CHAPTER 1 THE RUSH

My mind is in a complete state of confusion because the cab I arranged to pick me up has disappointed me. The driver calls just 30 minutes before the pickup time to inform me that, he has to rush his wife to the hospital because she is in labor.

God, I indeed sympathize with him but couldn't he have called earlier? I just hid my disappointment and told him it's fine but I was crying inside. I step out of the shower and now I have less time to dress up since I have to go out to get a cab on a busy Monday morning. I know the traffic situation too so my head is spinning with thoughts of how to make it to this interview which means everything to me.

I have worked over the years from start-up to multinational companies, but I never had the chance of being promoted beyond Senior Officer, no matter how hard I worked. I am very ambitious and have worked throughout my college days either as a part-time typist or secretary so I have a lot of experience.

For the first time, I get an interview for an assistant manager role. If I get this job, then I am sure of getting promoted to the manager if I complete my Executive Masters in Business Administration course. I was so excited when I received a call from the lady who introduced herself as Ruby, inviting me for the interview. I want to make a good impression.

I finally manage to dress up as fast as I can, with simple makeup. I try ordering another cab via Uber but there are no available cabs at this time. I have to try a taxi then. I get to the street and luckily, someone has just dropped out of a taxi so I wave the driver to stop as I give him the direction card attached to my invitation for the interview. He glances at it, writes his fees on it, and returns it to me. 

My eyes widen with so much surprise when I see the fee he has written. "Are you taking advantage of me or what. Why are you charging this much for a journey of less than an hour?" I ask.

"Ma'am, you know the traffic situation and I can't do anything about it," he says genuinely.

"Okay, let's go," I say, making myself comfortable in the back seat. As we begin the journey, I decide to double-check a few details about the company when my eyes catch the cloudy sky in front of me. What now, haven't I had enough already? Is nature also against me? 

There is no doubt with the thickness of the cloud that it's going to be a heavy downpour but my mind is so occupied with the interview that, I did not notice it earlier to even pick an umbrella or a raincoat. I say a quick prayer in my mind asking to God to at least hold the rain till I get to the venue but it seems God is also against me as the rain starts pouring, making the traffic worse due to visibility. At least I got a taxi before the rain started so I should thank God right? Maybe it might reduce or probably stop by the time we get there.

During the ride, my mind wanders to when my mum passed away. It was also on a rainy day like this. Dad had gotten into a terrible car accident and mum had preterm labor upon hearing the news. Aunty Joy called an ambulance but there had been some fallen trees due to the heavy rain, which had caused a truck to run over a Mercedes. This made five other vehicles to collide in the same spot. There were no survivors. It was one of the most horrible incidents of my life. We could not even have my Dad's body to give a befitting burial because it was burnt beyond recognition.

We could not get an ambulance so Aunty Joy had to drive my mum through some unauthorized route to the hospital since the main roads were closed. This made the journey twice longer and mum passed on ten minutes after reaching the hospital. Since then, my life moved from a fairy tale princess to what I can't even describe. The two people who loved me so much both died on the same day.

Aunty Joy took me in but it wasn't long before she was diagnosed with cancer. It was already at stage three by then so I  lost her in two months. No family member wanted to take me in after that because they saw me be cursed. They didn't even want my parent's properties so one day when class was over in school and I made no attempt to go home, Sir Maxwell as we usually called him, asked me why I didn't want to go home.

After narrating to him the story of my life, he took me to meet his family. They were foreigners but they gladly accepted me and once again, I found a place to call home. Little did I realize that Sir Maxwell was the breadwinner of the family. He had two sisters and a brother. His mum and dad were both pensioners so he took up a chunk of the responsibilities. I didn't want them to continue with this suffering so, with careful thought, I made my suggestion. I was eight and the realities of life were gradually making me matured as the only child of my parents.

 Sir Max, I called.

"Maya. Is everything alright?" He asked with concern.

Yes, I smiled. I am just thinking that, since you are taking care of me now, you should sell off my parent's house and cars to use to take care of all of us. I said.

