Glad Tidings (Episode 2)

Glad Tidings (Chapter 1)

“That will be all for now; I’ll see you at the boardroom by 11 on dot” That’s Mr. Benson for you; he is neither a Yoruba demon nor an angel, the only person in the office that does not address people by their first name but surname, always formal and business like, putting people on their toes and we
have a meeting with the other stakeholders by 11am”.

Ada checked her wristwatch, and saw that the time, half past 10 already. She became angry and displeased with the new project, which was a bad start for her because she always got the worst out of any project she wasn’t happy with. And although she usually delivered on the job perfectly, it would leave her sapped out and drained like a sachet water nylon. “Is that all, sir?” “That will be all for now; I’ll see you at the boardroom by 11 on dot” That’s Mr. Benson for you; he is neither a Yoruba demon nor an angel, the only person in the office that does not address people by their first name but surname, always formal and business like, putting people on their toes and… Ada did not have the time this morning to keep analysing Mr. Benson, the Admin Manager. She needed to get her head into the file in her hand before she flops and disgraces ‘her entire generation’ in the next few minutes.

She entered her office and sat down to start perusing the file. Her secretary came in with her morning coffee.
“Good morning Miss. Ada” “Maris, you have already told me about the goodness of the morning today” “Sorry, Madam. I brought your coffee, and Mr Benson said to tell you that you have a mee…” “I know that too, Maris; thanks for the coffee” “You’re welcome, Ma’am. Is there any other thing you need?” Maris said giving her one of her best smiles “I’m fine Maris, you can go” The secretary left while Ada returned her attention to the file before her; she sipped her coffee.

She heard the door opened but did not bother to raise her head. She said, “What is it again, Maris?” “Good morning Boss” She lifted her head when she heard the voice of one of her assistants, and the contract head of her department, who is also her very good friend. “Morning, Esther” “Bad Morning?” “Not really babe, but I will survive” “Okay, I was here before but you weren’t on seat” “Yes, I ran into traffic and had to see the boss immediately I got in”, she said still reading the file before her. “Alright, what is it that you are busy on? Please, don’t tell me that my break is about to be massacred” “What if I tell you that?”

“I would just faint here and not wake up until the 31st of December; I cannot deal” “Gosh, Esther, why do you always dread working through Christmas, if I may ask?” “A lot of things, baby, a lot of things; top of the list is, it usually murders my Christmas break” “But it’s not like you have to be here throughout the break. You are free to go on break as long as you fix the contracts for the projects we handle during the season, but I am stuck here till the projects, programmes and events have been successfully completed”. “Story of your life, baby, story of your life. Do you know how hard it is to get an available vendor or contractor few weeks to Christmas? Moreover, I cannot trade spending Christmas with my family in the village for anything. I mean, anything at all. Thanks for always covering for me year-in year-out, Ada; you are such an angel” Ada rolled her eyes, and returned to her reading. “And you are dramatic, Esther. Whether you like it or not, your prayers have not been answered this year; we have a Christmas project” Esther stood up and closed the file before Ada to be sure that her legs were not being pulled by Ada. “Agape Christmas Project?” “Yes, baby, your nightmare, our new project, and my saviour.

“Is it my fault that you don’t celebrate Christmas like I do?” Esther said sulking. Ada had stopped thinking about any Christmas celebration since the death of her father. Apparently, no one understands her loss. This time, she wanted to put it straight to Esther that whenever she said that statement, it hurt as if she has been stabbed but the ringing of her phone saved the outburst. “Hello, wow… I’m so sorry, sir… I will be right there now, sir”. “You really wanna do this to me, Ada?” Esther said, faking some tears.

Ada looked at her but wasted no time replying her. “Esther knows how to play her way out of the busiest time of the year, leaving the major parts of the job to Martins, the department’s logistics head. Isn’t it high time she grew up, and started working for her salary cum the Christmas bonus”? Ada swallowed her thoughts, and rushed out of the off ice, headed for the board room at the opposite direction. She entered slowly and took a seat without raising her head to see the people around her.

“Mr. Benson, are you sure your Event Manager is competent with this display of lateness and tardiness?” Ada looked up to see who had just spoken. It was again this familiar face, and she did not have to think for long this time before she could recall; it’s the Oyinbo woman in the taxi, the only daughter of the great, rich business Mogul, the philanthropist, internet sensation. And talk about the lady of the moment, that is Adeyemi Teniola Williams.