Chapter 1

Jewel's POV

Today was the day. The day I'd be starting my job as a personal assistant in one of the biggest architectural companies in the city and in the country. I had gotten back from the states few months ago and I didn't want to lazy around, depending on my parents so I went job hunting and got a personal assistant job. Not what I wanted actually but it was better than nothing and the pay was very lucrative.

Because of my excitement, I had woken up very early to get ready. I was staying at my parent's place pending the time I get my own apartment. Picking up my white towel, I entered to bathroom to observe my hygiene.

About forty five minutes later, I came out, towel cladding from my chest downwards and one wrapped around my hair. I began to dress up, first of all applying lotion on my body before wearing my underwear and sat down in front of my dresser.

I finished my make up and styled my hair into a low bun. I had a pretty full and long hair. People usually thought I wore wig or fixed human hair but it was always my hair. It was only on special occasions I wore wig. I laid my edges and without having to tie any band, it stayed.

I went ahead to slip into a navy blue cooperate given with a slit at the back so that I'd be able to move freely. I assessed myself in the mirror and smiled at my reflection, concluding that I looked perfect. Not too much, not too small. Very okay for first day impressions, especially when I haven't met the boss yet. I complemented the look with black strap heels and black bag. I looked at my watch. I would be late if I don't leave the house now.

I made my way down the stair case and saw that my parents were already up, having break fast. Too bad I won't be having breakfast with them.

"Good morning mum, morning dad." I greeted them.

"Good morning my dear. Sit down and have your breakfast." Mum said but I shook my head.

"I can't. Today is my first day and I really want to make a very good impression on the big boss by not being late." I explained.

"That's good." Dad nodded in understanding. "Have you spoken to your sister? She asked you to call her." He asked and I shook my head. I knew why Pearl wanted to talk to me.

"I'll call her on my way. I have to go now, bye!" I waved at them and dashed out of the house.

I greeted the workers walking around and doing chores, made my way to my Range Rover. I honked, signalling the gate man to open the gate. If I wanted to make it on time, I would need to beat the Lagos traffic, which at this point would be difficult.

I connected my AirPods to my phone and placed a call over to Pearl. It rang for a few seconds before she picked it up.

"Jewel, you have been ignoring my phone calls." Was the first thing she said when she picked the called and I sighed, rolling my eye.

"Good morning to you too, big sister." I replied with sarcasm laced in my voice.

"Don't go all sarcastic on me!" Pearl chided sternly. "You were ignoring my phone calls on purpose." She added and I sighed.

"That's because I already know what you want to say and I am not interested in hearing it." I told her sternly. "You are just going to support Tayo like always instead of supporting your own sister."

Tayo was my boyfriend. We met at the states towards the ending of my studies and one thing led to another and we began to date. I got to know that he was the only son of one of the richest men in the country. We came back to Nigeria together.

Tayo was intolerable. Because of his father's affluence, he acted like a big baby most times with no Manners and it was infuriating. While Pearl adored him to know ends, feeling he was a good way for me to move on from you know who, I found him quite annoying.

He had wanted me to work in his company and I told him no. I didn't want anyone thinking he pulled strings for me to get there which I knew he'd do. I wanted to work for my own money instead of depending on my parents or boyfriend. He got really pissed at my decision and called me several horrible names. I got angry and walked out on me.

Now he had reported me to my sister and Pearl being Pearl didn't want to hear my own side of the story. Her own sister. It was stupid.

"Jewel, he just wants your best interest at heart. Suggesting that you should come and work for him isn't such a bad idea." Pearl said and I scoffed.

"This is what I don't like about you, Pearl. You keep supporting this guy even after everything. I want to work for my own money and not depend on my rich boyfriend to give me everything. I'm an independent woman for Christ sake!" I hit the steering wheel in frustration.

"He is just trying to look out for you!" Pearl snapped.

"Look out for me by calling me a wanna be, by insulting my person?! And you are there, supporting him like you don't see any fault in what he is doing."

"It's not like I don't see a fault in what he is doing. I do..." Pearl started but I cut her off.

"Then fücking correct him for once instead of correcting me." I snapped and hung up, removing my AirPods aggressively and throwing them on the passengers seat. I stepped on the accelerator and maneuvered my way through the traffic.

I loved my sister so much but most times she can be insufferable and it was annoying. Now she has already made me late on my first day. I kissed my teeth and continued driving.

*****

I parked my Range Rover in front of the glass skyscraper and got down, my Chanel bag in hand. I locked the car, smoothened my dress with my hand and looked up at the building.

H&A Architectural Firm

One of the biggest and best company in the country. I put on my best smile and walked Into the building majestically, carrying an aura of confidence, as always.

The lounge was quite large and very busy. Everyone was doing one thing or the other. When I came for my interview the just concluded week, this much people were not around. As I made my way to the elevator, I greeted people as they passed me. I already knew my way around the the big company. I pressed the button indicating the floor I was going to and up I went.

Soon, I was at the top floor where my office was and lucky for me, I saw Laura, giving instructions to a few staff around her. I met her during the interview. She gave me a tour around the place and was pretty nice to me. I'm glad to have already made a friend. Most of my friends were in New York where I had schooled.

"Laura." I called her and she turned around, beaming when she saw me. She dismissed the staffs and made her way towards me.

Laura was a pretty lady with glowing fair skin and killer figure. She had on a bright red gown that stopped just below her knee but had a side slit to her lower thigh. Her white stiletto heels, straight hair and bright red lipstick completed the professional but chic look.

"Babe, where have you been?" She whispered-yelled at me playfully.

"I was caught up in traffic. Am I late?" I looked at my watch. "I'm just five minutes late." I shrugged.

"You are saying that because you haven't met the boss. Speaking of which, he said you should see him by the time you get here." She told me.

"Mr Kalu?" I asked. Kalu was the one who interviewed me last week and he was really nice. I shouldn't have a problem with him, should I?

"Not Kalu. Kalu only filled in for Williams because he was out of town. Mr Williams is CEO and the one you'd be working directly under." Laura smirked at me and I sighed as tension filled me.

"That makes more sense."I chuckled. "Well let me go and drop my bag then I'll get to his office immediately after that." I told her.

"Alright love. Good luck. You might need it." She smirked mischievously and walked off. I frowned but brushed what she said aside.

I dropped my bag in my well furnished office and walked towards the boss's office which was also located at the top floor. I exhaled and knocked.

"Come in." A deep and very familiar voice replied. I brushed it off, feeling overwhelmed by nervousness. I've never met the big boss before. I didn't know how he looked like or how he would act like.

I opened the door, heads bowed as a sign of respect. I was already late. I didn't want to seem disrespectful too. Wouldn't want to loose my job on my first day. I'm pretty sure many other people applied just like I did, so I can't screw this up.

"Good morning sir." I said, my head still down, my eyes on my manicured toenails. I heard him clear his throat.

"Tardiness on your first day isn't a good first impression, Miss... What's your name?" He asked me. His voice sounded awfully familiar but I didn't know where to place it so I dismissed the thought.

"Miss Demilade, sir." I replied and there was a pause on his end.

"Demilade..." He muttered and my eyes were still trained on the floor.

"Jewel?" He called my name and I frowned, looking up. That was when my eyes met his and I recognized him immediately.

Oh God no!

"Henry." I muttered in complete shock.