As the billionaire's assistant (love at First meet)

Nicholas marched into his father's office angrily, the man seems like he has been expecting his son's entrance as he looked unfazed, still talking amicably to his secretary who looked jumpy at the outburst, instead. “... Type those documents and distribute them please and Regina remember to close the door while leaving seems like my son is here to cause chaos". The scared looking secretary didn't take less than a second to understand that this two needed privacy, whenever these two elephants met, there usually had a lot of casualties. “I'll clear your schedule sir”. She said and hurriedly left. All the while, Nicholas waited huffing instead of breathing, he was so ready to chew off his big man's head. Once the door shut, his deadly gaze moved over to his father. “What outrageous condition is that Samuel?” his father looked up, if he was shocked at his son calling his first name he was very good at hiding it. “Watch your tone Nicholas Samuel Olatimi, or I'll watch it for you... where do you think you are? look around, it's Nigeria not America, I will deal with you the way your mother would have wanted”. Nicholas bit his lips, his furious eyes turning bleak with recognition. “Dad, the last condition is very outrageous. It needs reviewing.” Sir Samuel shook his head, he knew his son will come running because of his proposal but what his son did not know is that there was no way out.“What is the last condition, Nick? he asked without blinking his eyes and Nicholas looked confused. “Marriage” the boy muttered, he wondered if the dad had not read through the documents but doubted his dad could be that callous. “That's beautiful don't you think so?... Sir Samuel exclaimed, sarcasm dripping from his tone, one that Nicholas didn't need a soothsayer to tell him his father already knew which condition he was referring to. “Dad, I can still wait till you are old and feeble before taking over the company. I'm not saying I'm not ready for the position, I have worked hard enough to deserve to be the CEO, but this last condition isn't me... His face becomes a confused one when Sir Samuel starts chuckling at the end of his speech. Did I say something wrong? He thought still staring in absolute confusion “Dad I'm perplexed...". Sir Samuel finally decided to put him in the light. “Okay son, I liked your prep speech, now it's time to face your truth, do you know why I'm handling the position to you now?” Nicholas shook his head, he had been over the moon with the news until after reading the conditions and didn't have the patience to question the sudden upgrade. “...Good, then listen carefully. There are three reasons, one; you have finally gotten the hang of the board's position and your origin. Two; it was one of the few things your mum agreed on before her death, that I don't give you this company in a will after my death... are you listening? he waited for Nicholas to nod in affirmation before continuing, “... Nick, your father is dying!” “What! Nicholas exclaimed in total horror. He slowly picked up the scan and the documents his dad retrieved from his drawer. “Not again...” he whispers pain etching his voice. “...Not again, Dad I can't lose you too for the same reason”. Nicholas knew tears may likely fall from his eyes, if he kept talking. “The doctor says it's a 70-30% when we both know it's more like a 90-10% as this same thing took your mother away faster than a bling. I have to prepare better!” Sir Samuel saw the emotions playing on Nicholas face, he went around to hug him, his son was trying to act strong but Sir Samuel knew who the cry baby was. “It's okay son, we will survive this. On that note I would love to see my grandchild and daughter-in-law before I pass on . Nicholas nodded “How long do we have? He asked. “That I can't tell, Nick.I can't tell!” the old Man Said giving his son a sad smile. Princess Okon! “Yes ma!”The bearer of the name answers while nudging her colleague, Amanda Bassey. Both bow their heads in disappointment, truly the rumors were facts, they were about to be sacked by their madam. While walking in, her hands trembled in fear, she really needed this job. “As you both know, the two of you have been in the disciplinary custody for weeks for the case of theft. Well, the real thief is still not found, the company has to let the suspects go!” “Ma, please we can pay you back even if we didn't take the money! Princess pleaded though she knew this woman hated her so much for no known reason “We want this job!” Amanda added already on her knees. Princess joined few seconds later but their boss seemed unnerved by their pleadings. “Pick your sacking letters and your properties, seventeen thousand dollars is big enough to cover your bills if you actually stole it, but if you didn't, I hope you saved a lot for the rainy days. I'm not one bit sorry for sending you two packing I was getting irritated by the day by mere listening to your dialect... out of my office now! Princess was the first to stand up,she almost dragged Amanda out of the office. The woman's comment about their origin didn't sit well on her, even if she spoke a different dialect,was she not human.