..

CHAPTER 1




It had been a long enough wait. After what he would call discreet application, six months later he received an invitation for an interview. The letter had been addressed to where he called home- a one-room apartment which he shared with his live-in girlfriend, Susan. He always had wanted to propose to her so they could get married but she always told him never to bother trying unless he had the means to enhance their living. She worked for the money they lived on and as much as he knew and it was obvious, she loved him and she wouldn’t want to continue that lifestyle into marriage. He knew it wouldn’t be fair himself. For the past one year he had been useless. The only useful thing about him is his manhood. Great sex he is good at and she loved him for it. Only that she fed and housed him to make love to her- at least that is how it seemed to him since he had nothing more to offer. He shook his head as he finished knotting his tie in front of the mirror. He snapped out of his thoughts and focused more on his upcoming interview. He picked up his suit jacket which hung on a cloth hanger and put it on. The only suit he had and the most expensive of all his clothes. The suit had cost him his allowance for two months and he bought it in his last month at the university. He had bought the suit for his graduation ceremony and he had worn it several times in the last one year to different companies hoping to get a job. A job which was never forthcoming and he heard the phrase ‘’You qualify beyond what we can offer. We’re sorry’’ one too many times. No one was willing to pay him. No one knew he was willing to accept anything. He graduated with top honours and funds have been the major setback he has faced in pursuing his masters degree. A first class graduate of Computer Science without a job. So much for being a scholar. The most part of his university education was sponsored by his mother and some meagre scholarship grants. The big scholarships he knew he ought to win were often denied him. He usually scored unbelievably too high and life outside university hasn’t been easy for him either. The first glimmer of hope he’d be getting in many months is the invitation letter he got from COLE Consolidated to make himself present for an interview. He focused on his image in the mirror. He looked good in the suit and his overall looks wasn’t bad for a man at twenty-four. He had been reminded quite often by Susan that one of the reasons she stuck to him is his looks. ‘’A handsome man often gets to get a bright future.’’ She would say.
‘’Dave, aren’t you ready?’’ Susan said from the bathroom’s doorway using a towel to dry her hair.
‘’I am. Just waiting for your final assessment.’’ He replied her. He watched her smile at him through the mirror as she stood behind him to adjust his tie.
‘’You always look stunning every time you wear this suit. That is enough to get you any job but employers are too dumb to see the real thing.’’ She said turning him to face her.
‘’You think I’m gonna get employed?’’
‘’I know you are.’’ She said and brushed his lips with hers. ‘’Here, I got this for you.’’ She said handing him a shiny black leather briefcase which she pulled out from her wardrobe. He definitely hadn’t taken notice of it.
‘’Oh!’’ He gasped. ‘’You’re the best. He kissed her full-fledged on the lips.
‘’C’mon I haven’t brushed my mouth.’’ She said smiling.
‘’Don’t forget you started it.’’ He said and walked briskly towards the door.
‘’Good luck.’’ She said.
‘’I love you too.’’

***

He alighted from the taxi cab and stood in front of the tall building. He could see COLE Consolidated boldly written and placed on the roof of the building for all to see. He could count fifteen floors. He walked towards the entrance and a security man in his fifties met him. He looked up "David Osho. I'm here for an interview." He said trying to fish out the invitation letter from his briefcase.

"You're welcome." The man smiled at him. "We've been expecting you."

"Oh thanks. Am I late?" David asked.

"No. Not at all. Just in time. Nice briefcase you've got there."

"Thanks a lot. Where do I go from here?"

"Take the elevator to the second floor and you'll have someone waiting for you." The security man said. "Or you could take the stairs if the elevator won't be convenient."

"Okay thanks. The elevator would be just fine." David said and walked in. He mentally noted the man's name Abdul Bosco which was inscribed on the tag attached to his left breast-pocket. He walked to the elevator and met two other people inside, a man and a woman. They both looked rich. The man wore an expensive suit and the woman looked too beautiful for her age to be guessed. There were specks of grey hair on the man's hair and he wore a gold-rimmed pair of glasses. He nodded to them in greeting and the both gave him the warmest smile he had ever received in a company he was seeking for a job. The elevator stopped when it reached the second floor and the door opened. He stepped out and the man and woman both chorused "Good luck" at the same time. He smiled and bowed to them. Within a split second, a man was beside him grinning broadly and extending his hand in a handshake. "David Osho?"

