“Calm down and tell me everything that happened.” I nodded and began my story.
I sat down for about two hours before I was called in. I thought maybe they had changed their minds about offering the job or maybe I had missed the interview. I almost gave up and walked out. Then a lady came to me, telling me Mr. Black wants to see me. I straightened my dress and recited the words that Mama taught Ray and I, before I followed the lady into Ace’s office.Ace was sitting there calmly behind his desk, as if he had been waiting for me. I took the empty seat he offered me in front of his desk. Ace stared right into my eyes and I froze. That was unlike me, but in my defense, he caught me by surprise. He trapped me with his beautiful blue eyes. They reminded me of that night when we almost kissed. Then he glanced at my lips and I glanced at his, remembering our little moment yesterday which I ruined.Ace cleared his throat, startling me. Then I realized he just messed with my mind. I did a great job forgetting about yesterday until now. Chicken nuggets. I just hope that I don’t get distracted during the interview. Curse you Ace.“Miss Raven Snow,” Ace began and we got on with our interview. He asked me questions about my age, where I’m from, and the names of the schools I attended, from secondary school to the university.I’m twenty-seven years old. I’m half British, half Ghanaian. My mother is Ghanaian and my dad is British so I have a dual nationality and hence my skin color. I attended private schools in London and attended the University of Oxford. Then I moved to the US months afterwards. I got a really good job that paid well but I quit because my boss was racist and didn’t like that I was mixed race.Ace asked about my working experience and asked me a few more questions. From the look on Ace’s face, I could tell that I was nailing the interview. He was impressed with me. But I was still thinking about yesterday.“Miss Snow I would like to ask a few more questions before we wrap up.”“Ok. Please go on.”“Why the hell didn’t you kiss me yesterday?” He asked, my mouth fell wide.“What? What has this got to do with the job?”“Just answer the question Miss Snow.” He spoke calmly.“I’m not going to answer that. Those reasons are personal.”“Miss Snow, I don’t like to repeat myself.” He pressed.I sighed and answered him. “I didn’t know you. You were a stranger. I didn’t recognize you as Ace Black of BGGC. But even if I knew, I still wouldn’t kiss you. I don’t do that and I’m sorry we almost did. What I’m not sorry for, is disappointing you because we didn’t kiss, Mr. Black.”Ace smiled briefly and then suddenly, his face was void of any emotion. It scared me but I didn’t want to feel or look intimidated. I stared right back at him. Ace stared at his screen for a brief moment and the words he said next crushed my spirit. “Miss Raven Snow, you’re not competent enough for this job.”“What?”“Everything counts in an interview Miss Snow. The way you speak to the interviewer, how you answer the questions asked, your outfit.”“What’s wrong with my clothes?” I stared down at myself. I was wearing a white long-sleeved pocket blouse with a black pencil skirt. I wore a brown robe cardigan since it was chilly but I left it in my car. My hair was also neatly combed. There was nothing wrong with my outfit. “Ace, there’s nothing wrong with my outfit. Or did you want me to lie when you asked about the kiss?”“Miss Snow, you’re not qualified for this job. You may leave my office now.” He said without any emotion in his eyes.“Fine. I will leave. I’m not going to beg you for this job anyway.” I angrily stomped out of Ace’s office and left the building. I was a bit frustrated and hurt because I hadn’t been called incompetent before. I knew I was competent enough. Or maybe I was over-confident. Whatever. Ace still had no right to deny me the job because I didn’t kiss him yesterday.I got to my car and started it but the engine wasn’t responding. “Great. Could this day get any worse?” I said to myself. My day indeed got worse. It rained and I got wet when I stepped out of the car for a bit. I didn’t even bring an umbrella. I wanted to cry at that point because I was so angry and frustrated. When I couldn’t start my car and the rain kept falling heavily, I did cry. Finally the engine roared to life and I drove home, wet and looking like an ugly bird that fell in water.I cried on my way home. When Ray opened the door and saw how miserable I looked, she immediately embraced me. I cried out all the anger and frustration. She asked me to calm down and I narrated to her everything that happen.“That bloody bastard.”“Don’t swear.”“Sorry. So, he denied you the job because you didn’t kiss him yesterday?” I nodded, sniffling. “And he had the guts to call you incompetent. He can go fuck himself. You’ll find another job and he’s gonna regret that he didn’t give you the job.”“Ray!” I dragged her name when she cursed.