DAMOLA

Even before I arrived at the office, my assistant was already buzzing my phone about my 9am appointment. I happened to be late today due to the unavoidable traffic, even though I stay just 15 minutes from the Office. Long story short, a truck carrying goods to one of the settlements after the Island developed a fault and the commuters on the road just did not apply common sense.

Driving straight to the basement reserved for just family members, I get down from my car and ensure all my security measures are on par, before leaving. Plus, my driver, has been given the week off to go see his family.

From the basement, I take the private elevator straight to my floor. There is an entrance connected from the elevator that leads to my office.

"Good morning, Sir." Dani greets. She's French so she has an accent.

"Morning, Dani." I answer her with a smile. She makes a head gesture to the waiting room.

"Let him in." I immediately answer but was rudely interrupted by the shrill ring of my phone. That ringtone belongs to only one person. Hence my earlier referral of the interruption as rude.

"Give me a minute, please." She nods and smiles, going back to her work.

"Mayowa, what do you want?" I immediately ask him, once the call is connected.

"I just finished eating out with my friends. I want to make payment and the card is blocked." He grumbles out. This kid knows nothing about how the money he spends is made.

"You don't know how to greet your elders." I scold and he sighs.

"Sorry. Good morning, Sir." He says sarcastically. I step into my office.

"What do you want me to do about that? Don't your friends have money to pay for their meals?" I ask him.

"I asked them to come eat out with me." He replies.

"Please, can you just have the bank give me access?" He asks, this time, more respectfully.

"I didn't give the order for your card to be blocked. Talk to dad, or mum. She has a soft spot for you. She could help you plead your case." You get it right. She spoilt him. 'Her last born'.

"You know dad can be difficult sometimes." The temerity of this child,  though.

"You should have thought of that before spending recklessly." He grumbles at my comment but says nothing.

"You are such a spoilt child." I add.

"Big bro, I'm not a child anymore." I just chuckle at what he said. Just look at this 19 years old boy oh.

"I hear you." I answer.

"Oya, sweetest big brother." He has started. Even Kofo does not disturb me as much as he does, seeing as most times, younger sisters and older brothers have a closer relationship.

"What is it?" I further respond, rolling my eyes.

"Please, can you help with the bill?" I knew it would get to this.

"How much is it?"

"Just 300." He answers nonchalantly. This early morning and he has started his exorbitant spending again.

"300 Naira?" I ask him, holding my laugh. I know it isn't.

"Biggest bro, 300 Naira how? 300K." He states and I shake my head. This child.

"300K and you don't have it." I sneer.

"I do, but it's inside a locked account."

"So how will you get it?"

"Send it to Lade. I'll give them an excuse."

"Alright. Send the account details."

"Surest big bro!" He hails and my hand traces my stubble in distress.

"Just get off my phone." I respond to him with a snort before disconnecting the call. His message comes in immediately. Lade's account details. After making the transfer to them, I drop my phone and immediately take out my official line to call my assistant.

"You can send him in, Dani."

"Will do that now." She answers.

When Dani gave me a brief on what demands these people were making, I had given her a clear directive to inform them of my disinterest in addressing their audience. Being the head of the family's engineering firm did not automatically translate to me developing a sudden affinity towards addressing a crowd in that discipline.

The person who contacted her, Mr. Steven still insisted on him paying a visit to discuss it. He was being adamant and it irritated me. These academics do the most, sometimes.

The beep sounds and the door opens. A smiling Dani walks in with another woman beside her. I could not realy get a clear picture of the woman till Dani excused us.

Two words. Most Beautiful. She was smiling and saying something that I could not register in my mind, seeing as its focus was on something else.

"Mr. Jeje?" She calls out and my mind snap back to the present. I needed to comport myself so as not to make a big mess here. Clearing my throat, I brace up to speak.

"I was expecting a Mr. Steven Giwa instead." I state in a stern voice.

"I am standing in for him, instead." Talking of standing, she is still not seated. My bad manners.

"That's okay. Please, sit." Her tired eyes behind her glasses reflect a little amount of relief and she mutters a quick 'thank you, Sir.'

"So what are your exact requests?"

"Permit me to introduce myself, Sir." She interjects.

"Please, do."

"I am Dr. Seun Gomez." A Doctorate degree. She looks quite young, though.

"I currently hold the position of assistant Director of Programs for the Society of Engineers in Nigeria, Lagos Branch. Part of our itinerary is a 3-days seminar to commemorate 20 years since our inception." She pauses to take in a deep breath.

"Do you care for some water?" I ask her. Making a good first impression is very important, especially for a woman as beautiful and captivating as herself. One that surely fascinates me and I intend to pursue.

"That's okay, Sir." She answers.

"I insist." I ring Dani's desk line immediately.

"2 bottles of water, please."

"Yes, boss." She answers cheerfully. Dani is always happy, and it is such a good thing.

My eyes travel to her hands and I could see how nervous she is, from her playing with them.

The room is quiet and I take my time to admire her. She is looking down at her hands which makes it perfect for me to take a look. We don't want her labelling me creepy from too much staring.

Dani soon comes in with two bottles of water in a tray and also two glass cups.

"Thank you." Dr. Gomez mutters to Dani.

"You're welcome." She answers.

"Thanks, Dani. You can go now." She nods and takes her leave. I watch the woman uncap the bottle and pour some of its contents into the cup.

My phone beeps and it is a message from mom.

"Unblock his card." It reads. I scoff, mom always spoiling him.

"A minute, please." I quickly tell her and she nods her head.

"I didn't order for his card to be blocked. Sorry, but this is between you and dad." I quickly respond and close the phone.

"You were saying something, Dr. Gomez." I say to her, focusing my attention back to our conversation. She smiles a little. I know what she wants, and I will give it to her.

"We would be very honored to have you speak to our audience on one of the days." She breaths out. I could tell, she was a little nervous.

"Communicate the date and details via mail to my assistant. I would make an exception and be in attendance." I tell her. She smiles brightly.

"Thank you so much, Sir. It's a pleasure." She answers. I nod my head in response.

I really look forward to seeing her again.

AN:
We have our First Chapter!
Did you enjoy it? What are your thoughts on our people?
Looking forward to another update?
Well, I might spoil you with another chapter before the day ends.

Key word: might.

Next Chapter gives us an insight on our dear Dr. Gomez.

However, updates for this book will be once a week. There might be special weeks, though.

Cheers and welcome to the Jeje Family Series.

OUR FIRST UNVEILING IS HERE.