"Yes Sir."

"Andrew Cole. Let's go to my office." He said and the both walked down a long corridor past a row of offices whose doors bore the same title- Personnel Manager. At the end of the corridor by the right, he opened the door to the second to the last office, secretary to the Senior Personnel Manager and they both walked in. An old woman with totally grey hair sat behind the table and she stood up to welcome them both. David bowed in greeting while he followed Andrew Cole into another office. "Have your seat." He motioned to David to sit on a leather sofa.

"Thank you." David said.

"You're welcome." Andrew responded and poured wine into two cups and handed one to David. "So, welcome to COLE Consolidated. You can call me Andy." David nodded.

"So when is the interview?" David asked.

Andy chuckled. "This is the interview."

"Aren't there other applicants? I didn't see anyone at the reception."

"You are the only qualified applicant." Andy said.

David pursed his lips. He looked thoughtful and expectant.

"So you're here for a job?" Andy started.

"Yes." David replied.

"Why?"

"I have to get something doing and what I know how to do best." David replied carefully.

"You know, when a man says he wants to work, what he means is he wants salary." Andy said.

David smiled. "You're right."

"Well, you've got the job and getting the job here gets you rich as well." Andy said.

David could not believe his ears.

"How rich do you want to be?" Andy asked.

"To be rich enough to throw soap away after the letters had worn off." David replied.

"That will happen of course in due course. Congratulations." Andy said stretching his hand in a handshake to David.

"Thanks Sir." David shook him really hard.

"Your employment letter is ready. Pick it up from my secretary's desk. Every detail and specifics are there. If there's anything you're not satisfied with let me know and we'll work it out to suit you. You'd hardly find something you wouldn't like though." Andy said and David dashed out of the office almost immediately. He smiled

***

FTC.

Hmm!!!

This is getting interesting.
The Job indeed!

I was here.

Hmmn.

It look interesting.

This would be the first story I'll be following on these section.

FrancisTony: Hmmn.

It look interesting.

This would be the first story I'll be following on these section.

I feel honoured Francis.

Logodwhiz, I see you .

let's see

More ink to your pen

Dygeasy:
Logodwhiz, I see you .

Bro!
I dey loyal.

No delay us with updates o.

We supose get like 5 updates today na.

So you are finally back. Am waiting for you were we stoped the last time.

You no see me bah? No wahala... #unfollows immediately.

Dygeasy: I feel honoured Francis.

Logodwhiz, I see you .

...

D9ty7: You no see me bah? No wahala... #unfollows immediately.

This is Nairaland. Behave!!

Iolite: So you are finally back. Am waiting for you were we stoped the last time.

Even though you didn't comment back then. We'll get there, some people were not here the last time. Thanks for sticking around.

Dygeasy: Even though you didn't comment back then. We'll get there, some people were not here the last time. Thanks for sticking around.

Bros, no starve us of updates like last time o! We were there, we are here now. Pls holla @ your oldies when you get to where we stopped earlier.

Dygeasy: This is Nairaland. Behave!!

okay now... (offs champions league match for focus) hmm dave. If you spoil his character, im goina.......

candy:
Bros, no starve us of updates like last time o! We were there, we are here now. Pls holla @ your oldies when you get to where we stopped earlier.

I will. I do remember you very well. Thanks for sticking around.

Lalasticlala! Thanks for stopping by.

Dave P, the power of the pen lies with me and I can wield it as I so wish

Sholasholala, thank you.

Tbabstobadt, thanks bro! You are always everywhere behind me

I must not miss this.

Cool . Following

CHAPTER 2

He ran the whole staircase up to their apartment on the second floor. He rapped on the door impatiently for it to be opened and after what seemed like eternity Susan appeared at the door wearing a tank top and bum short. She had her hair styled differently and it looked longer than usual and shiny black it was she looked like a dark-chocolate beauty conjured up with the most powerful of magic. Not even his most favourite _porn actress while he was still single could match the goddess standing in front of him. He stopped in the doorway and gasped in surprise. She flashed a white set of teeth perfectly gapped at the center of the upper set at him. "You're so beautiful." He said whisperingly as he grabbed her in a tight embrace. "I got the job I love you." He muttered almost breathlessly.

