STORY BY DEBORAH PAUL
MY DESIRE
EPISODE 7
JOSHUA’S POV
I got into my office, and truly Mr Kunle Coker was seating on the chair facing mine.
JOSHUA
Good morning sir, it’s a plea-sure to finally meet you one on one sir.
MR KUNLE
the plea-sure is mine
JOSHUA
oh my God, I still can’t believe you are seating here right now.
MR KUNLE
common, the Honor is too much, you make me feel like am a king or someone even with more cla-ss than you present.
JOSHUA
sir you are saying this because it’s you, we that know you in the business market knows that you are bigger than what you think.
MR KUNLE
(He smiled)
enough with the flattery, you are going to make this old man’s head swell.
JOSHUA
(I chuckled too)
pardon my manners sir, what should they get for you?
MR KUNLE
I’m very okay thanks… I came here base on the proposal you sent to my office about a year ago.
my heart skipped, was he really going to sign that contract with me? like I’m being awarded the contract worth millions of US dollars? my hands immediately started to get sweaty, I started to feel the heat on my forehead too….. I was short of words, I didn’t know what to say or how to react….. I guess the old man saw how I started sweating too much by just hearing of that contract.
MR KUNLE
Are you alright? you are sweating too much for a man who is un-der AC.
JOSHUA
I’m okay sir.
MR KUNLE
Are you sure?
JOSHUA
Yes sir….. I’m very okay.
MR KUNLE
okay, if you say so….. so, back to what I was saying…. I was on my way going to the airport when you suddenly crossed my mind, I don’t know why but I decided to take a look at your proposal one more time…..so I asked my secretary to forward your file to me….. I checked it, and decided to award you this contract, you are the best man for it.
My heart started to beat even more fas-ter, my legs were shaking….. this wasn’t the first big contract that I have ever received but this was the biggest of them all…. my company had only being in public figure for just two years now…. then I was running a local business, but now I’m going international.
I got up from my chair and prostrated to greet him, but he got up and quickly held me before I could do that .
MR KUNLE
All this isn’t necessary, all I want is for you not to disappoint me, make sure you execute this business very well.
JOSHUA
I promise you sir, my crew and I will not disappoint you.
MR KUNLE
I hope so….. I have heard so much about your company and how fast you have grown it within the space of two years, I admire a ha-rd working young man… that’s why I want to bless you with this deal as a way to encourage you to keep up the good work.
JOSHUA
thank you so much sir, I’m really grateful sir.
He looked at the time and looked back at me
MR KUNLE
I’m almost late for my flight, I’m going to Lagos for a business meeting, I will be back by the weekend… you can come by at the office on Monday so we can formalize the contract.
JOSHUA
that’s fine by me sir…. I really appreciate this sir.
MR KUNLE
I will be on my way now, do have a lovely day ahead
JOSHUA
And you sir, do have a safe flight.
He thanked me and got up, I got up too and walked him down the lobby, he asked me to go back to my work that he can go from there….I thanked him once more and went into my office.
Immediately I entered my office Amanda my PA walked in….
AMANDA
sir, what’s the good news? why did the almighty Mr Kunle Coker come to look for you?
JOSHUA
we have just been awarded the contract
(I said excitedly)
She jumped up in excitement, clapping her hands along
AMANDA
oh my God, this is good news sir…. it’s being a year that we have been chasing this contract… when we were about giving up, the contract walked straight into our office.
JOSHUA
I’m as excited as you are Mandy, I very happy….. I still can’t believe it.
AMANDA
I think we should celebrate this sir
JOSHUA
of course, tell all the staffs they are coming to my house for dinner so they should get ready….. I’m doing the cooking.
AMANDA
oh wow….. I’m sure they will be very happy to hear this good news.
She went back to her office, I sat down on my chair still thinking of all the things Mr Coker said when my phone started to ring…. I looked at the screen and it jack calling…. all my staff have a customize Sim card that I recharge for them yearly, once the recharge is done they can use it to call unlimitedly without the fear of running out of airtime…… I answered the phone
JACK
good morning JJ
JOSHUA
how are you?
