Sunday, January 2, 2022

The Moment I Met You (Chapter 575)

By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu


Abuja entertainment gossip was centered on Michael gifting people houses on behalf of Chioma. In fact, this news spread throughout the entirety of Nigeria. 

Almost everyone was heard talking about the generosity of Michael, and the the motivation behind it. Because of this, Chioma’s popularity soared through the roof like no one had seen before. Her smiling face filled the headlines of nearly every newspaper in Nigeria.                

  Audrey was the happiest when she read the news from the newspapers that had been delivered to their house by a vendor. Sitting on the living room couch, she kept on reading about it, and she felt very satisfied when she saw Ajegunle locals pouring out their blessings on Chioma and Michael. 

 At this moment, Celine who seemed to have just taken her shower walked down the stairs leisurely. Her hair was still wet. She was wearing a silk gold robe, looking beautiful and lively. When Audrey saw Celine, she waved at her to come over.                                                

Audrey grinned and said, ‘Celine, I’m so happy for Chioma. She’s now very popular.’ Audrey was wearing a pink one-piece dress with a black silk ribbon tied at her waist. She had a light makeup.                                 

Celine nodded and then asked with a concerned tone, ‘Chioma is now popular, and people are starting to like her, don’t you think she should get herself a good job?’                                                                                     

‘Sharon already offered her a job but she hasn’t said anything yet,’ Audrey picked up the orange on the coffee table as she spoke. She began to peel it leisurely.                                                                                    

  ‘According to statistics, based on the current development, Chioma will generate revenue that could hit one billion by the end of the year…Any company that employs her would have enough profit. I think that Moon Corporation should force her to work for them.’                          

Audrey rolled her eyes at Celine. ‘She isn’t in showbiz to generate such amount but anyway I don’t care much for the one billion revenue Chioma’s presence might generate…’ She put a piece of orange in her mouth.                

‘Me too,’ Celine interrupted. ‘But knowing that she’s profitable to generate such amount, and such huge amount belonging to the Moon Corporation I’ll find the financial report particularly adorable and I guess Moon Corporation will feel a huge sense of achievement.’                           

‘You’re truly a business woman,’ Audrey chuckled. ‘Celine, I wish you don’t suggest this to anyone. Let Chioma decide what she wants to do with her life.’                                                                                                              

Celine shrugged, and said after a moment of silence, ‘Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder why big brother Felix enjoys working and reading all sorts of documents. Don’t you think it’s because he feels a sense of achievement from his work? I guess every business person gets addicted to their work when they make huge profits… Big brother Michael wouldn’t mind hiring Chioma to be his personal secretary.’          

Audrey laughed as she said, ‘Aren’t you afraid Chioma might come in contact with issues that are confidential to Moon Corporation?’                    

‘Chioma already belongs to big brother Michael, so Moon Corporation is no different,’ Celine replied. ‘Besides, Chioma is capable to work at Moon Corporation…when I marry Prince I will be his personal assistant,’ she giggled.                                                                           

 Audrey wrinkled her nose. ‘Instead of smelling good, you’ll bath yourself with the smell of formaldehyde. But I know how much you can’t stand hospital smell…If you want to be the breadwinner, Prince would be very much pleased to retreat behind the scenes, hand everything to you and stay at home to prepare soup and garri any time you return home from work.’            

 ‘You’re dreaming Audrey. Prince will work hard to make money. I should be the one to enjoy while he does the working.’ Celine let out a sweet smile.

Audrey laughed as well. ‘You will sure be like mum…’As Audrey said that, she unconsciously glanced at Isabelle who was sitting at a corner reading something from her laptop. She looked to be in deep concentration.

Isabelle was wearing a snow white blouse on the inside and a two piece black business high-end suit on the outside, ready for today’s office.  But she had decided to finish up the documents she was reading before heading for the office. She had only put on a light make, which caused her beautiful face to glow. Her dark hair was tied up in a neat bun. She was looking very beautiful in an office setting.

 Glancing back at Celine, Audrey smiled and added, ‘Mum is an ambitious woman but it never affected her life at home. Someday, we’ll have to shoulder our own responsibilities. Anyway; I can’t wait to see the awe on Chioma’s face when she finds out about Michael’s big surprise for her.’          

Celine shrugged with a smile as she turned to head for the dining.   



 Meanwhile Jessica had read through the applauding comments by netizens, about how brave and kind Chioma was and about how despite being born in slummy area, had become the reason why so many got their lives back. With this news, Jessica was spurred to film an apology to Chioma for the time she had hurt her. 

Jessica appeared in front of the camera, dressed in a white patterned trench. She had a pink chiffon skirt, with her long dark hair hugging her back in curls. She was so beautiful; people had to pay attention more to her beauty than to the apology. Jessica begged the public for forgiveness, for the way she had mistreated Chioma. She even paid online commenters to help her beg Chioma. Anyone could see how much Jessica had regretted hurting Chioma.

Robert went to Michael’s office when he saw the news. He wanted to know if Michael would let Jessica come for the surprise party.                                                     

Michael who was sitting in a sofa had his laptop on his lap. He looked elegant and graceful as he worked on his laptop.                                  

‘I can’t easily forgive that girl for hurting my woman…’Michael looked down at his laptop as he spoke. ‘Or else in the future, someone might want to hurt Chioma and still expect me to let them off so easily.’                

‘So what you’re saying is, you are not going to let her come to the surprise party?’ Robert asked.                                                                                   

Michael lifted his head as he twirled the pen in his hand, ‘As long as she won’t cause trouble I won’t stop her from coming.’                                     

Robert smiled. ‘Madam Jessica is now a changed person. She will be very pleased to know that you still gave her the chance to be at the surprise party.’                                                                                                                  

‘I did it for Chioma.’                                                                                           

‘Miss Chioma is really a good person.’                                                             

Michael smiled at the mention of Chioma’s name.                                         

Afterwards, Robert left Michael’s office. On his way out, he ran into Peter, their eyes met as Peter spoke, ‘Back then, I thought Chioma wasn’t good enough for Michael. But at a point I began to realise how good she was.’                                                                       

  Robert smiled as he said, ‘Peter, I heard that she promised to treat you to delicacies, maybe that’s why you’re speaking up for her even when I didn’t ask you?’                                                                               

Peter frowned as he tightened his grip on the documents in his hands, ‘If I haven’t accepted that you treat me to delicious meal today, I would have slapped your face.’                                                                              

‘Mr Foodie, I can’t be your friend again,’ Robert teased him.                      

‘I was only joking…’                                                                                  

Robert chuckled. ‘I understand you’re now joking because you want me to buy you food…I am going to eat now.’ Robert started out.              

‘Robert, I still need to deliver this to your boss,’ Peter said, rushing over to Michael’s office to give him the documents after which he hurriedly headed out to meet with Robert.                                                                                                      

No comments:

Post a Comment

Letters To My Love

Chapter Four: A Casual but Exciting Proposal One sunny afternoon, as Night headed out to interview someone for her blog, she received a vi...