Chapter one

The guards stood up abruptly, each trying to look serious and business like, they held themselves straight, while trying to adjust their facial expressions; occasionally, they looked at their uniform to ensure all was in order. Hard as they tried, on such occasions, they were nervous as hell, it wasn’t every day that the brat showed up, but when she did, she always gave everyone something to remember, or more appropriately, something one would rather wish to forget, but wouldn’t dare to, because of fear of a repeat. Walking up the few stairs nonchalantly yet majestically, ignoring everyone and their silly salutations, coming up the few steps to the door, she jerked her head upwards, tossing her hair stylishly in the process as she waited for the door man to get the door. She passed through ignoring them all as if they were non-existent.

So far so good, it seemed today she was in a good mood, content simply with ignoring everyone. But they had all learnt from experience just how unpredictable this crazy girl could be. On days when her mood was off, every damn worker was in for hell, she would haul insults at everyone at the slightest provocation, slapped those that hovered too long in her part, male or female. Anyone stupid enough to stand up to her was surely and promptly fired. Hence all lived in mortal fear of this spoiled overrated rich brat. No one knew when she would show up, in what mood or what new devilish trick she had up her sleeves.

Employees hurried out of her way as she walked straight to the elevator, two ladies had entered the elevator, but quickly changed their minds and stepped out immediately she entered. To all these activities around her, she showed not even the slightest bit of concern or care, it was almost like she was the only person in the massive 40 story building. Up at the top she stepped out of the elevator and walked straight for her father’s office. 

“May I help you, madam”, the young lady sitting at the receptionist desk asked her, trying to force a smile at this arrogant girl.

She stopped briefly, before turning to give a detailed look at the fool who had spoken to her. She swallowed her up in one glance, before concluding she did not recognize this one. Clearly, she must be new.

The receptionist smiled again, ignoring the repulsive expression on the other’s face. Risha said nothing, a devilish smile beginning to play on her lips.

The receptionist was confused now, surely this woman wasn’t deaf. “I asked whether I could help you” the receptionist repeated her question.

“What is your name?” Risha asked calmly, her eyes getting wider as amusement danced in their depts. 

“Sorry?” the confused receptionist inquired.

“Are you deaf as you are stupid and ugly?” Risha fired, her eyes flashing now, “I see you don’t know who you are dealing with” she said thoughtfully, and then smiled suddenly; there was an evil intent behind that smile.

The receptionist was clearly getting scared now, although she tried to hide it behind a polite smile. “I am sorry if I seemed rude, I don’t know who you are, as it is I am the new receptionist here, and from the instructions I received, Alhaji Shehu cancelled all his appointments for today, but if you really have to see him, I can book an appointment for next tomorrow,” she said it with such politeness and charm, smiling despite her increasing fear at this intimidating young lady.              

“Shut your trash hole, you premature looking human ape. Make an appointment next tomorrow” she said in a quay voice, mimicking the stunned receptionist, “who the hell do you think you are, huh? You will regret this you are so lucky I am in a good mood today; I would have given you something to remember for the rest of your sorry already miserable life.” 

With that, she turned and walked pass the receptionist desk heading straight for her father’s office. The panicked receptionist followed her from behind at a loss of words, she was too scared to speak anymore surely whoever this rude girl was, she had something up her sleeves, and she walked with such pride, confidence and undisputable authority. 

Slamming the door open, with a loud thud, she stepped in angrily, it was empty, her sharp eyes scanned the office in a flash. “Where is he” she demanded turning to look at the receptionist. When no answer came, she demanded again more coldly this time; “I said where he is?” she glared at the receptionist, who at the moment was clearly confused at what to do. Obey this this lady and get fired, disobey, she feared worse.

“In the conference room” she replied meekly. 

Without another word, Risha turned, and walked out the door and made her way straight for the conference room. The receptionist followed her quickly trying to catch up. 

“Madam please don’t go in there, he is having a very important meeting, I will lose my job if I let you go in there” she pleaded evidently terrified, sweat and perspiration dripped down her pretty face despite the chill from the air conditioner, her face had become pale and white due to the intensity of her fear.

“Your job?” Risha asked sarcastically, “you have already lost it, trust me,” she said flashing a cold smile at the young lady in a matter of fact way. With a careless, but heavy push, she slammed the door with the sign “conference room” on it open.

Everyone inside the room turned abruptly to the intruder, there where at least 15 men and women in the room, sited around the exclusive conference table, which was in a circle. Risha flashed her eyes round, trying to find her father, she saw him sited at extreme right of the table, dressed in white babban Riga, the smile dropped from his face and a look of worry and concern replaced it immediately.

“Hallo dad,” she said loudly, faking a smile.

Everyone looked from her to Alhaji Shehu and then back to her, some men in the room had their mouths open as they stared at this bold wander of God.

Alhaji Shehu, a man in his early fifties, clean shaven and sober looking, was not a man to stay surprised for long, he stood up slowly and deliberately, fixing a stern expression on his face. “Risha, what’s all this” he asked calmly.

“All what?” she fired back defensively, “my allowance is finished and you haven’t reimbursed me this month, so I thought I would stop by and say hello to my old man, get my cheque and leave peacefully,” she said the peacefully with emphasis, “that is until this idiot here provoked me” she said gesturing towards the petrified receptionist. 

Alhaji Shehu looked around embarrassingly, inhaled deeply, before speaking, “honey, that’s no reason to barge in here like that, you could simply have waited a few minutes.

“What are you trying to say dad? That I am disturbing you?” she said it with a hint of accusation and something like a threat.

“No…no, I am not saying that,” Alhaji Shehu stammered slightly. Some of the men sitting down gasped and exchanged strange looks, each as shocked as the other, they had never witnessed such before, Alhaji Shehu, “The Iron Emperor” of the business world, as he was popularly known, back down so easily or look so rattled and out of composure before.

“In my office” he said finally, coming to walk pass her, but before stepping out the door, he announced with his usual air of authority, “Gentlemen and ladies, this meeting is adjourned till tomorrow”.