Cold But Charming - Episode 5

 

48hours ago.
Portharcout Nigeria:

Steve pov:

My gaze covered every inch of my boss which was almost bad as throwing the letter in my hand at his face.
My frown deepened as I gapse and said abruptly steering at him with my big brown eyes,
"sir we all know your daughter is a mess, I can't last a day with her more or less work as her personal assistance"

My husky tone shivered down my spine, seeing his look and stiffness told me what I just said was informal but I would rather love to look informal at this moment than not talk about this transfer with him, 
I know how Mr Lewis had been like a father to me  but I have never for once thought he would wish me this less well ,
He knew how pathetic and mental his daughter was before giving me this letter damn it.
I love it here,  my work,  my home ... everything ,now he is about taking it all from me .

"you would do just fine steve"
Did I hear him say I would  do just fine,
. I swear I never saw this coming
I knew He had talked about giving one of us a transfer shift to Abuja in the last meeting,, and I had remember perfectly how we were all feeling sorry for whomever it might be,, I was the lead infact I had made a lot of jest and pity at Mr Kent whom all thought might be the one.

Pls tell me am dreaming cause I really need to wake up right now.

I put all of my strength into words trying to convey my point.
"sir you know quite well all I have Is here,  this transfer is best for Mr Kent sir

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/cold-but-charming

. "
I saw him made a vague gesture
"sit down and relax Steve "

I immediately slouched down on the chair with all of my strong weight stretching my long left leg out under his desk..

I swear right now I look just like a mess , my eyes blurry and my whole body felt frail

"sir what am trying to say is

My whole sense crawled to my mouth while I blabber out whatever that comes out of it

"I have no one in Abuja,  no friends, no relative , you know I heard Mr Kent wife situate there,  this shift is best for him sir"
Throughout my whole tittle-tattle Mr Lewis gaze intently at me like some sort of newscaster displaying on TV.
I saw him adjust on his seat and still focus his gaze on Me as I twist my views and options more and more

He finally smile and I felt calm instantly hoping I just said something to convince him.

"I'll take your view on those Steve but I still think you would do just fine"

I groaned and steer at him like a witch
Of course if he hadn't reacted to my steer now he isn't hell of a living thing

"oh steve it just a shift not a death sentence "

Heat rose in me as my lung burn with the need for air,  I could feel the drop of sweat down my arm pit despite the air conditioner in his office .
Not that I fear this psyche daughter of his but I just could not stand such person around me more or less be my boss..
The way she sack her workers and all,  Mr Lewis himself knew how much I need this job, he knew my story well enough ,  how my dad had been a veterinarian with a heart of Gold,who donated to the charities, work on people animal for free, do all kind of favors that doesn't make a real sense... I knew I just had it when a heart attack struck him a year ago just after i finished my NYSC. ....my widow mum in turn discovered his generosity to other had left her in a bad shape financially and getting this job to support all the mess my dad left was all I could do to assist her...

Now Mr Lewis is about taking my means of survival from me..
I closed my eyes at my thoughts and open only to see his gaze at me I hear him sighed and relax his two arms on his desk

"I know what you're thinking Steve,, my daughter has no authority over your appointment or the end of it , and I assure you,, you won't loose your job,  I just felt a need to promote you to an higher level , you are like a son to me steve  and you know I can't see a pit and throw you in it,,  my daughter might be a challenge cause of her attitude which you all knew about but you are a man Steve,  I know you would do just fine while working with her so gather yourself and prepare, you are leaving tomorrow" He said both in a formal and fatherly tone...

I adjusted and steer at him realizing how pained both him and his wife might have felt inside to see their daughter turn into a wild boosy rich brat.
I tipped up my chin, while I cleared my tone so it won't look as disturbing anymore.
"what about the accommodation sir"

"that's no big deal,  there is a small bungalow besides the mission she stays , you can manage living there for the mean time till you gather enough and felt a need to change...the car you would take along has been prepared so you leave from home tomorrow morning as early as possible "
I held my breath ,did he just say something like sharing a compound with his psycho daughter ,, no way,  hell way cause  right now I already collected the transfer letter and now back to my office.... I realize I didnt gave my speech on that so it means, really means I agreed in sharing a compound with a psycho...
Oh no I didn't see that coming..
***************************************
I got home to my self contain apartment in the evening which indicates night was fast approaching,,,  I noticed how my heart had rapidly increased in beats after I  received that hellish news,,, 
And  right now it makes my head feels grounded and felt a need  to trick a lot of hot whiskey down my throat thinking maybe if I get drunk this nervousness would lessen a bit..

