Ekene came out of the lecture hall with her friend Anita. They were chatting and walking towards the cafeteria when another male student called Ekene for a few words. She asked Anita to wait behind so she went to speak with the guy. Another guy who was following Ekene and Anita behind, saw her talking with the other guy. He stood still and observed her.
Ekene talked with the guy for a short while and then walked back to join Anita. They began to walk away. The second guy followed them. At a corner, he caught up with them, gripped Ekene by the hand and pulled her roughly aside.
"So that's the fool you've been seeing behind my back, eh?" The guy scolded, "So he's the reason you didn't keep my date the other day hu?"
Ekene, squirming in pain retorted, "Seeing who? What are you talking about, Steve?"
Steve slapped her across the face! "Don't play dumb with me! I've been watching you! I saw you talking with him!"
Ekene covered her face and moaned painfully. Anita, who had been watching them, frowned and looked around fearfully.
"Do you think I don't know you've been fooling around the campus with other guys? This is why you stood me up the other night and made up a stupid excuse that your dad was having a party," Steve blurted out.
Ekene protested in tears, "No, no, Steve that's not true! My father actually had a reception party for my half sister who came back to my house! I have proof, You know I can't lie to you!" She brought out her phone from her handbag, slid it and showed Steve some pictures from her gallery. Steve took the phone and glared at the pictures, gliding through the screen.
"That girl by your father's side is your sister?"
"Yes!" Ekene answered, rubbing her cheek.
"Damn! She's hot!" Steve said with a smirk.
Ekene rolled her eyes and took her phone back from him. "Now you know I didn't lie to you about that night! And that guy you saw me talking to is my coursemate! We were given an assignment to work on together, that's what it was all about. You just can't keep slapping me around like that, Steve!" She made a face.
"My bad!" Steve sneered, He pulled Ekene into his arms! "I'm sorry baby! You know I can't stand seeing you talking to any guy, I'm jealous!"
"Really?" Ekene chirped in. "You are jealous of me talking to another guy and you don't mind me 'laying' white men?"
She frowned and started walking away. Steve joined her and crossed a hand over her shoulder. Anita followed them behind but gave some space.
"Ah, that one is pure business girl! You can talk to a guy only when I say so and under my terms! We have an understanding about that baby!" He held her closer and kissed her forehead. Ekene grumbled and wriggled out of his arms. She walked ahead unhappily.
***********
Chisom was sitting on Chief Amadi's big swing office chair in his office and going through some files on his Personal Computer while Chief Amadi paced around. He stopped, came to her side, bent down and pointed out something on the screen,
"Take a look at this figure! This is just for the textile firm. If you keep going down, there are others for the oil and gas firm, the construction and the real estate firms. The debt is enormous!" He frowned and rubbed his temple! "The banks have been on my neck for several months now! They have been threatening to confiscate some of our properties or put them out for sale but I haven't t give my consent! I asked for three months.... three months to produce a repayment plan for the loans. I have two months to go now, nothing is feasible yet!" He sighed.
Chisom glanced at him. She stood up and went to take the opposite chair, "Come take your seat sir! You are getting yourself worked up by too much pacing around!"
She turned the laptop on the table around to face her. She continued to scroll down while Chief Amadi continued to walk around. She stopped looking at the files on the PC screen and spoke up, "Something can be done! It's not completely hopeless but it needs your attention hundred percent!" She studied him for a few seconds and added, "But you are too distracted. You have a lot to deal with and your fuss over Obinna's matter is not making it any easier!"
Chief Amadi frowned at the mention of Obinna. He went to his seat and sat down.
"How do you expect me not to worry about him, he's my only son and heir for goodness sake. He ought to take over from me in a few years from now. I'm not getting any younger! But take a look at him now, at twenty eight years, he's yet to make it past three hundred levels at school. He has refused to take his studies seriously, nor has he shown an interest in any part of the Amadi companies and what goes on there. All he does is roam around the school campus causing havoc or storming one club or the other at night, drinking and getting wasted!" He shook his head, "What did I ever do to deserve such a son?"
Chisom didn't say a word. She picked up the intercom and asked for a cup of coffee. When the coffee arrived, she pushed it over to Chief Amadi, "Here, have some!" She watched him pick up the cup and took a sip. "You have handed his case over to your lawyer, I'm sure he will do a good job! I had a talk with him yesterday and he assured me Obinna may not be prosecuted but in the end, it may require you to offer some of the victims some monetary compensation."