I knew you would cherrie." She squealed in delight and wrapped her legs around him. Their lips soon met each other's. "Hold on. This can wait." She disentangled herself from him, took off his suit jacket and loosened his tie. They both sat on a sofa in their tiny living room. "Tell me about it."

"I got there and was asked some question. Not the interview kind of questions though. I was the only applicant. The big and most amazing thing is this." He handed her a gold-coloured envelope which he fetched from his briefcase.

She took the envelope and brought out the letter inside. Her eyes widened as she read the letter. "Oh my God! You'll be getting a house! A new Mercedes Benz, one month vacation once in a year to anywhere and twelve million per annum basic salary excluding all bonuses and allowances. Baby this is too much. Am I dead? All these for an IT manager?"

"Too good to be true but COLE Consolidated is a big organisation involved in so many things. Things you know yourself so they can afford all of this. I'm just surprised it's me." David said.

"Yeah. This offer is mouth-watering that its hard to believe." Susan said helplessly.

"Well, right there it is in your face. You'd better believe it."

"Now I can buy my own Hermes Crocodile Clutch bag." She said.

"That costs half of my yearly salary." David protested mildly with a smile.

"I want a man who only has to be kind and understanding. Is that too much to ask of a multi-millionaire?" Susan said placing her head on his chest.

"No. Not at all my dear wife." David said.

"You're not proposing already are you?" She looked up at him smiling.

"You're not thinking of saying no are you?" He retorted.

"No." She answered and kissed him again.

He lifted her up and carried her towards their bedroom "I think I've held on for long enough." She giggled like a teenager.

***

"He was in Adrew Cole's office to tell him he had accepted the offer and he is okay by everything. What more could he ask for? He sat in his secretary's office. Her tag read Brenda. And she told him her name as just Brenda. "Call me Brenda. Just Brenda. Nothing else." She told him.

"Okay. Brenda. I am David." He said as he took a seat and he was offered coffee.

"David. What a name." She said.

"Thanks. It's a nice name I know. So you've worked here for how many years?" He asked.

"Twenty years. Five years after this place got established. How do you like your earnings package?"

"Just as you'd have guessed." David said. "Is that how it is for every new employee here?"

"Yes. And everybody earns as much as they can."

"Wow. Even without experience?"

Brenda laughed. "Experience is nothing compared to the zeal and enthusiasm to work. Its no brain surgery. The company employs jobless fresh graduates who of course are poor and pay them well. All of this to make them happy. You know, those who have money think the most important things are love and other things but the poor know it is money." She said. "That is the organization's employment policy.

"I see." David said.

"Ahem." A voice sounded from the doorway. They both looked up and Andrew Cole strode in wearing a polo shirt and trousers. "Brenda how are you today?"

"I'm fine Andy. How many ladies came golfing today?" She responded.

"They rather came to watch and I chose not to look at them."

"Oh poor boy. Why not?" Brenda asked in feigned sympathy.

"They all came in Limos. My wife goes around in a Limo too and everything I owe, I owe because of my wife. How wise is it then to stick my neck somewhere else?" He responded smiling.

"Smart boy." She said giving the thumbs up sign.

He winked at her. "David Up!" He said and David followed him quietly into his office.

"So how do you find the whole package?" Andy asked David as soon as they entered into his office and he took his seat behind his large oak table.

"Very superb I must say sir. Beyond my expectation." David said.

"I'm happy you're happy with it. You'll have to go check out houses and pick anyone of your choice. The company will pay fifty percent of the price on the house and you continue paying the rest for as long as you can. You could pay for the number of years you so wish."

"Wow!" David said.

"And you're going to be in charge of IT for the whole of this Company. I mean everything. It's quite demanding but I know you'll survive. And the company will sponsor your masters degree programme and any other programme you might be interested in whenever you're ready. You might have to put in long hours into your work but I promise it'll be worth it. Here's your car keys. I trust you can drive No?"

"Yes I can." David responded as he took a bunch of new Mercedes branded car keys.

"Good. My wife and I are organizing a get-together dinner tonight. You're going to meet the CEO and some other top executives. Should I include your name on the guest list with your girlfriend?"

