She woke up to the alarm beeping incessantly. She was sleeping so deeply that she had forgotten that today was the day of her interview. So she bolted from the bed and hurried into the bathroom to get ready as fast as she could.
There is time, she thought while looking at her watch before heading to the coffee shop to get her favorite tea. Today She felt confident that something good was going to happen considering the present weather condition looking a lot more favourable as the sun beams its light rays on the earth.
Besides, science proves it that the early morning sun helps activate the vitamins on our skin. She consoles and encourages herself. A good omen she thought while she steps out of the house for the bus station looking all smart and accurately dressed wearing a pencil skirt that went from waist till slightly above her knees with a touch of some concealer, eyeliner, mascara, and a baby pink lipstick. She settles for a flat shoe as it seems stress free other than her heels, which posed as torture to her feet.
Her impatience grew by seconds on seeing the crowd of people waiting patiently at the bus station, so she books a cab online as that was the only swift means to bid her time. She forcibly stifled her impatience as she awaits her cab's arrival.
After about 4 minutes of standing in the same spot, Vuum, a Honda Fit 2015 model, closes in on her distance and ceases... winding down the side screen of the car, the cab driver chimes in, "miss Susan? You ordered a ride at City Rides 3 minutes ago."
She firmly grabs her hand bag whilst she bends down to confirm the identity of her booked ride. "Yes, I did." She exhales in relief "Because... I'm running late for my interview and I'll appreciate if you can be fast enough" she mutters as she hastens into the vehicle to bid her time.
He smiles and nods. "Yes ma'am, at your service," he zooms off as soon as she settles in.
"Thanks for" —she hops out of the car after a 15 minutes trip— "the swift ride."
Just at the reception, Susan froze for a second at the decorative lights and illuminants that lit up the extravagant Empire, multi-service company.
"Welcome to the Empire ma'am, how can we be of help to you?" Miss Joan says smiling. Miss Joan, a slim, light skin young lady. A receptionist at the company.
"Sorry, I.. I'm here for the 10am interview," Susan stammers. "For the cleaning service department vacancy."
"Okay, that's fine, take the lift by your left and go up to the last floor," Miss Joan directs Susan, looking down at her desktop computer.
Susan's eyes gleamed with a hint of coldness on seeing the calibers of hot, attractive, accurately dressed ladies, all shades of shapes on the last floor. She chuckles, walking to where they were all asked to sit until it was time for the interview.
"Hello everyone, welcome to the Empire multi-service company. It's 10am prompt and we begin the interview immediately. Please do not advance to the office until you're are called upon for orderliness’ sake," Miss Ava instructs with an innocent smile. Miss Ava, the head of the Human resources department.
Wow, beauty and brains indeed, Susan thought, admiring as she fixes her gaze on Ava, a light skin curvy blonde wearing a brown wig as she spoke fluently.
She sits on the same spot with her file for about 2 hours listening to soft appealing music via her Bluetooth device as to calm her nerves while she watched as every lady went in and came out after about 10 minutes either with a sad look or disappointed.
This is scaring, if they were rejected, what happens to me? She ponders on seeing that she is next on the seat. This got her more nervous, so she pulls off her airpods from her ear to be more attentive.
"No, don't tell me that, you're just not competent," Mr Xander yells over the phone, facing the window, all furious in his office.
Susan stands up all startled, moving towards the direction of the sound she heard to be sure that there was no emergency. As she closes on a distance, she sees the door slightly open. Behold a man with an aura of dominance, confidence and intimidation. He was talking harshly to someone on the phone and walking angrily. Well, good luck to the person on the other side of the conversation... I guess that answers the reason for their sad faces coming out. She concludes, heading back to her seat.
"Susan, you're next," Ava stretches her hand to the door.
Knock! Knock! Knock! Susan strikes her fist against the door thrice.
"Come in," Mr Xander calls out faintly. Trying to get a grip on himself, he falls back to his chair, spilling a couple of files to the ground.
"Sir, are you okay?" She bends down to pick up the files below the desk just then she recognises that it's the same man she bumped into yesterday outside the coffee shop.
He blinks his eyes, still trying to get a clearer vision. "Off course I am okay... and what's that look on your face?"
"Nothing, sir, just that," she adds. " You seem unstable."
He mutters as his vision turned hazy."Really...is that the reason you left your place of comfort as early as this?"
The more agitated he got, the more patient she was. "Can you just sit, so we get.... Just then, he slumps unresistantly to the ground.
