Creme DeLa Creme

Creme 4

CREME DE LA CREME

CHAPTER FOUR

It’s been a very busy day at MAUDE, the CEO Maimuna didn’t even get time for breakfast. In MAUDE, Thursdays are usually the busiest days because the next day that follows is Friday which marks the beginning of weekend and they have to conclude every simple task that started that week including other scheduled tasks to meet up with client’s dead lines.

So its an unusual surprise and a very uncomfortable one at that when Thursday came with unexpected challenges.

Her day started quarter to seven at the site in Maitama where they were reconstructing a new Day Care from an old law firm, the building unfortunately caught fire the night before due to some electrical problems , thankfully only the kitchen and one room was affected. Maimuna had to go see for herself as early as possible. She was soon joined by two of her managers Nafiu from the finance department and Adebayo from creative art department. They concluded their investigations and left everything in the hands of the electricians from MAUDE’s Engineering department to resolve the electric issues and prevent it from reoccurring.

By quarter past nine she was at Real Estate Agencies meeting, Abuja chapter with Mr Farouk and her special adviser, Khadija Khamis. It took two long boring hours that her stomach started to gawk and cry for food reminding her that she didn’t have breakfast. The moment that meeting was over, she called Fauzia to buy her her favorite lunch from Iya Hakeem’s place.

Mr Farouk and Khadija couldn’t help but laugh hard as she made her order.

“Your taste in food is very interesting. You’re amazing boss.” Farouk commented with a crooked smile.

She smiled. Mr Farouk could do no wrong in her eyes. “I will take that as a compliment. “ she replied.

On reaching MAUDE she crashed on the couch in the lounge on the 4th floor where the accounts department and some of the directors’ offices were located. The 4th floor had the biggest resting area and the finest kitchen. Maimuna particularly liked the couch there, it’s soft and she had fallen asleep on it a few times when she was sure Fauzia would wake her up before anyone sees her.

She dialed Fauzia’s number. “Hello” Fauzia’s voice came through the speaker. Maimuna was too tired to place the phone to her ear.

“Uhm. Fauzee. How far?”

“I’m on my way with your lunch. Just give me ten minutes. Do you need anything else?. “

“No. When you return just keep the food in my office. I’m on the 4th floor resting. And unless it’s necessary, don’t tell anyone. Not even Madam Vicky. “ She warned.

“I’ve got you. Bye”

They hung up. She immediately put her cellphone on silent and straightened her legs on the large sofa. She hugged the head of the sofa with her hands and relaxed her head on it. Her nerves hit the relaxation button and her entire body sank in releasing some heat and making a deep sigh.

Ten more minutes in that position could energize her for the rest of the day and thirty minutes to one hour of nap in that soft goodness of a couch could keep her going through the week. She had been really stressed these past few days. Scratch the workload and project that have been ongoing, she was battling an emotional war inside of her and she had no idea how to go about that with all that’s been going on in her life.

As she drifted into oblivion, her phone kept ringing beside her, silently.

**

Ibrahim Adam wondered how he managed to be late when all he did last night was think about meeting Maimuna in the morning. He’s ten minutes late and he almost can’t forgive himself.

He rushed to the reception on the ground floor.

“Hello. Good morning ... I mean afternoon. “ he greeted the receptionists there.

“Good afternoon sir. How can we help you?” She replied with a smile.

“Uhm I have a meeting with Maimuna Usman.. though I’m a bit late. “

“Maimuna Usman ?” She asked. The name didn’t ring a bell at all.

“Yes. Uhm the CEO?” he insisted as his heartbeat accelerated. Was he at the wrong building? Why was he so nervous? This was so unlike him.

“Boss. He means Boss.” The male receptionist confirmed eyeing the woman.

“Oh. I’m so sorry sir. Please wait a minute let me call her office. Your name please? “ she grabbed the intercom refusing to meet his eyes. This was probably the most embarrassing thing that has happened to her all week.

