Sofi was wondering why Amanda called her that night. She was scared and hoped it was not the news she had feared ever since her boss, Chief Deji Bakare had a mini stroke about a month ago. Sofi is terrified of stroke attacks because usually it leaves the victims with some form of permanent disability.

Chief's own was a mini stroke but the fact that it happened at all, is frightening. The man is still relatively young, he is just in his early 60s, he is very fit for his age and he maintains a healthy lifestyle. Like, he plays tennis and golf, he eats healthy so the Stroke came as a surprise to everyone.

She had to change first, she was wearing a club-ish outfit. She couldn't go to their house looking one kind. Amanda and Chief are both progressive and cool elders but when you are working for big people ehhn, you have to try as much as possible to look and be professional at all-times even if it is on Friday night by 11pm.

She quickly got a cab to her house, changed to a shift dress and a blazer, grabbed her laptop then drove herself to Chief's house in Banana Island.

Her deep concern for the old man's health is not just because of her Job security. That one is there o, but Chief is an amazing Boss. He rewards hard work and talent without bias towards age, gender, tribe, or religion, he only sees competence.

If the Company packs up, she would be fine career -wise because honestly, she has made a name for herself in the industry. In fact she has already received various job offers from new indigenous companies looking for a candidate with her unique experience and skillset but everyone knows she is a Chief Bakare Loyalist, she is his 'right hand man'.

The Company has always relied heavily on Chief's shoulder, brains and network. No one has been groomed to take over the Company and Chief has always been the Chairman and CEO, he loved the job way too much.

He started the Company in his early 30s after leaving his Job at one of the major IOCs. Back in the 80s, the FG was desperate to increase Indigenous participation in the Oil & Gas Industry that they allocated some blocks to Nigerians. The only eligibility criteria was engineering and technical work experience with Oil majors. Capital was not even a criteria, the Government went as far as giving some banks incentives to support the projects with cheap loans. That was when the Federal Government had small sense o.

So Chief and a couple of brave Nigerians working with the top oil Majors at the time took the opportunity. It was a huge risk but their Consortium was able to hit oil after 4 years, 10 years after that they all became Billionaires. And the 5 companies went on to survive the military regime, PDP and APC and they still remain the major players in the indigenous scene.

None of his kids were interested in running the Company. They all have their own stuff going but they are shareholders in the Company so if, God forbid anything happens her guess is they'll sell all the Company's assets/blocks, share the money and go their separate ways.

Which is why it came as huge relief to all of them at work, when the Board appointed a new CEO to replace Chief. At first, she was hoping Mr. Obaze, the Chief Operating Officer would take over, but he was more of a technical lead who worked in the fields and managed the Port Harcourt branch.

She definitely didn't expect it to be the Chief Financial officer, Mr. Richard That one only knows finance and is low-key a terrible manager, the finance department is a complete mess. The remaining two C-Suite executives were just there for decoration lol. External HR and Legal firms handle the Company's Legal and HR functions.

As the Head of Admin, the past 1 month has been crazy for her at the office because she had to manage their activities and coordinate the departments alone. Well not alone, she was always shuttling between the office and Chief's house. After his discharge from the hospital, the man partially moved his office home despite his wife's protests. He continued working remotely from his sick bed since his Doctor banned him from physically going to work. Sofi was his hand and eyes in the Company because she is his most trusted Staff.

She joined the company as a financial analyst thanks to Chief's wife Amanda. Before she became Mrs. Bakare, Amanda was a Senior Legal partner at one of the big four accounting firms where Sofi served for NYSC and had just been retained as a graduate trainee.

After her marriage to the Billionaire, she quit and started her own pro bono legal firm that represents women in domestic violence and abuse cases. To be honest she literally doesn't have to work for money again and same applies to his 2 ex-wives.

Anyway, when HydroTerra Petroleum had an opening for a financial Analyst, Amanda recommended her for the position. She had worked with Amanda previously on various cases, she kicked ass, Amanda noticed, and Amanda did not forget.

You see people hated Amanda back in the firm, they said she was too harsh, strict, stuck up and a snob because she came from a rich home, some said it was frustration because she was still single in her 50s but Sofi did not care. All she saw was a brilliant, boss-bitch kicking ass in a male dominated environment.

One of Sofi's gifts is that she always has a way with people. She is a patient person and she always tries to understand people before working with them especially if they are her superior. It just makes life easier and eliminates unnecessary headache and conflicts.

Sofi believes she can get along with just anybody as long as the person is not mad o! No matter the personality, values, orientations she does not judge or criticize instead she tries her best to understand the person's mind.

In her 6 years with the Company, she rose from Analyst to Admin manager. She herself also has 'haters' within the company because she is the youngest manager and 'Chief's Boy'.

In fact, there is a camp of rumor mongering cretins that say Amanda planted her there to keep her husband in check. Then another camp of conspiracy theorists believe Amanda planted her to grab a stronghold of the Company since she does not have any Child for Chief.

Lol, poverty mentality, the second theory is actually funny because Amanda is rich in her own right, we are talking old money, her own father was a Billionaire even before Chief became one. Her family owns a Majority stake in one of the top banks in the country. Also she and Amanda were not even that close to be scheming nonsense, they had a strict formal mutually respectful relationship.

