Heart's Dilemma

Chapter 1 It had always been an atmosphere of hell for Anna Francis. She had graduated from the University for the past five years but had no job. Her parents had been looking up to her for the hope of financially supporting her siblings in their education because she was the first born of the family. All her friends in the locality where she lived are gainfully employed and married. This had always been a thorn in her flesh whenever she thought of how the world was not fair to her. She always felt bad for herself why the world was dealing with her like this. Anna Francis was a beautiful and tall lady. She was an intelligent business/financial analyst. She had submitted her curriculum vitae to a number of companies with the hope of getting a job of her dream. She was almost at the verge of giving up all hopes when her phone vibrated with an unexpected text from her former lecturer, Prof. Melodi. “How are you doing Anna? I submitted your resume to Tosineur Enterprise a long time ago. You have been granted to come for an interview. Will you be ready to meet me tomorrow afternoon at Amala Skot?” She read. With a hopeful curiosity, Anna quickly responded to meet the professor at Amala Skot. She couldn't believe her eyes that such an opportunity was coming her way. In the meeting between Anna and Prof Melodi at Amala Skot, “I am one of the shareholders of Tosineur Enterprise and I recommended you for the position of a business/financial analyst. I believe in you that you can do the job. You are expected to appear before the panel of the company at 11a.m. on Monday next week for the interview. I wish you the best of good luck at the interview,” Prof. Melodi said. Anna was short of words. She did not know how she could thank Prof. Melodi for her thoughtfulness. She thanked her greatly with tears of joy streaming down her cheek. Later, the two people said goodbye to each other. The weather on Monday of the interview was cool. Anna was finally prepared for the interview. She had read and study about the company. She had neatly gathered together in one transparent file all her credentials and other documents. With the curiosity of the opportunity she had, she quickly took a bike to the venue of the interview. Tosineur Enterprise was a prestigious company situated at Alagbaka in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.It was a magnificent building comprising five storeys with a large parking space for cars. Anna was amazed on entering the compound of the building when he saw the employees clad in exotic suits, cars parked in their lots. It was a serene environment. “Good morning Ma. I am Anna Francis. I have an interview at 11a.m. So, I came around to register my arrival,” Anna said as she walked up to the receptionist. The receptionist went through the screen for the confirmation of the appointment. “You are welcome Miss Francis. Please, have your seat. The Secretary will attend to you in a short time from now,” the receptionist said with a smile after confirming the appointment on the monitor positioned in her front. Anna took the advantage of waiting to study again all that she had read about Tosineur Enterprise. She had read about the financial strength of the company, her rivalries and other partner agencies. Also, she had prepared some suggestions that could be injected to improve the financial strength of the company. She was confident in herself revising all the answers to the likely questions that might be posed to her. Anna's face was beaming with joy and a smile. “This is not just a job but my dream job. Therefore, I must seize every opportunity to do confidently well at the interview. This is my life. My mom and siblings will be happy about it. This is now the time my siblings will have to further their education,” she thought. However, the joy was cut short immediately when she realized that her father was no more. Mr Francis was kidn*pped on the way to his farm by the Fulani herders. The kidnappers were asking for a ransom of three million naira before her father could be released. It was a rude shock to her and the family when the news of the death of her father in the kidnappers’ den was brought to them. After five minutes of waiting, “Miss Anna”, her name was called by the Clerk of the company. She was ushered in by the Clerk to the boardroom where Mr Johnson, the Secretary of the company was already seated. Mr J. Johnson was a calm and simple man in his early fifties. He was short and dark in complexion. “Miss Anna, please take your seat,” he spoke. “We have gone through your resume and found out that you are qualified,” he continued. The interview started with the normal pleasantries and some questions about her background, education and achievements so far. Her responses to the questions were confidently impressive. Mr Johnson was so happy about that. He stood up and shook her hand firmly to end the interview. However, she was caught off guard when Mr Johnson informed her that the interview was inconclusive until she had a meeting with Mr Jonathan Peters, the Chief Executive Officer of the company. “The CEO is not in office today. He has given a directive for you to appear before him tomorrow morning at 10am. same venue. Thank you for coming,” Mr Johnson spoke and left. Anna got home in the afternoon still in the mood of what might come out of the meeting with the CEO the next day at 10a.m. She could not think correctly what might have necessitated her meeting with the CEO? “Can it be that I have a test to write? Why does he want to meet with me? Does he want to test my proficiency in the job?Hm.., whatever way, I have to prepare for it. I must not lose this job,” she muttered to herself.