This is a bit long but the words simply would not stop rolling out. I had to force them to come to a stop eventually. Enjoy
Teni sat in a nicely cushioned swivel chair and worked steadily on her laptop. Her new office was spacious and a lot nicer than the small one she had before. She looked up from her laptop soon and sighed. One month later and she was still finding it hard to completely erase Kachi from her thoughts. They had not spoken a word to each other since she left his hotel that night. Kachi was stubborn and proud just like herself. She sighed again and turned back to her laptop. She was sure he had moved on. But she knew he would return. He always did eventually. Only when he returned, he would pretend like they never had the fight.
Kachi always had her on an emotional roller coaster. The thought of that had her worried. She sighed and turned back to her laptop. This was tiring. Her new job was exciting however. She had resumed as manager two weeks ago. The director at her former office actually told her she was free to leave whenever and so after two weeks, she called it quits. Her duties as manager were not really complicated and she was able to handle herself.
She took charge of the place, drew up a plan, set goals and executed her tasks with a diligence and precision that amazed everyone. Anyone found slacking on her team was laid off. Teni was that ruthless. She had fired two people already and she didnβt care. It made every other person up their game. And that was all she needed; optimal performance from each one of them.
She contracted a DJ and set up a nice cozy spot downstairs. So there was music and there was a barbecue. She also had people who prepared asun, suya and grilled fish. The traffic to the hotel increased rapidly. She had done that in just two weeks.
When Charly came to the hotel the night before, he could not believe his eyes. His business was booming. He nearly fell over Teni as he tried to express his gratitude to her for resurrecting his business and Teni was amused. When he asked after Kachi, Teni said he was fine and was disappointed to hear that he had not heard from Kachi since he left for Dubai. She wanted some information on how he was faring but she was too proud to call him and ask for herself. She wasnβt even sure what she felt anymore but she knew that she definitely missed him. She sighed. Kachi. Emotional roller coaster indeed.
Someone knocked on her door and she looked up as one of the hotel staff led in a middle aged woman. The woman looked very troublesome and was clearly spoiling for a fight. Teni was not in the mood but she put on her best smile and fixed her eyes on the woman as the young man who brought her proceeded to state the problem.
βMa, this lady has a problem and would like to see you.β
The lady immediately snapped
βI do not have a problem my friend! You and your incompetent people are the ones with a problem.β
She turned to Teni and eyed her.
βSo youβre the manager? Wonders will never end. Why should a woman be a hotel manager sef?β
Teni felt the irritation crawl up her spine but she kept her smile in place.
βIs there something I can help you with maβam?β
βMy money! You people can help me with my money! Otherwise I will call police.β
Teni massaged her temples. The lady was not making any sense.
βMaβam, you still havenβt told me anything I can work with-β
βYour useless staff here, collected my money and did not reserve my room. I made a reservation a month ago for an executive suite. I called last week to check that the room was still available and they said yes. Only for me to show up today and the room isnβt available anymore. And Iβm being told to manage one of the smaller rooms. Do I look like someone who manages anything? I paid N450,000 to be here for three nights. Four hundred and fifty thousand naira! Now I want it back. And I want it in cash!β
Teni looked the woman over. She was tired. People like this got on her nerves. People with a sense of entitlement and privilege. She would deal with the staff who was responsible for the error later but for now, she would handle the woman. She looked at her and smiled.
βAlright maβam. There are two things I could do for you. I could write you a cheque of N450,000 because we really do not keep cash around here for security reasons. Or I could give you one of our presidential suites and complimentary breakfast meals for the duration of your stay here at no extra charges at all. Which would you rather have?β
The womanβs eyes grew big and she adjusted herself. Teni knew she had won her over.
βErrm. I think Iβll just stay. After all the meeting Iβm having is taking place in one of your halls.β
Teni smiled but her smile held no warmth. It was a βsee-how-cheap-you-areβ kind of smile.
βI guess thatβll be all then. Tunde, please show the lady to a presidential suite then find out who was responsible for the error and send them back to me.β
The young man who had brought in the lady nodded and led her out. Teni turned her attention back to her laptop. She checked the time on her watch. It was 2:30pm. She had a doctorβs appointment. It was time to take the first step towards the process of making her baby. She packed up her laptop, picked her handbag and left the office.
***
Bobby walked in through the front door of Jenkins & Co, Accountants and Consultants. He dropped his card with the lady at the front desk and requested to see the director finance. They had an appointment. While he waited for her to confirm his appointment, a young lady in a fitted dress and high heels walked in through the door and straight past him. Bobby looked up and noticed the way she swung her hips as she walked. He shook his head. But what held him spellbound was the short afro she was carrying. It looked like her natural hair. Bobby was a sucker for natural hair.