I threw my self on my bed and remember the huffiness I had shown earlier to my Co worker who had congratulated me of my shift in a veered way and the look I had given at that moment wasn't one to write home about..

But they had manage the moment though with different hugs and pecks saying how much they would miss the way I joke and carry everybody along

Well I'd also remember the look on Cindy face,  I know that girl had a lot of crush on me.. She had this kind of understated beauty, perhaps it was because she was so disarmingly unaware of her prettiness. Her black skin was completely flawless. I doubt she used face masks or expensive products, that really wasn't her m.o. She was all about simplicity. And I wish I had the opportunity to screw her once,, just once
but guess those aren't possible anymore...

I sat straight on my bed and took off my stuffy shirt and tie which in turn shows my beautiful big biceps,  strong chest and six packs , I immediately smile at the realisation of how my next neighbour normally drawl at it whenever I went outside shirtless in the need for fresh air....

I know and understand what she mearnt whenever she wear those tempting cloth while walking seductively as if she wanna fall...
But All I do was smile even if her way of seduction had an effect beneath me..
Well I don't screw married women more or less a person with two kids, is she kidding me for real .
Good God womeeeeen.....

I jumped a little feeling all too reprieve when I heard my door bell rang guess I had been lost in my thought for a while.
I walked towards the door shirtless and opened it,,
Good God  I saw her gapse, face widened, mouth open as if she  would swallow  me at any moment who else could it be ofcourse it was my next door neighbour.
"hi,  mrs etim" I said not giving her the free will to enter,  I hold my door firmly and steer at the way she drawl at my handsomeness like some prostitute  ....

She was wearing her short skirt as usual,  chiffon top exposing so much of her huge breast,  wearing so much of a make up I couldn't explain
In the evening  seriously ...infact I would say she looks exactly like a catoon .

"emm" she struggled "I saw a new beautiful car parked outside,  and thought no one has gotten a new car recently... When I saw the light in your room I thought it might be yours right"

"yes" I said trying to ignore the faminine part of her... Of course calabar women are always pretty inspite of having given birth to two kids she is still as positively fit and sexy .
"wao" I saw her jump which made her huge breast fling.. I thought I felt something shake beneath me...
Steven compose man

"congrats dear " she said finally smiling at me
"Thanks" I smiled back
"and Mrs Etim less I forget I am traveling to Abuja, my new place of work now so that means I won't be home for a while "

This disappointed look on her face like some one who had been used and dumped....
"eeeya Mr Steven,  I will miss you especially,  when will you be back"

"can't say. Until work say so"
our conversation was broken when I heard one of her kids shouts "mommy mommy am hungry" the small girl in turn ran up to her  holding her left leg ..
I saw her mouth tightened while she skimmed her gaze up at me and down to my chest
"safe journey Mr Steve "
She leaned down and carried her kid who wrapped her tiny hands around her neck while she turn towards her door

"thanks " I called out to her
I closed my door and sighed feeling a dull vein rose in my face
This woman wants to get me into trouble .

I retreated towards my bed and felt a need to start packing my stuff before the night surface in full.
Tomorrow is gonna be hell of a long day
**********************
Present day
Anna sits  in the car with me after helping in loading most of my things inside the boot she sat steering at me for a long time  before finally saying  with a smile..
"man I would miss you and we all will, imagine I can't believe you would be the one mr Lewis would choose after been the lousy one to make a lot of jest at Mr Kent,  see your life in the open Steve, say hi to your new boss for me " she laughed aloud jokingly

My brows lifted "really Anna , I will if that's what you want "
She gave me a meditative look
"Do you really think you can cope with her"
"like I have any choice,  you know my job matters to me a lot "
"eeya"
She tapped my strong hand and lifted .
"it's too late to feel sorry now Anna you know that, " I smiled at her
"thanks for stopping by"
"you welcome "
I dropped her along the route not far from the office and turn the high way....
I have a lot hours to spend in this damn car before getting there.... So help me God ..i said pressing the gear to speed.

