Chapter Twelve

The sun was high up in the sky, and as the taxi pulled over, she was immediately thankful for having carried her sunglasses along with her. She alighted from the air-conditioned red taxi, and took out her glasses from her newly bought black mini bag, and wore them. She was putting on a knee-length black dress, and a beige coloured jacket, which was of three-quarter length, matching the outfit with black silhouette heels. As usual, her hair was packed up in a bun, and for the first time in a long time, she applied powder to her face and a red shiny lip gloss, which made her beauty more obvious than it already was. The taxi driver, a man of average height in his thirties, stepped down from the cab, and brought out her suitcase from the boot, wearing a broad smile and offered to take it into the hotel on her behalf. 'No, don't worry," Bukunmi said, collecting the suitcase from him. 'You're too kind," He said, with a smile. She smiled back at him. 'How would the world ever be a better place if we can not be kind to one another?" She commented. He nodded his head, agreeing with her statement. 'You're very correct. It's not often we see people who are beautiful in and out," He said. She shrugged. 'Well, I'm glad you still get to see people like me then," She said. 'I guess so," He agreed. 'I've just wired your money. Please, do confirm if you've received it," She said. He brought out his phone from his pocket, and almost immediately got a notification, signalling a credit alert. He beamed happily, seeing that she had added an extra five hundred naira to the bill, and began to thank her profusely. 'It's nothing. You're always welcome," She said, with a wink, waved goodbye to him, and began wheeling her suitcase away. 'Thank you, ma. God bless you," He called after her. She smiled to herself, and not turning back to acknowledge his gratitude, continued walking into the five-star hotel, where she was going to spend three nights. The conference was also scheduled to hold in one of the spacious halls the hotel possessed, and there was an exotic eatery, where she could eat, because she didn't trust the hotel to provide the amount of food she was willing to consume as the foodie that she was. Bukunmi did not care a little bit about the elegant casino, the outdoor pool or the bar. Her major fascination was the stylish restaurant with exquisite dining that she had seen online that the hotel possessed. Hopefully, it was worth the generally positive reviews it had received. From the looks of it though, it seemed like it was going to be way beyond her expectations. Eyeing the fountain and a statue of an Egyptian goddess in front of the entry to the hotel, she glided her way inside, and the sight that greeted her was so magnificent and fascinating. There were chandeliers at every corner of the reception area, and the lights shone brightly to reveal the various paintings by famous artists, and the staff went about their businesses, with smiles on their faces, making Bukunmi feel more welcome than she had felt in the first place. She returned their smiles with a broad smile herself, and went to the receptionists' desk to forward her reservation. 'Ibukunoluwami Ketu," The lady at the front desk, putting on the hotel's staff t-shirt and Jean trousers with flat black shoes, drew out her name slowly. 'Yeah. That's me," Bukunmi acknowledged, taking off her glasses. The lady chuckled nervously. 'I hope I got the pronunciation right," She said. Bukunmi gave a small laugh. 'It wasn't all that bad." 'I'm glad. You were lodged in Room 222. It's on the fourth floor," The lady said, handing her the keys to the room. 'Thank you," She said, expressing her gratitude, as she accepted the keys. 'You're welcome. Should I get someone to escort you to your room, and help you with your suitcase?" The lady asked. 'That would not be necessary," Bukunmi said, and shooting her a small smile of appreciation, walked her way to the elevator, where she stood for a few seconds, waiting to enter inside with two others. As the doors opened, her eyes met with an older looking Tade Wellington. She could not hide the surprise she felt as she saw him. They had looked alike in pictures, but their resemblance was even more striking in reality. However, while Tade was very tall, his father was just the same height as her, and he had grey beards and grey hair. Bukunmi's fists tightened, as an overwhelming surge of anger came upon her. Even from his looks, it was easy to tell that he was not a good person. Of course, people say don't judge a book by its cover, but this book was worth judging. Tade's father, Chief Alade Wellington was also awestruck on seeing the exact replica of his former worker, the only difference being that the person in front of him was feminine, and also young. His heartbeat rapidly increased and he found it hard to believe his own eyes. He couldn't control himself from staring at her all over with widened eyes, and a mouth which was agape, showing how shocked and flustered he was on seeing her. She, on the other hand, refrained herself from yelling at him, and asking him what she had done to have lost her father at a young age. She knew it was he who had to be the mastermind of everything. She had heard the entire conversation. He was Chief, and he was a bad man, who her father was so sure his son didn't take after. However, she knew if she said anything out of anger, she'd only cause more harm than good. It was best to pretend not to know who he was and what he had done to her father, because, firstly, she had no evidence to back up her claims, and she also didn't want to start a fire she didn't know how to quench just yet. Clearing her throat, she gave a forced smile. 'It's an honour to meet you in person. I am an employee at Welling Fam Heights," She said, deliberately leaving out her name, and made to kneel to show her respect as the Yoruba girl that she was. One of his aides stopped her from kneeling, and gestured to her to be on her way, and she nodded, and proceeded into the elevator, pleased with herself that she had not blown her cover. As she stepped into the elevator, she saw him turn around slowly to catch one look at her again, and this time, he nearly lost his balance, and was held by two of his aides. 