Tuesday, 1st March 2016.
On Tuesday morning, I woke up bright and early for work. I was new in the area and had to figure out a way to arrive at work as early as possible. As Mr Jacobs’s assistant, I had to be at work preferably before he arrived. Luckily, Lekki Phase 1 wasn’t far from Victoria Island so the new location was an advantage.
I was in front of the building, in the process of bargaining the transport fare with a taxi I hailed when I noticed another car parked nearby. Bode stepped out and walked towards me.
"Oh, good morning, Bode."
I hadn’t seen the car before. Maybe it was a recent addition to Mr Jacobs’s fleet of cars.
"Good morning.” He stopped and looked between me and the taxi. “What are you doing?"
"Don't mind all these taxi drivers nowadays. I've been here begging him to reduce the fare to a reasonable price but he won't agree."
"The boss a
Melody took a deep breath and released it softly.“When I first started working at Legacy, I was overwhelmed by the attention I received from my colleagues, especially the men. I mean nearly every day someone asked for my number or asked me out on a date. I thought I was lucky, I felt flattered that I was desirable.” Her eyes had a faraway look.“So, what happened?” I asked.“Anyway, after a while, I realized that people are usually just interested in the ‘new girl’ and the interest wanes when another pretty face shows up. Many men at the company are like that and Victor isn’t different. He goes after nearly all the recruits, despite his on-and-off relationship with Favour.”I sighed and rolled my eyes.“You could have at least told me the truth.”“I’m sorry but I thought it was the best approach. I mean, you seem like someone who simply can’t break the rules
I listened as Baba Tope explained the fire outbreak.“It was 2 a.m. when a fire broke out in the house beside yours. The cause was gas leakage, luckily no one was hurt.”That was the only piece of good news.The houses were built in such a way that many neighbouring houses were connected. So, if something like a fire occurred in one house, there was a high possibility that it could spread to the next one. Some houses weren’t properly fenced off, so a fire couldn’t be easily contained.“The fire started in the house next door, it spread to the main house and finally spread to the quarters where you stay.” Baba Tope shook his head sadly. “There was not much anyone could do. Many people were asleep by that time. When the firefighters arrived, the fire had already spread to the next building.”Mama Tope walked in with a black carrier bag.“These are the items we could gather.”&l
Sunday, 6th March 2016I felt like my head was about to explode.“Ugh…” I groaned as I sat up. “Lord, I am never drinking again.”I frowned when I heard movement nearby.What the heck? Someone was moving around in my apartment. I was the only one who lived here!I moved to get up from the bed but landed in a heap on the floor when the bed sheets tangled around my legs. I looked up to see my boss walk into the room.“Oh good, you’re awake.”I slowly pinched my cheek to be sure it was not a dream.“I assure you this is very real.”What have I done? “No need to look so mortified. You were in safe hands last night.”“L-last night?”“Yes, last night.” He paused and watched me carefully. “You don’t remember?”“Remember what?” I
CHAPTER FORTY ONE Sunday, 6th March 2016 My gaze flickered between the two men. “Y-you’re t-twins?” I stuttered. “Oh yes, we get that reaction often. You will eventually get used to it.” Simon took my hand in his and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you in a more aware, less drunk state. I am Simon Jacobs, Chief Operating Officer of Legacy Real Estate, the COO for short.” What? He had seen me drunk! Even worse, I couldn’t recall most of last night. I pulled my hand out of his grasp and stood with as much dignity I could muster. “I… I have to go now. Sorry to have bothered you. I just wanted to thank you for the food.” “Don’t you have questions?” He frowned. “Isn’t that why you came here?” “I guess I will have to postpone them to another time.” I hurried out of the apartment and ran down the stairs to mine. A lady was standing in front of my door. She was petite and dark-skinned with low-cut hair. She looked up as I approached. “Oh, there you are. You look much better than last n
“Are you alright?” I couldn’t even respond. I was too humiliated. I looked up at the owner of the voice. Mr Jacobs, well, one of them. I wasn’t sure if it was Daniel or Simon. He wore a black sleeveless hoodie and a black pair of sweatpants. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be resting at home.” His voice was firm, scolding. Hmm… it might be Daniel. He was certainly bossy. As he spoke, a gym staff ran over with a mop and bucket. Other people in the gym glanced at me with looks of pity and disgust. “Don’t take it out on her,” Lizzie had stepped off her treadmill by then and stood before him. “It was my idea for us to exercise. Um, by the way, I believe we met yesterday in front of Eniola’s apartment.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He glanced at her briefly and looked at me. “Get up, I am taking you home.” I tried to get up but stumbled. He grabbed me by the arm and led me out of the gym. “But Lizzie…” “Your friend will be fine.” He led me to his car an
Monday, 7th March 2016There were less than two weeks to Akin’s wedding and I just knew I couldn’t face it. How would I react? There would be so many people just waiting for me to break down. Even worse, they would talk if I tried to skip it altogether.I sighed and rolled my pen between my fingers.My family used to be good friends with Akin's family before this mess of a relationship. We even attended the same church but it was impossible to ignore the tension between us now.Was it by force to go? But I also didn't want to seem like a coward and it could be a way to end the rift between our families. Seeing Akin married, might also give me the closure I needed to move on with my life.I was just going to have to do it.I sighed and pushed aside the document I was proofreading. I had to learn how to separate my personal life from work. I mean, my boss was a perfect example. We had cooked a meal together just the previous day and I could have sworn the look in his eyes meant a whole
“This isn’t the time or place, Daniel,” Simon rolled his eyes at his brother.“Yes,” I whispered.The two men turned their attention to me.“Yes, I have.”“Are we seriously doing this right now?” Simon threw his hands in the air. “When you’re ready to talk business, let me know. I will be in the kitchen expressing my love… for food.”Daniel and I pretty much ignored him as he left us in the sitting room.“Can you tell me what happened?”“His name is Akin, he cheated on me and he’s getting married to someone else this month. That pretty much sums it up.”“I’m so sorry.”“Why are you apologizing? You didn’t do anything wrong.”“You don’t deserve that.”“Well, maybe it was a wake up call that I needed.”“This wedding, is that the one you were discussing on the stairs back then when we bumped into each other.”“Oh, yes. That’s the one.”“I heard clearly that you were looking for a date. Have you found one yet?”“Um… it’s a work in progress.”“You can reconsider my offer if it isn’t too la
Monday, 14th March 2016The following week brought about a flurry of activity within the company. Representatives of each company involved in the Abuja resort project arrived before noon. I was running around doing last minute checks on everything necessary along with other employees when a voice stopped me in my tracks.“Hello Eniola,” he said enthusiastically.I turned around to face him.“Oh,” I said quietly as recognition set in. “Good morning, sir.”I didn’t realize we were on a first name basis. I discreetly looked around for Mr John Philip’s father. The older man, Senator Philip, made me feel more comfortable for some reason, unlike his son who stood before me.“No need to be so formal, I'm glad I ran into you before the meeting started. It was a pleasure meeting you in Abuja.”Too bad I couldn't reciprocate the sentiment. When he tried to prolong the conversation, I deftly manoeuvred my way out of it with a winning smile and convincing excuse but I felt his gaze follow me ev