CUSP

The days have gone by quickly, I am not sure what Caleb told Besa but he hasn’t reached out to me since. But weirdly Claudia has been giving me attitude and I want to believe that it’s just in my head but then again for someone who is always in touch it’s easy to tell when she is distant.

‘Good morning.’ I greet Nancy who is in the kitchen

I am starting my internship today, O’Brien was supposed to leave but he couldn’t because his meeting was postpone.

‘Slept okay?’ I ask when she doesn’t respond

‘I could use some more sleep but I guess being an adult requires that I sacrifice some things.’ She says yawning

I laugh

‘I will get some cereal for the office, don’t want to be late on the first day.’

‘That man believes in you, it’s rare to find people that do these days.’

I smile not wanting to say anything

I put cereal in a bowl, milk in a flask and carry some sachets of sugar.

‘In case I am home late don’t count me in for dinner.’ She says just before I can walk out

‘Oh, where are you going?’

‘I need to see Astridah.’

‘How is she?’

‘She will be fine, she is stronger than Besa thinks she is.’

‘I see, it’s still hurtful that he embarrassed her in front of his people and their friends. I don’t think I can come back from that.’

‘Trust me honey she will bounce back and I am scared for Besa when she does.’

I don’t respond, Caleb calls out that my taxi is outside waiting so I rush there.

I arrive at that office thirty minutes earlier than the reporting time, I have never been one for being late and that is why when I woke up I made sure to be as quick as possible preparing.

I don’t know where I will be assigned so I sit in the waiting area and wait for his secretary who usually gives me instructions.

After ten minutes of waiting I get bored so I remove my phone and try to see what’s happening on social media. I go to WhatsApp and start checking through statuses, nothing catches my attention but just when I am about to log out I notice that Claudia has updated hers. It’s a photo of her in a formal wear with the caption ‘time to arse those goals’, I respond telling her that she looks good but she leaves me on blue ticks. I want to believe maybe she has deliberately done it but a part of me tells me that maybe she has just become busy and will respond when she has the time.

After that I decide to turn off data.

‘Good morning.’ Ms. Mutale O’Brien’s secretary greets when she walks in

I have always admired how well she dresses, there is never a day that she has worn anything less. Today she is in a beige jumpsuit and black heels, her makeup is to die for and her braids are tied in a neat bun. I on the other hand is in a black plain dress with green heels and a matching handbag, my flat twists are neatly done and bouncing in Cantu oil.

‘Good morning.’ I respond standing up

‘I am sorry for keeping you waiting, please come with me.’ She says

I walk behind her trying to keep up, I want to start a conversation but each time I open my mouth no words come out.

‘Please take a seat.’ She says pointing at the chair opposite hers when we get to her office

‘Thank you.’

I wait for her to put her things in order, when done she settles down.

‘You and I will be working together, I am supposed to train you to know everything I do in an event I am not around it won’t be hard for you to fit in.’

‘Okay.’ I say, I want to question what she has told me because the last holiday I was just doing administrative work so why do I have to work hand in hand with her when she is O’Brien’s personal secretary?

‘Do you have any questions?’

‘Sorry but why are we working together this time around?’

‘Those are the instructions I got and I wish I had the answers but I don’t.’ The way she says it makes me feel uncomfortable, her words are spiteful and I can tell that she doesn’t want me to work with her.

‘Don’t hesitate to ask me in case you don’t understand anything, but just because you are working in this office doesn’t mean that you have direct access to the chairman. That is still my job one what May.’

‘Alright.’ I respond getting the message loud and clear

Mondays are usually for meetings, so at 8hrs we all go to the boardroom. I was praying O’Brien doesn’t show up to chair and I almost do a happy dance when the MD announces that he won’t be around to chair, but then just before the meeting starts I am shocked when Claudia walks in and joins us. I had no idea she will be doing internship too but then I can’t ask now. The meeting is quick and to the point, after thirty minutes we are excused and everyone goes to their respective offices. I use this time to talk to Claudia.

‘Hey babe.’ I greet excitedly

‘I had no idea you would be joining me.’ I add feeling happy to have a familiar face

‘Joining you? It’s my father’s company.’ She says before walking away and I am left stunned not knowing what just happened

..

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Winnie

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