JACK
I’m fine sir, you were already out when I came to the house.
JOSHUA
you are a big man na, I know you didn’t wake up early that was why you came late.
JACK
I woke up early, but I didn’t sleep at home last night, I slept at my babe’s place, there’s always traffic from her place to work.
JOSHUA
this your girlfriend that I’m always hearing about, when are you going to bring her home so we could see and know her?
JACK
(He chuckled)
I will bring her soon…. I called to remind you of the money you said you will send into my account so I can go shop for the new girl.
JOSHUA
her name is Sonia, not “the new girl” don’t worry I will send you the morning once I drop this call..
JACK
Oh, okay.
JOSHUA
And yeah that reminds me, tell Sonia to cancel the dinner I asked her to prepare for me, I’m coming home with my staffs for dinner…. I will be doing the cooking.
JACK
oh wow! it must be a special occasion then, you only cook when something special happens…. any good news?
JOSHUA
In all my employees, you are the only one that knows me better than anyone…. yeah somwi special is up…. I will announce it at the dinner tonight.
JACK
oh wow, congratulations in advance boss…
JOSHUA
(I giggled)
thank you…. And please stock the house with drinks, all kinds please.
JACK
will sure do that…. I’m hanging up now
JOSHUA
all right, bye.
I dropped my phone and took my laptop to start the business for the day….. I suddenly remembered I haven’t sent the money I promise to send to jack, so I quickly wired the money into his account and went back to my work.
About an hour later Amanda came in with some files in hand to give to me and she inform me that our goods have been shipped into the country, they wanted to know when we will be available to come clear them.
STORY BY DEBORAH PAUL
MY DESIRE
EPISODE 8
SONIA’S POV
After Joshua left for work, I went inside to meet mercy, she was still sleeping with her legs spread wide like a queen.
I moved to the bed and woke her up, it took me a long time before I succeeded in waking her up.
MERCY
what? why can’t I have peace of mind Sonia? they send you to me?
SONIA
I’m surprised you are talking like this, mercy why exactly are you here if I may ask?
MERCY
I came to protect you of course
SONIA
(I laughed)
you came to protect me? when my boss came back last night did you know? when he left this morning did you know?
MERCY
(She wiped her eyes and stretched)
I didn’t know, because I was sleeping.
SONIA
(I laughed)
We are saying exactly the same thing, you came here to protect me, from the same person I have seen twice and you haven’t even met him once….. I think you have to leave now.
MERCY
what? are you sending me away? this house is too big for only you to handle.
SONIA
so what are you saying? that Joshua should employ you here too?
MERCY
well, not for long, maybe for just some months then I will leave.
SONIA
I can’t believe my ears, you actually followed me here so you can get employed?
MERCY
when you put it like that, it makes me look like a bad person….I didn’t come here to take your job or work here…. I oy came here to know if you are safe…. but fortunately I got comfortable around here and I decided to stay.
SONIA
don’t do this mercy, you should go back home and finish your studies, you have just one year before you finish…. focus on your studies.
MERCY
has he gone to work? tonight I’m not going to sleep, I’m going to be awake so I can finally meet him.
(she said ignoring what I just said)
mercy isn’t a child that I will just pull by the hand and walk her out, she’s a full grown adult who knows what she wants and what she’s doing…. my only fear now is how will Joshua take it if he comes back and found out my friend is still around…
I got pissed off and left the room, she’s my friend but sometimes I wonder if she really have my interest at heart…. as I was descending the stairs, I met with jack.
SONIA
good morning
JACK
morning, how are you?
SONIA
I’m fine and you?
JACK
I’m okay, but are you sure you are okay? you don’t look good.
SONIA
(I faked a smile)
of course I’m fine, just a slight headache.
JACK
headache? you should get drugs for that.