“I’m sorry but he deserves that.” When am I going to find a new job? My paintings aren’t enough to pay the bills.”“Did he want you to beg him? Did you beg him?”I finally calmed down. “You know me very well to know that I would never beg for anything.” Ray embraced me again.“Raven, there are a lot of job opportunities for people with your qualifications back in London. I’m sure you’ll find one easily.”I shook my head. “I’m not moving back to London.”“Then let your friend Lana find you a job.”“I won’t do that either. I’ll find a job on my own.” I pointed to my chest. “My own efforts, Ray.”“Gosh you’re so stubborn. We’re not telling Mama about this until you’ve got a job.”“You don’t need to tell me twice.” I agreed.“Clean up while I heat up your lunch. I will leave afterwards. One, because I’ll go to work tomorrow. But I will check up on you. Two, I know Lana will be here soon to ask about the interview. I don’t want to be around when she gets here.” I chuckled. “I hate her guts.”“I know you do, Ray.”Ray and Lana don’t see eye to eye. They dislike each other. Hate was a strong word and I didn’t like to use it to describe how they felt towards each other. I don’t know exactly why they dislike each other, they just do. But I’m friends with Lana because she helped me settle in when I first moved to the US and I helped her prove to her father that she’s competent enough to be the CEO of her father’s company. And we’ve been good friends since.Ray and Lana are the most supportive people in my life, besides my Papa. Mama just thinks I waste my time fooling around. Ray and Lana are always there for me when I need them and I’m grateful that I have them in my life.I escorted Ray out after I changed into comfortable clothes and ate my lunch in peace…...not so much in peace. I ate my lunch while growing hate for Ace Black.“So you mean to tell me that he denied you the job just because of your outfit?!” Lana asked in disbelief for the tenth time. I groaned. “I’m sorry I asked again but I know Ace very well, he wouldn’t do that.” “Well, he did Lana. Can we move on to the next topic?” I lied to Lana not wanting to tell her about the reason why Ace didn’t give me the job. I didn’t “You look and sound terrible. We’re not going to move on to the next topic because there isn’t any next topic. What we’re going to do is to call Ace and give him a piece of our mind.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure you already did that but we’re going to do it again.” She paced in front of me while I fixed my eyes on the TV. “Don’t make things worse for me. Who knows what he’s capable off? What if he calls other companies to tell them that I’m incompetent? And that I didn’t kiss him.” I mumbled the last part, making sure Lana didn’t hear me. “He won’t do that because you have me.” “Let’s just let this go. I’ll think of something
“I hate you, Lana.” I grumbled. “I love you too. Now be good and obedient. Don’t murder him even if you feel like it.” “You’re making me sound like that’s what I do.” “Alright, step out. I also have to get to work early so good bye and good luck.” Lana pushed me out that I almost tripped and fell then she shut the door and the driver took off. Now, I know I said that I won’t step foot here, but I’m here because Lana forced me out of my flat and because I decided to work and not stay idle until I found another job. Lana also managed to convince me, telling me that Ace didn’t find anyone ‘competent’ enough and suitable for the job and that’s why he came back to me to offer me the job. I kept it at the back of my head to prove to Ace that I’m competent enough for the job. Today I wore brown pleat pants and a matching blazer with a black blouse. I don’t care what he is going to say about it. I recited Mama’s words to boost my confidence and then I entered the building, heading straigh
“Mama.” “Yaa, I heard you got a new job.” Yaa is my Ghanaian name. Mama likes to call us by our Ghanaian names because she doesn’t want us to forget our roots, even though we’ve only been to Ghana less than six times. Yaa is the name given to a girl born on Thursday. Ray’s Ghanaian name is Abena. She was born on a Tuesday. Names given to children based on the day they were born are called soul names or kradin in Twi -Mama’s native language- and they are very important in the Ghanaian culture. “I did, Mama.” I replied, trying not to sound exhausted. I returned home after 10:30pm today. If today was just my first day, I wonder how the rest of the days are going to be like. Luckily, Lana sent her driver to pick me up after Ace left me alone in the empty office building. “What job is it?” “Have you heard of Black Global Group of Companies, Mama?” “I haven’t.” “Well, it’s a very big company with branches all over the world and they deal with a lot of things. It’s a group of companies
