THREE

“I’m home.” I announced as I took off my shoes and put on my indoor flip-flops.

“Welcome back Bony.” My roommate and best friend, Grace Johnson greeted and my nose quickly knew where she was as I headed to the kitchen.

Grace was in only her pant and had a soft pink apron that wrote ‘Mama’ on it as she made lunch. I hugged Grace from behind and kissed her cheek before I leaned my head on her shoulder.

“So how was the interview?” Grace asked as I sighed.

“It went great; better than I expected just as you said.”

“See I told you not to worry. They would be stupid not to worry you but…” She said as I raised a brow and she smiled. “You’ve got that look on your face when you want to tell me something but want me to ask you so I’m doing that.”

“I saw him today.” I confessed.

“Who? Gerald?” She asked and I waved my hand and moved away from her.

“Not him. Konstantin.”

“Is it the rich CEO that I whopped you for not getting his sexy ass?” Grace shouted with excitement when she mentioned his ass and I nodded.

“Yes; that one.” I replied and Grace switched off the fire and squealed in joy.

“Oh my god, bestie details asap.” Grace said as she shoved me out of kitchen while I laughed.

Grace Williams was a black American who I met the first day I stepped foot on foreign grounds. We weren’t roommates then since she was a college student and I was a Masters student but I was two years older and we had a lot in common including birth month. It was strange, she was light skinned; honey but people who saw us for the first time always asked if we were sisters.

When we graduated and got decent employment, we bought this apartment and moved in together. Grace works at a publishing house as the chief editor and she’s been producing a lot of accomplished authors’ books. She also features as a guest for certain magazines that are popular among young couples and Pride candidates.

Our neighbors still think we are a lesbian couple but Grace has a boyfriend, Ray a cute red hair who loves to no bounds and respects my relationship with his girlfriend.

Grace was also the person who gave me my English name.

Grace placed me on the couch and she sat opposite me before her black eyes stared into mine with a goofy smile.

“You are such a big gossip.” I said with a Nigerian accent as Grace laughed.

“But you love gossiping me.” She repeated with a perfectly influential accent.

(Have no misconception, Nigerians are one of the African countries that can copy accent perfectly and it takes experts to identify it though it doesn’t apply to everyone from Nigeria. So don’t peg us to sound like the stereotypical Africans.)

“So there were four interviewers when I entered and an empty chair. I just thought it was probably the director running late or he went out for a while and then the interview starts. I was just about to give my speech and then Konstantin walked in. It was the weirdest and scariest thing ever and I suddenly got to see why most people said that employees or ex-employees who walked in LK&A are flawless and strange. They obey like minions except without mass destruction and mass production.” I explained as Grace listened attentively.

She said nothing as I gave details of everything that happened from the start to the end, dropping jokes once in awhile as I laughed.

“There was different about him today.” I said as I hugged my knee and looked upright. “Last year when Konstantin and I talked, he talked like he had no sense of direction; like he had given up on the world and had transitioned from a man to a broken record that needed repairs. He was human but today; his aura gave me this omega to alpha impression, a servant to a god feeling and I have never been with a man that made my knees weak outside sex.” I confessed.

I turned my head to see a foxy smile on Grace’s face as she pointed her finger at me.

“My best friend is in love.” Grace said as I rolled my eyes.

“I’m not in love. I’m just sexually attracted but that won’t be possible anymore because he is my employer and business with personal life is a bad complementary.” I explained as Grace rolled her eyes.

“Soooo… Are you going to accept his offer to be his PA?” Grace asked as she winked and I stared at her before I laughed.

“I love you.”

“I love you after you answer my question.” Grace demanded and I sighed.

“It’s why I have until the weekend to decide, no pressure girlfriend.” I said as I stood up from the couch.

“By the way; what’s for dinner I’m starving.” I said before Grace smiled.

“Pasta.” She replied before us both student and headed for the kitchen.

