A woman's dilemma - Episode 46

 

Claudia:

"My office, now!" My boss doesn't even let me get a word in before she slams my door close. What's this about now? I groan tiredly and scrub my eyes lightly. I was up all night drawing up a design for the next cereal product the company is coming up with soon. Yes, that's what I've been doing ever since I got fired from the architecture firm months ago . I can't believe I spent years in Italy and Greece just to come back to my country to draw crap for children's food boxes. Benjamin likes this though. He feels I'll have more time to be a mom when the time comes. He's probably right but I hate this job. Oh and my boss doesn't like me. She says I talk out of turn and speak too truthfully. Gah!
 I push back on the squeaky chair and try to pat my rumpled skirt down before I make my way to the boss' office to know what I've done wrong again.
 I greet her secretary softly before knocking lightly on the door.
"Come in."
 I push the door open and let myself in. Mrs Gloria is busy with some paperwork on her desk as I walk in so I stand and wait for her to focus her glasses on me. She signs a few things before she drops her pen and her glasses covered eyes bless me with their focus.
"How long has it been since you started working with us?" She asks out of the blue and I know I'm getting fired.
"Mrs Gloria, I know I've not been an enthusiastic worker for a few weeks now but...." Her wrinkled hands goes up, stopping me. I have the urge to give her a piece of my mind but I hold myself back

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

. If she fires me, I am telling her my mind all together. Let's not get ahead of ourselves for now.
"I know all about how you made a name in Greece Claudia, it's a privilege to have you working with us." She gives me a totally unexpected smile and I feel like the earth just tilted.
"Say what now?" I ask her and she chuckles.
"Why don't you seat down. Forgive my manners." She points to the chair opposite her and I eye the chair before I finally shrug and sit.
"Well, I'm sure you're wondering why I called you into my office."
"Yes, madam."
"Of course. Its about your vacation day. Week actually." She says and starts to shuffle some papers on her desk while I look at her dumbstruck.
"Ma, my vacation days is still a few months away." I point out to her.
"I know all about that but you actually won the yearly ticket to California." She grins at me and my mouth hit the floor.
"Say what now?!"
"Two tickets to Los Angeles actually. You said you have a boyfriend right? Well you get to go to LA for a week's vacation at a seven star hotel."
"I don't understand what's going on? Are all the staff going on a planned vacation outside the country?" I ask.
"Don't be silly. We can't afford to take every one. We did a raffle draw of sort and your name was drawn." She explains and I feel like I'm dreaming.
"You're kidding." I look around to check for any of my colleagues videotaping this to mess with me but we are alone in the room.
"Here. The tickets." She hands me two plane tickets for the weekend. I'm totally dumbfounded. I didn't sign up for any raffle draw. I mean this woman actually hates me. If I wasn't good at my job, she would have fired me the first day on the job.
"You're not kidding me on this, are you?" I eye her suspiciously.
"Here are the necessary documents and all of that." She hands me an envelope.
"You aren't kidding me on this." It's not a question this time as I take the envelope from her. She gives me a small smile.
"No, Claudia. It's as real as real can get." She says and my face brightens up in a huge smile. This is what I've been looking for. A little get away for Benjamin and I. To get some time to bond.
"This is perfect ma'am. I don't know what to say."
"Just enjoy your time there." She says and I stand up to offer my hand for an handshake.
"Thank you so much ma'am. This means a lot. I'll work even harder from now on." I say excitedly.
"I'll expect that from you no matter what."
"Of course ma'am. Can I take my leave now?" I ask and she waves me off.
"Take the day off as well. You need time to prepare for your trip in a few days time." She says. I thank her profusely again before I skip out of her office. I hurry into mine and pull my phone out and dial his number even before I lock the door.
"Hello?" Benjamin's voice greets me from the other​ side of the line.
"Hey! Guess what?" I can't contain my excitement.
"What is it sweetie. You know I'm still at the office." He sounds bored.
"Come on, just guess!" I press him.
"Fine. You got a promotion?" He asks and I roll my eyes.
"There's no promotion from where I currently am." I say.
"Oh, yeah. What is it then? You sound excited."
"Well, I have been given a vacation to California!" I drop the news with glee.
"Wow! California? That's big babe."
"Yeah. And it's in two days time. We are going to have a great time, Ben. This is what we need."
"Wait did you say we?" He asks and I frown.
"Yeah, the both of us. We both have passports." I say if that's what he's worried about.
"That's not it Claudia. You know it's my week to go to the branch in Ekiti." He says and my heart drops to my feet.
"But it's just a week. Take a vacation. You've not gotten any in months." I sound like a clingy woman. When did I become this?
"Claudia, you know I'm doing this for us. For our future. For the wedding. We need a lot of money for that." He says.
"A week won't stop you from making money, Benjamin."
"Claudia this is for us! Our relationship."
"There might not be a relationship when you finally make the money you're pursuing. If you ever make that money." I say drily.
"Claudia, don't be like this. I..."
"Let's talk when we get home." I don't let him get any word in again as I end the call.
"Damn him." I whisper under my breath as I try to get my angry breathing in check. My hands tighten into fist as I look down at the tickets in my hand.
"What am I going to do with these now?" I wouldn't want to go alone. That'll be depressing. My phone starts ringing again and my heart leaps with the thought that Benjamin is calling back to make things right. Amy's name flash on the screen, disappointment bringing down my spirit.
"Babe." I say into the phone as I connect the call.
"I'm so bored with this holiday!" She says as way of greeting and I smile at her whining as I look down at the tickets in my hand.
"Quick question, do you have a passport to California?" I ask, the idea actually making me giddy. It'll be a girl's get away. I need this now more than ever.
"I think I do. Didn't Francesca's mother get us passports to California for Frances' bridal shower. I remember visiting three American states." I can hear the forlorn sound in her voice at the memory of our friend. She'll always be in our hearts. Doesn't mean it doesn't hurt to think about her.
"You're right. Passports take 10 years to expire so that should be valid still." I clear the sadness from my voice and keep it steady. I don't want Amy going into a crying spree on me.
"Why the sudden curiosity on my passport?" She asks me and the excitement creeps back on me.
"We're going to Los Angeles, baby!"
"What?!"
"A paid vacation courtesy of my  company. For week. It'll be a girl's get away. We'll eat as much as we want. Go to a spa. Anything! And get this, they got us a seven star hotel room!"
"Shut up!" She squeals and I chuckle.
"Can you come over to the house tomorrow? We need to prepare." I ask.
"Consider me armed and ready." She says and I grin.
"I wish she was here. We would have so much fun." Amy says in a softer voice and I sigh.
"I miss her too." I say.