The front desk lady cleared her throat in an attempt to get his attention. Bobby turned and she smirked at him. He was slightly embarrassed. He was sure she assumed he was staring at the ladyβs hips. He sighed. If only.
βThe director will see you now.β
He nodded, got up and walked in the direction the lady had gone. He found the directorβs office and knocked on the door before going in. The pretty lady with the afro hair was seated in front of the director and Bobby found himself smiling.
βHi Bobby, good to see you. Please take a seat. This is Kate, sheβll be joining us for the meeting. Letβs make this as brief as possible please, Iβve got another important meeting in twenty minutes.β
The lady turned and Bobby was momentarily disappointed. She had heavy make-up on and fake eye lashes. She also wore coloured contacts. But the afro was real. It was her natural hair. She stretched her hands out to him and her accent made him irritable. It sounded forced.
βHi Bobby, nice to meet you.β
He managed a smile and shook her hands.
βHi.β
They both sat in front of the director and the middle aged man began to speak.
βBobby, itβs just like I told Dele at your office. Neither of our firms has the required funds and manpower to independently take on the contract for the audit reports and you know it. I need you to convince Dele to stop being stubborn and selfish. There is a time and place for rivalry and competition in business and there is also a time to humble yourself and admit to your incapacities. Both our firms are at that point.
One of my best hands just left the firm a couple of weeks ago so I am in an even tighter position. So talk to Dele, let us work together. Thereβs a lot of money at stake here. You and Kate here can work out the finer details but make Dele see reason why this will work.β
Bobby looked at Kate who was busy picking her nails. There was something about her manner that left him really curious and annoyed at the same time. He did not like the feeling at all. He turned his attention back to the man in front of him and spoke.
βI absolutely understand you sir. And Mr. Dele does as well. But I think his problem is the profit sharing ratio. I personally think 65:35 is unfair. Granted you might have more money, but we have more people. You brought up the idea to partner together on this job but we could easily walk away if we so choose. Letβs make it even; 50:50. Itβs either that or nothing. I find that extremely generous on the part of my firm because we could easily ask for 55:45 or even 60:40. But like you said, letβs both be reasonable here. The bid opening is in two weeks. We do not have time for games.β
The director looked annoyed and he turned to Kate.
βWhat do you think?β
Kate stopped picking her nails and looked up, not at Bobby, but at the director.
β55:45 or nothing. Thatβs the best we can do. It is business and not romance. Money has got to be made. If they donβt play ball, we move on. Something better will come. Something better always comes.β
She picked up her phone and began fiddling with it.
Bobby felt insulted. She had totally disregarded him. Were it left to him, he would have called the deal off but his boss had told him that if they agreed to 55:45 at the very worst, he should take it. It was better than the 65:35 the firm had initially proposed.
The directorβs voice brought him back to the room.
βYou heard her. Thatβs the best we can do.β
Bobby turned a grim face to the director.
βFine. Weβll take that. When do we get started?β
βThis very minute. Follow Kate to her office. Youβre both officially in charge of this. Work together, come up with a list of people from both sides that will work on this project let us have all the details. Weβll have a meeting with the entire team in two days.β
βAlright then.β
Bobby got up and shook the directorβs hand. Kate disregarded him again and walked right out of the office. Bobby was very irritated but he did his best to keep his cool. As he opened the door, he nearly bumped into her. She was standing just by the door, waiting for him.
βMy office is this way.β
She walked briskly and he followed her into a much smaller room than the directorβs.
βI already have my list. I donβt know what other details Mr. Azu is talking about but Iβll give you my number so you can call me if anything comes up.β
Bobby decided heβd had just about enough of her attitude.
βWhy are you so stuck up?β
It was almost as though heβd slapped her. She turned her eyes sharply from her phone.
βExcuse me?!β
βYou heard me. Why are you so stuck up? Whatβs with the attitude? You have been condescending, barely acknowledging my presence right from the moment I walked into the office.β
Kate smiled.
βArenβt we an attention seeker?β
βYou really think youβre cute donβt you?β
βYou need to calm down. I have no idea what youβre talking about. Iβve got work to do and Iβd like to get on with it.β
She wrote her number on a notepad, tore off the sheet and gave it to him.
βHere. Call me if you need to discuss anything further. And for your information, if I was being condescending like youβre accusing me, I would not agree to work on this project with you and I would not be giving my number to you just like that.β
Bobby breathed deeply. She was getting under his skin. That didnβt happen often. He was usually more patient than this.
