"Hello everyone, we are so sorry for coming in late. We got held up by the traffic. Please pardon us." I turned my head to the direction of the female voice I heard and, walking towards the table were two ladies. The lady with the voice was a very beautiful dark skinned woman who was heavily pregnant. She was dressed in a long flowing blue gown and her head was covered with a black hijab, it wasn't difficult to figure she was a muslim. I sighted a ring on her wedding finger as she got close to the table and from the size of the stone on her wedding ring, she was obviously married to a very wealthy man because I could tell that ring was not a few carats. The other lady did not have a ring on, so I guessed she was unmarried. This one was dressed in a cream colored suit with a very short skirt that was slightly below her buttocks and she had long braids on. I was at least relieved by the fact that she had a pair of panty hose on because even though she was a pretty lady, that skirt looked too short and revealing. Both ladies looked really smart and confident, also there was this boss lady aura around them.
Mr Greg was obviously delighted to see them because of the way his expression lit up as soon as the ladies stepped into the room.
"Welcome ladies, I was beginning to worry that you might not make it in time. Miss Julia, this is Mrs Veronica Koko, the Vice chairman of this committee and wife to the CEO of Koko Breweries and Corporation..." He said pointing to the pregnant lady, she extended her hand and we both shook hands.
"It's so nice to meet you miss Julia, to be honest you have the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. My husband and I are big fans of yours I must confess." She commented with a grin. I smiled and bowed my head "it's nice to meet you too and thank you to you and your hubby for appreciating my work." I replied smiling back. The Koko family was a wealthy family just like my ex husband's, so I was right about that ring after all. And wow, to think she just mentioned that she and her husband are fans.... That was incredible.
"And this beautiful young lady here is Miss Sarah, our financial secretary. She is a chartered Accountant working with the Central Bank and also the daughter of the Finance Minister of the federation." Mr Greg added. It seemed to me that I was in the midst of the big shots in the country but I wasn't bothered because as far as I was concerned, I was the center of attraction at this table.
"Hello Julia, it's nice to meet you." She said coldly. I rolled my eyes in my mind, what is she feeling like? I wondered but cheerfully shook hands with her to be the bigger person. Now that the introduction was over, it was time to get back to business.
"Mr John, since we have concluded discussions on the formalities for Miss Julia's stage arrangements, what is your demand on us financially?" Mr Alfred asked once everyone at the table had settled down.
"Well, at this point, given the fact that your offer is coming on such short notice, I think we will be demanding twenty million naira as payment for her performance at the ceremony." Everyone at the table gasped in shock and the side talks began in whispers but John couldn't be bothered. I too was shook by his demand but I had to follow the rule of no emotions at the negotiation table. I looked at him with worry in my eyes but he merely smiled, winked and looked away almost in a second. By the time the side talks were over between the committee members, the chairman cleared his throat and began
"Miss Julia is no doubt a very talented woman and at this time the sweetheart of hundreds of thousands across the country. Of course we believe that her presence is worth that amount and even more but because of so many other expenses that would be incurred in the process of planning for this ceremony, we would like to appeal to you as her manager to kindly take it down a little. Let's say we give you the sum of ten million naira, I'm sure the committee would be able to manage to raise that amount." I was quite satisfied with the amount Mr Greg was asking for but my heart dropped when I saw John shaking his head in objection.
"No Mr Chairman, fifteen million it is or nothing. Miss Julia would have to put a hold to some other engagements just to be able to make this performance, you have to make it worthwhile." I was tempted to speak but I had to keep calm. I swore under my breath to deal with John if I lost this opportunity because of his high demands. Mr Greg's phone rang and he excused himself to take the call which lasted for about five minutes and he returned smiling.
"Well Mr John, Miss Julia, today is a very good day because that call was from our major sponsor for the ceremony and he has ordered that Miss Julia be given whatever is needed for her to perform at the ceremony." Everyone at the table were dumbfounded by this announcement, but for me, I was more than dumbfounded. It was as if time passed after Mr Greg broke the news to us. John was quick to put himself together, and immediately stood up to shake hands with everyone at the table. I also stood up smiling and joined in the excitement but Mrs Koko was the most excited by the news and she couldn't contain her joy as she rushed to give me a hug. Miss Sarah however looked angry for whatever reason and without saying a word, she picked up her bag and stormed out of the room but nobody seemed to care. While we all discussed other issues regarding my involvement in the ceremony in terms of publicity and awareness through my social media platforms, lunch was served and I couldn't wait to dive into the delicious meals because I was famished.