Joy’s Dilemma

Chapter4

Joy sat there shaking with sweaty palms, her body felt stiff, her muscles felt weak and shaky and her mind was full of racing thoughts of impending danger “Joy! Joy!” Joy heard Someone call her from a distance “Joy! Joy” the call continued and this time she felt a tap on her shoulder “Oh mom, it’s you” she said as she jumped up in shock “Are you okay? you left your room door open and you’re sitting here lost in thoughts, is everything fine?” Asked Rev Mrs. Koroma “Yes! Yes! Mom, I am

Fine, I was just thinking that I would be graduating next month and I don’t have any internship or Job yet” Joy replied as she tried to put herself together and hide her fright from her Mum “Oh don’t let that bother you, my dear, I have a surprise for you” Rev Mrs. Koroma Assured Joy with a grin on her face “Mummy, what is the surprise” Joy asked “Come with me, I’ll show you” Said Rev Mrs. Koroma as she grabbed Joy’s hand “Okay Mummy, let’s go” Replied Joy then she stood up and walked behind her Mother sluggishly “My mom and her shenanigans, I hope she is serious this time because I have important and pressing things at hand” Joy thought. Rev Mrs. Koroma always made something up to get Joy out of her room because she was always locked in whenever she was at home. “Where is the surprise?” Joy asked her mom as she sat down on the couch, her mom winked at her and smiled as she took an already-opened package from the center table. Rev Mrs. Koroma opened the package Sammy sent immediately she woke up and found another surprise there for Joy but Sammy sent it to them because he wanted them to know first and he had something for them too “I got this package today and guess what’s inside for you” Rev Mrs. Koroma giggled “I can’t guess, but I hope it is worth all this” Joy smirked “It’s an appointment letter” Rev Mrs. Koroma Screamed “Oh you got a new Job, congratulations Mom” Joy Said “Yes I and your father got Jobs too but this appointment letter has your name on it” Rev Mrs. Koroma replied. Rev Koroma studied accounting and worked for the government all his life, upon this retirement he wanted to be a lecturer, he had applied countless times but got rejected whilst his wife Rev Mrs. Koroma studied Education and was an English teacher at a government secondary school. They have only been living on Rev Koroma’s retirement fund, the small salary of Rev Mrs Koroma, and the monthly salary they get from the Church accountants every month. “What! My name? Let me see?” Joy jumped up from the couch, snatched the envelope from her Mum’s hand, opened it, took the letter out, and read it “Who sent this? I did not apply for any Job! This is huge! Who did this Mom?” Joy asked “Sammy did! I received this package earlier today, but I was very tired so I only opened it minutes ago, and guess what? I saw three acceptance letters, your Dad has been accepted to be a lecturer at a private university, I have been assigned as a principal to a private secondary school and you have just been appointed as the head accountant to a lucrative company, all in one day!” Rev Mrs. Koroma explained “Sammy and his surprises, I told him Dad had always wanted to be a lecturer after his retirement, you are only an English teacher in a government secondary school and I am graduating next month with honors in applied accounting” Joy elucidated “Your father is still sleeping, he would be glad when he wakes up I don't know how Sammy did this but this shows he commands power and respect in the high places of this country, we would thank him when your Dad wakes up and get this good news,” said Rev Mrs. Koroma “wait, mom! The company’s name, Alfred Cole and Son Ltd? I seem to have heard this name somewhere, but where? Joy asked “Does it matter now? You’ve gotten a Job there, you’ll find out later for now congratulations my baby” Rev Mrs. Koroma hugged Joy and went back to her room. Joy looked at the name and tried to recall but she could not remember anything, so she put the letter back in the envelope and went to her room, she was glad but she had something else on her mind. Her phone beeped “Who is it again? Won't I rest?” Joy asked as she grabbed her phone to see what was it, it was another Anonymous message which read I KNOW YOU GOT MY FIRST MESSAGE, YOUR LIFE IS IN DANGER AND I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN HELP YOU. YOU CANNOT GO INTO THE LION’S DEN WITHOUT ANY SOLID PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE AND EXPECT TO COME BACK ALIVE. CALL ME SOON I WILL BE WAITING. “Can this prank stop? Who is after my life? Who have I offended?” Joy asked herself as she felt a knot in her stomach and a chill running down her spine from fear. Joy had always been the peaceful type, she always made sure she was at peace with everyone. Joy sat on her bed, placed the acceptance letter inside her bedside drawer, took her phone, and dialed the number “Hello! Hello!, who are you and why are you sending me these messages?” Joy asked immediately the person picked up her call “Don't be afraid, I do not mean any harm, you've stepped on a tiger's tail and he has promised to bring you down, I know how he works, I have seen him bring others down and he won't rest until he gets to you, I only want to help. My conscience cannot have me see another young person go down because of his greed.” explained the person on the other side of the call “I don't understand what you are saying, who are you? who are you talking about? And how have I offended them?” Joy enquired “Firstly I can't show you my name because of security reasons, all I can say is that I am a female worker at the company you've just been accepted into, I have been working there for years and I know a lot about the company.” The Lady said “Oh okay, but how did I offend someone at a company and a job I only heard about minutes ago, I never applied and I don’t know how, but I got a Job there as their head accountant.” Replied Joy. Joy was confused, she could not make sense out of this, initially when she got the first text, she thought the person was talking about Sammy because she had just accepted to be his girlfriend without meeting him in person or doing any investigations about him and she had no idea about this Job or company. “Oh wow! So you had no idea about the job or company before receiving the letter? Well, whoever got you the Job stepped on a tiger's tail and put you on the tiger’s radar” The person said “I am worried, stop speaking in codes and tell me what this is about” Joy said “The head of the company’s son is the tiger madam, his father is a good man but he is spoilt and corrupt, his father has kept him from taking a position in the company, even though he is his heir, to avoid him ruining and spending all what he has built and worked for all his life on drugs, women and party but he has always had his way. Without his father’s knowledge he appoints the head accountant himself because he wants direct control over the finance of the company, he has been manipulating the Financial statements from outside the company so well, his father has not noticed any theft. Almost every board member and person in the high places of this company has been answering to him. Some he bribed, others he blackmailed.” explained the lady “Oh wow!” Joy exclaimed, “Somehow you got the Job without his knowledge, he had planned for one of his girlfriends to take that position, and he made sure the last head accountant was relieved from his duties because he was planning to expose him. He wanted someone he had a hold on, now he is very exasperated and has promised to bring you down even if it means getting rid of you.” The lady expounded “Woah this is huge! So I am in trouble because of something I had no idea about, what has Sammy done? I would just reject the Job.” Joy replied “No! Do not reject the job, it’s a good thing, you are a good seed and would stop a lot of corruption in the company because that particular position is a strategic one. I only informed you so that you would be extra careful and know what you’re getting into.” The lady said.

