Emily episode 3

Emily

Episode 3

He was playing chess when Andrew walked in,side the club around 11pm. While his host was puffing out tobacco smoke in curly clouds.

“Andrew, my man,” he said his eyes fixed on the chess board. “This is a very special night,” he said before making his next move. “You know what I feel like being in Bulawayo this week? A killer.”

He paused there, puffed his cigar and let the laughter settle a little. “People see me like a fool,” the crowd erupts.

He turned to face him and gestured him to sit, the muscles of his arm rippling beneath his white shirt snagging his attention. He sat down beside him.

“Can you excuse us gentlemen,” he said to his guest and body guards.

He stood up and led Andrew at his office. He closed the door and sat on his chair.

“What can I do for you?” he asked with a hint of curiousity in his voice.

“Kuda, I need your help.”

“Don’t use that name. We not at high school anymore. Rather call me Buffalo,” he raised his eyebrows.

He took a deep breath, pulled in his stomach and puffed out his chest waiting for Andrew to continue. Andrew was thinking twice if he could ask help from his former classmate who was a bully and now a gangster, loan shark. He swallowed hærd trying to calm his nerves. Kuda took out the gun from his pocket and placed it on the table. He sat comfortable on the chair with hands clasped behind head.

“Are you going to talk?” he asked his voice sounding dangerous.

A cruel man that had killed many people. Andrew thought about his kids and wife what will happen to them if he gets involved with Kuda. He broke into a sweat when he rose from the chair. His pulse raced.

“I can kill you right now because of your silence,” he said with a serious look on his face.

His heart started pounding at a increasingly rapid race.

“That was a joke. Relax,” he said with a laugh tapping his shoulder. “Champagne?”

“No, I am fine,” he said avoiding eye contact with him.

“Finally you spoke. You and I are best friends since high school, Andrew.”

“Except that you are a killer,” he muttered under his breath.

“What was that?”

“Nothing just agreeing to what you were saying.”

He poured the champagne in a glass and went back to sit on his chair. He took a sip and placed the glass on the glass table.

“So tell me. What have you been up to?”

“Nothing just home. You know I think I should get going. Looking at the time, my wife would soon be worried of my whereabouts,” he said sitting up.

“Sit down!” he ordered raising his voice. “I know you want something from me. What is it?”

“It’s nothing really.”

He couldn’t do it. Yes, he was broke and had no money. He just didn’t want to get involved with Kuda, a dangerous criminal.

“I was just passing by so I thought I would pay you a visit. I should be going now,” he said walking to the door.

“Andy! If you ever need anything. I am here hommie. Pass my greetings to your wife.”

“I will,” he said opening the door and walked out.

He took a taxi back home.

*

She looked great in her black suit and heels. She had been called for an interview.

“How do I look?” she asked her husband in the kitchen while he prepared breakfast for her.

“Beautiful!” he responded k-ssing her on the cheek.

“I better get going. I am so nervous.”

He held her hand.

“You can do this I trust in you. Good luck!”

“I really need it. Pray to God that I get employed. At least the landlord felt pity for us and gave us a week. As for the kids. They should be going back to school tomorrow,” she said zipping her bag. “I better get going. Bye!”

She walked out of the house and took a taxi to the office. There were so many people.

“Is it your first time to be here?” asked a lady as they stood outside the board room.

“Yes!” she responded.

“It’s my second. I hope I get it this time. I heard the manager’s son is the one interviewing us.”

“Emily Moyo!”

“I am here,” she said raising her hand.

“You next!”

She felt nervous as she walked in,side the room. Her every step scrutinised by a man who was revered and feared by businessmen and women alike. She studied his face. It looked familiar to her. His mouth was set in a firm line that highlighted the harsh angles of his cheekbones. His jaw was cleanshaven.

“You may take a sit,” he said with his deep voice.

He leant against his desk, arms folded across his broad chest, as if he had already decided that he wanted her to be his secretary. His black hair gleamed, but the intensity in his eyes nearly robbed her of the ability to speak.

“Hey!” he banged his fist on the table making her come back to reality. “It seems your mind is somewhere else.”

She just couldn’t stop staring at his handsome face. He too couldn’t stop smiling at her. He knew her but it was not the right time to reveal himself.

“Do you think you the best candidate for this job?” he began asking.

As he raised his brows in question a flutter of nerves took flight in her stomach.

“Yes, I am the best candidate. I have self confidence in myself.”