“Ibrahim Adam from NAN groups. ”

After speaking on the phone with Maimuna’s secretary, the receptionist told him to go to the 6th floor. However the elevator counts G as underground parking lot and 1 as the ground floor so number 7 is the 6th floor. Maintenance office have thought of rearranging it but decided to leave it for security reasons.

Ibrahim was in a rush he didn’t wait to hear the explanation about the elevator as he quickly rushed to it and proceeded to press number 6 on the elevator. Half of the fifth floor was an incredibly large seminar room, the remaining half had a library, two unlabeled offices and two public bathrooms for male and female each. The floor was practically empty and he knew he was lost.

He quickly used the stairs to go to up and as he reached the door to the floor he saw sixth floor written boldly on the wall.

The 6th floor was buzzing with activity. There was a small lounge at the center surrounded by transparent glass. It looked like break time or floor meeting because it was filled with people. He wondered if the ‘boss’ herself was there.

He knocked on the glass door and let himself in. It was a lovely and cozy place. Everything was either coffee color or milk color. The counter, the sofas, tables even some of the electrical appliances.

All attention turned to the unfamiliar face.

“Hello”. He waved with a smile. The girls were smitten. “Please I’m looking for the boss’s office. I have an appointment with her. “

“Oh. You must be Mr Ibrahim Adam.” The lady with a light makeup in three quarter skirt and tucked-in T-shirt stood up and walked to him. “I’m Victoria, her secretary. Please come with me.” Whenever Victoria scheduled Maimuna’s appointments she does a small research on the person her boss is going to meet. So one look and she knew that was the CEO of NAN groups.

He followed her to her office and sat on the waiting chair as she dialed Maimuna’s number again and again.

“I’m sorry sir. I don’t know why she’s not picking up. She had a rough morning I’m sure she’s resting somewhere. She’s usually always on time.” Vicky smiled nervously.

“It’s okay. I will just wait.” He smiled back.

Ibrahim had never had a problem with waiting. It’s one nerve-wrecking thing he uses as a therapy for so many things.

She was about to dial her number one more time when Fauzia walked in.

“Oh. Thank God. Fauzia please where’s Boss?” Victoria rushes to Fauzia’s side as she asked.

“Uhm...” she contemplated telling the anxious secretary. “Why? Is anything wrong?”

“She has an appointment to meet with CEO of NAN group of companies and she’s no show. Plus she’s not picking her phone or replying to my messages. “

“Holy crap. That’s true. I will get her. “

Fauzia turned to greet their visitor.

“We’re so sorry sir. She got caught up in something. But I will go fetch her right away. So sorry for the delay. It must have skipped her mind. “ Fauzia apologized.

“She’s in the building right?” He asked. Please let her be in the building, he prayed silently.

“Yes. Yes she is. Let me just drop this in her office, then I will go to her. “ Fauzia was holding a food flask in a lunch bag.

“Alright. I will come with you. “ He declared.

Fauzia paused. To see the sleeping head of the company? Hell no.

“Uhm. Sir, you really don’t have to. I will make sure I bring her with me ASAP. Don’t worry. “ She passed Vicky a weird look.

“No. Uhm. I’m just fascinated by this building. I just want to look round. “

Fauzia gave another look to Vicky mentally asking her to help her handle the situation.

“Yes. Sure. Please join her. You might even have a tour around the building by Miss Maimuna. “ Victoria encourages him disappointing Fauzia.

Fauzia quickly dropped Maimuna’s lunch and walked out with him telling him what each room on that floor was for.

They were about to take the elevator when he stopped her.

“Uhm. Sorry what floor is she in right now. “ he asked.

Fauzia smiled politely and replied. “ 4th floor. “

“Then using the stairs won’t be too much work right? I just want to see the fifth floor on our way.” He didn’t get to view the floor and understand it well when he mistakenly stopped there.

Fauzia used every nerve in her body to stop her eyes from rolling her eyes and her legs from stamping out of anger. She forced herself to smile. If this man is trying to scout this place so he can plan a robbery, then he is mistaken. The security system is…..hold up. Where is she getting these thoughts from?

I need to stop watching crime dramas, she thought to herself.