****

Daniel:

"Cut! That's a wrap for today." The director calls out to the set and my shoulders slump in relief. I'm knackered. When is the last time I got a good full night rest? Three days ago? Four? I'm running on three hours of sleep and it is beginning to slow me down.
"Good work, Daniel. See you next weekend?" The director slap my back good-naturedly and I smile at him with a nod.
"Need a ride to your place?" He asks and before I can answer my phone starts ringing in my pocket.
"My assistant will drive me. Thanks for the offer though." I reply the director who nods.
"You should get some rest. You look terrible. Good thing the scene is about being heartbroken. Your current look fits that perfectly." He says jokingly but he doesn't know how that strikes the point.
"Goodnight." I greet him with a clip chuckle and he waves me off. My phone rings off as he walks away from me.
 I pull the thing out and stop short at the name on my screen. Tina? She hasn't taken my call for months. I've been so worried especially after the news on her miscarriage. I quickly dial her number.
"Tina! Are you okay? I..."
"Calm down big brother. I'm fine." Her voice gives me immense pleasure.
"You never got back to me after our meeting that night. I've been so distraught. Mom more than me even!" I accuse. I hear her sigh through the phone.
"I don't deserve to be with anyone of you." She sniffs and my heart breaks.
"What are you talking about? You did that for love. I get that." I say as my head goes to the woman I've not been able to forget. Claudia. That woman really fucked with my mind. I haven't still gotten a cure for whatever she did to me.
"Love? That's what you and Claudia had. Before I ruined everything."
"What are you talking about?" My heart starts to beat in my chest and it starts to hurt in a way.
"All she ever did was protect the people she love. She loves you, Daniel. I mean she did. Before I destroyed everything."
"Don't blame yourself. She was totally out of line. She even used me for a few lump change." I say bitterly.
"No.

Read " Star-crossed " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. I did that. I sent her a message to make it sound like you're paying her off. I wanted to protect you from everything going on then and she was rattling the snake hole."
"What are you talking about? Claudia didn't use me? I sent her half a million Naira."
"She's a proud woman. I'm sure she did that out of hurt. I did everything. I'm sorry." She sobs into the phone. My heart contracts in my chest.
"I don't understand."
"Listen, I sent you a package. A ticket to Los Angeles. Claudia should be there from this weekend at the hotel I booked for you as well. Go make things right. She's the one for you." Tina says and ends the call, leaving me completely flustered.