Benson paused in the IT room just to watch her. She didn’t notice him. Her steps were gentle, her voice calm.
She didn’t try to impress anyone. She looked like someone who had gone through a lot, yet remained strong, humble, and peaceful.
At lunchtime, he saw her again. She brought food from home. Plain jolof rice packed neatly in a small container.
She sat in her corner and took out a small bottle of water. As she was eating, that was when one of the office messengers who had been working all morning walked past tired and sweaty.
Without hesitation, Naomi called out softly, “Come, take some. I have enough.” She handed him half of her rice without thinking twice.
Benson watched from a distance. That moment confirmed everything he felt the day before. She was truly different from the other staffs.
The thought of Naomi stayed in his heart ever since that day. As he rushed through the hallway one morning with a cup of hot coffee in his hand.
He had barely slept. His mind was restless from all the tasks he had on ground that week.
As he turned a corner, the cup slipped from his fingers, spilling across his shirt in one quick splash.
Oh my goodness,” he muttered, staring at the mess soaking through his clothes. Naomi, who had been quietly cleaning the IT office nearby, heard the sound and stepped out.
The moment she saw him, she gasped softly. “Oh, no, sir. Are you okay?” Benson felt embarrassed.
“I’m fine. Just not my best morning.” Without hesitation, Naomi knelt to wipe the coffee from the floor.
Then she stood again, her eyes moved to his shirt, completely stained. “You can’t walk around like this,” she said.
“Follow me.” “Follow you?” Benson asked, confused. “Yes,” she replied gently. “Come?” She led him to the janitor’s room and opened a small locker.
“From inside,” she pulled out one of her oversized t-shirts. Plain cotton, nothing fancy, clean, neatly folded.
“You can wear this for now,” she said. I’ll help you wash the shirt. Benson blinked.
You’ll wash it? Yes, she said simply. It’s not a problem. He was speechless. No one had shown him that kind of kindness before.
He took the shirt with both hands. Thank you, he said quietly. And please don’t call me sir.
My name is Solomon. She chuckled softly. I am Naomi. That small moment shifted everything.
After that day, they spoke more often. She greeted him every morning. He waited for her during lunch breaks.
They laughed over little things. Femi, who was used to being the center of attention for most girls, noticed immediately.
Each time he saw them talking, his smile disappeared. Why is Solomon getting so much attention?
“What is so special about him?” He muttered to himself. Naomi usually avoided everyone, especially higher level staff.
She cleaned quietly, kept her head down, minded her business. One afternoon, Fei entered the IT office.
He found Naomi laughing softly at something Benson said. It was a small laugh, nothing dramatic, but it caught him off guard.
He stopped at the door and stared. What is so funny that is making her laugh like that?
Since Naomi started working in the company, Fei had tried several times to get her attention.
Each time, she simply nodded, answered politely, and walked away. To him, it made no sense.
Women usually noticed him. They tried to impress him. After all, he was the manager’s son.
Handsome, educated, and proud of it. But Naomi, it was like he didn’t exist. As he watched her and Benson talk like old friends, something pinched sharply in his chest.
Then one fateful day, he approached her again. “Naomi,” he called. She paused, hugging her mop handle gently.
“Good afternoon, sir.” Femi flashed his usual confident smile. You didn’t even notice I was talking to you earlier.
