SEE FINISH BY TREASURE EZURUIKE EPISODE 6

SEE FINISH EPISODE 6

(CHIKANMA’S POV)

I struggled with the decision but took the job Gerald offered, I didn’t know what to expect. I called Gerald and told him I’ll take the job. He seemed so excited and it got me more worried. 

Gerald gave me directions to his house. I went with my brother the following day because I was afraid. He gave me a key to his house and we agreed on modalities.

His house was so beautiful. It reminded me of Nkem. I left for the market to get food items and returned to make dishes. He wasn’t home when I returned with my brother. 

Chisom, my brother left later after praying for me and assuring me I’ll be fine. He quoted 1 Corinthians 10:13 which says ” No temptation has overtaken you except that is common to mankind.

And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

He told me you lost your husband in such a gruesome manner and you’ve struggled financially since then for over 2 years.

I doubt God would lead you to Gerald for you to be sexually harassed. Let’s face it, he wasn’t the only one who saw you sobbing uncontrollably that day.

He walked up to you for a reason that we may not know now but would become clearer later. 

It was a clever move coming here with me, Chisom said. I believe now he knows you have a brother. God forbid he tries anything funny we would know what to do but I hope he doesn’t.

I’m sorry I have to leave you now but we would be in touch. Please call me if anything comes up. I’m just one call away. He hugged me saying it’s well with you.

You are stronger than you know, braver than you believe, and smarter than you think. He bade me goodbye and I was left alone to face what was facing me.

I called Dubem immediately and he screamed call Dad, call Dad and the line went dead.  Even though I was weak, I jumped out of bed immediately.

I had not called my Dad in a while because I was afraid he’d see right through me. I called him panicking, all I could say was Dubem.

My father said calm down, how is your husband? I said Dubem is in trouble.  My dad said why are you talking about Dubem? Are you not with your husband?”

I said Dad, Dubem is in trouble and asked me to call you.

I got to work and a lady came in Gerald’s absence to harass me. Who are you and what are you doing, cooking in my boyfriend’s kitchen? she asked angrily.

I explained to her that I was the new chef. She said chef indeed. My boyfriend didn’t say anything about a chef. Do you think you would come and reap where you did not sow?

I ignored her and went back to cooking. She screamed, “are you ignoring me”? Then called Gerald her boyfriend to rant. You didn’t tell me you got a new chef.

Why would you employ a chef and not run it through me at first? I don’t know what they discussed but she ended the call very furious. 

She hissed around the house slamming doors and kicking everything in her way. My phone rang shortly after and it was Gerald. 

He asked me if I was still in the house. I told him I was. He asked me not to leave before he returned. 

I asked him why because I was already done cooking. Gerald asked me what his girlfriend had said to me. I told him it didn’t matter. 

He apologized to me and told me not to leave because he needed to address an issue. I became uncomfortable. I cleaned up the kitchen and sat in the sitting room waiting for Gerald.  

Ijeoma, Gerald’s girlfriend, found me in the sitting room and said what are you doing here? Is this the kitchen? That is where you belong.

I wanted to respond to her but decided not to. We looked about the same age. If not for the death of Nkem we would never have crossed paths. 

I didn’t need to give her any explanation because I had done my job and was waiting for the man who hired me to return as he requested.

She cursed me and said so many unprintable words while she was at it Gerald arrived. He walked in and said what is going on here? 

Ijeoma faced him squarely yelling and asking why he would hire a chef without her consent?. How can you disrespect me like that, she yelled. 

Gerald said I told you we needed a chef because I was tired of cooking the food we eat. It had become too stressful. 

Since you cannot cook and would not cook, I asked you to find a chef that will cook for us but for the past six months, you have not done anything about it so I took action.

Ijeoma said well I don’t like her, we will have to find another chef. Gerald said well I’m sorry but she stays. she is not going anywhere. 

You are having an affair with her, isn’t it? Do you want to stylishly bring her into this home to reap from where she did not sow.? 

I don’t care what you think because I just met her for the first time yesterday, you can let your imagination get the better of you if you like. Gerald said. 

Why are you talking to me like this, Ijeoma asked. Because you are being so unreasonable, Gerald responded. 

You don’t cook, you don’t clean, you don’t do laundry, you don’t do any house chores but I still love you like that.

Yet it is not enough for you. You are trying to control my life as if you provide for me. I cooked the food you ate each time you visited me. 

You don’t even do the dishes after eating. I still don’t complain. I hired a chef and you have a problem with it. You don’t like her fine but she’s not going anywhere. 

You won’t bring any woman here to compete with me Ijeoma said angrily. “I won’t bring any woman to compete with you”. What kind of trash is that? Gerald asked very angrily. 

Who are you to decide who I bring? This chef stays, Chikanma stays. If you have a problem with it then you can go do whatever you like.