I was staring at the mail I got by Friday from LK&A. I was employed by the company out of so many candidates and I smiled as my eyes went to the details about my salary.

I also realized that another letter was added by the same company but it was authorization on Konstantin’s offer to be his PA and secretary and the bonus to be reaped from doing so. It seemed fair, more than enough to accomplish everything before my Visa expires.

I leaned my head against the bed head and sighed as I stared at the ceiling before closing my eyes to think.

“Chimamanda if no one believes in you; you believe in yourself. You are a great child and I know you are the only one who can prove your father wrong about what you can do. Never forget who you are.” My mother’s words rang in my ears as I breathed out before I opened my eyes.

I came here to achieve something; I came here to prove to my father that I wasn’t to be underestimated. I still had one year before that and I’ve come this far to start going back.

I faced my computer as I sent a letter to Mr. Azzaro; requesting I would be in his office tomorrow so he could leave an appointment with me before I smiled and closed the laptop.

“For a better future Chi.” I whispered before I climbed down from the bed.

I breathed in and out heavy as I stared at LK&A conglomerate from outside before I took steps inside. There was barely any activity happening inside and no surprises since it was Saturday. Konstantin requested we went to a restaurant but lunch together when we weren’t co-workers yet made me feel focused away for the purpose of meeting.

“I’m here to see Mr. Azzaro.” I said to the reception, a pretty brunette who packed her hair like Ariana Grande. She had two dimples on her cheeks and a smile that made her appear like a baby.

“Do you have an appointment?” She asked and I nodded.

“10pm, Ebony.” I informed her as she tapped in her laptop before she nodded.

“I’ve informed CEO Azzaro that you are here and here is your pass.” She said as she gave me a guest ID and I took the ID. “Is there anything I can get you?”

“No.”

“Have a nice day, Miss Ebony.” The receptionist said before I walked up to the elevator and clicked on the last floor.

The last floor of the company seemed to be reserved with the only board that worked with the CEO, the COO and the CEO himself. It was more private than I had imagined.

I stopped in front of Konstantin’s office before I breathed out slowly and knocked. I opened the door and entered before the first thing that awed me about his office was the space.

It was bigger than my bedroom and kitchen combined with a lot of coffee or cream colored furniture that gave it a professional look.

My eyes went to the window that had a beautiful view of the city behind before my eyes fell on Konstantin who was on one of the couch placed in front of his desk with a folder in his hand and glasses on his face.

I didn’t even know he wore glasses but he looked really smart in them.

“Welcome Miss Ebony, please take a seat.” Konstantin said as I gulped before my legs moved to obey his simple instruction. It was strange for me to be waiting for orders but Konstantin was an exception and his company was proof.

Konstantin took off his glasses and placed it on top of the folder in his hand before his beautiful blue-green eyes focused on my brown eyes.

“Have you thought about my offer?” He asked and I breathed steadily.

“Yes and I’ve thought it through. I am willing to work at your side as your secretary and personal assistance.” I said as I breathed out. “However I have my own conditions.”

Konstantin smiled as he raised a brow and folded his arm.

“Go on.” He said and I brought out a piece of paper and handed it to him.

There was a look of fascination on his face on what I had done as he accepted the paper before he picked his glasses to read. My eyes went to his lashes, watching how they flutter as he carefully screened my demands before he dropped it on the paper.

“The demands aren’t difficult. I respect the fact that you came prepared and you are confident that I will honor your invitation, so you can start Monday.” He said and I smiled.

“Thank you. I guess I can leave.”

“Not yet. Let’s chat, it’s been a year right?” Konstantin asked and I nodded while my heart thumped at his request.

“Yeah. How have you been?” I asked as I tried to relax.

“I’ve been good. You said you would tell me where you came from if we met again. I know I can read your records but it’s more fun straight from the damsel’s mouth.” He said as he intertwined his fingers.

I chuckled feeling a little awkward as I rubbed my neck.