'Get him to the car," The one who had motioned for her to leave said. Chief Alade tried to protest, but his protests were ignored. He looked back at Bukunmi, who made a hand gesture that she would kill him. The elevator doors closed, and while he felt afraid for the first time in a long time to the point of trembling and coughing hard, she had a sly smile all the way up to her room, impressed that only her presence had made him that shaken. His reaction had boosted her morale. This was just the beginning; he had no idea what was coming for him. The conference was between well-known companies and organisations which were deeply rooted in the Fashion industry in not just Nigeria, but in Africa as a whole. The conference held at different venues around the same time, which was in July, every two years, to discuss pressing issues that had to deal with the fashion industry at the time, and discuss how to move the industry forward, and also how each company which was a participant in the conference was still moving forward, to enable them learn and put into practice their strategies and continue flourishing in Africa. The last conference had been held in Senegal, and had lasted for a few days. Presently, there were various speakers from the forty-six companies which were participants in the conference. The companies were excelling in the business world all over Africa, and a few, just like Welling Fam Heights, had extended their business to other parts of the world, and were greatly excelling in Europe, North America and South America. Bukunmi's stomach growled and she was struggling to concentrate on the activities going on. She clapped when others were clapping, and stood up when they were standing up, trying her best to fit in and not disclose that she was not really following all they were doing. She had overslept and had almost missed her flight, due to the fact that she had stayed up most of the night, writing, and had lost track of time. For the first time in years, she was glad that her mother had woken her up with yells and taps on her arm. 'Aren't you travelling again?" Her mother had yelled. 'Mami, let me sleep," Bukunmi had said, still drowsy, and yawning, she went back to sleep. Her mother shook her head in disappointment, then, without wasting time to consider what she was thinking, took the glass of water on her bedside table, and threw the contents on Bukunmi's face, forcing her eyes open at once, as she sat up shaking her head which was drenched in cold water. 'That worked!" Her mother said with a smile, impressed with herself. 'Mami, this is unfair!" Bukunmi cried out. 'What is unfair?" Her mother retorted. 'You pouring cold water on me in this cold weather. Now, my hair and bed are wet, how will they get dry? And what if I catch a cold?" She asked, looking really upset. 'You can always use your hair dryer, and your bed will definitely be dry by the time you return home on Friday," Her mother said, with her arms folded. 'Oh, no! It's Tuesday? What's the time?" She asked, scrambling out of bed, and going in search of her phone. 'It's past 8. Your flight is by 10," Her mother said. Bukunmi gasped, and went to hug her mother tightly. 'You're a blessing in disguise. I don't deserve to have you as a mother," She said, and gave her mother a kiss on the cheeks, something she hadn't done in years. 'Now, you finally realise my importance," Her mother had said. Bukunmi chuckled. 'I always have," She noted. 'It's just that you're a pain in the ass most times," The voice in her head completed. Bukunmi smiled in the conference hall, remembering the conversation she had had with her mother that morning. Ever since Tade visited their house on Saturday, her mother had changed towards her. She didn't know if it was because he had given her an envelope containing money, or if it was because she had gotten a job, because the last time she checked, her mother hadn't exactly been enthusiastic about her newly found job. There had been various speakers that had come to address them, and because she had been in a hurry, she hadn't had anything to eat all through the day, except the biscuits and tea that had been served on the plane, and there was no way something like that could satisfy her hunger. It was almost 6 o'clock in the evening, and seeing how active everyone was, and undoubtedly excited about the events which only involved talking and giving speeches, she wondered if she was the only one who was hungry and tired as hell. 'Oh no!" She exclaimed under her breath, as the moderator came on the stage again. Wasn't she tired of inviting people to the stage? With the way she smiled and walked majestically, Bukunmi was sure that she enjoyed doing such a job at the expense of people's hunger. 'We have come to the end of today's event. Have a nice evening, and see you all back here at the same time tomorrow," The moderator said. 'Yes!" Bukunmi squealed, and all eyes swung to her direction, but she did not mind, and clapped louder than everyone in the hall, with utmost glee and excitement. Everyone slowly started leaving, and she picked up her bag from her laps and began to walk out , her legs wobbly as a result of the fatigue that was deeply engraved in her. 'You seem tired," She heard a voice say, and turned around immediately to see who was talking to her. Standing in front of her was a fair-skinned man who was about 5'4, and looked shorter because of her heels. He looked like he was in his early thirties and was quite good-looking, with puppy brown eyes, pink lips and a perfect set of white teeth which he seemed to be proud of, as he kept on smiling. She returned his smile. 'Of course, I'm tired," She said, not even trying to deny it. He snickered. 'So, where are you headed to now?" He asked. 'The eatery. I'm so famished, I haven't had anything to eat all day," She responded. 'Okay then, Miss..." He drew out, extending his right hand for a handshake for the purpose of introduction. 