PROLOGUE
"You must let me have an interview with your Boss. See, I've got my journalist card. And it is a huge opportunity for me to meet him since he seldom is around. This is super important for me, and my magazine". Nicholas Larry the
General Manager of Tarr and Wine Company and Co, sat behind his huge mahogany desk covered with documents and files he should be doing, but rather worn out because of lack of rest from his work, was startled with the commotion he heard downstairs.
Looking at the department camera in annoyance, but rather, his angry contours softens with amazement. Something mighty has caught his attention, or rather, one petite lady was the center of his focus. The lady was being harassed or she was instead harassing his employees.
Her skin glowed as if honey was flowing through her. Her heavy lock of hair, which was drawn away from her face, preciously tied up in a swift ponytail, made her even more beautiful.
Her skirt was blue, with plaits and cut across her knees, and held her butts firmly curving it out so audaciously.
Her blouse was pale pink, which held her chest, and lastly, her jacket. What he couldn't comprehend was the speaker she carried along within her. Her voice was bedded with resistance and struggle. She seemed to have a mind of her own because no matter what my security would do, she would still have him anyways.
Standing up and walking out of the office, Nicholas quickly made it out to the lifter, waiting patiently for it to reach down.
CHAPTER 1
I was busily thumping the chest of a security officer and him trying to avoid the punches when he suddenly stopped jabbing me away and stood fixing at a particular spot, with the other officers too.
I was not understanding what was happening, so turning my head towards the direction they stared, my eyes widened.
There stood the Boss and the heir of the Tarr and Wine Company and Co. His slender figure, like that of the gods, was coated with a grey suit, I guess was being ordered from Paris. This is because that city is being known to have the best fashion designers the world could ever produce. The fabric of his suit was of rare and exquisite material. I could swear I had seen glitters at the level of his shoulder blades. He had a well-shaved chin and his hair was well cut too.
He didn't even offer a word, maybe just mesmerized by our actions. How can the simple presence of the most handsome man in town makes me shut up even without saying a word? Maybe that was because his aura spoke for itself.
He had that aura of dominion, his eyes looked bold and captivating and menacing all the same. A security officer, probably their leader, breaking the ice, said;
"Sir I am sorry about the disorder caused by this loudmouth…" I didn't give him
the opportunity to finish his sentence.
"You do not have the right to call me that, you dipstick". I said, arranging the hem of my skirt, which had been pushed up to my thighs exposing my slender legs as a result of the fight with the man. Making its plaits have a nice shape, I felt embarrassed when I saw the Boss, or think I saw him lust over me for a second. In response, a hoarse voice made shivers run down my spine, and my head turning to the direction in which the voice was coming from.
"Enough of all these rantings, a single word from you people, and I'll reveal the evil side of me. Why would my company not have peace because of some macho lady and stocky officer? You people have succeeded in bringing out all my employees to feed their eyes too". That was when I discovered the Workers standing at all corners of the hall.
"But Sir, this lady…" he didn't have the opportunity to finish his sentence one more.
"I said no word should be said. Now, everybody should get to work. Ms. Follow me". My eyes almost fell from its socket, and I was gaping.
Looking around to see the workers enter their different offices as they had come out before, I followed the Boss doing a small victory "YES". Leading the way to the lifter, I followed him closely. I am happy I always succeed to have my way somehow.
Entering The boss's office in such a company was a dream come true. Especially for a common journalist like myself who had no grounds yet and had just gotten a job in the Newspaper industry in Town. The Newspaper agent gave me a task to complete, that is to fully integrate as their full-time journalist. My first assignment, therefore, was to have an interview with the Boss of Tarr and Wine Company. What was it about his products that stood a chance in the market and were unbeatable?
I took it up as a challenge upon myself to prove to my employers that I was worth the job, and besides, in this path of the country, we don't get to see job opportunities, not to talk about getting a job and being dismissed from it without giving it your optimum best. Therefore, I was up in this to give it my best.
I had prepared a very long list of professional questions, to bombard the mind of the Manager of the company. That morning, my mum since I live with her at our two-bedroom flat in Ndobo, a little quarter in Douala, Cameroon and due to our bad roads and traffic had advised me to wake up early in order not to be late. My kid sister Angel was busily sleeping with her mouth open. Leaving the house and heading to my little office the Newspaper Agency had offered me as an office, I quickly laid of my handbag and grabbed only my purse and Journalist card. I was so happy I had a job, and I only have to do an interview to better integrate amongst them.
