Chapter 1 - The Rush

          My mind was in a complete state of confusion when the cab I had arranged to pick me up disappointed me. The driver called just 30 minutes before the pick up time to inform me that, he had to rush his wife to the hospital because she was in labour.

          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 just got out of the shower and had 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 was 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 multi national 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 had a lot of experience.

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

          I finally managed to dress up as fast as I could, with a simple make up. I have tried ordering another cab via Uber but there are no available cabs at this time. I have to try a taxi then. I got to the street and luckily, someone had just dropped out of a taxi so I waved the driver to stop and gave him the direction card attached to my invitation for the interview. He glanced at it, wrote his fees on it, and returned it to me. 

         My eyes widened with so much surprise when I saw the fee he wrote. Are you taking advantage of me or what. Why are you charging this much for a journey of less than an hour? Ma'am, you know the traffic situation and I can't do anything about it. Okay let's go. After we started the journey, I decided to double check a few details about the company when my eyes could not overlook the cloudy sky in front of me. What now, haven't I had enough already? Is nature also against me? 

          There was no doubt with the thickness of the cloud that it will be a heavy downpour but my mind was so occupied with the interview that, I did not notice earlier to even pick an umbrella or a rain coat. I was just praying to God to atleast hold the rain till I get to the venue but it seemed God was also against me as the rain started pouring, making the traffic worse due to visibility. Atleast 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 flashed to when my mum passed away. It was also on a rainy day like this. Dad had got into a terrible car accident and mum had preterm labour 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 into 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 unauthorised 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 to be cursed. They didn't even want my parents 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 bread winner 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 was gradually making me matured as the only child of my parents.

           Sir Max, yes Maya. Is everything alright? Yes, I smiled. I was just thinking that, since you are taking care of me now, you could sell off my parents house and cars to use to take care of all of us. What, no way, he responded with an angry look. I insist because, my parents always 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 could help. After all what is a house and car to an eight year old? I can't live alone or drive those cars.

          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 parents 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, his 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 advance 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, jewelries and whatever you could think of. His dad was always with the news paper. Househelps 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 personal 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 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 now but very matured. He got me a decent and we'll secured 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 than 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 masters level. There was another kiddy account which 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 part-time jobs to support me 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 the role of an Administrative manager, I was transfered to another branch. Not only was it far from my home, it was also extremely difficult to get to school from there so I started applying for a new job when. That is why this interview means so much to me.

           Ma'am, I got startled as someone tapped me. I gave him my full attention when he said, we have arrived. Ohhh, thank you I said to him as I got out of his taxi. Payment Ma'am, he said harshly. Sorry..I shoved my hands into my bag, removed my purse and brought out money to pay him. Keep the change. I couldn't miss the broad smile on his face. You can take my number Ma'am, anytime you need a taxi, call me. Sure. I took his number and headed to the tall building in front of me. It was drizzling so I needed to hurry. Just as I got to the security I froze to what just happened....