"My fiancee actually. Yes you should." He said.

"You proposed already." Andy chuckled. "Your fiancee it is then. 7pm okay by you?

"Anytime is okay." David answered.

"The car is in the car park. Its distinct." Andy said with a tone of finality.

"Okay. Thank you sir."

"See you at seven."

***

Divepen: I must not miss this.

olashas: Cool . Following

Thanks!!

I'm here and I'll be here til the end of the sory. Weldone boss

mr dyg,na here e dey sele abi?
I dey here,na we dey here...

CHAPTER 3





"You're the new boy?" An old man with completely grey hair asked him as he entered the spacious and well decorated large hall with chandliers and beautiful flowers with Susan.

"Yes Sir. Nice meeting you. I'm a big fan of yours." David responded when it dawned on him that he was standing in front of COLE's Consolidated's CEO, Nathaniel Cole. The billionaire every billionaire aspired to be like. David had seen him many times, On television and in newspapers.

The old man scoffed. "I get that all the time. Everybody keeps telling me how much of a fan of mine they are. Not many people were around to fan me on my way up. Now we're up and we're the ones fanning them with the air of wealth. Even the underserving. He said shaking his head. There was bitterness in his voice.

"Can't you then abandon them?" David asked tactfully.

"Oh boy. I can't. No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he only had good intentions... He had money as well." He said.

David nodded with a smile.

"I'm rich enough to remain at the number one spot for the next ten years. Let's share the wealth, give them something to bother their conscience."

"David kept quiet and looked to his side at Susan who had appeared out of nowhere after she had wandered off to check out some window blinds minutes before. "Sir, Susan here. My fiancee."

Nathaniel took her left hand and bent to kiss it. "Nice ring." He said rubbing the gleaming golden ring on her middle finger. "How many months now?"

"Two hours." Susan responded, smiling proudly.

"Invite me to the wedding." Nathaniel said.

"Okay..." David started to say but was interrupted by the old man.

"Not you. I mean her." He pointed to Susan smiling and turned his back and left.

"Funny man." Susan said with open admiration in her eyes.

"I see you've met my father." Andrew Cole said as he reached the both of them.

David nodded.

"Has he told you the Good Samaritan line?" Andrew asked smiling broadly.

David smiled too.

"I suppose this is your fiancee. Susan?"

"Yeah. Susan. Meet the man who gave me the job."

"Nice meeting you Susan." Andy said and kissed Susan on both cheeks.

"Oh. The company's latest couple." A very beautiful woman who looked only a few years older than Susan said as she stood beside Andy.

"My wife. Vivian." Andrew introduced her to them.

"Nice gown. Who designed it?" She asked as she gave Susan a hug.

"It's an old design by Givenchy." Susan responded. "My fiance, David."

"He's not so hard to spot. Very handsome man. I wonder sometimes if handsomeness is one the company's terms and conditions." Vivian said as she bent for David to kiss her on her cheeks.

"I'm here." Andrew said softly.

"You have nice arms. David never puts much thought to working out." Susan said.

"I'm here." David said loudly. They all laughed.

"Let's leave the jealous men alone before they chop off our heads." Vivian said as she grabbed Susan's hand and they walked away.

"They're beautiful." Andrew and David chorused as the watched the two women. They both laughed.

"How's the car?" Andrew asked.

"For a car I've put two-hundred miles on, its great. A very fine car."

"Have you checked any house out yet?"

"Yes. There's a duplex for sale on Terrence street. Susan checked it out earlier today. I'll check it tomorrow and meet with the estate agent."

"That's about ten minutes drive from work."

"Yes."

"Good. Let's go and meet the others. They'd love to meet you." Andrew said.

