A woman's dilemma - Episode 17

 

Claudia:

"Good morning, Lily." I greet my boss's secretary on the way to my office. She waves me on without looking up from her laptop. I carry myself to my office and plop down to my comfy chair. It's almost eight am. I pull my thermo of hot coffee out of my bag and pour myself a cup.
"Claudia." My boss comes in without knocking and I bite down my retort.
"I've been waiting for you." He says and makes himself comfortable on one of the chairs facing me. I abandon the hot coffee and face him.
"It's too early to be looking for me . I was actually going to send you the report of my progress on the few houses I'm working on." I fiddle with the pile of files on my desk and pull out the one I need. My boss takes my coffee and starts to sip from it. I make a mental note to go out and grab more coffee from the eatery outside the office.
"Mrs Gloria's house is almost done. A new coat of paint and the fixing of the bathtub is all that's left. Mrs--" my boss's hand goes up to stop my speech and I clamp my mouth shut.
"That's not the account I'm here for." He drops the cup of coffee and fix his old eyes on me. I drop the file I'm reading from.
"Which account would you like to hear about?" I ask him.
"Mr Obi called

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/a-woman-s-dilemma

. You're not taking on his project." He says and shakes his head disapprovingly. I can feel an headache coming on. I should have drank that coffee before coming to work. I eye the coffee in front of him and sigh.
"He's not serious about getting his project done." I say.
"Oh he's serious. A million Naira serious!" My boss snaps.
"I can get you another client. Someone who's not a complete pig." I bite out.
"Well that pig is willing to pay for you to endure him. You think I chose you for his project because you're more qualified?" My brows shoot up as my anger flares.
"I'll like to think that." I grind out. My boss cowers a little at my cold tone.
"You are on this project because you're a woman and it's common knowledge that Mr Obi likes to dabble in women."
"Dabble?! So I should sleep with him?!" I yell.
"Get this job done. Don't let me regret hiring a woman."
"I'm better than most men in what I do." I snap.
"Probably. But you women are too emotional and choosy. I should have known your breed just can't be professional." What?!
"I am as professional as it gets!"
"Then do your job. If you think I can't fire you because you got your degree in Italy then think again. I have myself another Italian graduate. Mr Ben will be more than happy to take on your projects." 
"Mr Ben?"
"Yeah. Your new colleague. Ben!" My boss yells from my office. I cringe at his barking. Ben?
"Sir." My eyes snap wider as Benjamin strolls into my office.
"You must be kidding me." I gasp. Benjamin has the sense to look wary of my temper.
"Claudia. I thought this might remind you of how good we work together." He says. I just gape at him. He's not serious. My boss looks at the both of us and shrugs like he doesn't want to be caught in between us.
"I guess you now know how easy it is to lose your job in this company." He says and stands.
"Consider this job done." I grind out without breaking eye contact with Benjamin.
"I knew you will come around. I already set a meeting with the both of you for tomorrow morning. Dress pretty." My eyes snaps to my boss as he hurries out of my office.
"Claudia I--" I raise my hand up to shut Benjamin up.
"Please leave." I tell him.
"You mean your office or the company?" He asks quietly.
"Maybe both."
"Claudia I know I said I'm here to be close to you. That's true but you should know that I lost my job as soon as you left Italy. I guess I lost focus when you left me." He moves closer to me but doesn't touch me.
"Are you blaming me for something?" I ask him. He shakes his head quickly.
"I'm saying I need you and I also need this job. Please?" I don't even know what he's begging for.
"You should not beg me for your job, Ben." I stand up from behind my desk and he wisely moves away to give me space.
"I want us back. I still love you."
"I'm sorry but I have a meeting to get to."  I grab my bag. I don't bother to tell him this meeting is with me and a cup of coffee.
"How bout we go out for dinner tonight Claudia." He calls to my back.
"I'm busy." I don't even spare him another glance.
 I bypass my car, deciding to walk the few blocks to the eatery just to clear my head. I frown when I feel someone following me. I stop walking to look back only to be bombarded with flashes from different cameras. I'm stun for a sec until the questions hit my brain.
"What's your relationship with Daniel?!"
"Did you come back to the country for him?!"
"Do you guys plan on getting married soon?"
"Are you pregnant?!" I gape at the young reporter at her absurd question. What the heck is going on?!
 My phone starts ringing in my pocket and it snaps me out of my shock. I start to walk faster away from them in the hope that they'll leave me alone. Their footfalls behind me tells me I'm mistaken. A strong hand clamp down on my shoulder and I turn around to throw it off me. I'm seething with anger at this moment.
"What the fuck is wrong with you guys?!" I snap. The cameras flash more. I'm beginning to get dizzy with the various lights on my face.
"Ma'am talk to us! We're not leaving till we get your statement!" I glare at the stupid jibe from the back.
"Are you cheating on Daniel by chance?" My head snap to the side where a woman has her phone pointed in my direction.
"I don't know what you guys are talking about." I stare into the street and notice people staring. A few point at me.
"Who's the man in the picture with you two?" A magazine is pulled in my face. I grab the flimsy paper.

Read " The fill-in wife " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. I gasp at the unmistakeable picture of Daniel Obi, Benjamin and I in a stare off. This was surely taken on Sunday when Amy and I met them at the eatery.
"Ma'am. Are you cheating on Daniel with the man in this picture?!" I throw the magazine to the floor.
"Did you sleep with him to boost your career as an architect?" My eyes snap up to the woman grinning smugly at me and I lose it.
"I'll show you what I can do for my career!" I growl as I lunge at the woman. I'm caught in mid air and pushed into a firm body.
"Let go of me! Let--!" My face turn to stare into the dark orbs of Mr Daniel.
"What are you doing?!" I yell when he throws my over his shoulder and starts to stride towards an SUV. I kick and scream to be let down. I try to look behind us. Cameras keep flashing but a few suited men block their paths.
"Put me down!" I hit my fist into his toned ass. The bastard chuckles, sending a vibration up my body.
"You're not doing yourself any favors, Claw." I will give him claw! I dig my fingers into his ass just as he pulls the SUV's door open and gently puts me down. I glare at his crooked grin.
"I think we are in a bit of a fix." He says.
"You think?! Why am I being bombarded by paparazzi?" He looks guilty and I know I won't like what he has to say. His bodyguards come back to the car before he gets a word out.
"We should talk somewhere else." He slips besides me in the car and the car zoom off into the road, leaving the paparazzi running after us till they stop.
"I have to work." I say warily.
"I already called your boss." His hand cover mine on my lap. I push it away.
"What have you done?"