Nadia pushed the carrier.
"Why are you working for my mom?" she turned to him and asked. Since he came, that question had been hovering around her head. She couldn't pinpoint why a young man like him would want to work for a woman like her mother. Her mother was the sweetest but yet again.
"I just came to town. I need something to hold on to. When the job opportunity came, I hopped on it without questions. The pay is attractive, yunno." he said and smiled. She nodded. He had a point.
"I pray you both get along." she said.
"How are you going to get that down?" he pointed at the stairs, then at the carrier.
"There's an elevator created for the carriers. be right back." she pushed the carrier into a small elevator and slammed the door, then returned to meet him.
"Shall we?" she smiled and climbed down the stairs. The carrier already beside the door. Neo marveled silently. Her father really had her in mind when he built this.
"I'm sorry this was short-lived. Maybe some other time. That's if she doesn't fire you." she chuckled and walked straight into the elevator. He stared at her till she was gone, wondering what floor she occupied.
Nadia rolled the carrier into her room and pushed it a little hard when she got in. Tamera was already waiting for her.
"You sent for me ma'am."
"Can you drop the formalities. It's crazy, I'm not going to lie." she groaned and walked straight out to the balcony.
"I'm sorry. It will take a while to drop he formalities. I just don't want trouble." Nadia rolled her eyes.
"So Nadia, Nadia right? That's what I should call you?" Tamera asked from a distance. She stood by the door while Nadia rested on the railing.
"Have you seat. I have a proposal for you." Nadia said and turned to Tamera.
"Don't even think of saying no. You don't even have to leave the house. You can work from home." Nadia said, Tamera nodded. Nadia's gaze followed Tamera till she was seated a few feet away from her.
"What's the work about?" Tamera finally asked. She felt unusually uneasy. She had always wanted to be close to Nadia but being with Nadia like this threatened her existence. It felt surreal in the most uncomfortable way possible. Nadia leaned back into the hanging egg chair and sighed.
"Not to be rude; Nadia, you need to tell me fast before Lilian says I took too long attending to you." Tamera said and shifted on her seat.
"A business partner of mine wants to work with an educated person from this town. You're 21 right? Or 22?" Nadia asked and smiled. When Felix shared that thought with her, the only person that came to mind was Tamera. She had always thought of ways to help Tamera out.
"Twenty-two." she said and looked down.
"Good. You don't really have to stress yourself. I'll call him and inform him about you."
"Why me though? I mean, they're are other smart people in this town that'll do a good job. Why did you choose me?" she fidgeted as she asked. She had never been scared to ask Nadia questions but tonight felt different.
"If you don't want the job, just say so." Nadia frowned and stood up immediately.
"I'm sorry ma'am. This is so foreign. Please forgive me ignorance."
"I'll call Felix and know what he has to say. And for the records, I chose you because I've seen you do things. You're more than capable to work with Felix. You're dismissed." She said, waved her hand dismissingly and walked back into her room. She still needed to complete her research for the project. Tamera scurried out of Nadia's room. She needed to think about the offer, how it will change her life for good. While she ran out, she bumped into Neo and blushed.
"I'm so sorry." she said and bowed her head.
"I'm supposed to be the one apologizing. Did you hurt yourself?" he asked with concern, he lifted her chin up when she couldn't look at him and smiled at her.
"I hope I didn't hurt you." he said softly, Tamera smiled.
"No sir." she responded, finally able to look him in the eyes. His blue eyes were alluring under the soft passage light. "I need to go now. Lilian will be waiting for me." she said and snatched her chin away from his hold.
"Please do. Run along." he said as she ran down the hall. He liked how well she spoke the last time but was unsure what to make of this conversation he had with her. She looked perplexed
∞∞
Neo checked himself out in the mirror for the tenth time that morning. He wanted to dress to impress. His phone vibrated on the reading table, he groaned and went to pick it.
"Howdy." he said over the phone. Old Ezekiel laughed from the other end.
"How settled in are you?" his voice cracked a little, then he coughed.
"Did you take your dose Ezekiel?" worry latched his voice.
Ezekiel cleared his throat and gave a hearty laugh. "I'm fine boy. Maybe I forgot to take my dose last night, I won't forget today."
"Promise me. You know I don't mind driving over to make you take it." Neo said and adjusted his tie. He had chosen this tie because it went well with his eyes.
"I know boy. I guess you're settled in well, given the agility in your voice."
"The Chordis are quite the perfect host." he said. Old Ezekiel went silent.
"Hello… are you still there? Ezekiel?"
"Yes. I had to pick something up from the garage. What did you say about the Chordis?" he asked.
"Nothing much. I think you need some rest. I'm going out with Mrs Chordis. She said something about a gala."
"Ha! She never cease to amaze me. Does she think she's young? Running around because of galas." he scoffed and hissed.
"Is there a problem?"
"Nah. Let's just say; I thought she'd be done with galas by now. But, who am I to conclude on that?"
"Oh. She doesn't look weak to me. She fits perfectly for the role. I need to go. It's almost 8. Mrs Chordis hates late coming."
"In all these, don't forget what took you there." Ezekiel reminded him and sighed. "You should probably have just let it slide."
"I won't. I need to go now."
"Tchau." old Ezekiel said before the line went dead. Neo stared at his reflection and smiled. He liked the finished work. A whole lot of people will be swooned with just a glance at him. He smiled at the thought of Nadia ogling over him. His phone began to vibrate, 7:49am boldly written on his screen. He was late. Mrs Chordis hated late coming. He stared at himself one last time before grabbing his phone and his laptop.
"Let's get this started." he said and arranged his things inside a corporate bag before leaving the room. He was sure Lilian will send someone to clean the room.