sure I will, soon"

"C'mon Rita..."

Just then my phone rang, it showed an unknown number yet I slid to the receiver anyways because it could be someone important or an urgent call.

"Good morning, You're speaking with Rita Martinez, please who is this and how may I help you?" I spoke in a polite and official manner.

＜＞"Oh Goodness, I got the right number. Hello Rita" An unfamiliar muscular voice.

"Hmmn Hi, please who am I into?" I asked again.

＜＞"Zane"

Now the name sounds familiar.

＜＞"From Kikachat. Hello? remember me? From Janet Johnson?" He added when I didn't say anything.

"Oh" I shot a glare at Evelyn. Yeah it was all her fault. She caused all this.

"Who's that?" She mouthed back but I scowled at her.

"Hello Zane, it's great hearing from you" I responded, acting all nice.

＜＞"Same here, you have a lovely voice Rita" He complimented and I smiled.

"You do not sound bad as well" I told him.

"Hmmn but how did you get my contact?" I inquired.

＜＞"Oh that, err... It's online, easy to find" He said.

"Really?" I exclaimed. I actually thought I took down my contact a long time ago because of this same reason. Avoiding calls from strangers.

＜＞"So where are you right now?" He asked.

"At work"

＜＞"Oh right, it's work day. So what are you presently doing?" He asked me, being friendly and perhaps romantic too.

I blushed a little; apart from my parents, there's no one else to ask after me and my day. That's probably why I got flattered.

"Hello? You are blushing! You got a guy Rita!" Evelyn clapped her hands.

Everyone initially minding their businessed started to stare at me.

"Uh.. noo" I stammered.

Oh shit! I covered her mouth with my palm right away. I've almost forgotten that she was watching me and taking notes of my expression being an annoying upcoming love doctor that she was.

"Uhh.. I'm at work, I'm working Zane!" I said rudely like I got upset with his caring attitude.

＜＞"Oh sorry, I'm probably disturbing you" He innocently apologized.

Evelyn and I were still busying struggling. I managed to hold the cell phone on my ear while I covered her mouth with the other hand to stop her from spewing nonsense again. And she was just there trying to get herself free from me and she also wanna listen to my conversation with Zane. While we struggled, I didn't know how I clicked on the loud speaker icon.

＜＞"So when would you be free? We have a lot to catch up on, you know. What time would you leave your workplace?" Zane inquired. It was loud and clear.

Jeeez... I trembled and quickly reduced the volume.

"6:00pm!" Evelyn yelled.

"Evelyn!!" I hollered her name.

"Bye Zane, Bye." I hung the call instantly and confronted Evelyn.

"Why are you shy that there's a guy who's into you or who you eventually might be into? Look, you were blushing" Evelyn said before I could even vent my anger on her.

"Stop saying nonsense, I don't even know him yet" I fired back but when I noticed that everyone in here was staring at us.

"C'mon" I lowered my voice.

"Okay. Like you just said 'not yet'. So is he the guy you were matchmade with?" She whispered curiously.

"We were not match made, he was only introduced to me" I gave an eye roll.

"Whatever, it's the same thing in terms that it is most likely you end up with him" She said.

"Rita got a guy?" Adam interrupted us.

*****

To Be Continued