Lost but Found

My business has been a bit dull this week, but things already seem to be looking up today. I’ve suddenly received an order that will make up for all the money I haven’t made since the beginning of this month.

One of my sales girls, Tina, came into my office a few minutes ago to inform me that my attention is needed by a customer who has just ordered more than half of all our stock. He wants to see me before making his payment.

Immediately after Tina leaves my office, I hop out of my seat and go straight into the mini-bathroom adjoining my office. I check my wig and makeup in the mirror to be sure that I look presentable enough to meet my generous customer.

My business started as a hobby. I love tribal handmade items, and I started collecting them during my university days.

By the time Walter and I got married, I had amassed a huge collection of wooden earrings, raffia purses, wax print bags, tie-and-dye dresses, leather sandals, wooden bangles, hand-crafted hairpins, and beautifully carved figurines.

When the twins were born, I had to dedicate one room in our apartment to store my collection of knick-knacks. That really irritated Walter, who suggested that I get rid of them or sell them off. And that was how my side hustle was born.

I set up an online shop where I started selling them, while I worked full-time as a PR consultant in an advertising agency. Within a year, my proceeds from the business had exceeded what I was making as my monthly salary.

Demand for the items also increased, so much so that I started importing my goods from Africa and the Caribbean, where they’re made in bulk. I got featured in two major lifestyle magazines.

I was also invited to TV and radio stations where I was interviewed on how I was able to balance a full-time career with a thriving business and still maintain a happy home as a wife and mother.

The ‘happy home’ part always made me laugh internally because nobody knew the nightmare I was facing in my marriage with Walter. The more successful I became, the worse our relationship got.

“Well, all of that is in the past,” I say to myself now and adjust my cotton blouse.

I quit my job when my business officially hit its second year. It took me another three years to finally rent a store space, giving my business a proper home offline.

The online store is still active, but most of our clientele is made up of walk-in customers. This is why the physical store is the heartbeat of my business.

I finally make my way towards the front of the store with a big smile on my face. I can’t wait to meet my new customer.

As I enter the display area, I see my sales girls beaming like fireflies as they flutter up and down with joy. Even Jamie, our receptionist/cashier, is grinning widely and batting his curled eyelashes.

“Where is the customer?” I ask no one in particular.

My sales girls disperse immediately when they hear my voice, finally allowing me to see who I was looking for. Blood drains from my face the moment my eyes rest on the man.

He is sitting on one of the chairs reserved for customers, looking very comfortable as if he owns the place. There’s a bottle of water on the low stool in front of him.

When he sees me, he uncrosses his long legs and stands to his full height. He comes forward and extends his hand towards me as he had done when we first met two months ago.

“Hello, Ms. Eunice Francis,” he says in his rich baritone voice. “It’s good to see you again.”

I blink many times to clear my vision, but he is still standing in front of me with his outstretched hand. Samson Ewing is standing in front of me, in my store!

“Uh, hi,” I say in a small voice.

I still can’t believe what is happening. I try my best to act as normal as I can under the circumstances.

“Welcome to my store,” I add and accept his offered handshake.

When our hands meet, memories of our impulsive kiss come flashing through my mind with such vividness that I’m sure he can see it in my eyes. I snatch my hand back and link my fingers together in front of me like a shy schoolgirl.

“This is quite a lovely place, Eunice,” Sam says. “Can I call you Eunice?”

“Sure,” I reply stiffly. “You wanted to see me?”

“Yes. I wanted to be sure that I was in the right store, and that was why I insisted on seeing you first before paying for the things I ordered. Now that I’m sure it’s you, I’m ready to pay.”

Now it all makes sense. He tracks me down somehow, then he draws me out of my ‘haven’ with his massive order just to make sure I am truly the one he is looking for.

But… is there more to his generosity?

“May I see you in my office briefly?” I ask him politely.

“Of course,” he responds immediately. “Let me give my card to the cashier first.”

“No!” I say quickly, surprising everyone.

“I’d like to have a word with you first,” I add with a smile, to put everyone at ease.

Sam smiles as if he knows the reason for my hesitation. “Lead the way then,” he says with a glint in his eyes.