"Sir..sir are you okay? Security! Security!" She calls out loudly for help as her emotions went from devastation to scared out of her mind.
Mr Xander rubs his forehead slightly, asking in a mild and calm tone, "Where am I and where is my sister?"
" Aaah, you're awake already, you're at the hospital and you're doing just fine...you will be discharged as soon as possible provided you don't skip your medications anymore," Doctor Tommy advises. A surgeon by specification. A doctor at company's hospital.
"Miss Ketty hasn't been to work since today.... thank God Susan was with you in the office. She rushed out to the security as soon as you passed out," Ava points out to Susan's direction as she sat patiently over 6hours waiting for his recovery.
"Susan, please come over," Ava calls out
" Is she the one?" He tries to rack his brain around the face. "Her face is very familiar... seems like we've met somewhere or somehow before now."
Seeing that he now recognises her, she lets stray strands fall in front of her face as she looks downtrodden. "Outside the coffee shop, sir."
"Yeah...you're right, the lady who spilled all of my tea in front of the coffee shop." Mr Xander states
Her eyes still fixed on the ground, she apologizes with her soft voice "Yes sir, I'm so sorry about that day... I was so stressed and frustrated that day, sir."
Reassuring her, it's O.K., he said, " Accidents happen... atleast you just saved my life.. thanks Susan... I'm Xander by name, the CEO of The Empire.," they both shake hands.
"She was the last person you were meant to interview before this incident," Ava quickly chimed in
"Ooh wow, you can drop your file with Ava over here and resume tomorrow morning as the head of the cleaning service department if that's okay with you," he proposed
Susan smiles and nods, trying to suppress the joy in her heart. "Yes sir it's definitely okay by me, thanks sir for this opportunity. I promise not to let your trust down." She hands over her file to miss Ava as she exits the premises.
"She seems different and best for the job, unlike the others," Ava discloses calmly to Mr Xander as Susan leaves out of the hospital.
"I mean, giving her the chance isn't really a bad idea considering how concerned she was with your well-being, that shows she could actually head a department in the company,"Ava suggests to Mr Xander
"Whatever." He reluctantly rolls his eyes back to bed. "Call Mr Dum to come take me home."
"Okay sir, right away" Ava puts a call across to Mr Dum.
The slow movement of the door sounding twice, showing an entrance."Good day sir," Mr Dum greets walking towards the sick bed as he supports Mr Xander out of the hospital.
She takes a taxi heading straight home. Still can't believe that she just got a job and not just any job. The head of the cleaning service department at the Empire. Tomorrow marks a new start for me, she thought as she steps down from the taxi. She quickly dials John on her cell phone to share the good news.
"Guess what John?, I just got the job at the Empire and a departmental head at that," she utters with joy, feeling so excited
"Thanks for your ginger earlier on... Susan! Susan
calm down... you're now leading a department, so put your acts together" she states imitating John's deep bold voice as they both couldn't seize laughing so wide on the phone after the little speech drama.
"Goodnight John,"
"Goodnight, head of department," John teases her and hangs up.
"Early to bed.. early to rise. Early to bed.. early to rise, " she sings on repeat, dancing as she heads to the bathroom. Today was indeed mind-blowing she thought as she enjoys the cool bath after the hot sunny day except for one thing that didn't seem right, the cause for Mr Xander's crises earlier today at the office, then she resolutes that minding her business would be the best option to avoid being fired.
She steps out of the bathroom, drying up. Immediately sets alarm for an hour early to help her have free time doing the house chores in the morning and also arrive early to work since she lives alone and expects no one to do the chores for her. Turning off the lights as usual; she heads straight to the bed, caressing and playing with the pillows; she falls fast asleep.
