Chapter 3

TWO WEEKS LATER.

"Yes, come in" Henry bellowed, moving his gaze from the computer, he beckons for Martha to come in, it's obvious the elderly woman has something important to tell him. "Yes, I'm listening" waiting for her to proceed.

“The Lady is here, and she is waiting. Let me know whenever you are ready to see her,” Martha informed him.

"Oh really? She sure took her sweet time before coming, let her in" he growled.

She turned to leave, but stop mid-way, "Be gentle with her, we don't want her running away" she said before leaving. Martha has been with him for years and she gets him. He sees her as the next person close to being a mother for him.

He scoffs, "be gentle, as if am here to baby sit."

Martha’s ushers Kezia in, wearing a black Suit Skirt, with a nude colored low heel covered shoe, looking breathtaking. He looked past her, as Martha peered anxiously into the room.

'Is everything all right, Boss?'

'Everything's fine, thanks.' The sudden switch to power and charm made Kezia reel inwardly. 'Could you give us five minutes?"

'Yes of course.' Martha began to back out of the room.

She wanted to cry out, don’t go. Don't leave me with him. But she couldn't allow herself to betray such weakness.

"Sit" he said with a bite, gesturing to one of the two swivel chairs opposite his wide hard wood table, before peering into the laptop in front of him. She sat down, her feet sinking into the soft forest green rug, she link and unlinks her hands, as she waits for him to say something, her eyes roam around the office, trying to distract herself, she took in the beautiful book shelve that framed one corner of the office, he must enjoy Reading so much.

Seems we have something in common.

Kezia sneaks a peak at him, the Blue Suit he wore looks as if it was tailored on his body. His years in the military must have help in building up his muscles, keeping him in shape like a linebacker. God help her— she is a nervous wreck, yet she can't stop drooling over him, she thought.

"Did you say something?" He asked, closing his laptop, and directing his gaze at her.

She cringes, not realizing she had mumbled aloud, it feels as if he is always glaring at her, or maybe it's her imagination.

"Not at all your Highness" she uttered.

"Please, we are not in Ijomo, Sir, will suffice"

"OK Sir"

"You seems to take forever before you decided to resume?" Henry demanded, his gaze booting into hers.

"I am sorry Sir, I was making arrangement for my accommodation" she explained. Why does he have to always be on the defensive with her?

"Well that has been arranged, I won't tell you to come to Abuja, knowing you don't have a family here, then leave you stranded, I am not a monster" he growls.

"You could have fooled me" Kezia thought. "Sir that won't be necessary because I will be staying with my friend"

"Now listen, you have this job because I want to please my father, and because your parents are good and loyal staffs, but personally I have my reservation about you. I will not tolerate incompetence or you fooling around with boys, is that understood?" He demanded.

"Yes Sir", Kezia almost click her heels, to salute. She felt like a chastised little girl all over, he has a way of making her feel like a child. She had already made plans to stay with Naomi, who is very ecstatic to hear that she is coming to Abuja, now she will have to burst her bubble.

“Martha will show you the ropes, I believe your luggage are somewhere around?" he asked.

"Yes, it is"

"Good", dismissing her.

She guess that's her cue to leave, his office. The General has dismissed her. Kezia left and gently close his door behind her. Martha smiled at her as she stepped out of his office, and beckoned to her.

"Hey, why the sad face, don't worry I can assure you that he is just full of bark and no bite" Martha told her as she took her hands. "Now let me show you your space, and after that I will show you what you need to know" she explained.

Kezia find Martha very caring, the elderly woman helped her in settling in at work. After spending close to three hours with her, Kezia could not help but be impressed with the competence at which she handles her work.

"I know you may be thinking, why this woman will need help when she got things in control" Martha said, seeing the look on Kezia's face.

"I had a scare few months ago, my blood pressure shoot up, and Henry has been worried ever since, he wants to reduce my workload, so you came at a much needed time” She explained.

It really feels good to know that she is not a burden in Henry's company, despite how much he appears to detest the idea of her being here. Kezia silently swore to put in her best, and earn her keep; she smiled warmly at the elderly woman, listening as she showed her their current clients list.

Kezia was amazed when she saw the list of Clients, they have business dealings with; it includes major key players in the country, even outside the country. Kezias jaw drops with wonder when she saw the office of the president as part of their clients list. The Prince is rich in his own right, not depending on his father's wealth.

She went for her lunch break, where she met some of the administrative staffs, who were happy to see her on board, she loves the work environment, and it's obvious they respect their boss and loves their jobs as well. "I could just get used to working in this place" She mumbles to herself as she went back to work. She feels much settled and calmer now compared to when she just arrived few hours ago, she took in her environment. Martha has told her to do some exploring around the building, to familiarize her with the place. Her eyes twinkles like a girl in candy store as she soak in the beautiful design and furnishings of the place.

Kezia, strolled back to the office, but the smile on her face was wiped off when she saw the boss himself outside his office, having a conversation with Martha.

"See who decided to stroll in, please don't distract my staffs by flirting around, expect you to be with Martha, learning from her, or do you think I'm running a babysitting outfit!" He glared at her.

"I was only—"

"I don't want to hear it," he roars striding back into his office.

No I will not tear up, she mumble, even has her chin trembles.

“Good gracious, have never seen him like that before, he is strict yes! But he only speaks that way when you have overstepped your boundary, and you haven't my dear. He respects women and his staffs, so I don't understand “Martha mutters confusion lacing her voice.

Kezia drifts, to the sit beside Martha, "let's continue with my training”, she mumbles.

The elderly woman sighs, saddened by what happened, still not sure why her boss would just spark up the way he did.

HENRY, glares at the screen, she has just gotten here few hours ago and she has start to disturb his peace, he sighed in frustration, maybe he was a bit harsh on her, but he need to manage and suppress the attraction and lust, he has started having for her. It's just unbelievable, she was glowing and all smile when she came in few minutes ago, looking radiant, while he has been seething inside with frustration, and it just rub him off in a wrong way, leading to a jealous rage.

It's apparent he is going to regret employing her, even more so now that she will be living close to him. He needs to just find ways to let his father see reason with him.

IT was past six o'clock when he stepped out of his office, Martha had already left has she usually close five o'clock. He found Kezia working on the system, he usually do not go home this early too, only on occasions when he has plans outside the office, but he needs to settle her in.

"Round off we are leaving" he commanded.

"Yes Sir" She replied, as she saved the file she is working on. Shutting down and gently carry her handbag, to follow him out.