“Okay. This way please. “ she replied politely.

She showed him around the different departments on the fifth floor briefly and quickly proceeded to the 4th floor.

Unlike the resting area on the sixth floor which was in the center and covered with transparent glass the one on the fourth floor is at the far end of the large floor. It’s a large room with a half of its upper wall glass and the lower half bricks. The door is made of mirror glass. The room can’t really be seen from outside except a person strains to look through the glass if the blinds are open.

Fauzia knocked three times before she carefully opened the door.

“Salamu Alaikum. Boss ?” She called as Maimuna was not in sight.

“Fauzee I’m right here” came Maimuna’s sleepy voice.

“Oh. Uhm I came with a visitor. Where are you exactly?” Fauzia was stalling so that Maimuna could compose her sleepy self. She knew where she was resting even without seeing her.

Maimuna who has been slightly dozed off for about thirty minutes quickly sat up adjusted her gown and pinned her scarf.

She finally stood up asking “Who is it?”

She saw someone by the door beside Fauzia but couldn’t make out who he was as her eyes were still adjusting to the light and accommodation.

They walked towards Maimuna. “It’s Mr Ibrahim Adam of NAN groups. I think it skipped your mind that you had an appointment with him today before noon. “

“Crap. Has it been a week already? crap crap crap crap. “ Maimuna said repeatedly as she placed her palm on her forehead.

Ibrahim was fighting so hard not to smile at this cuteness before him.

“We’ve been calling your phone... “ Fauzia continued. Meanwhile Maimuna turned to the couch to look for her phone but finally found it lying on the ground. She quickly picked it and tapped to see a zillion messages and missed calls.

By then the duo were already in front of her. “Mr Ibrahim I am so so so sorry. I really am. I don’t know what to say. I’m over an hour late I know but please forgive me. I’m not usually this late. I have no excuse. “

Ibrahim gave her a dashing smile she almost tripped. “It’s fine. I was also ten minutes late. Let’s call it even. It’s been only 30 minutes not over an hour.”

As he said that she quickly checked her phone again. It’s just twelve noon. The meeting was scheduled for 11:30am. It’s really been only 30 minutes. She sighed, relieved.

She picked her ear-rings which she had removed before she slept off from the couch then turned to speak to him when she noticed how amazed and astonished he looked as he’s looking around the room.

Just as you step into the rest room there’s a coffee bar with atleast 3 dozen mugs and saucers. There’s about 2 dozen plates and every cutlery of choice. There’s a fruits basket which has only about 6 oranges remaining and a large fridge for everyone. Workers usually label their properties in the fridge. They also have a microwave which has probably worked more hours than some employees.

Mid-way on the side of the entrance door where almost all the couches are facing is a 78 inches curved smart TV on a Television stand.

Some couches are backing the TV , and facing outside. The wall there is same as the one from inside only that the upper glass wall is 70 % of the wall for better view of the scenery when the blinds are not covered like how Mr Ibrahim met them.

The room is completed with two toilets which both have changing rooms inside just incase.

“I love this building. “ Ibrahim declared.

“No doubt.” Fauzia agreed immediately.

“I see you’re enjoying the view.” Maimuna smiled.

“If I worked here, I’m never going home. “ He said making the girls laugh. “I mean look at the ‘resting room’. Amazing. Who stocks up the beverages?”

“Most of the times we have suppliers. People we’ve worked with or we’ve worked for. Some times they like to send overwhelming gifts monthly or atleast yearly.” Maimuna explained.

“What of the fruits? “ he asked further.

“Oh that. We worked with a seasonal fruit farmer about two years ago. So sometimes he sends us trunk load of them. Other time our directors just love to stock them up. They hate when they come in and find the counters half empty. By the way they have their mini coffee corner in their offices. Everyone likes to hangout here including them. “

”Wow. Amazing. So that explains why you bought a cinema size TV for them. “ he pointed at the gigantic screen in front.

“Noooo. That was also a gift. “. She laughed.