Stepping out of a taxi, looking all smart, official and nervous as hell, she approaches the gate, "Good morning miss Susan" Mr Martin greets opening the pedestrian entrance as usual with a welcoming smile on his face."Good morning to you too, Mr Martin," Susan replies, sounding anxious while her legs speed up forward as it's her first day at work and she's uncertain of what to expect until she gets to the office.Closing on a distance to the reception entrance, the door automatically opens with a welcoming cool breeze and illuminants that lit up the room causing goosebumps.. she exhales blinking her eyes and behold Is miss Ava, staring right at her face."Mm-hmm". She clears her throat. "Good morning, miss Ava," Susan acknowledges Ava's presence, nodding her head downward in modesty."Morning Susan, you look good and smart," Ava commends "Err.. Than... Thanks ma'am," Susan stammers. "You too look stunning and smart yourself."Seeing how unease Susan reacted to the compliments, she t
Waking up in a cold sweat, pulling the bedsheets off of my naked body, I get up to grab a set of fresh ones from the hall closet. When I touch the vinyl floor, I shiver from the cold and hurry to put my robe on. Just then I thought, wishing I could share with someone how I feel right now.Talking about sharing, Ketty is the only option for a listening ear of course she is the only family I've got right now but even at that, I don't feel like opening up to her would be best for now because I don't want to feel bad considering the fact that she feels am just a playboy and not serious at all. Looking through the fabrics, I pick the Egyptian cotton powder blue sheets and head back to my room. Immediately taking off the wet ones and replacing them with the fresh sheets. I take off my robe and slippers and then climb back to the bed "That place feels exactly like reality," I mutter, trying to close my eyes atleast to have a glance just one more time. "Will life be something like what I
Starring at my cell phone dumbfoundedly, I froze for a second as my beautiful anticipated uninterrupted sleep was taken away from me. Normally would have still laid back on the bed for atleast untill the day gets a little more bright and I guess I would have rested enough ..seeing how I love and cherish my sleep but not when it concerns my only sister, ketty.Still trying to convince myself beyond any doubts that Ketty might be doing just perfectly fine, I retired back to the warmth of the covers but still felt unease. Having someone else answer ketty's call wasn't a problem at all...after all, she might be seeing someone but not just ready to come out with it... but the way at which he spoke furiously then hung up on me without any proper conversation made me have an awful feeling that has started creeping up inside of me that something wasn't right about this. Mm-hmm, probably could be network interference I thought while I dailed ketty's number one more time. Switched off! Switch
Knock! Knock! Knock!"C'mon in" Susan responds casually whilst her attention still faced on her desk "Always on-time, i can imagine how early you upt of your soft magnificent bed every morning. This is exactly what the EMPIRE needs". Ava commends Susan with beams of satisfaction as she walks in.Hearing Ava's voice alone, brought relief for the day seeing that she's a whole lot of vibe. Seeing her always smile during works hours despite the pressure made me see life from a different perspective, that life isn't always as difficult as some people assume and exaggerate it to be. "When will you" –susan smiles shaking her head side ways– "ever stop this flattering?""Offcourse not... I'm just stating the obvious. No flattering at all on this one. I mean look at you, which man in his right senses will not notice such a hardworking and independent lady like you except he is blind offcourse.""Hehehehe, that's not true... People's choice of their ideal partner matters too, not like they-"
His head hung downwards with his arms crossed over his chest as he stands at the entrance of his own house, recapping what had just happened at the hospital.Few hours ago..,Xander hurried to the hospital, his heart still uneasy. As he rushed through the hospital doors, he was met with a swarm of nurses and doctors rushing about, attending to patients. Xander frantically searched for his sister, hoping to find her working as usual.But as he made his way through the hospital, he couldn't find Ketty anywhere. Frantic, he asked the nurses if they had seen her, but they all shook their heads.He raced to ketty's office, hoping to find some clue as to her whereabouts. But as he burst through the door, he was met with an empty room.Panic set in as he realized that indeed, ketty had been missing for two days."Are you okay sir?" Mr Dum asks bringing Xander to the present as he has never seen his Boss standing so quiet in that manner. "Aaah sure." He gasped with a fake smile as he opened
Xander's heart breaks at the sight of his sister's distress. He wanted nothing more than to reach through the screen and hold her, to promise her that he will do everything in his power to bring her home. But all he can do is sit there and stare helplessly at the screen, tears streaming down his face."Please," he begs the kidnappers. "Let her go. Come get me instead, she doesn't deserve this."The kidnapper's expression softens slightly, but he still looked unmoved. Xander knows that he couldn't give up. He had to find a way to save Ketty, no matter what it took. He asked for more time and promised he will find the money and will continue to negotiate.The kidnapper thought for a moment, then nodded. "I'll give you one more day added to your 48 hours," he said. "One more day to come up with the money. If you don't have it by then, your sister will be gone forever."The screen goes black, and Xander is left staring at his own reflection. He knows he only have less than 72hours to co