Gerald was so furious and I couldn’t understand why. He turned to me and said I am sorry about whatever she said to you but please I am starving. Do you mind serving me food? I stood up and said no problem.

I dished the food in a big plate I could find and brought smaller plates for the food to be served and served it on the dining table. 

Gerald dished his food and started to eat. Ijeoma dished her own and said how tasteless. Gerald ignored her and ate the food. I was so surprised. He finished all the food and asked for more. 

Ijeoma pretended it was tasteless. I served Gerald more food and did the dishes when he was done eating. I did Ijeoma’s dishes too just for peace to reign. 

When I returned she hissed, stood up, said rubbish, and told Gerald she was leaving. She said she won’t return to the house until he apologized to her. 

Gerald was so indifferent as she slammed the door behind her. He turned to me and said he was sorry. It’s not a problem, I said. 

I’ll be on my way. Thank you for the opportunity, I said. He said I was welcome and told me when he needed my attention he would reach out to me. I left and heaved a sigh of relief. I had escaped a war zone. Phew!

(KEISHA’S POV)

I felt very strongly that Jake was behind my being retained after NYSC even though I had worked so hard and set a good example but I believe he would have put in the word for me and they retained me. 

Jake knew I didn’t want to go back home. As time went on I opened up to him about my family and upbringing and all the things that hurt me. 

He supported me and became the Elder brother I never had even though I did have one but he was nonexistent in my life. 

It was such a relief to be retained in that job because I knew it would take me places. I had always loved Public Relations and Advertising. 

My dream course was mass communication and I felt so elated when that was the course I ended up studying at the university.

While on the job I enrolled for a master’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising.

2 years later I had secured my M.sc. I left the company I worked for at the time for another one.

I was employed as a Public Relations expert this time because of my M.sc. I worked with high-profile clients. I worked with two other establishments before meeting Richard.

Richard was the CEO of a company. I was introduced to him by Jake who told me he needed a PR person to double as his PA.

He told me I’ll be paid for the two roles and Richard was specific about what he wanted. Jake insisted on my getting the job because it was perfect for me.

I decided to check out the company. The interview was conducted and Richard preferred me.

I was surprised by his age because I expected him to be younger. I accepted the job after I understood my job description and was hired. 

I knew nothing about the CEO, Richard. Our relationship was strictly professional. I had no idea if he was married or if he had children. 

I worked with Richard for 5 years. I had just turned 31 when he introduced me to his son Michael. 

Michael was young, about 22. He had an even younger girlfriend, about 18. Both of them were so wild and out of control. 

Richard introduced me to his son Michael and his girlfriend Sarah because they were having an issue that needed damage control. 

They loved wild parties and acted out of control and expected someone to clean up the mess when they were done. Richard told me he needed me to help them with their image. 

In the beginning, I was upset about it because I was a PR person and a Personal Assistant to the CEO of a company and not his son and his girlfriend. 

They could not just act anyhow and expect that I’ll clean up the mess. I did it a few times but told Richard I will no longer be doing it. 

He may just have to hire someone else whose job it will be to keep cleaning up the mess of 2 young people who were acting like they were the only ones going through youthful exuberance. 

One day Michael and his girlfriend got involved in something messier than they had ever done that led to a scandal.

They decided to be intimate where so many people could see them and somebody filmed it and began to threaten and extort Michael of a huge sum of money. 

He turned to his father who turned to me and I told his father there was nothing I could do about such a situation. 

His father wanted me to make the situation go away but I told him I was not a magician or a private investigator. I was just a public relations and advertising personnel and I double as his assistant. 

I traveled with him everywhere he went for business. I looked out for his interest and that was what my job description had stated very clearly from the beginning; it did not include his son and his wild lifestyle. 

I told Richard to contact the police so they could track down the person extorting him and arrest the person. 

Michael believed that when he was intimate with his girlfriend no one was supposed to film him because they all understood each other and they were not the only ones who did it. 

My point to him was that he should have considered his father’s position and realized that somebody will want to cash out from him and for that reason, he shouldn’t have done such a stupid thing. 

Michael slapped me when I said that and his girlfriend topped it up. I was upset because I had already disagreed with Richard because of this same issue.

Now his son and his girlfriend had slapped me because I said I would not make the mess they created go away. 

I refused to come to work for a few days and was unreachable in protest. I wouldn’t deny that Richard did not treat me well. 

He was very generous. He paid me the agreed amount for my job and still included bonuses and still took me shopping and did some other good gestures toward me. 

However, it didn’t mean that I didn’t have any right to refuse to do what I considered unprofessional and not part of my job description. 

(NNENNA’S POV)

My mother-in-law called too and I was expecting her call because Ikenna was so gullible. He couldn’t resolve any conflict without his family.

