The Odds Are Against Me - Episode 25

 

For the past months, I have been making a bit above more than I usually earn on average, before and when Ms Awoyemi chatted me up, and I told her about what I do and she congratulated me on leaving my former work. She told me that she has a job for me, but I must prove I worth it. 

"Err, okay, thank you Ma. What's it about?", I asked in a reply.

"I don't think we can discuss about it online", she sent.

"Okay, where?", I replied.

"I am back to Lagos from my break . Meet me tomorrow at the Chicken republic outlet, opposite number two, Adeola Avenue", she sent.

"Okay, no problem. It's a deal", I replied.

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She fixed 12:00PM the next day, for the meeting and I arrived there by 11:30AM. I was at home and bored after I'd done my daily online advertisements and no other new job seemed to be forth coming. I picked up my key, went outside, entered my car and drove out. In less than thirty minutes, I was inside the chicken republic. At the car pack, I came down from my car. I checked the time and it was 11:30AM.

"Good day, Sir. Welcome", the security personal said

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-odds-are-against-me

. I winked at him and flung the bunch of keys I'd on my hand in a gesture. I moved to a seat and sat down. I waited for some minutes and that looked like an hour. I dropped my phone on the table and positioned my head down. I decided to check my wristwatch, and when I raised my head up after my wait that seemed like an hour wait. It was 11:52AM. "Oh, it's still early", I said to myself. I stood and went to the waiter, and ordered for a drink, which I received in a tray with a glass cup. Immediately, I got to my table and was about to open the drink I bought, "Hello, Afamefuna", I heard a voice said. I raised my head up, and it was Lola with another lady.

"What's up?" I said in a low voice and brought my head down again, then continued with what I was doing. I opened the drink and poured it in a glass cup. I noticed a chair made a cracking noise. I raised my head up and it was Lola.

"Oh, you came to join me? I thought you came with a friend", I said.

"Yes, we came to have a lunch here but since you are alone, we can have it with you", she said.

"Sorry, I'm not alone", I replied.

"But, you are alone here. Oh, I forgot, you are a guy, and you are expecting your side chic", she said.

"I have heard enough, please", I retorted.

"Yes, you have definitely heard enough. You, cheat. You are so full of pretence", she said. I ignored her and gulped down the glass of drink I'd filled up.

Immediately, I saw Ms Awoyemi opened the door. I checked my wristwatch and it was 12:20PM. I stood up and we walked close to each other, and then hugged. She apologized for keeping me late. I ushered her to another seat and table. I returned to the table I was on before, to pick my tray of drink and glass cup. As I left after picking it, Lola hissed.

Immediately I got to where Ms Awoyemi sat, I thanked her for easing me of the drama I was meant to face and quickly sat down.

"Who is that Lady?", Ms Awoyemi asked.

"It's a long story. I really can't tell now", I said.

"Anyway, be careful. Your marriage is at stake. I envy your union because you both understand each other, and I won't want anything to disband it", she said. I nodded my head in affirmation as she said everything.

"Well, back to why we are here", she said and paused a bit.

"I am all ears. You can go on, Ma", I said.  She laughed, then called the waiter to order food and drinks.

"I think I'm okay. I got filled at home before coming, and as you can see, I'm still having a drink", I said.

"No, you have to eat more.

Read " A Tale of Five Bandits " by the same author ( Obinna Tony )

. We can come to a restaurant without buying anything", she said and went ahead to list things the waiter brought. We started eating and she continued.

"Okay, you know I own one of the biggest boutiques in Lekki and Lagos as whole to be precise. I own online store too and now delivers cloths abroad. I was happy when you said you now work as online advertiser. I like your astuteness with tasks, while we worked together, and I would give you any job you want on a platter of gold but I want you to prove it. I have lot of networking I have made for my company and I have gotten lot of advertising gigs. I am putting you on a probation if you are interested. I usually give this jobs to social media influencers and others as a contract, but I'll love to employ you as the head of advertising unit with four hundred thousand naira monthly salary as the pay. If you are interested, send your CV to this mail", she said and handed me her card.

"Oh, wow!", I said and was speechless.

"I am not interested in you indicating your interest here. Just follow protocols if you want the job", she said.

"Thank you", was all I could mutter. We were done eating, she paid up and we left the restaurant.