βI see.β
He took the piece of paper from her and admired the neat handwriting that showed off not just her number but her full name as well; βKate Tariyeβ. He smiled.
βLose the plastic look, it doesnβt suit you. Your hair is perfect by the way.β
He walked out and shut the door behind him. He was going to find a way to get even. She had gotten to him in a manner that was both annoying and intriguing.
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***
Teni drove into the hotel premises and parked her car in the special corner reserved for her. It had been a long day and she was tired. After spending an hour at the hospital, she finally saw a doctor who talked her through the entire procedure and asked her to go find a donor. That was going to be the hard part. When she talked about artificial insemination, she never really considered whose child she wanted to carry and when Kachi showed up, she figured he was the perfect candidate, only she had mentioned it jokingly and he had taken offence. She tried to think of someone else that would not mind but kept drawing blanks.
She got down from her car and headed towards the main entrance. She would come back to check on the services outside but the music sounded good and she liked the number of cars she could see parked out. The night was young; there would be more customers soon. She was more or less living in the hotel these days. She could not remember the last time she slept in her apartment. Perhaps it was time to give it up but she wondered if she could handle living in a hotel. It just did not feel like home.
βTeni?!β
She turned and looked back. It was Kayode. She smiled pleasantly and walked back in his direction.
βHi! Longest time!β
She hugged him warmly
βNo see! After you ground me and my cousinβs hearts to dust!β
Teni laughed.
βYouβre not serious. How are you?β
βIβm fine thanks. Heard this place was bubbling so I came to check it out with my friends. Theyβre over there.β
He pointed in a direction and Teniβs eyes followed him. She sighted Bobby and her heart did a double take. They had not really spoken since after the accident.
βOh, I see. Thatβs nice.β
βSo what are you doing here? You have a new maga?β
He grinned mischievously and Teni punched him lightly.
βNo be only maga. I work here. Iβm actually the hotel manager.β
Kayodeβs eyes were big and round.
βYouβre joking!β
βNo Iβm not and donβt look so surprised.β
βWait, I thought you said you are an accountant or something like that?β
βI was. I quit my accounting job two weeks ago and took up this one. Itβs more fun and pays better.β
βWow! That is amazing! Youβve got to come say hi to my friends. We heard that some smart hottie took over this place and revamped it, I had absolutely no idea it was you. We must wash it o.β
Teni laughed hard.
βKayode, leave me o. Iβll come join you guys in a bit, I promise. Let me just go and freshen up. Itβs been a long day.β
βAlright dear. No wahala. We dey wait o. Sharp sharp.β
Teni laughed and walked away. She thought about Bobby and smiled. The night looked like it was going to be fun after all. She decided to momentarily forget about the problem of a sperm donor and enjoy herself tonight. If she was to be honest with herself, her nights had been a little lonely. She tried to cover it up with work but it never really worked. She missed Kachi.
She hurried into the building and took the elevator to the penthouse where she had been sleeping for the past week. She showered quickly and changed into a nice evening dress that accentuated her curves but was free from the waist down. Her makeup was light and she combed her hair and packed it neatly into a bun then made her way back into the elevator and downstairs again.
She found the guys easily enough and walked up to them. Kayode whistled as soon as she appeared. She smacked his head and stretched her hand to Jakes.
βHi, Teni.β
Jakes took her hand and smiled warmly.
βNice to meet you Teni, Jakes.β
She turned to Bobby who was upstanding and smiled.
βHey stranger.β
Bobby smiled calmly and stretched his hand.
βGood to see you again Teni.β
She was slightly disappointed but she shook his hand warmly.
βPlease sit.β Bobby said politely
She took a seat next to him and crossed her legs.
βKayode was just telling us you run this place. Incredible. Well done. No one seemed to know about this place and all of a sudden itβs becoming popular. Really, well done.β
Bobby shook her hand again and Teni allowed herself enjoy his compliment for a bit before she responded.
βThank you. It really wasnβt difficult. I just needed to identify the crucial thing that was missing and fix it in. No hotel thrives without a night life.β
βAh. True!β Jakes intoned. He seemed impressed by her.
βI like that youβre the manager here. Iβll be coming regularly for free drinks.β Kayode said
Teni looked at him and laughed.
βLook at this one. Are you ever serious?β
βSerious people are in the grave.β Kayode said simply.
βNope! You would have been in the grave a few months ago if it werenβt for Teni.β Bobby quipped.