“Impressive!” he smiled at her.

*

*

Episode 4

“I think that’s all for today,” he said sitting up. “I will give you a call.”

She rose from the chair and shook hands with him.

“Thank you very much, sir!”

He watched her as she walked to the door, her glorious body. She felt she was being watched by him. She stopped at the door and turned to face him. She smiled at him, opened the door and walked out of the office.

“How was it?” asked the lady outside.

“Good!” she replied with confidence.

She took a taxi back at the house. It was around two in the afternoon when her phone rang. Checking her phone, it was a private number. She quickly responded.

“Hello!”

“And you still got your sweet voice. It was nice seeing you Emily. I hope we will see each other more often. You got the job.”

“What!” she exclaimed.

“You got the job. I will see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, sir!”

“Please call me Max like you used to. Back in the days.”

“I can’t believe you still remember me. It’s been like 5 years.”

“How can I forget a beautiful lady like you?”

“Oh please! I am no longer beautiful.”

“I will be the judge of that. Anyway let me get back to work. I will see you tomorrow,” he said.

“Thank you, Max!”

He hanged up. Few minutes later the driver dropped her off at the market . She had to walk to her house. She opened the door and Andrew was busy cleaning the house.

“Ohhh you back,” he said and took her bag, placed it on the sofa.

She sat on the chair.

“How was your day?” he asked placing the plate on the table.

“It was okay!”

“You can eat your food. I am going to take a bath,” he said heading outside where the shower was.

She finished eating and was about to wash the dishes when he walked in,side the house with a bucket and a bathing soup.

“Don’t worry. I will wash the dishes. Go take a bath and rest. You must be tired,” he said politely.

“Okay. Thank you,” she said. “And I have some good news to tell you. I got the job. I will be starting tomorrow.”

“That’s great I am happy for you. I will just stay here and look after the kids maybe something might come up my side. But anyways we thank the Lord.”

Andrew loved his wife and didn’t care less what his friends used to say to him.

“How can you pay for her fees? Allow her to do a course. You are a fool man. Women are meant to stay at home, cook for us men and look after the kids,” said one of them.

“I will never send my wife to school. What for?” said the other.

He didn’t listen to them because he knew from high school that Emily was an intelligent lady. He wanted her to continue with her education. He trusted and cared about her.

“Dad! Is mummy back?” asked Chloe as she walked in the kitchen where Andrew was cleaning the stove.

“Yes, she is taking a bath. Where is your brother?”

“Studying in his room as usual. He is obsessed with books,” said Chloe.

Andrew just smiled.

“I heard you,” said Calvin pouring glass of water. “You should be studying also instead of playing with your dolls.”

“Daddy! Are we going to school tomorrow?”

Andrew didn’t know how to answer the question, since there was no money to pay for their fees.

“Yes, my sweetheart,” said Emily closing the door.

The house was not big enough but had three bed rooms. Andrew always wished to have his own house. Since he started working he had to send Emily to school first. Being an orphan and the only child. He really wished his parents were still alive.

“I will go and prepare dinner,” he said.

At around eight they had their dinner and the children went to sleep with their mother. While Andrew stayed behind washing dishes.

*

The air was very clear and the long morning shadows distinct when Emily walked in the office. Her heels tapped rhythmically as she walked heading to his office. She knocked on the door and he responded with a soft voice.

“I hope I am not late,” she said closing the door.

She stood before him. Their eyes met and for a moment it was as if everything in the balance. Bodly she held his gaze. Did she have any idea how magnificent she looked? A glacial beauty with barely concealed simmering passion. He broke the contact.

“No! It’s seven-thirty. You right on time. Please, take a sit,” he offered.

She placed her bag on the table and sat on the chair legs crossed.

“I hope you know how to use the computer.”

“Yes, I do. I did a course.”

“Good! I am the Boss but don’t hesitate to talk to me. I am a good listener and willing to help you. Let’s go I will introduce you to the team,” he said getting up.

They walked out of the office and she was introduced.

“Make her feel at welcome. She is part of the family. You may get back to work,” he said and turned to face Emily. “You may go and start working.”

“Thank you!”

He went back to his office. There wasn’t much to do at the office. She was packing her things when he walked to her.

“Do you want to go and bite something to eat with me? I know it’s late but I can drive you at your house,” he said.

“I can spare few minutes. Let’s go,” she said smilingly and got in the car with him.