Dubem didn’t let her talk, he told her she wasn’t worthy to be called a mother, let alone a mother-in-law. 

She tried to respond but Dubem told her he had heard enough from her family members.

He told her my marriage to her son was over so she should not call my number again. 

She ended the call and she must’ve been surprised. She wouldn’t have believed I had it in me to leave.

I pleaded with Dubem not to tell my dad yet. He told me that was the least of my problems. He said I needed to see a doctor.

I saw a doctor and was asked to rest. I felt so much peace within me. Dubem took good care of me. 

Dubem pampered me that I had forgotten what pampering looked like. I barely did any chores within that time. He had a domestic worker who did chores.

I’m not a lazy person, I did chores before marriage but after marriage, I never got any rest. I worked like a jackal serving my husband’s family around the clock.

Ikenna called a meeting with his family and they decided to attack Dubem and take me by force. Dubem found out and offered me protection around the clock.

My father-in-law called me and cursed my family. He told me he regretted letting me marry his son, he told me he knew our marriage won’t last because I was not properly raised by my parents.

I didn’t say a word so I’ll not be accused of insulting him. In the back of my mind, I hoped I’ll reconcile with Ikenna. He told me he’ll deal with Dubem for keeping me in his house.

Dubem returned and I played him the audio recording of the call. He was so furious that he copied my father-in-law’s number and called him back. He introduced himself as Dubem, Nnenna’s elder brother.

My father-in-law was going to yell but Dubem stopped him and said with all due respect, sir. I’ll speak to you like my father with respect and that got his attention.

Dubem said sir my sister told me all you said to her during your call. Honestly sir I’m furious. 

I can’t understand how a father like you would support such heartless treatment meted out to my sister on the part of your family especially your son and your daughter.

You have a daughter sir, would you support such treatment meted out to your daughter by another man? 

Beating her up, making her resign her job. My sister is now a shadow of herself Dubem barked.

My father-in-law said, “young man, watch your tone. You should watch the way you speak to me”. 

Dubem said I’m sorry sir but I’m just trying to make my point. My father-in-law told Dubem he would regret his call and hung up.

I was beginning to feel sick since I arrived to see Dubem. While he was upset at my father-in-law I headed to the bathroom to throw up. 

Dubem ran after me asking if I was okay. I told him I was fine but just felt sick but I’ll be okay.

Dubem asked are you sure? You look miserable. I told him I was fine but it was not true. 

I felt like passing out but I didn’t want to add to his problems. I regretted getting him involved with my marital problems. I knew my in-laws and they could go to any length. 

I told him to be careful with my in-laws. He brushed it off and told me he was concerned about me. He held me till I fell asleep. 

The following morning he took me to see a doctor. I told the doctor how I felt. He asked me when I had last seen my period. I told him I couldn’t remember.

He ran a pregnancy test and it came back positive. I didn’t know how to feel. Somehow I felt it’ll bring me closer to Ikenna. 

On the flip side, I wanted out of the marriage just to get my life back. I had a bittersweet moment and shed a tear. 

It was bittersweet because I had been called barren by my in-laws including ikenna, but here I was pregnant. Dubem hugged me and congratulated me.

The doctor told me I was 8 weeks gone. He prescribed prenatal vitamins and advised me to get some rest. 

He told me to return to the hospital if I felt any worse. He gave me something to help with the vomiting.

On our way home Dubem looked at me with a smile on his face. One would have thought he was my husband. I asked him if I was safe. 

He smiled at me and said you are going to make a wonderful mother. I blushed and said thank you. He asked me how I felt. I told him I was sad and alone. He said when I’m here?

I told him he knew what I meant. I was supposed to be with Ikenna, not him when the news broke. He told me he understood. 

He asked me what I wanted. I told him I didn’t know. He asked me if I wanted to keep the baby or get rid of it.

I gave him a surprised look, he said don’t look at me like that. I’m asking professionally, not like your brother. 

I asked him what his professional advice was. He said I think you should keep it. I told him I’ll do just that.

Dubem put me to bed because I was so exhausted. He told me to call him if anything came up. 

He told me he was late for work and drove out and I got a call from Ikenna. I answered the phone and he said you little brat, how dare you insult my father. 

I didn’t talk because I was out of breath. He told me my family and I would regret it. He said they’ll teach my brother a lesson and ended the call.

I called Dubem immediately and he screamed call Dad, call Dad and the line went dead. 

Even though I was weak, I jumped out of bed immediately. I had not called my Dad in a while because I was afraid he’d see right through me.

I called him panicking, all I could say was Dubem. My father said calm down, how is your husband? I said Dubem is in trouble. 

My dad said why are you talking about Dubem? Are you not with your husband?” I said Dad, Dubem is in trouble and asked me to call you.

To be continued

© Treasure Ezuruike

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