“You must be really nice and genuine for people to be gifting you stuffs like that. “

If Maimuna was light skinned, her face would’ve been crimson by now due to the gentleman’s compliment. But thank God for melanin.

They all laughed it off.

“This is the only luxurious lounge. All the rest are just there. Fair and manageable.” She replied humbly.

“Very luxurious” Ibrahim nodes in agreement.

“Please let’s go to my office.” She walked ahead of him as he and Fauzia followed suit.

They continued to discuss about the building till they reached the elevator. As it opened one of MAUDE’s oldest Director and friend to Maimuna’s father, Malam Kabir stepped out with the managing Director of TeeFee groups, the largest, richest and fastest growing company in Nigeria.

“Malam welcome. “ Maimuna and Fauzia quickly greeted him respectfully.

They walked out of the elevator “Ah. Fauzee, Maims what brings you to our floor?” Malam Kabir has always been the over familiar, humble, nice kind of uncle. ”Oh I know. Our Lounge right?” He laughed.

“Ai gaskiya we’re going to write a petition to get a similar one on our floor.” Maimuna pouted cutely while Ibrahim snickered.

She turned to the other man “Chief. Welcome. “ She greeted the MD of TeeFee, Mr Oseni Obinna.

“Thank you Madam Maimuna. “ he smiled as his eyes drifted to the snickering young man. “Is that Ibrahim?”

Ibrahim finally gave the men his attention. He was too busy between looking around the building and admiring Maimuna to notice who the men were.

“Oh. Uncle Oseni. Salamu alaikum.” They shook hands. He also exchanged greetings with Malam

“So what brings you here? “ Mr Oseni asked.

“Oh. I have a meeting with her. “ he pointed at Maimuna.

“Really. I have a meeting with her too. “

“We do?” Maimuna asked Mr Oseni and Malam Kabir.

“Yes. I asked Vicky yesterday evening to check when you’re less busy and she gave me today 12:30pm. “

“Oooohkayyy...” Maimuna turned to Fauzia mentally asking for ideas on what to do. Could this day get any less stressful?

“Oh. She’s been so busy since morning, she hasn’t even been to her office yet. Madam Vicky didn’t get the chance to inform her. “ Fauzia quickly interjected.

“Oh. That’s okay. If you’re done with him just let us know. “ Mr Oseni said.

“No. It’s okay. I can wait. I really don’t mind. She can go with you. Besides elders first.” Ibrahim jokes and declines respectfully.

“Don’t you have something else to do today? Aren’t you in a hurry ? “ Maimuna asked Ibrahim.

“Nothing. I can take care of everything over the phone. Just go with them.”

“Okay. Thank you. So sorry for the inconvenience. “ she apologized

“It’s okay. “ he flashed her a smile and she had to blink twice. Why are his teeth so white?

“Fauzia please take him to my office. Serve him some drinks and snacks or whatever he likes.....” she turned to him “I have books in the office if you’re interested you can read them. Make yourself at home. I will be back in a short while. Thank you. “

With that she followed Malam Kabir’s lead to his office. The meeting about some inter company exchanges and marketing strategy suggestion took about 40 minutes and was brief. They were joined by Mr Farouk and both strategy and statistics department Managers.

Maimuna and Malam Kabir walked the very humble Mr Oseni to the elevator.

“Thank you very much our small boss. You should quickly attend to Ibrahim now.”

“Ofcourse. He’s been patient. “ She agreed but she was curious about their relationship. “How are you related if I may ask? “

“Oh. His uncle is my very close buddy. There was a time I was always at their house eating lunch with his uncle. “

“Oh. I see. So it’s totally safe to do business with him? Can I trust him? Please be honest with me. “

“Trust me if it’s business with Ibrahim then know thats blessing upon blessing in sha Allah. There are things though you can’t trust him with like your charger but not business. When he wants to work with you then he’s putting in all his sincerity.”

Maimuna laughed at the charger joke.

“ Okay. Thank you very much. Goodbye Sir. See you next time in sha Allah”.

“Good bye Our able CEO. “ The Igbo man waved at her and shook hands with Malam Kabir bidding him farewell.