“Please let's go, Amanda!” Amanda glared at her “Why are you not joining me to beg this woman? She asks but the response she got from Princess was her eyeing her up. Everyone has seen the sacking coming except Amanda obviously. “Amanda, you aren't a fool, you know very well that woman has hated us from day one. Immediately she couldn't pronounce our surnames properly,she had tried every means to get rid of us. Can't you see there's nothing to do to fix this mess. We have been sacked, no need for security to throw us out!” She met the eyes of a silent Amanda, glad she could set the records straight she added “ I'm going if you are not, but remember that our shift at the mall starts in an hour. I want to go there early to avoid standing at the entrance”. She picked up her backpack. Apart from working as a cash officer Princess and Amanda also shared two other workspaces, security at the mall and occasional waitresses. They also shared a home and a roommate. “Wait for me, aunty”. Amanda called running after a hasty Princess. “I thought you were planning to stay back and beg”. Princess chastise giving her a bombastic side eye that made her laugh. “I was trying to be polite now, there is a way we might act and we would have ended up in prison!” Princess hissed saying “Prison my left foot, if I had carried the money at least that her last sentence won't be so painful, save for rainy days ke .” she hissed again. The way she was angry if she could boil yam she will gladly burn it, not only had that woman wanted them unemployed she had also planned to send them packing with nothing, no pay offs, no salary because obviously she knew nobody but herself stole her money. “Sir, Mr Alexander asked me to tell you to meet him at the mall.” Nicholas looked up to meet his new personal assistant, in a span of one month since his last competent personal assistant resigned, he has been forced to work with eight different people all except this one had been fired. “Which mall Gladys?” The young lady replied,“The metropolitan sir... My name is Barbara not Gladys though Gladys isn't a bad name I'll prefer my name”. Her voice lowered as Nicholas glare grew more intense at her every word. The man finally spoke with scorn on his face, “How long have you been here?” “7 hours!” the girl answered with trembling lips. “Where are you from again?...” “Akwa ibom state, sir! again the wavering tone could be heard from her. “ Will you love to go back and never set your foot in Lagos or outside whatever bush you came from? Barbara shook her head,she knew better than to disagree with her boss. “Then Gladys do your damn work and do it well. Call Alex and tell him, I'll meet him in 20. Also I propose you ask questions about me from your predecessors or your colleagues,to know how to act around me”. Barbara hurried off, she knew if care wasn't taken, her boss won't hesitate to kick her out. Nicholas took a sip of his coffee before returning to work he had a lot to do and a wife to find, he wasn't in any mood to start looking for a new assistant. Besides the Barbara girl has taken his nonsense more than the rest, the others couldn't even last past three hours with him before quiting. His arrival at the mall caused unrest by the ever loyal paparazzi. Those he believed were the only competent workers. They were always at attention waiting for him to breathe wrongly so as to slam the net with his pictures. “Man you never cease to amaze them”. Alex greeted when he finally escaped the crowd. “Where is Cornelius? you two keep getting me to meet at these public venues for their perusal.” Alex chuckled, “Cornel is busy talking to a woman... which speaking of women why is your secretary's voice so seductive ?” at the topic Nicholas added looking for a new personal assistant to his list. He won't have a w***e as his worker. “Was she flirting with you?” “Of course no, the lady did not try to butter me up. She's good! Alex responded immediately knowing what is friend could do . “But why this mall? he was working side-by-side with Alex and appreciating the emptiness of the place. He didn't like the blatant stares and gazes from people when they saw him or them in public. “Cornelius suggested it, besides the cynical environment of the royalties was creepy...” Hey guys! the third musketeer finally showed up. Among the trio, Alex was the tallest, while Cornel shared the same height with Nick, a thing they argued a lot about. “What's up Nick, how's the big man doing? Cornelius and Alex suddenly noticed the silence . “What's going on in man? Alex repeated curious. “ I've got a lot on my plate. I'm about becoming the CEO!” At that congratulations rang from his friends, they looked really happy for him. “But there is a condition I need to get married ASAP. “What the f***!!! Cornel exclaim with a widen gaze. “ Yeah, yeah my big man says it's for the best and I totally agree with him though but where is the wife? Alexander stared at him like he's grown two heads. “Nick, I want to understand one phrase you totally agree with your old man on finding a wife? are you insane? this is the same you that can't be in a relationship because you are not psychology ready to date. What's going on man, you can talk to us we are family is remember?” Nicholas smiled, he knew