Chapter 3 - The Test

"Are you saying, that I have to prostitute alongside my job?" I asked, forcing sarcasm into my words because I had lost my respect for him.

"Yes Maya, that's exactly what I mean. If you can do that, then this job is yours," he said shamelessly.

I couldn't believe my ears. What he was asking me to do was something others would do with great pleasure so why couldn't he get anyone else? Does it mean the world has grown more decent? I have heard about people ladies going to the extent of sleeping with people in authority to get the job of their dreams. "Thanks for the offer but I think you are talking to the wrong person. Have a good day sir, I said as I picked my handbag and headed to the door."

"Are you sure about this Miss Jacobs? That you will let this opportunity go?" He asked again, but this time in a softer tone.

"Trust me/Sir, if this was the last job on earth, then I'd rather be a beggar," I finally said harshly, as I stormed out of his office. I was so furious, I regretted stepping out today. Perhaps I should have stayed home when the cab driver disappointed me. All these were just signs that it was going to be a bad day but I was so obsessed with this interview that I did not notice. I had also gone through a lot to get today approved as leave for me because there was a lot of work that needed my attention at the office. Therefore, I didn't want to waste my day.

"Hello Ma'am, you have to sign out here, came the voice of the receptionist."

 "She is not yet signing out, came a familiar voice behind me. "

'What? What will happen now? Am I going to be taken, hostage?'

"Why Sir, I  made it clear that…" before I finished speaking, he held my hand and gently pulled me back to his office. Before I could utter another word, he spoke.

"Congratulations, Miss Jacobs, you have passed the test."

"What do you mean by, I have passed the test?"

"I will tell you. Please have a seat."

I sat eagerly as I couldn't wait for a reasonable explanation for this offence.

"You see when we choose our managers? We don't just choose anyone. We only want the best from every angle. We want the best personality, best ethics, best character and finally, best moral standard. The question I asked was only to test your moral level which all candidates failed but you, on the other hand, passed flawlessly without thinking twice. So as the CEO of this company, I have decided to not appoint you as the Assistant but the Manager instead. You exceeded our expectations in the first interview and you also succeeded in the second and most challenging phase. May I be the first to say, Congratulations! We can't wait for you to start work. The details of your responsibilities will be detailed in your Appointment Letter."

I couldn't believe my ears. So the second interview was only a test? I kept repeating it to myself. I don't know if I was trying to convince myself that I was not dreaming because it felt so. Thank you, I said with a surprised look.

"So, when can you start work? He asked again, bringing me from my dreamland."

"In two weeks Sir, I have to give a two weeks notice to my current employer."

 "No problem, you can pick your contract letter from the HR department. Ruby will show you."

"Thank you, Sir…"

"See you soon, he said."

Sure, I responded as I headed to Ruby's desk. After signing the documents she gave me, I headed to the HR's office as she directed. 

"Congratulations, Miss Jacobs. My name is Lisa, the HR Manager. "

"It's nice meeting you, Lisa, looking forward to working with you soon."

"Of course, we have finished preparing your office. If you don't mind, you can take a tour. Jason will drop you home or wherever you want to go after you append your signature on the contract. You can study the contract in your office as you tour," Lisa said.

I finally got to see my new Office even before I started work. I have never been so proud of myself. After a careful study of the contract, I signed, When Lisa took me to see my new office. I was speechless. I could view the beautiful houses from my window. The design was breathtaking.  Even though it was smaller than the CEO's office, it had almost the same arrangement as his. I just wanted to start work immediately before I remembered I had to send a resignation letter to my current place of work.

I excitedly thanked Lisa and went home in my Audi E Tron. Yes, I said mine because that is the official car assigned to me. Jason will be my driver till I perfect my driving skills but if I want to maintain him as my driver, there will also be no objection. I Soo much wanted to go to a very expensive restaurant to give myself a treat but I also knew that my resignation letter should be submitted first thing tomorrow morning so I decided to call Sir Max and Jude to share the good news. Sir Max was purely excited hearing the news but Jude was totally surprised.

 "Are you sure? He asked with surprise mixed with joy."

"Of course, why will I lie? Do you want a snapshot of the contract? I asked, trying to convince him."

"No, no, no, no, your contract is a personal document. I am surprised because that vacancy had been opened for almost two years now with series of interviews held without any positive result."

"Oh, it should be because of the test. You will never expect it to be a test."

"What test, he asked even more surprised."

"Ask him, I thought the CEO was your bosom friend?

"If he had wanted to tell me, he would have told me but since he didn't, then I will not ask him."

Well, I explained everything about the test to him and heard the amazement in his voice as he spoke with a bizarre voice.

"That's a smart one. I never thought about this kind of test. So glad you pulled through."

When I reached home, we were still on the phone as I got out of the car. We talked a little more and hang up. Then I went to shower and got myself something to eat. I just realized it's been a long day and I hadn't had breakfast and lunch so I made some noodles as fast as I could. I went ahead to type my resignation letter, printed and signed it. Then I placed it in my handbag in other not to forget.

For the first time, I decided to check out some cool office wears to match my new position and started going through some online shops. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I heard was the alarm.

I woke up with several missed calls from my usual cab driver. I had completely forgotten about him. I had arrangements for him to pick me to work every morning since I was transferred to this branch. I realized how uncaring I had been by not calling him to check on his wife but you can't blame me, right? After everything that went on yesterday, I couldn't allow myself to feel guilty at all. He answered the phone on the first dial.

"Thank God, Ma'am, I was so worried because I could not get through to give you the good news. I even came to your house but you were not there. Is everything alright Ma'am?"

"Yes, everything is fine. Don't worry let's talk on the way."

"Great, because I am already at your house."

"Okay. I will be out in 30 minutes. I think you came too early."

"Yes, I know. I wanted to make up for disappointing you yesterday."

"It was an emergency so no problem at all. I had a quick shower and dressed very well because I was so happy. I double-checked on the resignation letter and found it just where I kept it. I got into the cab and was surprised by the driver's compliment. He never complimented me before. 

"You look very beautiful today Ma'am, are you sure you are only going to the office or do you have somewhere to go first?"

"No, I am going straight to the office, I giggled. Thanks anyway and how is your wife by the way?"

"She's fine. We had a baby girl. I am very happy. "

"That's great. You should have taken today off to spend some time with them."

"Trust me, I wanted to but her mum requested she comes to live with her for some time since I was always on the road. Even though I will miss them, it's the best option."

"Well, Congratulations to the newest daddy in town, I said laughing. I also got a new job, I blurted out."

"OMG, double celebration. Congratulations Ma'am," he said with a genuine smile.

"Thank you very much, I said returning his smile. I am going to present my resignation today."

"I am happy for you Ma'am, so it means our direction will change soon right? He asked excitedly".

"Yes, but I got an official car too so I might not be using your services after two weeks, I said carefully so that I'd don't make him sad. But his countenance briefly changed from happiness to sadness and then to his normal self again."

 "I am both sad and happy. Sad that I will not be able to drive you again and also happy that, you got a higher position. Maybe once in a while when you need a cab, please don't forget me."

"Of course not. How can I forget you? And we still have two weeks right?" As we were talking, he pulled over in the office parking lot as I got down from the car. As soon as I got inside the office, I couldn't help but notice the stares from all directions.