[STORY] AYOMIDE (Episode 20)

Episode 20.

“Aren’t you thinking of marriage Omo mi?” Adenike asked Ayo who was folding her clothes.

“No maami! I need a job first.”

“Maybe you should start considering a business.

“Maybe! I am even tired of job hunting.”

“You are out only child and I and your father thinks you should start thinking of getting married”

“But I don’t have anyone yet maami.” She said laughing” I can’t possibly marry myself.”

“I have been praying for you and I don’t want anyone to mess up your destiny. May the right person come Ayo.

“May the right person come in the name of Jesus.” she prayed.

“There’s a young man that came looking for you the other time.”

“A man? Who? Moreover I don’t have any make friend that will come looking for me maami.” she asked confused.

“He said his name is Emmanuel and he couldn’t reach you on your phone. I told him your phone was faulty. Go and work on your phone Ayo. He said he wants to see you urgently”

“Maami, I don’t know him ooo. The Emmanuel I know is the one playing piano in the church oo.”

“Alright then!”

Ayo was perplexed. Nobody talkless of a male has ever come to her house to look for her.

Ayo didn’t need to wait long for Emmanuel visited that same day but in the afternoon. Sis Adenike had gone to purchase goods to stock her supermarket while her husband had gone out. Ayo was the only one at home when the sales girl came to announce that there was a male visitor waiting outside to see her.

“Tell him to come in”
Emmanuel knocked and waited for an invitation to enter the house. He greeted and sat on the nearest seat.

“How may I help you sir? She asked

” You don’t recognise Ayomide? he wondered

“I do. You’re the MD of Nolimit Company.”

“Yes! You resigned. Why? I read your resignation letter and wasn’t satisfied with your reason.”

Ayou laugh out loud.
“Is that why you came to my house to find out why u resigned? Please be satisfied with my reason. As you can see, I am still jobless and I am still hoping for God to bless me with a job. I am sorry for resigning but I refused to be cheated on or molested.”

” I beg your pardon..”

“Let’s leave it like that. What can I offer you?

” Nothing! Having this conversation with you is enough satisfaction. I was hoping to have a conversation with you but you disappeared into the air. I got your details from your file, that’s why I am able to locate me. We have met before Ayo, at Lagos State where you served.”

Ayo looked keenly at him but couldn’t recognize him. She couldn’t even remember meeting him.

” God used you to heal me. I and my mother almost took poison to end our lives. Is there no flicker of recognition in your eyes?”

“Olajide? Yes! I know of Olajide not Emmanuel. I remembered disappointed the enemies over his life.”

“I am Olajide and I also bear Emmanuel.”

” Woah! She screamed. “Is this you? God is good. Hallelujah! You added so much flesh Olajide. How is your mum?

“She’s fine.”

“Waoh. Look at you.”
“Today I am healthy and serving God diligently.”

“Hallelujah!”

“I am the one who sent you a car because I didn’t how to appreciate you”

Ah! You? God bless you sir.”

Both of them sat and gisted until her parents returned. She introduced him to the family. Before he left, counted a huge amount of money and gave it to bro Kola and his wife. Outside, he begged Ayomide to resume. Before long, Emmanuel became like a son to the Oluwafikayo.
———————————–

“I have seen how Ayomide works in this company and I have decided to make her the GM of this company.

“What?” Andrew shouted. “What about me? I was expecting to take up that position when Mr Nnamdi resigned because of his age.”

“Sir, should I tell the secretary to type the promotion letter? Because I like Ayo and she has contributed immensely to the growth of the company” the production manager said.

“This is a bad idea. We have never given any too position to a woman. I strongly kick against it.” Andrew said

“Do you have any personal issue with her before?” The production manager asked Andrew

“Nothing like that oo. Ah! No oo.”

“This is my company Mr Andrew and I will run it how I deem it fit. Please don’t stand in my way.”
Eight of the management staff except Andrew agreed that Ayo deserve the promotion.
———————————-
Since Ayo resumed, she had avoid Andrew and she had refused to give him any dime. This had made him to threaten her with a sack.
“How can you sack me when you’re not in the position to. I am the General Manager and I have the authority to kick you ass out of this company.”

“You’re mad Ayo. I and the MD have been friends since we were kids. She will sack you if I ask him.”

“Employing you was a mistake Ayomide.”

” Go to hell Mr Andrew. Let me tell you, if you try nonsense, God will deal with you.”

Andrew didn’t like the closeness between Ayo and the Boss and he will do everything to scatter them.

Andrew matched into Ayo’s office one raining afternoon demanding for his 40% or sex.

” Are you out of your mind. What effontery?
“Oh you will not allow me sex but you can open your legs for the Boss” he said sarcastically. You’re just like every other lady here. If the boss can enter you anyhow he likes, then I must have my way too.”

Ayo stood up and gave him a resounding slap. The slap pushed Ayo back. When he recovered, he punched her. She removed her shoes and threw them at him.

“Get out of my office” she kept screaming. It was her scream that attracted some of the staff to her office. She sat on the chair and started crying.

“I am not a prostitute and will never be. I refused to be blackmailed.”

When the MD sent for them, Andrew was already there.

“I don’t believe your “cock and bull” story. If you know Ayo, you will respect yourself. I particularly noticed you hate her.
” I do sir. That’s because she shouldn’t have been promoted.

Ayo entered the office and narrated everything without leaving any stone unturned.
” So this afternoon, when I told him I will not settle for his demand, he accused me of having sex with you.”

“What?” Emma screamed.

I slapped him and he punched me. He was the reason I resigned initially. He almost raped me in his office until a man walked in and save the situation..”

“Ooh! So you were the one he tried to rape? Alright! I know what to do. You can leave now.”

But Andrew refused to go. He knew the Boss would sack him.

“She’s lying. She’s framing me. Don’t believe her sir.”

“Get out of this company right away or I will call the security to throw you out.
____________________
Emmanuel apologized to Ayomide. He drove her to the hospital where the cut on her forehead was treated. He also drove her home and apologized to her parents.
“Let me deal with the fool that did this to my daughter.” My Kola said. ” Such a person shouldn’t be found in the organization.”
“I have prepared his sack letter sir. It will be handed to him tomorrow.”

” Good” Kola said. He was so angry.

“Please sir, don’t sack him. I won’t be able to sleep if you sack him.” She told Emmanuel outside the gate.

“I am only trying to protect you my dear. When my father died, I cried inside. I wanted to protect him but I couldn’t. Then my brothers followed. I looked helpless as they died. Whatever I do Ayo, is for your protection. I don’t want Andrew around you. I care too much about you my dear. Please allow me do the needful.”
“Alright!.”
Emmanuel entered Adenike’s supermarket and bought things for Ayo.
” Take one week off. I will come checking on you everyday.
To Be Continued… . .  .