he could trust them but his father had kept his health issues hidden to avoid speculation, he wasn't about causing otherwise. He would tell them some other time. “Well, nothing is up. I can't be single forever and that position is mine to take. You both know I love a good challenge!” “Are you sure bro? Cornel asked though the last part was true about Nicholas the first part didn't quite make meaning but if he wasn't going to tell, no one has to force to. “...omor why this place quiet as graveyard... and that's how Princess made her entrance with her pidgin. She had been assigned the convenient room and have not known the billionaire's club were in their mall, none of the workers had informed her. She met three pairs of eyes staring at her in surprise, again she found her words in pidgin English. “why una dey open mouth like ice fish?" her own question made her frown as she got no response, then she went to look for Amanda to ask what's going on. “ Did she just call us fishes?” Cornel asked while bursting into laughter. Nicholas was clearly angry because he said “Such filthy scum, why is she a worker with such bad attitude?" Alex appeared casual about the whole thing. “Lets just get my snacks, do you know my gym instructor decided on a new diet and it's without my snacks. That i***t, I call personal assistant decided to take it to heart by refusing to get me my snacks. So annoying!” Nicholas nodded in response “Fire her incompetent ass! he says in clipped tone. His attention has been caught and he so wanted to give that young lady a piece of his mind. Calling him a fish, a woman whose meager salary wouldn't buy his shoe. Unfortunately for her, he wasn't in a mood to take such nonsense. With those thoughts he left his friends and followed the cussed girl. When he finally met up with her, he's met by an extremely cold pair of eyes, screaming “what" though her lips didn't move. Nicholas ignored that, she couldn't speak to him like that and go scot-free “Is that how you treat your customers? Princess huffed, she was about apologizing when she was cut short by the young man “...look whatever is your name, you should be fired for speaking so rudely to your esteemed customers.” At the end of speech, the woman started laughing hysterically ,when she was done laughing she addressed him. “Mr Man, is that how you do it? is that how you go about wooing women because it isn't working. Are you sure you are mentally okay?So as a young man that can speak fluent English you don't have any atom of sense in that big head of yours? Look, today isn't a good day to do this, I have already been fired I don't need more drama”. Then she walked out leaving him speechless. “Nick, that girl just washed your down!” Cornelius whistled sending him out of his trance. He decided to act like it was okay, that his ego didn't get bruised.“ It's all good, I'll pretend that didn't happen. Whose idea was it to come to this awful place? Cornelius turned away acting deaf, an angry Nicholas could be all bark and bite. As Princess changed to her casual wears. Amanda noticed her demeanor “Why your face dey like frog wey no fit croak?” Princess sighed in response, her mind went back to that young man she hadn't insulted properly, she wish she had broken into her dialect to insult him better, how dare he ?” “oya since you don't want to tell me, Barbara is waiting for us!” Princess had a sour look as she asked “Did she order bolt again?” Amanda shook her head, with a smile she said “ She's using her new company's car!” “Oh my goodness! so she finally got the job...! Princess remarked in glee then she added “...at least one of us had a great day!” but once they saw Barbara's face they knew it was otherwise. Nobody said a thing in the car until they arrived at home. “Madam, what happened? Amanda asked immediately the driver left, as if the newest employee had been waiting for that question, the outburst came immediately “ It's my boss o, the man is so insolent and full of himself, he is very mean and arrogant. If I were to vote for him to be the president of this country, I'll rather commit suicide. This man doesn't even call me by my own name, ”.The more she complained, the more the other two laughed hard.The laughter only subsided when she stopped talking. Princess then said, “Good to hear that our house wife is finally a worker, welcome to working class where you will face challenges of mean bosses, ye ye customers and anger management!” “I swear!” Amanda added laughing at the pouting Barbara who had given up on them. Her focus was now in opening their food packs, complaining to this two was absolutely pointless. “ But this man is so fine. I hear he was schooled and brought up outside the country but his manners asop (disappear).” She slapped her hands together for emphasis. A fleeting memory of that mall guy popped up in Princess mind . “I met mannerless like that at the mall. He even threatened to sack me, for what? for eba! The three girls laughed in unison then silenced reigned just as fast as the laughter had started. “I'm so sorry about your jobs!”Barbara said making the others to smile sadly. “Please bring food lemme eat and forget my worries! Princess joked and that seem to lighten the mood. This