Amadi nodded, sipped his coffee and relaxed in his big chair! He looked straight at Chisom and asked, "And what about you? What have you decided? Are you staying?"
Chisom held his gaze for moments and answered, "I have decided, I am staying!" She smiled at him and he grinned.
"This is the best news I've heard in weeks now! I am so happy! Thank you my princess!" Still grinning, he inquired further, "Are you joining us here at Amadi's Holdings? Definitely you should! What office should we create for you?" He became excited. "I will get the HR to fit you in."
Chisom laughed. "I don't think I want to work in Amadi's Holdings." She noticed the smile disappearing from his face. "It's nothing personal sir! It's just that ..that I'm not yet sure what exactly I want to do with myself here in Lagos."
"Really? Why is it so hard to decide?" Chief Amadi asked in confusion. "You have a master's degree in accounting and some good work experience. We will certainly need your expertise here." He stared at her and added, "The pay will definitely be fat and other good benefits will sure come with it."
Chisom burst into laughter and commented, "You really have the power of negotiation, Chief!" She laughed more and Chief Amadi joined her. "I have no doubts about the pay and entitlement but I was thinking." She paused and looked out of the window, "I have so many things in my head I would want to try out."
"Like what and what?" Chief Amadi queried curiously.
"Like for a start, setting up a chain of restaurants here in Lagos and other cities."
"Restaurants?" Chief Amadi asked, surprised.
"Yes! Two years ago I worked with some colleagues in the UK to successfully set up a chain of restaurants. It was a good and interesting experience. The restaurants...all ten of them are doing so well in just two years."
"Wow! Interesting! Amadi cheered.
"Yes! I have something like that in mind, setting up something similar here but I want to take my time to study the business terrain here. I need to check out some of the high profile restaurants around, and see what they are doing. I need to talk with a consultant as well to rub minds. I'm taking my time with it. She ended with a smile."
Chief Amadi nodded in appraisal. "I'm impressed and excited about the foresight. You are a chip off the old block you know." He laughed. "Ok! Take your time and decide on what you want. Anything that makes my princess happy I will definitely command it."
Chisom smiled. "Thank you sir! For the time being, I will be dropping in here every now and then to give a helping hand in whatever area you may need." She glanced at the laptop. As for this issue, I have something to suggest. Perhaps, you and the board may consider it."
Chief Amadi nodded his head in appreciation.
**********
That evening, Chisom attended the midweek service as she promised Enyinnaya. When the service was over, He met with her and gave more encouragements.
"It was power filled like you promised. I'm glad I was part of it." Chisom said to Enyinnaya, standing close to her car.
"That means we are going to see more of you then, every Sunday and Wednesday?" He asked and smiled.
"Definitely!" She answered.
"It is good to pursue the Lord and his strength; seek his face always, says 1st chronicles chapter sixteen verse eleven. There's nothing you can't achieve when you are backed by God himself." Enyinnaya added.
"I believe!" She said nodding. "I will be on my way now pastor, thank you so much and God bless!"
"Call me Enyinnaya please!" Enyinnaya said. "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"
Chisom glanced at her wristwatch. She replied frantically, "I'm so sorry I have to run now. I promise to answer your questions on Sunday after service, alright?"
Alright then! See you on Sunday and stay blessed!" He stood aside and watched her drive off.
Chisom was in a hurry to go home for dinner. She was always at home on time for dinners. It wasn't as if the dinner was of any interest to her. She would rather not have dinner at all than sit with Chief Amadi's family and listen to their curses, bickerings and see their disgusting faces.There was always tension during dinner and one evening she could swear she noticed a black eye on Ekene but she minded her business. Showing up at the right time for dinner fell in line with her training from childhood. She would never forget one of her mother's popular teachings back then as a child, 'punctuality and regularity should be your motto!' Chinyere would always say. So Chisom grew up trying her best to be punctual at all times. Besides, Chief Amadi was getting crossed over so many things in the house already so she wouldn't want to add to his headaches. She kept to the best of behaviour, just like her uncle Chike kept advising her each time they talked on the phone.