'Bukunmi, personal assistant to the managing director of Welling Fam Heights," She said, shaking hands with him, wearing a smile. 'Bukunmi...that's a lovely name. I'm Charles, CEO of Amethyst Fashion House, whose headquarters is at Rivers State, Nigeria," He said, and gave her his complimentary card which he had pulled out from his breast pocket. She accepted it, and checked it out. 'Wow! You seem too young to be a CEO," She noted. He shrugged. 'Well, I owe it all to my late father," He said. 'Oh. I'm so sorry for your loss," She said, looking sympathetic. 'It's no biggie, it's been years since it happened," He explained. 'Oh! I understand," She said. 'So, Miss Bukunmi, why don't we get to know each other better over dinner? I'll take you to the eatery, we'll chat, and I'll pay the bills in exchange for your time. What do you say?" He asked. 'She says no," A familiar voice said, grabbing Bukunmi's attention instantly. She looked up to see Tade Wellington, her boss, who looked like a giant compared to Charles. He had just come out of the conference hall, and he was wearing a royal blue tuxedo, with a pair of black formal pants, matched with a white shirt, a black tie and pocket square, and a classic pair of patent leather shoes graced his feet. He looked even more ravishing than ever, and as he fiddled with his beards as usual, her stomach churned, not because of hunger this time around, but because of his presence. 'Tade Wellington, what a pleasure to meet you in person," Charles said, extending his hand for a handshake. Tade cast a dark gaze on Charles' hand, and he immediately withdrew it, wondering what he had done wrong. He had been told that Tade didn't mingle with people, and apparently, the people who had told him such were right. 'How are you?" Tade asked Bukunmi with a smile, and removed a strand of hair that was in her face, slightly touching her face, which made her heart melt. 'I'm...I'm...okay. I didn't...know...know...you were coming," She stuttered, feeling the heat of his closeness. He gave a small smile. 'I wanted to surprise you," He said. She cleared her throat, and nodded her head, not wanting to say anything. 'Let's go," He told her. 'I...er..." 'You want to go with him?" Tade asked, flashing a wild glance at Charles and giving her a menacing gaze. 'It's just that..." 'Fine then!" He exclaimed angrily, and began to walk out. Anger swelled within him, and he didn't know why. All he knew was that he was pissed and wasn't happy on seeing her talking to the dwarf of a guy, with a really weird smile. He stamped his foot on the ground, as he came to a halt. Without pausing to think like every sane person would, he turned back around, and grabbed Bukunmi by the hand, and she just stared at him, unsure of what to think. 'She's with me," He said to Charles, with a cold stare, and pulled her along with him like she were a child. Bukunmi didn't feel embarrassed or annoyed with the act Tade had just pulled. He seemed possessive and jealous, and for some reason which she couldn't point out yet, she liked it. It was the same way she had felt reading articles of his various scandals with women, but hadn't he been the same person who had said she had no right to be jealous of his personal life? So, why was he acting jealous now? She, however, didn't utter a word and allowed him to quietly take her outside the hotel, where he stopped in front of his car in the parking lot. His grip on her lessened and he let go of her. She rubbed her wrist gently, still feeling the pressure his hand had had on her, and cleared her throat gently. 'What was that for?" She asked, suddenly regaining her voice. 'I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me, I didn't intend to hurt you," He said, looking really sorry. 'You didn't hurt me. You embarrassed me, okay?" 'I didn't mean to, I just..." 'You were just jealous?" She asked, and just then, her stomach made a loud rumble. 'Jealous? Of course not. I just didn't want the food I got you to get wasted," He said, finally getting the perfect excuse, thanks to her stomach. 'Sorry?" He opened the car's door, and brought out a customised plastic eatery's bag, which he handed over to her. She was shocked as he gave it to her. 'You had gotten me food?" She asked, with a mixture of disappointment and surprise. 'Yeah. I knew you probably hadn't eaten, and were probably tired, which I confirmed when you screamed YES when the moderator announced the closure of today's meeting. I have to take care of my staff, you know, and if there's one thing I hate, it's wasting money," He explained. She forced a smile, looking at the bag in her hands, wondering why she had gotten ahead of herself and had even assumed he was jealous of a guy talking to her. 'I'm sorry for assuming you had gotten jealous of me talking to a guy," She said, feeling really ashamed. He scoffed. 'I wonder why you'd assume that even if I were to get jealous in that manner, it'd be because of someone that looks up to me. I mean that in the literal sense," He said, laughing hard. She gave a faint smile. 'I have to go now," She said. 'Yes. Sleep well, don't forget you have a big day tomorrow. My father will be around and he thinks I don't need a personal assistant, show him how wrong he is," He said to her. She could only nod, and turned around with her head bowed, and started walking away. By she having a big day tomorrow, he meant that she was one of the speakers representing Welling Fam Heights the next day. He had informed her after dropping her off at home on Saturday, and she had tried her best to get ready. Since his father was going to be present, she knew she had to give in her all to the presentation she was going to give on behalf of his son. As Tade watched her leave, he wondered if the strong annoyance he had felt on seeing her giggling with that short dude had really been jealousy. Frank had told him you know you love someone when you get jealous when you see the person with someone else. Was it that he was slowly beginning to like her? He shook his head in negativity. He had just been looking after a staff, nothing more...or maybe that's just what he wanted to believe.