***

They both walked the rest of the length of the living room outside onto a porch leading into a garden of lush green grass with flowers of foreign breeds beautifying everywhere. What made the evening a more beautiful one was the moonlight and starry sky coupled with the bright bulbs lighting the whole compoumd thus making it look like daytime. There were about twenty people in clusters around standing in twos and threes engaged in conversations. These are purely the elite. It's quite unbelievable he's joing this class of people. Four people stood together discussing and laughing. They all looked familiar especially two of the four. He had seen them often and they were big celebrities. Everybody knew them. They attracted the mob, the paparazzi wherever they went but here they were standing freely without no worries. Angela Orlu in all of her graceful beauty was amongst the four people catching his attention. She's a movie star. A very big one who's got the male folks in the country drooling over her not excluding him. He and Andrew soon got to where the the four were standing. His memory came back to him. Two of the four were the man and woman he was in the elevator with on his first day at COLE Consolidated, then Angela and Frank Otor, a popular pop musician who is well known for his bad boy antics. Rumour has it that he's proud and he never fails to let people know he is but girls never seem to stop crying and fainting at his shows. He is signed to the COLEsic Records- the music production branch of COLE Consolidated. Angela has a long term deal with COLEvies Movie Productions; the movie production branch of COLE Consolidated. The two biggest stars of the company's Entertainment branch who raked in enough money annually. David prepared his most charming smile. "Hello, nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is ours." Angela responded.

"Speak for yourself b*tch." Frank said. "The pleasure isn't mine until someone tells me this dude isn't one of the started-from-the-bottom kinda guys."

"He is and you just might shut the hell up." Andrew chipped in.

Frank opened his mouth to say something but seemed to decide against it and shut up as instructed.

"Nice shirt there. Is it silk?" Angela asked.

"No cotton. Thanks." David responded smiling and faced the two elderly couple. "Your goodluck worked magic the other day. Thanks."

They both smiled. "It's fine son. We're glad to have you here. I hope you enjoy the company. I'm Richard Aji and here's my wife Moni. She's the Director of the company's fashion house while I'm the director in charge of the movie and music branches."

"I see. She's very beautiful." David said.

"Thanks dear." Moni replied blushing. Even at her age. She and her husband walked away while David stood rooted to the spot with Angela. Frank had disappeared.

"So how does it feel being free from all the worries of being a celebrity?" David said attempting to strike a conversation.

Angela smiled lightly. "It still doesn't mean I'm not being watched. I might be here and someone might be watching me somewhere in east Africa." She said.

"Oh yeah. You enjoy it don't you?"

"I don't. I kinda prefer my old life save for the money." She said laughing.

"Show me an actress who isn't a personality and I'll show you a woman who isn't a star." David said.

She laughed more and placed her hand on David's arm.

From a part of the garden, Nathaniel Cole's eyes met David and he gave him a warning look motioning to his arm. David was lost. Nathaniel soon moved to the centre of the garden and asked for people's attention. "May I introduce to you the latest employee of COLE Consolidated, David Osho." He beckoned for David to come stand beside him.

Everyone clapped.

"And his 3 three hours old fiancee, Susan. You're all invited to the wedding." Susan was by his side in no time.

"Everyone clapped and laughed.

Then a noise was heard from inside the house.

***
"The musician." One of the cooks screamed as she came running towards where David was standing with Nathaniel.

"What's wrong with him?" Nathaniel asked.

"He's lying on the floor. He's not breathing. He's bleeding" She said in agitation.

"Abby calm down." Nathaniel said calmly to her.

Andrew was racing across the lawn into the house with David tagging along on his instruction. In the living room just beneath the staircase lay Frank Otor motionless in a pool of blood. Andrew put his ear close to his heart. "He's still alive." He said loudly. "Your car keys are with you there?"

"Yes." David said.

"Help me lift him up. We have to get him to a hospital." He instructed David. Angela had also walked into the living room and many people were trying to make their way inside as well. They both lifted him and carried him outside into David's new Mercedes. David got behind the wheel and geared the car into reverse. The huge gates swung open and he raced into the moonlit darkness onto road. Angela sat with Frank in the backseat wailing softly.

***

Tannie: I'm here and I'll be here til the end of the sory. Weldone boss

Thanks Tannie. You were there the last time.

Numerouuuno: mr dyg,na here e dey sele abi?
I dey here,na we dey here...

Na here o my brother.


Sorry Guys, we are a little behind schedule tonight.

Nice. Been clicking 'likes' on every update.

