She goes through the clients she and her colleagues will be seeing today, and prepares more so that her senior associates won't think she is incompetent. Since the meeting is in twenty minutes, she walks into the room knowing that the earlier she is, the more serious she'll look. While also making sure she won't go too early so that it won't look like she was nervous. The pretense lawyers have to go through. Of course, she's nervous. Her boss told her she would be heading this meeting, and though it won't be her first time heading a meeting, this company is huge. Calling it a multi-billion naira company is an understatement. Sure, she had headed meetings, but none was a prominent company. She is excited and nervous, but more excited. When she settles down, she notices that a few of the board members are here. That is just how big this client is.
They are twenty-two minutes late. Yes, they know it's a common tactic to make them quiver. They are aware Trace Firms want to work with them, and they probably have a lot of options because they are a big company. She relaxes in her seat. By 10:36 am they decide to grace us with their presence. Afoma and her colleagues all get up, and she turns to shake their hands. She put a polite smile in place, and shakes the lawyer of our hopeful client, and notices he's someone I know. He is Evans, Nonso's friend. Afoma is in disbelief, but shakes it off to concentrate on her work. After all, the lawyers are usually the tough cookies.
She goes to shake the hand of the client, when she is shocked to see him. She's face to face with Nonso. The man she once thought she will be spending her life with. The man she thought would be there for her. She steels her gaze and realizes he is not shocked to see her. 'He probably planned this, which is why he didn't make his name known.' She thought to herself.
The idiot.
'How dare he come to my place of work? Ughh.' She thinks to herself. Then she realizes he has every right, and whether she hates him or not, if she knowingly makes the firm lose this client simply because they have a past together, then she'll have to kiss her job bye-bye. She notices his hand is outstretched, and he says, "Good morning Miss...?"
She wishes she was a Mrs right now. When she notices that her seniors are staring at her, she smiles tightly and replies, "Obi. Miss Obi. You?" She asks, while doing everything she can not to cringe when put she put her hand in his. He grins, "Ikechukwu."
She tries her best not to roll her eyes but removes her hands when she realizes he plans on keeping his glued to hers, she removes, and refrains from cleaning her hand. They all take a seat, and she notices that the fool sits opposite her. She glares at him and opens her folders to get her pitch in. Imagine the irony. Afoma trying to convince her ex-fiancé that he should work with the firm she's working for. Left to her heart, she would make sure he doesn't see a reason to pick Trace Firms. But of course, she has to be sensible, and whether she hates him or not, if he decides to work with their firm, her seniors will love her more. She'll also be trusted, and given more projects. She says a quick prayer mentally and starts her pitch.
She feels the stares, especially his, but doesn't let it deter her. She gives them the pitch and answers any questions directed at her. After they are done, they all bid their farewell, and she's packing her files and about to go to her office when she hears Nonso says, "Afo- sorry Miss Obi may I speak with you for a minute?" Of course, she is about to say no until her boss says, "Of course, she can." Then she turns to her, "Afoma take him to your office so that you both can talk more on this." Then she gives her the 'don't mess this up look'
Afoma gives her a tiny nod and goes to her office while mentally swearing. 'He knows what he's doing. Oh God, why me?' She laments mentally while keeping a closed look on her face. She walks slowly to her office while trying not to say profanities. She feels the need to punch this guy, and she is not usually violent. She grits her teeth and sits down once she gets into her office. She leaves the office door open and notices that he shuts it almost immediately. 'Maybe she should've taken anger management classes,' she thinks to herself. She takes a few breaths and cocks her eyebrows waiting for him to tell her what he wants to say.
He looks around her office, and asks, "You won't tell me to sit?"
She eyes him up and down, and says, "Please, say what you want to say, and leave my office."
He smiles and says, "Your bosses and seniors will not agree with the way you just talked to me."
She glares at him knowing he's right, and s, "If that's what you came to say, then you can leave." He sits instead, and sighs, "I just want to apologize."
"For what?"
"What happened three years ago."
She inhales, and says, "It was three years ago, and I've moved past it."
"But you aren't married though."
She rolls her eyes, "Thanks for pointing out the obvious. How does that concern what happened three years ago?"
He licks his lips, and she has to forcefully draw her eyes away from them, and he says, "You're still single."
She face palms herself, and says, "How stupid can you be? Just because I'm not married doesn't mean I'm single."
He stares at her intently and says, "So you're not single?"
She looks him in the eyes, and says, "I have a boyfriend."
"Since when?"
