Laurel is a beautiful red-haired, antisocial boss lady that is perceived as cold and unapproachable by her peers. She enters a steamy office romance and gains a shot at emotional healing when she crosses paths with Femi, a charming and ambitious Nig...
Some characters in this chapter and the next speak the Yoruba language and Pidgin or slang language of Nigeria. Each Yoruba or Pidgin word is translated to English in bracket, right after the Yoruba word. Please take note.
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FEMI'S POV
It's 5pm here in Lagos, Nigeria; the largest city in Africa with over 25 million people. It is the craziest and most hustle and bustle state in Nigeria but also a very fun place to be.
I'm at home watching my favourite TV show 'My Flatmates' when I get an email notification on my phone. I check to see what it's about and I can't believe it! Oh my God! it's an email accepting my application for a job as area manager for WRIGHTFOODS.CO!! The number one food and restaurant company in the US!. I had applied for the job three weeks ago after completing my two year MBA degree program in the US and although I was more than qualified graduating with honors, I did not expect to be accepted. Overjoyed is an understatement as I get up screaming with joy. I quickly call my mum and dad who are both home from work and my teenage brother who is probably in his room playing video games.
"Baba!! (dad)"
"Iya!! (mum)" I call out as loud as I can in Yoruba language.
My mother running from the kitchen, "Yes?!"
"Wetin happen? (what happened?)?" my dad asks in Pidgin upon reaching the living room.
"Ayo!" I call out for my brother who sluggishly walks to the parlor, annoyed that I had disturbed his game.
"I got into Wrightfoods"! I tell them.
My dad asks with a confused look on his face "What is that?"
"Olufemi!" my mum calls my full name pointing her fingers at me before I can say anything. "Explain to us so we can understand, I have soup on the fire oo" my mum warns me.
"I got into Wrightfoods!" I repeat myself. "It's the number one food company in the United States and they accepted my application letter to work for them." I explain to them.
"se o da o loju? (are you sure?)" my mum asks me in Yoruba.
Looking at her with the biggest smile on my face, I tell her "Yes".
"Ye!" My mum jumps and shouts excitedly. She starts dancing and singing in Yoruba, bending down and shaking her waist with the wrapper around her waist.
"You see, this is why I named him Olufemi (Yoruba name meaning 'The Lord loves me')" my dad says to my mum with great pride. "The Lord loves him and there is nothing the devil or his enemies can do to hinder him" my dad says with a huge smile on his face.
"Amin! (Amen!)" my mum affirms in Yoruba raising both hands in the air.
"Congratulations o brother" my brother Ayo says while also smiling. "Make sure to buy and send many oyibo (white man) things for me while you're there and tell fine oyibo (white) girls about me too" he says and winks at me.
"Will you shut up there!" my mum shouts while smacking his head very hard. I and my dad burst out laughing.
"Instead of you to focus on your studies and be like your brother Femi, you're thinking of girls in this your big head" she says holding his head and scolding him.
"Oya go to your room now and read" she commands and he leaves, dragging his feet on the floor and grumbling something none of us can here till he enters his room.
Facing me and with a firm hand on my shoulder, my dad tells me "My son we are very proud of you, you are a very good son. You went to the school we sent you, did very well and got a scholarship to study Masters abroad, now you've gotten yourself a good job. You were never a hassle to us and for that, God will reward your efforts, you will succeed so much that your peers will envy you".
My dad prays for five more minutes and my mum says "Amin! (Amen)" She's crying now and trying to hide it but we notice. There are obviously tears of joy.
My dad is a professor and lecturer in a private university and my mum has a big grocery store with a few salespersons, we are not super rich but we are comfortable, more like middle class. They both sent me to one of the best private university here in Nigeria for my undergraduate degree and sent my brother to the best secondary school. She is more than happy to see the results of their efforts.
She looks at me with teary eyes and hugs me "I'm proud of you my son" she says in a low voice and I hug her back, now feeling emotional too and a bit teary but I'm not going to cry lol, although hearing these words words from my parents really makes me want to.
"Stop it, the both of you!" My dad shouts and brings us back. "This is a thing of celebration, why the tears?"
"You're right" my mum says and wipes her tears. "We should throw a party!" my mum says with an elated voice.
"No no, I don---t"
"Sounds like a good idea" my dad interrupts. I don't want a party and having to deal with aunties and family members and guests generally. I have to fully prepare for my travel back.
"Let me do this last thing for you before you travel back, please Ife mi (my love)" my mum looks at me with puppy eyes, it looks like she really wants to and just like that, I agree to it giving her a tired nod. I'm 27 and a full grown man but I can never win against my mum especially with that look.
"Thank you omo mi (my son)" she says with a huge smile on her face. She call for the house keeper and quickly starts making preparations.
My excitement abates and I remember I have not told Lisa, my girlfriend since final year days in undergraduate university. I call her to tell her but she does not sound very excited about it.
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