The Moment I Met You (Chapter 422)

By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

At Abuja, and in Eva FM station, the CEO, Sunday Igboho had already met Chioma at the station when she came for an interview, so when his personal assistant, Alex Silas, walked into his office and placed the latest issue of Rose Magazine in front of him, he smiled and said, ‘I want to find an opportunity to hire Chioma Chima, what are your thoughts?’                                                                                                             

Alex was in his late twenties and had experience in finding who was good in the broadcasting industry. He did things cautiously and Sunday loved his personality. ‘We will give it a try, but I still know that since her official break-up was here at Eva FM, she might object coming here.’                                               

‘So, Alex, are you trying to say that Chioma, the slummy girl, would now be too bossy to reject our company that has built a good reputation for many years?’                                                                                 

Alex nodded. Then, he said after a light pause, ‘She is in Lagos and I don’t think she will accept to move back to Abuja because of us.’         

‘How do we know she would reject us if we don’t contact her?’                     

‘Okay, sir. Since this is your decision, I’ll go contact Chioma.’                   

‘I’ll wait to hear from you.’                                                                           

Alex nodded. He took the magazine and left for his office. However, upon pushing the door of his office, and walking inside, he saw Julia admiring the office.                                                                                

As soon as she saw the magazine In Alex’s hand, Julia expression changed,‘Is my cousin now interested in that slummy girl?’                                 

‘Are you still siding with the wrong Person?’Alex asked as he placed the magazine on his desk.                                                                                     

‘Alex, you obviously know that Chioma is a thief.’                            

‘How could you call her a thief…Michael chose to love her while he hates Jessica…I hope that you are not still standing for Jessica. Anyway, my boss wants me to contact Chioma. He wants to hire her.’                

  ‘I’ve already done so much to scheme against her. If you let your boss hire her, have you considered what she would do to me with the money she would have?’                                                                                          

Alex remained calm for a few seconds before saying, ‘Julia stop dreaming to marry Nathan. He doesn’t know of your existence. Find your own man and marry him, that way you won’t feel miserable.’                          

Julia rolled her eyes at him. ‘I shouldn’t have come here.’ She picked up her bag from the coffee table and strode out of the office.                 

Alex let out a sigh of relief.           

 

Meanwhile, at Victoria Island, and in the living room of the Ojukwus, Jessica stared at the magazine in front of her. For a moment she felt that she should give up fighting for Michael’s love, but as she thought of how Chioma who was nothing was able to win Michael’s heart, she felt the hatred for Chioma increase.                                                          

Reaching out her hand, she flipped the magazine over, afraid that she would cry if she read anything lovey-dovey about Michael and Chioma.                                                                                                                        

Seeing this, Sharon was a bit worried for Jessica. She crossed her arms across her chest. ‘Stop hurting yourself before it’s too late.’                          

Jessica turned to the laptop in front of her as she moved the mouse. Her voice was cold and filled with ridicule, ‘How can I stop when Chioma hasn’t repented yet? Since you are my friend, I’ll let you know a little secret. Ambrose had already helped me contact a reporter that will be following Chioma around. I spoke to him a few minutes ago. He agreed to release news that he has photos of Chioma and a guy in bed. He has even found photos that will do the job, just a little photoshopping and it will help push Chioma further down.’                      

‘I will make sure your plans don’t succeed.’                                                     

'You will go against your bestie?’                                                            

‘Yes.’ Sharon stood up and headed upstairs.                                         

After Sharon was out of sight, Jessica immediately phoned the reporter, ‘I can’t really wait anymore, release the news.’                             

‘Okay, Madam Jessica. Enjoy the show,’ the man on the other side of the phone was filled with excitement.                                                                                                                             

 

 Chioma was at home reading Michelle Obama’s Becoming in the living room. The memoir was gifted to her by Audrey as a special Christmas gift as well as a white Dior handbag, which was the next season’s new model. The bag wasn’t yet on the market and definitely wasn’t available for sale outside. Also, a whole heap of Christmas gifts had been given to Chioma and her family, especially from their neighbours. Andrew was also in the living room, but he was browsing through his Facebook on his phone. At this moment, he received a message from someone he didn’t know.

‘Chioma, look at this.’ Andrew gestured.                                                     

‘What?’Chioma lifted her head from the book and reached for the phone. 

There was a message from Sharon, that simply read, ‘Tell Chioma to be careful of where she went…I will try my best to stop what is about to happen.’                                                                                                      

Seeing the warning, Chioma couldn’t imagine what was about to befall her. She knew that Jessica was planning something. But what could it be?                                                                                                                   

‘With the popularity of Rose Magazine, many people are now paying attention to you, afraid that you might snatch away their opportunities…You have encountered different defamation incidents, and you stood strong. Chioma, you have to be careful…I think we should plan heading back to Abuja. Our enemies are also here in Lagos. If we move to any other state, they would still follow us. We can’t keep running away from our troubles. It’s time we face them all.’            

 ‘I agree about moving back to Abuja, but that would be after the New Year.’