Caught between kings

Chapter 6 : Hope lifter

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquer that fear"

Nelson Mandela

JOY'S POV

The announcement about the retirement of Mr Michael Udoji has been on air for days now, I am so happy for Zubby, not because He has been my crush for like forever, but because I know he will be taking over his father's legacy, and improve it to that of this age, I entered the kitchen to get my breakfast of fried egg, bread and a cup of tea, it already 7am Nigeria time, and I was to resume work by 8am, my mind drifted back to the announcement, truly the rich owns this country, Prosperity keeps exchanging hands within the circle, assuming I belong to these circle, this would have been the perfect opportunity to meet Zubby at least to make my existence known to him, because it's really exhausting loving someone who doesn't know I exist for these long, has a way of messing with ones mindset, I will be so happy meeting him face to face, but he resides in Lagos so meeting him is out of the question , I was still in my dreamland when my phone started ringing, I brought the phone out from my pocket and look at the caller ID, is my aunty Ebo, the only family I have left.

Hello Joy, she said excitedly on the other end, it has really been a long time since we have seen each, although we talk on the phone frequently, so hearing her excitement makes me feel how distant we have become.

Hi aunt, I answered with a low voice, because I don't trust my voice not breakin, if I increase the volume.

Joy how are you doing? She asked

Aunty I'm good, how is your family?

They are doing great, she replied How is your work and studies,she asked

Everything is going well, I assured her, because she gets worried whenever I complain about the hard life that comes with residing in the federal capital.

Joy are you free during this weekend? she asked

Yes I will be why? I asked back, getting scared of what she might say next.

Its nothing bad, I just want you to come over to Lagos this weekend and help me out with something very important please, she begged calmly.

Okay Aunty, but is it very important that I have to go all the way to Lagos or it something I can do from over here? I asked because I love using my weekends to pamper myself, so if I am to let go of my firm believe, then it must be for something very important.

Yes Joy it is very crucial, she replied

Okay I will, we are family so why not, I reply smiling to myself, because at least I get to see my Nephew and uncle Joe.

Okay see you, I love you, she said.

I love you too aunt, I hang up immediately, and start digging into my food that is cold Already, I finished eating quickly and took the dish to the kitchen, in order to start my ten minutes journey to work on a tricycle, I am so happy to because its Friday but I know I have so many things to do, like getting my bus ticket to Lagos which is too sudden for me but I have no choice, but to go because aunty Ebo is like a mother to me and I owe her so much, so if she says I should come to Lagos tonight then Lagos it is.

The day flew by quickly, I was able to round up work early, I left work early in order to get my bus ticket for the journey tonight then went back home to start packing up for my journey,

After packing I left the house at 6pm to go the bus station at Jabi because the bus leaves by 7pm, I got there by 6:40pm load my bag in the boot and look for a sit by the window, at 7pm sharp the bus left the station, we started our long journey to Lagos state

I arrive Lagos at 4am which was too early for my aunt to come out, so I had to wait extra one hour at the the lekki bus station, which was safer than going out into the dangerous street of Lagos at that time, I was bored and sleepy so I plugged my ear pod to listen to my favorite song, one ticket by Davido ft Kiss Daniel, It became my favorite song because, It Zubby's favorite, the time pass quickly.

At 5am on the dot, I looked at the entrance and aunty Ebo just walked in, she was looking for me so I ran to hugged her from behind, she was startled but relaxed when she noticed me, she hugged so tight and welcomed me to Lagos and then helped me to carry my luggage to the car despite my refusal to let go of my bag, and after the dragging, we then we walked to were she packed her car.

The drive to aunty Ebo's was quiet because I was so tired because of the long journey so I fell asleep, I woke up to someone removing the seattbelt around me.

We are home, aunty Ebo said, while trying to help me out of the car, I came out and was amazed to see the house has changed so much.

You renovated the house? I asked

Yeah I did, she replied

It beautiful, I praised

Really...wait till you see the interior, it wow.. , she gushed

I step into the house into the house with a yawn showing how tired I am, my jaw dropped immediately, the house is beyond beautiful.

Aunt this is really beautiful, you must have spent a fortune on these, I said with so much admiration in my eye

Yeah we did, the catering business is doing well dear, she replied proudly

You must be Really tired dear, come along let me show you to your room, we will talk later , she spoke while leading me to the room

The room is so cosy and I just want to lay down and rest. She left the room after making sure I was comfortable, I fell asleep immediately.

I woke up to the sound of laughter coming from the living room, I turn to check the time on the clock it is 12pm already, I got up from the bed and enter the bathroom to do my morning routines, after my shower I enter the room to pick up a comfortable outfit for the day, I wore my skinny jean and a light chiffon top because of the hot weather in Lagos, I apply a little nude make up to help with bags around my eyes from the stress I went through, I enter the sitting room and saw my aunt and her husband Joe sitting on the couch and watching the news.

Good day sir, I greet

Good day Joy, I hope your journey to Lagos was not too stressful ,he asked

Honestly it was, I reply

Sorry about that and Welcome to Lagos, he added

Thank you sir,

Please sit dear, said aunt Ebo

I sat opposite them and await my aunt explanation on why I am here in Lagos.

Joy you missed breakfast but lunch will soon be ready please bear with me I didn't want to wake you up because I know you were tired , she said while looking at me

OK aunt, am happy to be here with you because it has been really long but why the sudden invitation, I asked

Joy I am sorry that I had to call you on such a short notice but I really need your help, my catering business is doing so well and I just got the biggest contract of my career, she explain

Wow am so happy for you aunt, you deserve it, I replied excitedly

But I have one big problem, she paused

What is it? I asked

My assistant supervisor will not be around because she is going for the burial of her mum, and that is why I called you to fill up the space for this event, she explained

I am so honored to be of help but I am scared because I don't know what a supervisor is suppose to do, obviously I can't tell my aunt that because I don't want to let her down

Okay I will do it,

Yes! Thanks dear,

So when is the event, I ask

Tomorrow by 12pm at the Michaels mansion, she replied.

The what??? I ask, the look that I got made me to regret shouting like that because I made them to be scared, so I tried to lighten the mood..

Wow that is good, I am so happy for you, the Michaels are well connected and I am sure this is just the beginning of all the big contracts coming your way, I say while clapping my hands like a teenager.

Yes dear and that is why I want you there, maybe you can get to know one or two producers that will help you with your career dear, she said dreamily.