It was drizzling lightly when she finally arrived at the mansion. She was glad she carried the blazer. She passed through all the heavy layers of security checks and took the elevator to the second floor where Amanda was waiting for her.

"Chief wants you to personally hand this to Mr. Madaki" Amanda handed her a clear plastic envelop containing some documents.

"They are security documents" The older woman paused then scanned Sofi's face. "I'm so sorry I called you in this late, were you at a party?" She asked in her strong elite-Nigerian-Joke Silva-ish accent.

"It's okay Ma. It was just a little hangout with my friends I was heading home when you called" She assured the woman. She forgot to clean her club makeup. lol.

"We are leaving for Bali first thing tomorrow morning. We thought he would be in Lagos by now but apparently, he is still in Abuja for some private business. He says he is flying in on Monday morning." She said as she sat down on one of the lobby chairs and gestured for Sofi to join her. The older woman looked a little bit exhausted, perhaps from packing but she still looked beautiful and elegant in her chiffon boubou.

Sofi nodded. "How is he doing?" She asked as she slipped the documents into her laptop bag.

"He is much better my dear. Don't worry Deji is a fighter, But the Doctors want him to take a break and step away from the day to day management of the company, completely" She stood up and started walking towards the hallway that led to the rooms and Sofi followed instinctively.

"Bali is the perfect retreat destination for him, I got us a nice villa and a Yoga instructor." She said proudly, lowering her voice as she opened the door to one of the luxurious rooms where the old man was sleeping peacefully. It was so weird how he looked so calm and soft in his home clothing as opposed to his serious formal office look. His clean grey beard and hair had grown fuller. Ah see her Oga o! In fact she has to go to Church this Sunday to pray specially for him. Amanda is really doing a great Job taking care of him. Bali is definitely a good choice it is one of the places on her bucket list.

"Please Sofi, we need you to give Mr. Madaki your full support." She said as they exited the room. "He is quite impressive but, he has never worked in Nigeria. So please guide him on how things are done around here....you know what I mean?"

Sofi smiled "Yes ma"

"I don't want them calling Deji for anything. We are going away for 2 months or more so you people are on your own."

"I understand ma" Sofi nodded. It is so cute how she addresses her husband by his first name.

"If they need to call him for anything at all, check with me first please. I know we are both old but this marriage is still young, it's too early for me to be a widow Sofi"

******

She clutched her laptop bag as she walked down the stairs, she did not take the elevator this time. She likes using the stairway in the Bakare mansion because it was the most stunning part of the house. It was decorated with Chief and Amanda's abstract art collection and has an enormous crystal chandelier stretching through the length of the 3 floors. She did not even like art like that o, but walking through that staircase felt so good, it gave her royalty vibes lol.

On the first floor, she ran into Chief's last born Bankole, eating with his friends.

"Ayyyy Sofi, what's good" He jumped up and came to hug her.

"How are you Banky, long time no see"

"Yeah I've been busy, promoting my album, have you heard my new single?" He asked, feeling like one celeb.

"Y...yes" She lied, she is not even aware he has a new single lol.

He high-fived her heartily as he continued walking with her. "What do you think about it?" He asked keenly.

"It is good! I like it" She lied again knowing that whatever Banky puts out is thrash. All those producers and beat makers were just chopping his money.

"So when am I getting my endorsement deal?" He pouted.

"You know your Dad won't approve it," She reminded him. She did try one time. She added him to the list of upcoming artists the Company was going to support with grants but Chief struck out his Son's name and was mad at her for adding him, one of the few times she had seen Chief very angry.

It's not like the old man doesnt't support the 21 year old. The thing is he dropped out of University to be a Rapper, Chief is of the opinion that the boy should at least get a degree no matter what he wants to do with the remainder of his life.

Last last sha, the old man blocked all his cards and stopped paying for his serviced apartment. His mother supported him for a while but even her sef, got tired of him. His music videos that cost tens of millions of naira cannot even pull 50k views on youtube.

"What about now that he is going away, you can approve it yourself right?" He whispered then grinned.

"No Banky, there is new CEO now" She corrected him. Look at this boy so he is happy his father is sick.

"pffft, he is just a stunt double for Daddy I know you're the one running that place Sofi, pls pls do it for me now before Daddy returns" He clutched her elbow.

"Sweetheart, that's not how it works, the CEO approves everything"

"Wait" His eyes brightened "Can't I like, vote with my shares in the Company to make the new CEO approve it or something?"

Sofi bursted into laugh. "Okay, Banky I think you should go back and finish that business school, you will need it" She laughed at his hilarious idea.

"Sofi pleeeeeease help me. I am broke I had to move back home because I cant even pay my rent anymore. I need a gig. I can perform at one your friend or boyfriend's party or something. I can model and act on the side too you know"

Lol Chief is savage. See what he has turned this poor boy into.

"I'll see what I can do, you hear. I will try to convince the new CEO, I heard he is young so hopefully he might warm up to your music"

"Thanks Sofi, I'll be expecting your call"

He hugged her again then helped her open her car door.

A/N mehhhn first chapter struggle is real.

So this is book 2 in my series. i'll start updating this March 27th once i complete Playing house. Let me know what you guys think ;)

⬇️⬇️⬇️Don't forget to vote ;)