Now, the story is getting exciting

Just got on___ d JOB TRAIN

#follooooooowing

CHAPTER 4

"David brought the car to a halt in front of the hospital building and got out of the car. Andrew did the same and they both flung the backdoors open pulling Frank out. A stretcher was brought out after Angela had gone to scream her heart out at the nurses for an emergency attention. Frank was placed on the stretcher and was carried into the hospital with the trio tagging along. Inside the hospital, the stretcher proceeded into the emergency unit while David, Andrew and Angela went to the counter at the reception for whatever document that needed to be signed.

"Oh my God." A rather wide-mouthed nurse screamed as she recognised Angela. "Its her." She said and was about bringing out her phone.

"Will you shut the fvck up and sign the damned paper?" Andrew yelled at her.

The nurse shook vigorously in shock and for two minutes she couldn't handle her pen properly.

The three of them stood pacing up and down the reception waiting for any news from the emergency room. More cars had arrived outside the hospital and Nathaniel and other top employees of the company walked in. The press was already outside with their cameras. David wondered how quickly the news got spread. The night had fully settled in and the premises of th hospital was dark save for the security lamps and the flashes from the cameras of the journalists.

"How's he?" Nathaniel asked when he entered the hospital reception.

"We don't know for now. He's in the emergency room." Andrew replied.

David held Angela closer to himself when her wailing was becoming louder. The doctor walked out eventually after what seemed like forever. They all threw questions at him at once. His face was expressionless...

***

"Speak young man. What is the situation?" Nathaniel demanded.

The doctor shook his head. "He's lost too much blood and we lost him before we could get a match on his blood type. He's dead sir." Angela screamed and fell against David and it took the combined efforts of David and the nurse on duty to steady her.

Nathaniel walked out of the hospital not minding the mob and pressmen outside. He squeezed his way into his SUV.

Andrew took a seat on one of the chairs in the reception. Moni Aji who came in with Nathaniel Cole burst into tears and her husband pulled her close to himself. Everywhere was quiet and the hospital's security guards had a hard time fighting off the crowd of people and pressmen trying to get into the hospital. Andrew got up from his seat and motioned to the crowd to keep quiet. "I understand and appreciate your concern." He started. "But as you can see it is really hard for us to focus here. There's not much I can tell you now so we wait for some time to get clear specifics from the medical personnels here. Thank you." The crowd resumed their murmuring immediately he finished.

"Is it true Frank Otor was shot?" One of the reporters asked.

"Is he still as handsome as he was?" Another asked stupidly.

"We heard he bled to death before he got here." Another asked.

"No comments." Andrew said and forced his way back through into the hospital.

The doctor led all of them into the inner parts of the hospital. "There's a back door and a car-park at the back. Your father has sent two cars to pick you all up." He informed them.

"No! I'm not going anywhere until I see him." Angela said weeping profusely and fighting off David's hold of her.

They all stopped and stared at her.

"Frank's corpse. I want to see it." She shouted.

The doctor looked at Andrew. Andrew nodded and they all made their way into one of the wards.
***
He gripped the mug he was holding tightly as he watched the television that evening. Susan sat beside him resting her head on his shoulder. The newscaster was saying, "He died from what we don't know but sources claim he was rushed to the hospital from record label owner and billionaire Nathaniel Cole's home. Family, Friends and fans have all expressed their sadness at the death of the talented musician and burial arrangements are yet to be decided because investigations are still ongoing as to the cause of the death of the deceased.. We'll let you know as things unfold." David kept staring at the television. Nothing was running through his mind than the fact that he was there when it all happened. He had first-hand bexperience and he's only taking it all with all the man in him. Angela's reaction or his fans or everybody he had met after the death of Frank. It was too much for one evening. He sipped out of the tea in the cup and placed it gently on the table.

"He was a great musician. I'll miss him." Susan said softly.

"Yeah, he was." David said standing up. Somebody knocked on the door. He walked to check who it was.

"Here sir, your car keys." A uniformed man said and gave him the key to his car which he had left at the hospital when the doctor took them out through another exit.

"Thanks." He said to the man.

"Goodnight Sir." The man said and turned to leave.

Susan was waiting behind him. He put his arm around her waist and together they walked quietly into their bedroom.

FrancisTony: Nice. Been clicking 'likes' on every update.

Thanks Francis

olashas: Now, the story is getting exciting

I believe so too .

Kunzu: Just got on___ d JOB TRAIN
#follooooooowing

Welcome Kunzu

Nice