“Ray, you will not believe what happened to me today.” I said into the phone while I sat behind one table near the window in the cafeteria. I waved over a waiter. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work right now? I’m making dinner before Justin brings the kids home.” The waiter came and I gave him my order before I left. “It’s really important. You’ve got to listen to this.” I heard her noisily putting down a utensil. “What is it? You’ve got my full attention. But make it quick. I myself am starving.” “Ace and I had a really intense moment in the elevator this morning.” “I thought you hated him.” “I do. But this morning I took the elevator with him because as his assistant, I’m supposed to. When we got to our floor, he did this thing where everything happened so fast and I was pinned between him and the elevator wall.” “And what did you do about that?” “I couldn’t do anything. I froze.” Ray burst into laughter. “Finally, someone who can tame you.” She said in between laughs. “Thi
“So I decided to arrive unannounced today because the production rates were dropping when I last checked. I wondered what was going on here. To my expectations, all that I saw as I walked to the office proved it. Can anyone care to explain to me why this is so?” When we arrived at the brewery, Ace immediately went CEO mode. He grew calm but looked broody and he walked with power and authority. When the employees sensed our arrival, they all scurried back to work. They looked frightened when they saw us walk in. I thought Ace smiles to his employees like he does to me but I thought wrong. He shows no emotion when he’s in front of his employees. I wanted to question him but I knew that wasn’t the right time. Ace asked me to take notes of the things I notice as we walked and I did so obediently. We headed straight to the manager’s office to find the manager smooching with some lady - an employee - on his desk. They were startled to see us. The lady ran out and the manager immediately ga
At 3am, I heard my phone ringing. I didn’t want to answer it but the person just kept calling so I picked up. I didn’t even look at the name or number. Then I heard his voice. That voice that sounds so sweet in my dreams but is now annoying me. “Miss Snow, you finally picked up.” “Why are you calling me at 3am in the morning? Didn’t you think that I would be asleep?” “Miss Snow, I think it would be convenient if you came to my house every morning before we went to work. You’re my personal assistant and I need assistance at home.” I sat up properly. “Can you repeat that? I don’t think I heard you clearly.” “You heard what I said. I’ll be expecting you here in an hour.” “An hour?” I screamed into the phone. He hung up. I cannot believe this guy. I’m going to call Lana later and tell her how crappy my job is and I will find a way to get myself fired. I can’t take this anymore. But wait Raven, if you give up now, he’ll be triumphant. maybe he’s testing me to see if I’ll cave. Well ch
“Are you out of your goddamn mind, Raven?!” “There’s no need for you to be yelling at me like that. I know I did the right thing.” “What, so you want to be lonely for the rest of your life? Why? Tell me everything. Tell me why you didn’t kiss him then and tell me why you kissed him yesterday and said no to him afterwards.” Ray spoke. I stared at her through the screen and sighed. “You already know why. I don’t have to explain everything to you again.” “Get over the past. You need a new man in your life. Do you have any idea how hard Mama prays for you that you get a good husband soon? She’s concerned and she’s starting to believe that you might be-” “Why would she think that? I’m sure she wants me to get married soon because her relatives have raised eyebrows. But I don’t care. Mama will do anything to look good in front of her relatives. Look Ray, I have priorities now. Me, myself and I are my priorities.” “What? You’re a feminist now? No. I don’t get it, tell me why. Aren’t you
RULES ON HOW TO BE A BETTER ASSISTANT TO MR. BLACK1. Your outfit shouldn’t look too ordinary. The way you look when you’re with Mr. Black emphasises his standards, and the power and authority he has. 2. Be at Mr. Black’s penthouse every morning to help him choose the perfect suit – shirts, ties, watches, belts etc. Thus, you’ll need knowledge in business suits. 6am is the preferred time to be there.3. Mr. Black is always pleased if you make him his preferred coffee from home. 4. You will always ride with Mr. Black to work and other places when he requests. There will be instances where he’ll ask him to drive him to his desired destinations.5. Anytime Mr. Black is before his employees, make his presence before them known. Employees will pause their duties and stand up to greet him with the needed respect. He responds and gives them the permission to return to their duties. That also includes you, Miss Snow. Every time Mr. Black passes by your desk, you do as it has been stated abov