was how they lived harmoniously, for five years they have stayed together. Princess knew Amanda from work while the latter knew Barbara from school, they bonded quickly. Good morning sir! Nicholas looked up to find the girl who claimed to be his P.A. “Were you not fired yesterday?” he asked, she had the nerve to smile at him with a cheerful reply “Of course not !” an ugly glare marred his face. “Get me my coffee and stop mopping, Amelia. I'm not going to pay you for staring at me, that's not the job description”. He watched in satisfaction as the smile suddenly vanished to be replaced by fear. Nicholas almost wanted to do a jump at the emotional switch, he felt better when fear set in their eyes. 3 days with him and one would think she had learnt her lesson. “Sir my name is not Amelia... ” she didn't have to complete the sentence and Nicholas knew why, her job was at stake. But as she returned with his coffee, a piece of paper stick by the side of the mug. ##My name is Barbara## “What's the meaning of this?” Nicholas look up ready to get someone sacked but nobody could be found in his office. This Barbara girl was about becoming a thorn in his flesh. Just then thoughts of the mall girl invaded his mind, he's never one to notice women, Cornelius? Yes, that's the playboy and wine taster. Alexander will take cars and gym any day while him,it was all about money and work. These two things were his calling. What did that woman do to him that made him think about her, maybe the coldness of her eyes and she had such foul tongue . He shook his head, admonishing himself for thinking about a stranger instead of thinking of Vera, the daughter of his father's friend. He was to meet her later in the day and clearly he believes that he and Vera will make a powerful couple, not only in physique but in monetary aspect, his confidence in this date was a hundred percent. But only if wishes were true, 12 hours later and Nicholas is already cursing the Vera girl in his head. He turns to the other side of the bar where Alex and Cornelius were playing poker game and receives a thumbs-up from Cornel, this adds to his already annoyed spirit. Who in their right senses will try to stand him up? “Hello good evening Sir! what will you like to drink? I just noticed your table is empty.” He raised up his head to reply the waitress but pauses when he recognizes her. “Are you stalking me...” he scoffs “...of course, clearly you are stalking me. What is wrong with sociopaths like you? the waitress stared at him like he's a chasm then few seconds later,she slowly spoke, picking gently at words.“ I apologize for any misconception, please have we met before? Nicholas have never felt humiliated as now, a girl that has been haunting his dreams for three nights but to his dismay doesn't even recognize him . “You are joking right, don't think I can't still get you fired here as well... “Oh you!” she had the effrontery to laugh interrupting his speech.“Oh my goodness! So young man, you are going around Lagos with this pride, this ego and you aren't dead yet? my friend, go and look for work and stop threatening the ones that have managed to find one... by the way what are you ordering?” Nick burned with unleashed anger ,did she know who he was? how could she underestimate him that way? “Hello, I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting. I had a late appointment with a client and asked my PA to call and shift the time for our dinner date, I hope she did.” Nicholas shifted focus to the newcomer, Vera who looked totally astonishing and formal. Just his type of women like he had a type. “ It's either your assistant didn't relay the information or my PA is so incompetent that I may likely fire her !” He heard a snort beside him and look towards the sound to find the cuss girl still waiting for their order. “Martini for the lady and whiskey on ice for me!” “Oh no, Mr Olatimi,I'll prefer to have a stronger drink. Today has been so stressful. Vera intruded while staring vainly at her possible new nails. Nicholas could feel the disdain oozing out from their waitress. “What are you staring at? get our drinks cupcake!” and she had guts to roll her eyeballs at him,and replied “ My name is Princess! then she turned and left them. “Such attitude for such a poor lass, no good for business! Vera stated but Nicholas could feel his lips itching to spray to a smile, finally a name to the face. But he still wondered how she knew where he will be at, definitely it wasn't a mere coincidence for her to be working as a waitress in his favourite bar. Princess kissed her teeth as she found her way to the bar, to get their drinks. She sees Amanda there as well. “I hear that the three eligible famous bachelors are in the building! Amanda spoke but Princess didn't perturb at all, instead she replied. “No wonder the place is so boring. You won't even believe the bastard I saw in here.” Amanda took her tray as she asked waited to hear who, Princess referred to as bastard. “The i***t from the mall who threaten to get me fired!” Amanda blinks in disbelief. “You are lying right? because the only people in this bar right now are the top 10 billionaires or children of the top ten. That means he's freaking rich...” Princess