Chapter Three

Wahala

Uju felt like a million years had been added to her life the moment the ‘manly figure’ got closer to her car with security boldly written on his T-shirt. Kasie heaved a heavy sigh of relief and sank into the car seat.

“Hello Ma’am, sorry there has been a general power outage in the estate. We are trying to fix this. I am just here to see how the electrician is going about it,” the security man said.

Uju still catching her breath from her initial panic replied, “that’s...that's all right, take your time.”

THE NEXT DAY

It was a cool Sunday afternoon with Jon Bellion's simple and sweet playing in Uju's room. She was doing a final check on the presentation she had prepared for her company. Her company or rather her passive aggressive boss desperately needed to be awarded a contract from a multi-national and internationally recognized Motor oil producing firm in the country.

“This would be the biggest gig of the company so far, if we can grab this!” Her boss had said to her some months ago, while wiping the sweat on his face with a face towel; meanwhile, the AC was on full blast. “I trust you to pull this off like you did when we won the GASCO LIMITED contract. I have so much faith in you Miss Chukwu.”

Uju already had enough feathers to her cap in her seven years of working with the company. She was a big cheese in the marketing world and had easily pulled off every gig thrown to her to the envy of few of her colleagues. She was ardently dedicated to her work and never hesitated to smash all her tasks like the smart ass that she was. So, this particular contract even though she was a little bit anxious wasn't a hard nut to crack. She still actually didn't understand why the firm had to come to her company for the bid but that wasn't really her problem.

Being satisfied with the presentation she prepared for tomorrow, she shut down her computer and laid face up on her bed staring at the ceiling. She would have gone to gist with Kasie but she was with her tutor in the dining room. She thought of calling her mother to inquire about her dad but brushed it aside… she didn’t really want to spoil her mood for the sake of her big day tomorrow. She picked up her phone and dialed her cousin Eloka’s number, she needed a good laugh.

MONDAY

Uju’s boss, Mr. Asiwaju a not so tall man in his 50’s, bald and very light skinned, almost close to an albino was already in the office when she arrived. He was big with a surprisingly flat belly- not the signature pot belly seen among men in his class. He was quite cheerful this morning. He informed Uju that the management team was already setting up the board room and they will be expecting their ‘guest’; The motor oil company in a matter of minutes.

There was something odd about the day, Uju thought. First, she woke up late despite setting an alarm.Then, she was having the worst menstrual cramps which made her take analgesics. Also, Kasie’s school bus didn’t show up on time so she had to drop her off herself. And now…her flash drive! She forgot her flash drive at home. Uju dashed out of the office with the speed of light like she had seen a ghost. Mr. Asiwaju ran after her.

“Miss Chukwu, what has come over you, where are you galloping to?" He asked looking confused.

“I’ll be right back sir, I have to go home now, I forgot my flash drive. The whole slide is in it.” And she sped off before her boss could utter a word. He stood there like a statue, a very confused and agitated statue. Color left his face when he saw a convoy with IBEKS MOTOR OIL LIMITED boldly written on the cars drive into the compound. They are here!.

He really wished he could be swallowed by whatever he was standing on.

*****************************************************Uju came back thirty long minutes later. She met her boss standing at the main entrance looking unusually calm and obviously waiting for her.

“Sir, I am very sorry for…” Uju started to say

“Don’t bother Miss Chukwu, do you have the flash now?” He asked smiling, which seemed rather weird to Uju.

“Yes I do sir,” she said holding out her hand to show him the flash drive.

“Good. They are all seated at the board room patiently waiting for you Miss Chukwu,” he said as they walked through the hallway. "Your future depends on this, don’t mess it up,” he said as they both walked into the board room. Uju’s heart was pounding and she felt like it would fall off her chest at any moment . She tried to remain calm as her boss started to introduce her to the team from the Motor oil company.

They approached a man seated at the far end of the board room and Mr. Asiwaju started to say, "It’s quite surprising that the CEO of this distinguished company also decided to come today." Mr. Asiwaju’s voice sounded like he was speaking a thousand miles away from Uju. She could swear her heart stopped beating for a split second and her mouth hung opened, shaped like the letter O when she saw who the CEO was.

"Meet Mr. Nnanna Joshua Ibekwe, the CEO IBEKS MOTOR OIL," Mr. Asiwaju continued.

The CEO stood up and stretched out his arm to Uju for a handshake. "Miss Chukwu," he said "my pleasure to meet you.” He had a smile on his face, a mischevious one.

Uju froze as she continued staring at him.

He was the man from the mall, the pad guy…

CHAPTER FOUR