Walking into Susan's office, Ava's face wreathes in smiles. She can't contain her excitement as she approaches Susan's desk. "You're a genius, darling, I just wanted to drop by and say thank you for the advice you gave me yesterday," Ava says, her eyes shining with gratitude.Susan looks up from her work, surprised by Ava's sudden visit this early. "Advice? I'm not sure what you're talking about," Susan replies, trying to remember their conversation from the previous day.Ava reminds Susan of the advice she gave her the previous day, "You told me to assure the Paper company that we're working on more funds to invest big. By so doing, they get to stay focused regardless of the delay.""Ooh! That?" Susan gasps patting her head as It all came back to Susan, she remembers now."Yeah.. that. Actually, I did exactly what you suggested and as soon as I was Done convincing them, trust me, they were all game."Susan felt a sense of pride and satisfaction wash over her. She was glad that her ad
Retiring back to the office, even when Xander knew that it's already work close hour,but still assured that the office was the only place he can find total tranquility and be more useful to himself. His jaws groaned. He clenched his palms, feeling so disappointed and disheartened,walking down the dimly lit hallway, his thoughts heavy with the weight of his recent failure. He had been working tirelessly to bring the kidnappers of his sister, Ketty, to justice, but so far he has come up empty handed."Have a nice day sir." Susan bursts out of her office."Ooh.. Susan, I wasn't expecting you'll still be at the office till now.""Yeah, I actually had quite alot on my desk." She shots the door. "And needed to be done with it before heading home.""Ooh..I see, have a nice day then." Xander replies still walking to his office.She could sense that something wasn't just right seeing Mr Xander all alone back to the office at this time. 'why not I tell him about the paper company now.'she tho
"Meehhn... That was hectic but cool, though." John bounces on the couch. They just got back from the hospital. The two elbow bodied lover men, sits across from each other, excitement radiating from their faces with Susan in the living room. They already decided to get married on the same date, a year ago, as a symbol of their love and commitment. While ketty hastens her way upstairs to clean up Susan's room up as to make it conducive for her. As a patient coming back from the hospital doing this isn't right. Coming down stairs, Susan stands up to join Ketty go upstairs to her room but Ketty stops her. "Susi, you just have to pick up a few important things you'll needing because you're not staying here alone.""Er...–""No, no, no." Ketty waves her finger. "It's not an option and if I remember vividly, I didn't ask for your opinion."Susan's jaw drops."Then where do I go? If I don't stay here." "You're staying with your man in his apartment."Susan shakes her head in disagreement. "No
An hour since the blood transfusion and the machines read loudly. Susan slowly opens her eyes, her vision blurry at first. As her surroundings come into focus, her first sight gazes at Xander, sleeping on a small couch nearby. She tries to sit up, feeling groggy and disoriented, but she still holds up persistent to wake up but she falls back asleep. As soon as ketty hears some sounds, she stands to observe Susan. Just then, Xander wakes up, feeling so tired. He rubs his eyes, looking around the room, seeing John Ketty, who appears to be staring. "What..." He chuckles, surprised. "What happened? Why is everyone staring at me and is she okay?" He takes a fast glance at Susan.John relieved, smiles back at Xander's facial expression. "Bro, you're awake. Susan had a moment of distress after the blood transfusion, but she's stable now. We're still trying to figure out what caused it. There is surely nothing to worry about.""She is showing signs of waking up. Let's stay by her side and mon
With the insistence in his tone, ketty asks the nurse to stand behind her. "We need immediate medical help here! She has lost consciousness, and we need to examine her condition thoroughly. Please call for another doctor to stand by."Both Xander and John exchange worried glances and quickly leave the room to find another doctor while Ketty focuses on examining Susan. As they step out, they sight a doctor coming out from the ward near to that of Susans. He stops him, explaining the matter. "Ooh, that's what the scream earlier on was about?" "Yes, doctor." "Let's get going then." He follows them."Come on, Susan, wake up." Ketty keeps muttering to herself. "I shouldn't have let you walk out on your own, regardless of your insistence. What have I done?" She pats her forehead, blaming herself.---Several moments pass as Ketty carefully checks Susan's vital signs, monitors her breathing, and performs various neurological tests. When the other doctor steps in again after a while, he loo