βGrouchy grandpa returns.β
Teni, Kayode and Jakes burst into laughter and Bobby sipped his drink.
βYou guys arenβt serious. Madam hotel manager, please do you guys have a pool here? Iβd like to come swimming sometime.β
βYeah we do. Itβs somewhere in the back. You can come whenever. Iβll let you swim for free. Probably give you a lesson or two.β
βIf I didnβt know any better, Iβd think youβre hitting on Bobby.β Kayode said.
Teni laughed easily. He had no clue. She was feeling only a little flirty tonight.
βUnfortunately Bobby doesnβt have eyes for the women.β
Jakes and Kayode laughed. Apparently it was some private joke. She looked at Bobby who smiled dryly.
βPlease, excuse my friends. They are known to be senseless.β
βAh! Kay baba, you got it a little wrong. He doesnβt have eyes for the women except theyβre Ese.β
The guys laughed again and Teni sipped from the bottle of Smirnoff ice that had since appeared before her.
Kayodeβs phone rang and he excused himself to answer it. He did not stay up to a minute and he returned.
βIβll have to leave you guys soon. My cousin says sheβs crashing at my place tonight. Apparently sheβs fighting with everyone in her family.β
They all laughed and Jakes turned his eyes back to Teni.
βSeriously though, Teni, Iβm the only one who hadnβt met you before. Now I see why you impressed these guys. Although anything in skirts impresses Kayode.β
All four of them laughed and Jakes continued.
βBut youβre a pretty woman with brains. Thatβs unusual. We should drink to it.β
Teni had an amused expression on her face.
βWhy is it unusual? So pretty women donβt have brains or women with brains arenβt pretty?β
Kayode said βGhen ghen!β and they all burst into laughter.
βIβm curious Jakes. Make your point.β
βI was just saying. Most women whether pretty or ugly donβt have brains. Or if they do, they donβt use them.β
The smile on Teniβs face disappeared speedily. Even Bobby looked offended and quickly chided him.
βJakes, that wasnβt a smart thing to say.β
βBut it was the truth.β Jakes said
βNo. That is what you assume and believe to be true. But that is a far cry from the truth. There are smart, hardworking women all over the place. Youβre just not observant enough.β
βAnd there are the women who sit about doing nothing, waiting for some man to come rescue them and marry them off into a life of posh houses, exotic trips and the general luxurious life style.β
βJakes stop. Really, whatβs the point of this?β Bobby shot him a warning look but he ignored it. Teni had a plastic smile on her face. Bobby could tell she was about to hit back. He certainly did not intend to have an awkward night.
βThe point is, I respect that sheβs done well, but we canβt deny that most women are a general pain in the butt always looking for someone to latch themselves to and the ones who are smart and successful have the suckiest attitudes ever. This one looks cool though.β
Teni could not believe her ears. So here was someone who did not know her but had already formed an opinion about her and was generally condescending towards women. He had to be joking! She could not stand him anymore. Her anger had gotten to boiling point.
βI think itβs extremely retarded for you to have such a low opinion of women in general particularly when so many of us out here are breaking our backs trying to make a decent living. Matter of fact, Iβm not even going to engage you in this conversation. You have nothing to add to me.β
She got up and stormed off. This one! He had called her this one! Who in the world did he think he was? She heard footsteps behind her but she hastened hers and walked towards the pool located somewhere at the back of the hotel. Thankfully, it was empty. She walked to the poolside, took off her slippers and sat down with her feet in the water. She wanted to just cry. She was tired, angry and frustrated. How was it that no man in the world had any bit of sense? Why did they all have to be stupid?
Bobby appeared beside her suddenly. He took off his palm slippers, rolled up his trousers and sat down beside her dipping his feet in the water as well. She was grateful for his company but didnβt say a word to him.
βWater is such a great therapist! I always take a shower or go swimming when Iβm pissed. It usually helps.β
Teni smiled and turned to him.
βSame for me too. Your friend is such an idiot.β
Bobby smiled.
βI know. I wonder why weβre friends sometimes.β
βMaybe coz youβre an idiot as well?β
Bobby chuckled.
βNaah. Iβm grouchy grandpa. Donβt forget that.β
Teni laughed hard.
βHa. I wonβt.β
They were silent for a while and then Teni asked
βGrandpa, can I get a hug? Itβs been one crazy day.β
Bobby smiled.
βSure.β
He threw his arms around her and Teni snuggled comfortably. She held onto him tightly and enjoyed the musky scent that was his and in that moment, everything around her came to a complete halt.
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To be continued
***