The Tarr and wine company was located at Bonapriso, the heart of beautiful infrastructures in Douala, where only people with money could step foot in. Holding my journalist card, the only document that could make me enter anywhere I entered their building. I wouldn't even have accepted no for an answer when those security officers said I wouldn't see the Boss. My determination and persistence had made this man leave his office and here was I following him to his office for the interview. My heart was filled with no and my eyes with unshed tears.
The lifter stopped in about the third floor, and leading the way, I followed this broad back that offered not a single word to me. I wondered if I was even safe at all with him. Turning on his left, he opened a door that led to paradise.
When I first stepped into the office, I had this urge to remove my heels and place my bare feet on the carpet. That was because it looked so fluffy and nice. Wow, my mouth was agape the moment I lifted my head to have a view of where I had just entered. My eyes couldn't marvel at the sight. His office was enormous. The AC first of all was so soothing. I fed my eyes with each item that was so captivating.
He had a big desk, that held a set of papers, files, and a computer. On the left side of the room was a series of drawers. Maybe it contained his work documents. I noticed some frame pictures on his desk, as an elderly person, maybe his dad, and beside the man was a grey headwoman. And maybe his mother. I also saw a few scattered photo frames of him in the midst of other personnel. He must be a very important person, I said to me said.
I didn't know I was captured by my thoughts till I heard a mighty voice echo in my head;
"Uhh hummm… Madam, will you mind taking a seat before lusting after my office? And please do well to close your mouth, because we don't want a fly entering it" shrieking from the impact his voice had on me, I was so embarrassed that he had caught me in such a position. Sitting on a chair that was placed directly opposite his desk, I opened a notepad I had carried alongside for this purpose. Dipping my hand in my purse to bring out my pen, I noticed I had none. Widening my eyes I searched again thinking it was a mistake. All this while, this strange man hadn't even offered much. Maybe he was just fed up with all my little whacky acts. Speaking up again his voice was filled with amusement. Like he was laughing at me.
"I guess the little miss who wants to break my whole company because of her superb interview doesn't even have a pen. I wonder what sure she isn't even prepared the questions, or maybe they aren't even no questions". I was taken aback by these allegations, the fact that I didn't have a pen didn't mean I wasn't prepared for this.
Getting a bit nervous, I rather spoke so fast without even thinking "I don't just know where I kept the damn pen and yes, I am ready for this interview, more than you can ever imagine.
This is because it is an opportunity for me to show my employers I am worthy of the job. So please just permit me to ask you a few questions, I promise it wouldn't hurt". I didn't know my mouth was rushing out the words till he ordered "Will you save me from the details? I will give you what you want but just don't make noise in this office." Smiling so brightly I added, "Please Sir, can you lend me your pen if you do not mind?" I saw him roll his eyes like I were just a game to him.
Handing me his pen, I murmured a little "Thank you, Sir". He only nodded, standing up from his mahogany desk, he asked;
"Should I offer you tea or coffee? And how do you love it?". Walking to the side of his office, where stood a coffee maker, he brewed in something for me.
"Please I would love some tea with milk rather than sugar". I guess I shouldn't be ordering the Boss around, and I even added more orders like he was a waiter. Returning towards me with a tray he set a teacup filled with steaming liquid on my table. Taking his place behind his desk, he finally settles down, giving me a query look. Not knowing what to do, I picked up the cup and placing it on my lips. The hot liquid-locking my lips, made me jerk and splash the whole content on my breast and laps. In confusion, I let go of the glass splashing more liquid on the table, on his table, and ohh, on his documents and computer.
"Ahh, it hurts," I said. The embarrassment was just so much for a single person to handle. Then, suddenly I felt the swift presence of a tall lean man, coming to stand beside me with a napkin, soaking away the drenched liquid off my body. He started with my laps, my midsection, doing it ever so gentle, then up to my chest he advanced with his hand. I was so out of place till he brushed my breast with his muscular hand. I do not know if he had done it consciously, but it made me panic all the same. Waking up from the chair, I mumbled "Sorry for all these troubles given to you by one unqualified person. I am sorry. I will be leaving now". I didn't even know why I had said those things, but I just guess that was the only right thing to do at the moment. To take my leave.
Taking my purse, I hurried out of his office. He just stood there, motionless, not even saying a word to stop me.
What a tough day and way for a journalist like me. I was just so unqualified. I think I should resign from the job. No other way is it ever going to be possible to have a well-written article about what I know about Mr. Larry or his Company. Still suffering from the coffee burns, I decided to go home directly after leaving his office. At least I would take care of my marks before they will turn into wounds.