“I am African. Nigerian from Igbo (E-bo) tribe.” I replied and he nodded.

“Nigeria? It’s got quite the reputation.” He said as he picked up the coffee cup I had just noticed.

“Yeah but it’s not particularly bad. Nigeria is a country where the people are a flex, we function more than the government and that’s why a lot of foreigners are cautious around us since we are defined unpredictable.” I said as I smiled at the memories I have of home.

“You must really miss home.”

“I do.” I replied.

It was then I realized it was my employer I was talking to.

“You’re a busy man Konstantin; I don’t think you just called me for a random chat to your company.” I said and he smirked.

“Intelligent but you are right.” Konstantin said as he dropped a newspaper in front of me. My eyes went to the headline that would have anyone interested to read.

CEO of LK&A conglomerate abuses woman in restaurant for physical contact. Gynophobia or Sexist?

I laughed as I threw my head back and collected the paper, looking at the cover picture that had a young woman falling and Konstantin’s arms appearing as though he had pushed her but the caption was the comedy.

“You look good in this picture but gynophobia? Sexist? That is creative.” I said as I pointed at the papers.

Konstantin didn’t seem excited or happy with my amusement but he didn’t interrupt it before I dropped the papers on the table.

“So how does that affect me?” I asked and his eyes seemed to sparkle at that question.

“You’ve done your research about this company right?” Konstantin asked and I nodded. “Who is the largest shareholder of LK&A?”

“That would be Sunshine corporations and Industries owned by…” It dawned on me. “Mr. Alessandro Azzaro, your father.”

“If they suddenly pull out when the company is now public, what will happen?” He asked.

“It will encourage the other shareholders to assume this company is about to fold and plant elsewhere especially if Mr. Azzaro convinces them. It will be an economic crisis that will force LK&A to go back to being small and a lot of unemployed personals including me.” I explained as I pointed at myself.

“As you know, Sunshine is owned by the Azzaro family; not just me but everyone related to me whose last name is Azzaro. My father is threatening to cause conflict for me under the condition that I fix the issue on the papers and my personal affairs.”

“You have all the money to silence the company and the supposed victim.”

“Yes I do but not enough to silence my family. This is why I said that day during the interview, I need you Ebony; this company needs you.” Konstantin said to my interest and I moved closer.

“You need me to portray the role of girlfriend? Fiancée?” I asked and he folded his legs.

“I need you to be my wife Ebony. I want you to marry me.” Konstantin said as everyone became quiet.

There was a strange tension in the room as the words he said registered in my head.

He wants me to marry him? I escaped a proposal not to jump into another one.

I laughed before I put on a straight face. “You want me to marry you when I barely know you.” I said and he nodded without hesitation.

“I didn’t explain this marriage. We will a couple to suit my family and the public eyes but in private, we owe each other no responsibility. I promise you’ll reap benefits when we get a divorce six months later.”

“A lot of things can happen in six month Konstantin. Hell I’m shocked like you’re acting like you aren’t telling me to spend the rest of my six month with you. There are many women who will love to take this life changing role so why me?”

“Why not you? You have the qualities I can tolerate and relate plus you are the only one I know who will never complicate or demand more from an arranged relationship. This is business Ebony not pleasure or honeymoons with happy endings.” Konstantin said as I folded my arms.

“This is reality not a drama. I came to work for you not to be tied to you.” I said as I picked my purse. “I decline your offer no matter the benefits I gain from it. I enjoy my independence and right now I’m not looking to be bearing another man’s last name in a year or two CEO Azzaro.”

I was about to leave when Konstantin pushed the folder he had on the table closer to me.

“The offer still stands until I find a worthy replacement. It is rare for me to give second chances but I feel you are worth the effort Ebony.” Konstantin said before I collected the folder. “Think about it; it’s an offer that could change your life for the best for six months.”

I stared at Konstantin one last time before I left the office and closed the door behind me.