"Hmmm. Susan, I need to tell you something, something that will be hard to say and even harder to believe. But I need you to listen, please. Growing up living with my aunt, whom I loved so much. She was like a second mother to me. But little did I know that the woman I adore is," he breathes heavily. "In fact, the devil herself." Susan, knowing nothing is wowed, "What do you mean, Xander? How could your aunt be...?"Interrupting her, Xander continues. "Just listen, Susan. It's important you understand as it might help you remember some things alright. My aunt recently confessed everything to me. This week, she finally got to pay for her crimes and is now in prison. She is charged with murder, kidnapping, and manipulation. It's unimaginable what she has done." He hisses.With an unbelievable look on her face, she adjusts to ask him. "Murder? kidnapping? I can't believe it. Who did she...?" "She killed her only sister because she was obsessed with a man. That man was my father. My aun
A bustling morning outside the courthouse as Xander and his sister, Ketty, strides purposefully towards the entrance, leaving John to watch over Susan until their return with good news. While walking down to the courtroom, Xander whispers, "finally sis, we're here. The day we've all wished and worked for and those responsible will finally face the consequences.""Absolutely, bro. Susan deserves closure, and we owe it to her to fight for the truth. After what has happened to our family, the separation and the ordeals, things like this should be put out as an example to warn evil people of what the consequence of their actions will be," Ketty replies in an angry tone.Inside the courtroom, the session begins. The police inspector presents the evidence, meticulously laying out the case against the suspects, which are Miss Ava, Mrs. Tina Godfred, and her husband, Mr. Godfred. The instigator and her accomplices."Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we have substantial evidence th
"How are you feeling?" John gives her a warm hug. "We rushed here as soon as we received Xander's call." Seeing John, Susan's eyes light up with recognition and relief."I was wondering when you'd come. I'm so glad to see you." She looks at Ketty, her expression confuses. She drags John much closer to whisper into his ears. "But who are these two people with you?" John and Ketty exchanges puzzle glances, their minds racing to understand the situation.John is so lost. What is happening here?" He questions in his mind. "Susan, don't you remember? This is Ketty, your sister-in-law to be, and my sweetheart. And the man beside her is Xander, your boyfriend.""Boyfriend?!" She chuckles for a while and breathes down when she sees it wasn't funny and no one else was laughing, obviously herself. "Wait a minute, you're serious?" "Of course. I am,"Her brows furrow with confusion clear in her eyes. "Miss Ketty? Mr. Xander? I'm sorry, but I don't remember any of you. According to the doctor, I
"Doc... Doctor! Doctor! Please come quickly!" Xander howls out of the door and the Doctor on duty for the night shift rushes into the room, noticing the urgency in the voice. "Oh, it's you, Mr Xander when did you step in?" The Doctor asks him out of curiosity. "She's awake!" Xander cuts in, pointing to Susan's bed, paying dumb ears to how he entered the hospital premises without a sight.The doctor hastens to Susan. "Wow. Just stay aside. Let me pay attention to her." "But why is she asking me who am I? And why is she in the hospital? Doctor, what's happening?"The Doctor examines her while trying to calm both Xander and Susan. "ma'am, how are you feeling and can you recall the last incident before the hospital?" He observes her expression and lamentations."Am feeling okay, but sore on my body, it's feels like I rolled from a hill down. For the last thing that happened, I can't recall anything, and why am I at the hospital?"The doctor, after listening to her, turns to Xander his s
"Wait... Wait a minute." Xander stops for a second, stunned and shocked. "You were the doctor who delivered me and ketty at the hospital?" "Wow... Ketty? Is that her name?""Yeah. Dr Godfred or whatever you bear, but you sold my sister under my aunt's influence? Is that what you want to tell me?" Fast running tears run down Xander's eyes as he rethinks everything.Mr. Godfred with a heavy sigh, "Yes, Xander, it pains me to admit it. I was weak, and under the influence of your aunt, I made a terrible decision. I sold your sister to ensure her safety, or so I thought at that time. So did your aunty think, but I couldn't sell her as my heart will not sleep. I gave her away to my elder sister, who was married and didn't have a child back then. So instead of selling, I gave her over. I know that nothing I say here can make you forgive me and my act, and I take full responsibilities for my actions."Xander's emotions surge with anger and sadness coursing through him. "How could you do such
"Whoops." Xander exhales lightly, standing outside the police station, his heart pounding in his chest. The air feels heavy, suffocating almost, as he contemplates the upcoming divulgence. He knows he has to embrace the truth, no matter how painful it might be. If Susan's parents were responsible for the death of his own parents, fine. But he can't hold it against Susan. He's already undoubtfully in love with her and she is the one for him and he can't let vengeance cloud his judgment. As he steps in, the heavy oak doors swung open, revealing the bustling police station within. Detectives hurriedly moving from one room to another, their voices muffles by the thick walls. He takes another deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead while he closes on a distance to the front desk. "Excuse me," he calls out to the officer behind the counter. "I'm here to see Detective Reynolds. Is he in?""Yeah.""And do you mind pointing in the direction where he is?"Just as he conversed with the