"What?, No way," he responded with an angry look.

I insist because my parents wanted me to have a good education and a good life. If you do so, you can take better care of us. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I know that you are trying your best but that can help too. After all, what is a house and car to an eight-year-old? I can't live alone or drive those cars anyway.

Upon further deliberations, he agreed. A month later, he handed me some documents and told me to keep them secret and since then, we moved to a bigger house. Not as big and luxurious as my parent's house but we were comfortable and happy. Then life was great, almost perfect until one day, Sir Maxwell and his family had to move back to their country. They wanted me to come along but I didn't want to go far from where I will have memories of my parents so I could not accept the offer.

To my surprise, he understood and didn't force me. Instead, he entrusted me with his best friend Jude. He gave him a lot of money which surprised me because the money he got from the sale of the house and car should have finished by now.

It's been five years since then. Yes. Five whole years. Jude, his mum, brother, and I went to the Airport to see Maxwell and his family off. It was one of the saddest moments of my life. As I hugged him and kissed his cheek goodbye, he whispered in my ears. "DO NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT THOSE DOCUMENTS TO ANYONE". Then he handed me a card. "Call me anytime", were his last words.

We got home from the airport before the realization hit me, that Jude's family was not like Sir Maxwell's. They were so arrogant, selfish, and inconsiderate. Perhaps that was why Sir Max wanted me to keep those documents a secret. I was twelve years by then but I was smarter than a fifteen-year-old. Maybe it was due to Sir Maxwell's training. He gave me extra tuition at home and always made me take tests in the advanced class so I was already in my senior year in high school when he left.

 Jude was always busy in the office so I offered to help him whenever I came on vacation because he was the only one who cared for me. I was never comfortable alone with his family because his brother Alex was making illicit advances at me, which made me uncomfortable. His mum was always engrossed in one fashion photo or the other. Bags, shoes, make-up, jewelry, whatever you can think of. His dad was always with the newspaper. House helps did all the chores so I had nothing much to do than study my books.

 Jude had a big office and made the HR hire me as an intern to be his assistant so he thought me a lot about office practice, letters, mergers, and all. It made me sad when I had to go back to school but I knew that I needed my education as well. As the years went by, Jude got Married and his wife did not like me so I decided to rent a one-room apartment. I was fifteen but very mature. He got me a decent and well secure apartment even though he had wanted me to continue living with his family till I completed college but I knew I wouldn't be able to live with them, so I insisted and he didn't have a choice to agree. Sir Max called from time to time and I explained to him as well so it was fine.

Life was extremely lonely so I used the time to do a lot of research which helped me well in college. Only then did I remember the documents Sir Max gave me. For the first time, I gently opened the envelope and my eyes could not believe what was inside.

Inside that envelope were documents for the complete insurance of my education to the master's level. There was another kiddy account that had an investment made for me. So my whole education was being funded by the insurance he did. Then the cash investment could only be assessed when I was eighteen. So I got a part-time job to support myself when I got to college. By the time I completed my undergraduate, I could assess my investment account but I was so used to working that, I never touched my investment account till now. The only change is, I am working full time now, doing my EMBA part-time.

 I am currently working as a senior administration/procurement officer. When it was time for me to be promoted to the role of Administrative Manager, I was transferred to another branch. Not only was it far from my home, but it was also extremely difficult to get to school from there so I started applying for a new job. That is why this interview means so much to me.

Ma'am, I am startled as someone taps me on the shoulder. I give him my full attention when he says, "we have arrived". Ohhh, thank you I say to him, as I get out of his taxi.

"Payment Ma'am," he says harshly.

Sorry, I murmured, shoving my hands into my bag, removing my purse, and bringing out money to pay him.

Keep the change. I say walking away. I didn't miss the broad smile on his face.

"You can take my number Ma'am, anytime you need a taxi, call me". He said grinning.

Sure. I take his number and head to the tall building in front of me. It's drizzling so I need to hurry. Just as I get to the security I freeze to what just happened...