James sat in his office alone after summoning for his personal assistant. He had been in need of it for quite a while now. Not that there were no applicants that wanted to work but they were not qualified enough to his taste. His former P. A,a man of integrity and loyalty to him,suddenly resigned with the excuse that he would be abroad - based from then on.
He was hurt but he had no choice and all applicants he had been interviewing after him did not have the qualification he wanted.
Thus,he was happy when his brother,Peter,had told him of a person that was educated,hardworking and intelligent. Peter had suggested and assured him that the person would be no doubt qualified and fit for the position.
If he were to be honest with himself, he found her tactful even though she talks too much. She was always willing to keep quiet whenever he told or signalled her to.
For the past few months she had been working for him,he had the other side of her — the quiet side of her. She was always serious when it comes to her work. She did not toy with that and that's what he appreciated the most.
There was a day she had an argument with a client on his behalf. The client had been too abusive to him and because she couldn't bear to see anybody tongue lashing her boss,she talked back to the man as calmly as anyone could think of but her words were fire.
And though the client never stepped into the company which meant the loss of a client,he still appreciated the fact that she stood up for him. He had always been avoiding argument between him and his clients because he was afraid of losing them but Joyce made him realize he can also keep his clients by arguing and settling matters for them to know their differences and ways to treat some clients.
Joyce knocked on his door which jerked him awake from his thoughts. James watched as she sashayed down to where he was sitting in her black skirt and pink dress and a pink flat shoe. Fortunately, he was wearing blue that day,so no argument on same clothing.
"You called me,sir," Joyce said politely,leaning down to look at his face when he didn't gaze up at her. "Any problem? Or is it about the contract of Miss Abe?" She asked with worry.
"Oh,no! Not that. I'm just worried about.... Well,it's.....," he was interrupted by the sound of the telephone ringing. "Send her in," he said after listening to what the caller had said,which was no doubt the secretary.
Vivian and a young man of about the the age as James entered and sat on the sofa in the large office. Vivian smiled at James who returned the smile faintly. He didn't seem to be in a good mood but Vivian didn't know that.
Vivian's gaze drifted to the lady before him who looked familiar to her. "Oh! It's you," she exclaimed after realizing who she was. "The waitress from Yes,thanks. What are you doing here?" She asked. She had not been to James' office for quite sometime now so she had absolutely no idea of what she was doing there.
Joyce smiled but said nothing.
James stood and went to sit before Vivian and the man who introduced himself as Vivian's elder brother, Philip. "I hired her," James said briefly,making it obvious that he was not going to say more than that.
"What's your name, if you don't mind me asking?" Philip asked Joyce,already taking interest in her. Who wouldn't, anyway? She's beautiful to the eyes. He liked her at first sight.
"Not a problem. I'm Joyce Donald, the personal assistant of the CEO of this great company, in person of Mister James Andrew," Joyce introduced with a broad smile.
James smiled too but it faded way too quickly while Vivian's expression could define nothing less than shock.
A waitress? Now P. A? Vivian thought but said nothing before smiling.
"I'm Philip Lucas,Vivian's brother," he introduced again as he smiled and rose to his feet to shake her. "Nice to meet such a beauty," he flirted but that didn't seem to flatter Joyce.
"My pleasure," she answered.
James definitely was in no mood for their drama. He just wasn't in the mood. Vivian finally noticed him and asked him what the matter was but he gave her a false assurance that nothing was wrong with him.
After some minutes,Vivian left with her brother after telling them they would visit another time. Then,Joyce rushed to where her boss sat. She had been studying his reactions throughout the visit and she knew something was wrong with him. And she was right,his temperature was high when she felt it by putting her left palm on his neck and forehead.
"Oh,my God! It's so high," she said more to herself. "Let me take you to the hospital," she said,forcing him up but he hesitated. "Do you wish to die,huh? Well,if you want to,you are free,but let me do my part so as not to be blamed,okay?" She rushed in fear. "I'll just pity your parents and your brothers if you die," she paused,then continued. "How can you be burning up like this and refuse to go to do hospital? I'm sure your ego will kee you one day. What an arrogant man!" She said the last statement silently and intentionally didn't pronounce the word 'Kill ' very well. She wasn't ready to lose her job.
James shrugged.
"James,you better......."
"Sshh! Miss,you talk too much. Just let me be for now, okay?" He uttered and then added,"Your words make my head aches"
"What!" She exclaimed furiously. "So,you mean I'm an headache to you? What does that implies? Ouch,I'm getting angry," she said and continued,"I am only concerned about you and your family but I ended up being called an headache? Oh,my God! Do you want me to leave you here and go home? It's closing hour already and I have to prepare dinner for my husband and children,"she uttered and quickly added,"Oh,sorry! I mean my mum and dad."
She kept on talking which made James uncomfortable. The more she talked,the more uncomfortable he seemed. He couldn't think of another way to keep her quiet so he decided to make her dumb for at least a while.
".........You're such an....What can I call you?—" Joyce was still saying.
"Joyce,do you want me to kiss you right now?" He managed to say.