SONIA
No, no, it’s not that serious, I will be fine…. I made breakfast, whenever you are ready, just let me know.
JACK
I was actually going to your room to discuss something with you….. but since you are already here let’s go downstairs and talk about it.
SONIA
sure, after you please.
He led the way and I followed from behind, he went straight to the living room and sat down… I slowly sat down too.
SONIA
so, what is it you wanted to discuss with me.
JACK
JJ said I should take you to the market to get some stuffs, did he inform you?
SONIA
yes he did, he said he would transfer some money into your account.
As I was talking, his phone beef and he brou-ght it out from his pocket, he opened it and looked back at me.
JACK
he just sent the money…. he said we should go by noon, but if you don’t have anything doing I think we should go now.
SONIA
I don’t have anything doing for now.
JACK
yeah, and that reminds me, JJ said you should cancel the plans for dinner, his bringing his staffs home for a treat tonight, so he will be cooking for them.
I was shocked, in fact a lot of things has been surprising me since I came, like his workers calling him JJ instead of boss, the way they speak with hI’m freely and now his bringing his staffs home to cook for them? it must be a great occasion for him to want to cook.
SONIA
huh? you mean he will cook for all his staffs?
JACK
yeah, so please go get ready now.
SONIA
I already took my bathe before coming downstairs to make breakfast, and like you know I didn’t come with anything clothes so I can’t change what I’m wearing…. so technically I’m ready.
JACK
alright then, I will just call JJ to inform him we are heading out already.
SONIA
you need to eat breakfast first
JACK
I already ate before coming…. thanks though.
Jack is a very handsome guy, in fact if his put on a market shelf along side his boss to be marketed, you will be confused on whom to pick, his talll, dark and has this body built like John Cena…. his bears were full and it fitted his face so perfectly….. if I don’t mind my business I might start crushing on him…. his too cute…. unlike JJ who has two side dimple and a very straight diastema, he has just one dimple at his right cheeks which still looks good on him.
I didn’t know I was staring at his cute face until he tapped my shoulder to bring me back to reality.
SONIA
sorry, you were saying?
JACK
I said you can go, I will call you once I’m ready.
I swallowed hard, turn my back and started to walk into the kitchen hurriedly…. I remembered my friend, there was no way I was going to leave her alone in the house.
SONIA
(I turn to look at him, but didn’t come close)
my friend, can she tag along?
JACK
that’s for you to decide…. but don’t waste my time.
SONIA
thank you, no we won’t.
I changed my direction and ran upstairs, she was just coming out from the bathroom, I told her to hurry up with the dressing that we were going for shopping.
MERCY
finally, I was wondering when he would buy you the clothes he talked about…. I’m already tired of wearing this clothes I wore since yesterday.
SONIA
you are the one who gave yourself that punishment, if you had gone home yesterday, you wouldn’t have repeated undies or dress.
MERCY
do you hate it that much that I’m here? I thought we are friends? you know what? I’m just going to leave, it’s obvious you don’t want me here…. I don’t blame you, it’s myself I blame, I should have read between the lines that you didn’t want me to come with you….. I have been the one forcing this relationship on you, but not anymore…. I’m leaving.
She started to wear her clothes in a hurry, I know she was blackmailing me emotionally but I allowed her anyways… if not for her I wouldn’t have gotten a roof over my head, if not for her maybe I would have been ra-pe d countless of times on the street…. I grabbed her arm and turn her to face me
SONIA
I’m sorry okay, I like the fact that you are here, I’m just scared that Mr JJ might not like the idea…. you are like a sister to me, and you know I love you right?
MERCY
You don’t love me, you think….
SONIA
I said I’m sorry na, oya let’s go shopping and guess what? my boss is having a dinner party here tonight, his going to cook for all his staffs…. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to miss any of that, would you?
I know she won’t leave, I mean not after what I just told her…. she smiled excitedly and frowned back…. I couldn’t help but laugh, she was happy why was she still trying to act tough?
story continues
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