Naomi trekked home, depressed thinking of how she and her 18-year-old younger brother would survive. She had just lost her job as a hotel waitress because she slapped one of the VIP's in the hotel when he was trying to harass her. Her dignity was something she never joked with. Tears dropped from the corner of her eyes as she remembered her mother's words about her body.
"Never sell your body to men and always try your best to keep your virginity for your husband," their mother would always say. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she remembered their mother. Things were good for them until their mother passed away. Their mother use to work in the C&J pharmacy company before she died in a ghastly motor accident on her way to Naomi's graduation from college. Naomi waited anxiously that day for her and she was happy because her mother found a way to create time for her out of her busy schedule. When the ceremony was about to start Naomi who was still hoping for her mother's arrival got a call from the hospital and on getting there she found her mother's corpse. That was the worst day of her life. None of her mother's family members helped or came to their rescue after the death of her mother.
The only thing left for them was their house and some of their mother's possessions. Naomi sold off all the properties leaving their house when her younger brother Rex wanted to resume college a year ago. She walked home in silence thinking of how she would cater for their needs. She got home and made corn dogs and she settled down on the sofa to eat when she heard a knock on the door. She wondered who it was
"I must have left the gate opened," she thought to herself. She opened the door and was surprised to see Kate.
"Girl I've missed you so much," Kate dropped her bag as she hugged Naomi, tightly. "I only left for three months it's more like I left for five years. She pushed Naomi out of the way and ran inside and jumped on the long couch. " I miss this place, home is sweet, sweet home" she murmured as she closed her eyes, placing her two hands behind her head lying on the couch.
Naomi stared at her friend and smiled and she carried her bag inside and placed it on the table.
"So how is work over there?" Naomi asked tapping her friend.
"Well, good. Guys, I'm fucking hungry. Got any food to eat ?" She asked as she opened her eyes.
"Only corn dogs."
"Corn dogs again! I must consider that your favorite meal". She stood up heading to the kitchen, rubbing her flat stomach.
"Don't you even think of doing that, you know how Rex acts if he doesn't find his lunch when he gets back," Naomi grunted, making Kate pause and turn in disbelief.
"You can join me here, I have mine with me."
"Don't tell me that guy is still like that," she said walking towards Naomi.
"Well he is still the baby Rex that we all know," Naomi replied as she shook her head.
"I think he'd change when he eventually has someone to call a girlfriend," Kate mumbled. "So how is work at Grek hotel?"
Naomi burst into tears and Kate stood up and sat beside her on the table.
"Naomi what is wrong?" Kate asked.
"I lost it again," Naomi replied. "The tears rolled down her cheeks as she narrated everything to Kate.
"Don't worry everything is going to be fine," Kate assured her.
"How am I supposed to pay for Rex's tuition fee?" Naomi sobbed.
"I'm just tired Kate. Honestly I'm tired. I mean I've searched for jobs everywhere, I keep on going for interviews in different companies and they keep on rejecting me."
"I think I have an idea," Kate said which made Naomi raise her head hoping for a better solution.
"I'll tell my uncle about it but I know you won't like it, remember he has shares in C&J maybe he can do something about it. I know you don't want to work for them because of your mum's death but we don't have a choice now. Just cheer up everything is going to be fine, smile for baby."
"Alright," she said sniffing her nose. "But who is baby?" Naomi asked in confusion.
"Me of course, I'm a baby that deserves to be babied," kaKatete added causing both of them to burst into laughter.
"Speaking of baby, how is Red doing?" Naomi asked as she wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes.
"Well, I broke up with him," Kate said.
"Why?" Naomi asked surprised.
"He cheated," Kate said. "I caught him in the act in his apartment" she added as she broke into tears. Naomi patted her friend's back as she spoke.
"He promised me the world, Naomi. He told me he wanted me to be the mother of his unborn children, he said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, Naomi. I gave him everything, I spent my life savings on him, I turned deaf ears to all the people who gave me advice about him, even you Naomi, I almost fought with you because of him. I loved him with everything in me, but what did he do in return, he cheated. He came to my apartment the next day to break up with me and he told me they would be getting married soon." Naomi could only stare at her friend in silence. "I've always loved him and trusted him, I even aborted for him but what did he do? I'm fucking done with the relationship."
Naomi hugged her tightly consoling her "Don't worry everything is going to be fine, everyone knows Red doesn't deserve you. He is a cheat and a liar. I don't want you to get heartbroken Naomi, the feeling is not nice at all. You won't be able to handle it, don't be like me. I've dated six guys and nothing is coming out of it, you know I envy you, you are still untouched."
"Shh, don't worry about me I'll be fine just focus on getting better," Naomi said as she hugged her friend tightly.
"Let go of me and pass me the plate of corn dogs," she said as she released herself from Naomi sniffing her nose and wiping tears off her face. I'm fine now I know that jerk doesn't deserve me I won't waste my tears on some nitwit" she said forcing the tears back inside her eyes.
Naomi gave her the plate and smiled at her. "Just cheer up everything is going to be okay, hmm. So you came back to cool off right?"
"Hell no, I miss my best friend, I miss chatting and gossiping with you physically, you know that chatting online is quite boring. I was given a two months break at work so I decided to spend it with my bestie," she said as she kissed Naomi's cheeks.
Naomi stared at her making Kate wonder if anything was wrong with her face.
"Is anything glued to my face?" Kate asked touching her cheeks.
"No, but why did you ask?"
"You know since when I stepped into this house today, your behavior is quite strange. What is going in that innocent mind of yours?" Kate smiled.
"We've been friends for twenty years now you've always been by my side, helping me out with every little thing I need… when we were in elementary school, high school, and even college. You are the kind of friend anyone could dream of having. You were the only one that came to my rescue after mum's death. What more could I ask for? I just love you Kate and thank you for everything."
"Don't make me emotional this morning, I mean I don't want to cry. I've cried enough this morning," she said sniffing up her nose trying to push back the tears in her eyes. "That's why we are best friends Naomi. Can you also remember what you did for me when my parents passed away that I refused to live with granny?"
Naomi stared at her trying to remember "oh oh oh, I think I remember now. The long list I wrote to my mum listing the reasons why she must accept you and why we should live together as one family," she added causing both of them to laugh. "Thank you for everything kate," Naomi said as she hugged her tightly.
"Enough of the talk, Naomi, let's get to work," Kate said as she released herself from Naomi's embrace. She brought her laptop out of her bag leaving Naomi in confusion.
"Let's check if there is any job vacancy in C&J and if there is not we'd know what to do," she added focusing on the screen of her laptop. Naomi started at her in silence watching her.
"So two secretary sits are empty that of the CEO and the general secretary. I'll check what the CEO looks like first, who knows..." Kate said staring at Naomi devilishly.
"Mr. Radford Banks is the CEO of C&J, she said turning her gaze in Naomi's direction."
"Radford Banks?" Naomi asked surprised. "There should be a picture or something there." She stood up and sat beside Kate. She was shocked when she saw the man's picture.
"What is going on Naomi? why are you looking lost?."
"Remember that mum never allowed us to go to C&J?", Naomi asked.
"Yes, I remember."
"And she never talks about him."
"Y-es-ss. What does Radford Banks have to do with.., Holy shit.
Radford Banks, Naomi Banks is he your father?".
"I guess so."
"How can you be so sure? I thought you never knew what he looks like?"
"I saw him twice when I was six. He never liked mum I also saw some pictures of both of them when they were lovers, so I'd be working under this bloody bastard that abandoned us."