He was boiling and this loquacious woman wouldn't do anything to help than her ranting. He was right after all. She suddenly kept quiet,dumbstruck. When she finally found her voice,she exclaimed, "What!" He laid on the sofa with his head up. He looked at the dummy looking before him. "I will if you don't stop talking. I'm queasy and all you can do is talking again and again," James complained with all seriousness even though he felt like laughing his heart out. Joyce said nothing other than,"I'm sorry. I was wrong. I talk too much." "I know,so quiet. I'm sure the staff are all gone. I need silence, okay? And find something to reduce this boiling body of mine cause I don't want to go to the hospital," he said and Joyce scampered out of the room, leaving him speechless. He couldn't shout so he let her be. It took her a while to
Felicia and her husband were so excited to see their daughter. They hugged her and asked her what had kept her from coming home on time. James explained to them and apologized,excluding some details that couldn't be mentioned like how their daughter lay on him all in the name of ghosts. Felicia and Donald were relieved after the explanation but refused to let James go home for it was very late. Past eleven. They locked the entrance and exit door and took the keys with them inside. James sat beside Joyce who was not looking herself but ignored it. "Your parents are something, Joyce," he commented and smiled. "I'm sorry for that," she replied sadly and silently. Now,he didn't understand her sudden attitude toward him and he needed to know. "Hey,what's with this I'm sorry? It's getting too much,"
"I'm sorry,sir,but we were just talking. Nothing is wrong," Kristine lied.James nodded but didn't believe a word she said. He threatened her with her job if he found out she was lying to him and went to his office. Joyce didn't follow him. She stayed behind. It would be better if she avoid being questioned. At least,for now."He did not mean that," Joyce assured her friend who was obviously scared."I pray so," Kristine hopefully said.Joyce thanked her and went straight to her office. She started to pace her office with her index finger in her mouth. She wondered what could be wrong for a man to have a female as his assistant. They were not doing anything wrong. She couldn't understand why the person who spread the rumour did. She pondered and kept pondering.Peter Andrew went into his brother's office and was welcomed by a broad smile plastered on his face. He had noticed,as he entered the building, that something was wrong as some works were whispering somethi
Mr and Mrs Andrew invited all their sons and families to their house. The house was filled with people and children calling and shouting 'Grandma,grandpa' which made Mrs Andrew so happy. The large family sat in their living room ,chatting and laughing. They were indeed happy. The children ran around the living room while playing. "Oh,I am blessed," Mrs Andrew would say when any if the children run to her. She suddenly shifted her gaze from the children to where James was seating beside Leah,Paul's wife,smiling at their conversation. "I want more children, James," James' mother suddenly declared. "Mum,don't start,please," James pleaded knowing what his mother was implying. "Don't start what? You're even sitting beside your brother's wife. Leah,come here," his mother ordered a
On Thursday evening, after closing hour,James took Joyce home to inform her parents of their plans for the weekend and how long she would stay at his parents' house. After much hesitation and persuasion, they allowed her to go but not before warning James against any harm befalling their daughter. He assured them and told them their daughter was in safe hands. He promised to take care of her till their return. They were to leave the following evening, so she was told to get her things ready for their departure. After closing on Friday evening, James took Joyce home to get her few things and get her dressed for the evening. They bid her parents goodbyes after so much hug as if she was leaving Nigeria for a long time. To say his parents house was large would be nothing but an understatement. The compound alone is enough to b
The birthday was really a grand one. There were foods and drinks, a lot of them, for people to eat till they couldn't anymore. There were music to dance to and the celebrant and her husband put on their dancing shoes as if they were newlyweds. The twins with their wives were not left out other than James and Joyce who thought it was best to just watch the couples dance instead of going to the dancefloor. They had been avoiding each other's eyes all day and didn't talk to each other. Though, they sat together now, they kept on their awkward behavior. They had been stealing glances for a while but when their eyes met, both refused to look away. They couldn't. Memories of the previous night had come gushing into her mind and flooded any sane thoughts away. Joyce couldn't help not wishing for last night to re - happen. But after what seemed like forever,she blinked several times and
Sunday arrived and the act continued but only when James' mother was in sight. And it had not gone beyond holding hands and some hugs. They behave as friends but talk less in people's presence. Joyce did everything in her power to avoid or ignore her growing feelings for him but it wasn't very fruitful. But she always put them aside whenever they cheated a way into her head. She somehow missed James. Somehow. James,on the other hand was continually staring at her and followed her with his eyes whenever she moved. He didn't bother hindering the thoughts of her when coming to him. He would always welcome them and imagined doing a lot with her till he couldn't imagine anymore. Peter saw him where he was and went to him. James decided to talk his heart out to his brother to draw words from his mouth. "Hi,
Joyce sat with Leah and Cecilia who were chatting and laughing. She seemed not to be on good mood. Leah noticed her half hearted smile and moody attitude and put her arm around her shoulders. "What's wrong,Joyce? You look unhappy," Leah asked. Cecilia guessed it was because of the argument she told her about and thus asked,"Did James refuse to apologize to you? Did he hurt you again? We can deal with your boyfriend for you, "Cecilia declared. Joyce was tired of lying and deceiving these friendly and kind hearted women. She decided to say the truth. She had to tell them. But she didn't want to look so cheap to them. She made up her mind and a tear fell from one eye. She looked at them one after the other. She was sitting between them. "James and I..... We..