As Alex looked at his phone, he realized that the missed calls were from Toria, his manager at the board. His heart sank as he knew he was about to face yet another storm. He hesitated for a moment before finally hitting the call button.
"Toria, I know," Alex said, his voice heavy with defeat before Toria even had a chance to speak.
"Alex, what the hell happened?" Toria's voice was a mixture of frustration and concern. "I just got off the phone with the client company. They're furious, Alex. They're considering cancelling the entire partnership."
Alex's jaw clenched as he tried to find the right words. "Toria, I—"
"No excuses, Alex," Toria interrupted sharply. "I don't care if you had a bad day or if you got into a fight with a street gang. You were entrusted with this contract, and you blew it."
Alex sighed heavily. "I know, Toria. I messed up."
"Messed up is an understatement, Alex. Do you have any idea how much time and effort the board has invested in this partnership? And now it's all at risk because of your carelessness."
"I understand the gravity of the situation," Alex replied, his tone more subdued. "I'll do whatever it takes to fix this, Toria."
"You better. Because I won't be the one to explain to the board why we lost a multi-million-dollar deal. You have exactly 48 hours, Alex. If you can't salvage this, I don't want to even think about the consequences."
The call ended, leaving Alex with a sinking feeling in his chest. He knew he had to act fast if he wanted any chance of saving the partnership. He leaned back in the chair, rubbing his temples as he tried to formulate a plan.
Just then, Jacob returned to the room, holding a bag of ice. He noticed the distress on Alex's face and raised an eyebrow. "Trouble?"
Alex nodded, his frustration evident. "The client company is furious about the contract, Jacob. They're on the brink of cancelling the entire partnership."
Jacob sighed, taking a seat across from Alex. "Well, that's not good news. But you know, maybe this is a chance for you to show them that you're serious about making things right."
Alex looked at Jacob, his expression a mix of uncertainty and determination. "You're right. I can't afford to let this slip away. I'll need to meet with the client first thing in the morning and try to salvage the situation."
Jacob nodded in agreement. "And in the meantime, maybe you can reflect on your approach. This entire trip, you've been... well, less than pleasant to everyone you've interacted with."
Alex's jaw tightened at the truth in Jacob's words. "I know, I know. I've been a complete mess. It's just that everything has been so overwhelming, and I've been so out of my element."
Jacob leaned forward, his tone gentle. "Alex, I get it. Nigeria can be overwhelming, especially for someone unfamiliar with the culture and the challenges. But it's also an opportunity for growth, both personally and professionally."
Alex sighed, realizing the wisdom in Jacob's words. "You're right. I need to step up and prove that I can adapt, that I can handle adversity."
Jacob smiled encouragingly. "Exactly. And you're not alone in this, Alex. I've got your back, and so does the rest of the team."
Alex nodded, a sense of determination building within him. "Alright, let's do this. Tomorrow morning, I'll meet with the client, and I'll do everything in my power to salvage the partnership."
****
Julian stared at the letter in front of her in shock. It was a sack letter from the insurance company she worked with for the past five years. How would she have imagined they would lay her off like that after so much hard work? She had only been away for one week and she reached out to them via email." It is very mean of them", she muttered to herself with bloodshot eyes. It wasn't enough she was in a hospital bed with a dislocated ankle but she also had no job. Where would she start from? This was the question that kept coming to her head. It was as if the world was crashing on her. Still battling with different thoughts, her phone rang.
" Hello, Sis Julian. It's me, Nadia." Nadia spoke with a little unease as she was very uncertain about her request.
" Nadia? What happened to your number and why do you have to hide your caller's ID?" Julian asked with a smirk on her face.
" Really? Sis Julian, I didn't know. It may have been a mistake. How are you, Sis? I missed you."
Julian smiled at her response. Nadia was her last step-sister. Although her step-mom and step-sister weren't pretty like Julian, her good heart couldn't reject them. Besides she felt it was an opportunity to rebond after losing hers to the cold hands of death a few years ago. They were her only family. " I am fine Nadia. How are studies?"
" Sis Julian, I need your help. It's a new semester and I have a deadline to pay my school fees one day from now. Please help me as I have no one to go to." Nadia uttered with tears in her voice.
" Oh, my baby." Julian's heart sank as she heard that. " I would have loved to help but I just lost my job. I would have asked Linda but she does not have a job yet. To complicate issues for me, I am in debt. I borrowed some money just to complete the ICAN course and even that isn't over yet. My debtors are already calling me. My baby, it is just so hard for me too".
" Sis Julian, you are my last hope". Nadia said as she burst into tears. "Please help me!" She spoke wailing and begging for pity.
Julian was emotional and too frustrated to render any solution. She whimpered a bit, then ended the call. Looking at her account balance, the last cash she had on her was just the exact amount Nadia needed to pay her school fees. Reluctantly, Julian sent it. Her kind heart just wanted to help her baby sister.
When she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the owner of her rented apartment started to call. She screamed in shock when she remembered the money she just sent was what she wanted to pay for her rent that she had been owing for two years. Why didn't she remember before she sent it? Julian asked herself as beads of sweat were forming on her face. She knew the consequences and envisaged the dialogue. " Hello Sir.", she said with her voice shivering.