She glares at him, "Since I wanted to. After my final year in the university, I spent one year in law school, then went for my voluntary work, and got a job here. Now, don't tell me you wanted to talk to me to inquire about my relationship status. That will be a bore darling."
He looks at her, and says, "ten dates."
She raises an eyebrow, "Ten dates for what?"
He clears his throat, "Go out with me on ten dates, and if you still want to try things out, so be it. If you don't, my loss."
She frowns, "Didn't you hear the part where I said I'm not single?"
He looks me dead in the eyes, and says, "We were together for over two years. Of course, I'll know when you're lying."
She smiles sardonically, "Do you really? I mean, you did believe your mother when I was accused of selling private details of your company after over two years together."
At that, he flinches, and says, "I deserved that, but just give me a chance."
She looks him dead in the eyes and says, "I mean, I asked for the same. We don't always get what we want. You can leave."
He sighs, "I'll sign the deal if you agree to this."
"You were already going to sign the deal. We made valid points, and we have evidence of just how effective we are in the corporate world, and just how much we will support you."
"True, but a lot of firms can do the same. The only thing that makes Trace Firms different, is YOU. Just think about what I said."
She clears her throat, asks, "But why now? After three years. Didn't it occur to you that it is too late?"
He runs his face, and sighs heavily, "Of course it did. Deep down I knew you weren't the one, but the evidence was crazy, and I never thought that my mum will go to such extent just to separate us. I found out the whole truth last year."
She hisses, "So when I was telling you just how much she was antagonizing me, you didn't know? Her framing me was just the evidence you needed, but you believed her."
"I didn't even know SHE framed you. Remember, it was random. Right now, I'm not talking terms with my mother because she nearly jeopardized my company, and jeopardized our relationship just because she wanted me to marry who she wanted." She stares at him, and he says, "I just need ten dates to prove to you that I've changed."
"This is ridiculous."
"Maybe, but it's all I've got to try and get you back. I ended things then, but I've changed. I tried dating again, but it didn't work out. I could not forget you, and no one could compare to you." I snicker, and he says, "I am serious Afoma. We both know I can't lie to you. Sure, both my parents wanted me to be with a few politicians' daughters, but it was never what I wanted. You are all I want."
She starts laughing hysterically and is sure he thinks she has lost her mind. In between laughs she says, "Please be serious. Well, I dated after we broke up. I recently got out of an eight month relationship." At that, his eye twitches, and she continues, "Dating hasn't been my problem. I am just focused on work right now. That is where my loyalties lie."
"Just ten dates. I just need you to remember how we were. I loved you then, and I l-"
"Don't you dare say that word to me. I do not want to hear it. If I agree to the ten dates, will you really sign under our firm?"
"Yes, of course."
She taps her chin with her pen, and says, "Okay, once the deal is finalized, then I'll believe you, and also no out-of-state dates."
He gives her a cheeky grin, and the dimple on his left cheek shows, and he says, "Thank you for giving us a chance. I will not disappoint you again."
She rolls her eyes, " I don't care what you'll do. At least, my bosses will be proud of me. I just don't want any out of state dates, and I am not your girlfriend."
"Yet," he adds.
She feels butterflies in her stomach, but then remembers the embarrassment and abandonment she went through, and turns cold again.
She rolls her eyes, and says, "Just leave my office."
"For now. We will talk later. Perhaps you will give me your phone number?"
"Perhaps not," she replies. He stands up and leaves my office with a wide grin on his face while she's trying not to throw a stapler at his head or stab him with my pen. He's so infuriating.
Almost immediately, Mrs Sandra walks in, and says, "What did he say?"
I have to wrestle within myself not to hiss or roll my eyes so, I say, "He wanted a little copy and research on what was said in the meeting."
"Did he say he will be sticking with us? She prods. Afoma shakes her head, and says, "Not the words he used, but his body language was quite eager to sign with us. With a few questions yeah and there, it seemed like he was edging towards us." She smiles warmly, "I hope so. He will be one of our biggest clients this year, and to think he's also a governor's son."
Afoma forces a laugh, "That shows just how hardworking he is," and I mean it without hate or spite. He was very hardworking, and had dreams which he made a reality, obviously.
Mrs Sandra and I talk a bit more about the contract, and she then goes back to her office leaving me to my thoughts. Afoma pauses thinking about today, and pinches herself so that she can believe what just happened. She hits her head lightly on the table, and starts working. Not too long, she becomes engrossed. 'Thank God for distractions,' she thought.