rolled her eyes at Amanda's enthusiasm. Did she look like she cared?? she thought but aloud, she said “ Someone should not misbehave because I will join the person and misbehave”. She picked up her tray to go serve drinks, not hearing the be careful warning Amanda retorted to her. On approaching the arrogant young man,she heard him tell his partner. “... you should watch your tongue, Miss Vera, I'm being very polite here. Vera looked ready to explode. “I'm not some cheap w***e you will disrespect, I'll let you know my father won't keep quiet and watch you call me derogatory names ”. “Tell him! Princess bit her lips realizing, she just said that aloud and from the grimace and scowl on their faces they heard her.Princess wanted the earth to open up and swallow her “Who are you? came from Vera, the man sat silently staring at the two. Princess tried to avoid their gazes while she announced “Your drinks!” she prayed to God to allow her escape this one but no the man had to fuel the blazing fire. “It seems like our waitress has been dying to say something to you!” Vera scowl deepened “Just a waitress, and she possesses this awful attitude...”. She sneers at Princess. “... better get your priorities straight before nosing into other peoples conversation.” Princess wanted to sneer at her as well but decided against replying she knew she was wrong to interrupt in their private conversation and she already has 2 strikes of warning, if her boss finds out about this, she will be fired. “I'm sorry ma'am and sir I shouldn't have said anything.. “Sorry for your sick self! Vera exclaimed deciding on that moment to spill her drink on Princess. At first, it seemed like a mistake until she drenched Princess with the whole drink. “Oops! now that's better you incompetent fool”. Princess sneezed at the smell of alcohol hit her. she was willing to endure it but realise the Vera girl was already calling the attention of her manager .She saw red, she didn't really do anything to deserve all this. “Madam, keep quiet! So because you are dressed like a formal pineapple you think the whole world is beneath you? I just apologize to you and the drench on me is enough punishment, do you have to call my boss?” From her side eye, Nick could be seen stifling his laughter while trying hard to look angry. “... Look senorita, pray that my manager understands when you tell him that this was a misunderstanding, or else you will see me again, rich pumpkin!” Vera swallowed hard, clearly she was scared s**t less. Princess turned to glare at Nicholas who still sat quietly staring at the drama, a smirk on his face now, he raised an eyebrow at her gaze. “Birds of the same feathers flock together apparently!” She looks ready to chew and spit him out, but he wasn't about being intimidated so easily. “Cupcake, I'm not Vera, that can't handle your whimpered treat. I will find you if you try anything stupid here.” His smirk didn't disappear from his face which irked Princess. She really wanted to wipe that smug look off his face. Because they were rich, they acted like Kangaroos on Peacock feathers, jumping around in pride. “Look young man, unless you have a job to offer me. Stop threatening to take my job away from me. Next time you do, I may likely do something dreadful to your testicles, be warned. Mister prideful and arrogant!” It took two seconds for shock to disappear from Nicks' face. Immediately she turned , she came face to face with her manager. “Sir... “Meet me in my office, tomorrow... and you have been relieved of your duty tonight!” Grudgingly, Princess couldn't say a thing but if wishes could happen by mere snapping of fingers, miss high and mighty and mister pride and arrogant will be six feet by now. The only strand of hope to keep her job was if Vera will adhere to her threats and tell the manager how everything was a misunderstanding. “That man won't even listen!” She found herself stamping her feet as she reached the locker room. Her first strike was when she had called out a drunk man for making s****l advances on her, “okay, maybe I broke a chair on him and hospitalized him, ” but the rich buffoon had caused unrest between her and the manager. The second strike happened when a lady and her friends came and got themselves drunk and had refused to pay for their drinks, Princess smiled, she would never regret locking those bimbos up in the old cellar untill somebody came to their rescue. Another act that made the manager dislike her, as the lady herself was a social butterfly and a popular one that threaten his precious little bar. And now, here she was in the same situation, she had vowed to avoid. As a job that pays daily, it was obvious she wasn't about getting paid, all thanks to that bastard. Amanda joined her with a stare that screamed “I warned you , didn't I?” Princess looked guiltily at the floor , a face Amanda couldn't scold as she had wanted to “Go home, don't allow manager to see you here again , he's so mad at you..” She touched Princess shoulder, “... You look like a warrior that has been defeated and can't return home to announce his failure. ” Princess nodded, slowly she took her purse. Tomorrow was going to determine her employment status. “Till tomorrow then .”