Abuja Nigeria :

I got to Abuja around three o clock in the evening  feeling all too exhausted and grounded with the angry rain pouring heavily from the sky as if the world is about coming to an end,,,  I can't believe I spent a whole ten hours on road and another thirty minutes in getting here
This is infact a real washout

I saw the big sign Lewis enterprise.... And immediately felt glad at the thought... At last.
The gateman was putting on a rain coat when he opened the gate giving me a free way to drive into the compound and towards the car park. while I used the car wiper to clear away the water obstructing my view
I could see the lightening split the sky while the wind blew harder and colder making me shiver
I could hear my heart start beating rapidly..
"she isn't a god or any form of goddess to start feeling nervous for "
"So Steve get your butt outta this car and right aheads inside showing her you are the man .. And Remember the word you would do just fine "

I unhook my seat belt and got down from the car, dolging from the rain I jog a little making my way inside with the necessary documents in my suit pocket.
A security opened the door while I entered with the rain damp a little on my mini Afro air cut... I struggled and immediately raise my left hand to rub off the water on it , I straighten my suit while I scan the environment You can tell a good architect if you see a nice structured building  ,everything about the company is nice for – sustainability, integration  and awareness....the environment is comfortable  and elegant. The long design with its full glass walls seems to float on the field, and the timber cladding feels like an extension of the surroundings .the Inside, glowing with subdued lighting and comfortable open-plan spaces, combined with walls of natural wood all painted with with white gloss , the wide vista from the windows acting as a kind of natural artwork , the space feels all too cosy and comfortable.
I gapse,  the company building is much more dope than the one in portharcout.... How come she manage everything so well inspite of being a spoilt brat...
I move forward while the cold AC welcomes me with full force..

Read " The fugitive " by the same author ( Op. Amina )

. I could feel some steers on me  while I made my way to the left not really knowing exactly who to meet.. I was glad when I see an elderly man exactly as Mr Lewis age walking up to me as though he knew I would be here.

"welcome Mr Steven gold" he said
"am Mr Kingsley "  he smiled greeting me with an hand shake .
"nice meeting you Mr Kingsley "
I replied steering at him surprisingly .. As though he knew what am thinking ,  he immediately said all too loudly for my liking

"oh yeah Mr Lewis called me earlier,  to inform me about your arrival, you are welcome dear and you know I was also transferred like you few years back"

I smile back feeling glad..

"you are a  good looking young man Mr Steve i hope you don't sweep all the young ladies here off their foot with your well toned looks and statue "
I started laughing feeling all too amazed with his compliments...

Well I wouldn't know cause it has been a long time...a damn long time I glanced at the mirror to notice all those. I hope he isn't flattering me though

This way I heard him say,
I followed while gazing intently at the environment,  I could hear the sounds of my heart beat... But feeling less concern about it would do,

My gaze keep scanning the environment and now meeting eye to eye with a lady at the corner,  who had  her gaze  rather on me now than the laptop she is working on... I tell you she's really hot with that little pick lips
Heaven help me I gapse...
I push my gaze away from her  and followed right into a office I felt my be Mr Kingsleys side,
inside the office was a medium size cluttered with the detritus of files. There were books piled everywhere, and manila folders on the top of a long mission oak table under the windows. A Macintosh word processor sat on a corner of his desk, hooked to a laser printer on a small end table beside the large one...and two rocking chair in front....He gestured for me to take a seat, he sat and picked up the phone.
"me Steven miss Lewis isn't around as at now,,  but I would call her so as to let her know you are around.. "

I nodded immediately feeling the sound in my chest beats a little fast .
I saw him try her number for a whole five to six minutes before it went through...
God throughout their whole conversation I gapse and watch imagining how stupid and loathsome a lady might be to talk to an elderly man like this...
I frown and hope she doesn't speaks to me the way I hear her speaks to this man , And I swear with my father's grave am gonna put her right in her place...

I listen calmly with the anger boiling insides of me...

Mr Kingsley finally drops the phone and looks up at me,She would be  here in the next fifteen minutes., Mr Steven so I hope you feel comfortable  before her arrival ..
I steer at him and squeeze a smile
Fifteen minutes it is....