“Oh okay, thank you very much. I hope to see you on Monday when I resume work anonymous lady” Joy giggled. Joy ended the call with relief, a lot of things went through her mind after the first text, she had doubted her boyfriend and best friend too but she was relieved it was something else and she finally had a Job, though it was a dangerous one. Joy had always done the right thing even in pressure or danger and she was willing to do the right thing again, even if her first Job would be a suicide mission, but saving the company from the corrupt son was very important and it sounded like the right thing to do. Joy lay on her bed, took a deep breath, took her phone, and texted Gamela her boyfriend’s number as she had promised her earlier, then she dialed her boyfriend “Hello baby, how are you? I have missed you” Sammy said in a romantic small voice immediately he picked up Joy’s call “I’m fine babe though it has been a hectic and surprising day. My mom got the package you sent, haven’t you done enough? Thank you very much the king of my heart” Joy giggled “You don’t need to thank me, babe, I must make you happy after you’ve given me the honor of being your boyfriend. Babe, it’s an emergency, can I call you later?” Sammy hanged up. “Joy! Joy!” Rev Mrs Koroma Called “Yes mum!” Joy answered “Please text me Sammy’s number, we want to call him later and thank him. Hmm, my handsome and rich son-in-law” Rev Mrs Koroma giggled “Okay ma” Joy replied as she texted the number to her mum. It was already 9 pm, the day had gone fast, Joy was still tired and needed more rest and she had to wake up early the next morning for Church. She placed her phone on top of her nightstand, stood up from her bed, walked to her bathroom, brushed her teeth, took a bath, put on her nightwear, and went back to her bed. She sat down on her bed, took her Bible, Opened it, read it, placed it back, prayed, laid on her bed, covered herself, and slept. Bang Bang on Joy’s room door “Small madam, Madam said I should come and wake you up” the house girl said “Oh, it is already morning? I am awake now, you can go” Joy replied with a sleepy voice and continued her sleep. After a while “Small Madam! Oga and Madam are already having breakfast, they said I should come and call you” Called the house girl “Okay! I'll be out in a minute” Joy answered as she jumped up from her bed “Oh no not again I can't be late, Dad would be very angry, I have to make haste before he notices that I am running late” Exclaimed Joy as she ran to the bathroom to have her bath without packing her room or spreading her bed or even praying as usual. Joy woke up late most Sunday mornings and it got her Dad angry because he had always told her that shows how serious she is about God. Joy had a bath in a hurry, grabbed the first dress, shoe, bag and scarf she could lay her hands on, and ran out of her room to join her parents for breakfast, she was happy she made it on time and her dad was not angry with her. Joy joined her parents for breakfast, they ate, prayed as a family, and left for church. Joy got to church and sat at her usual position before the service started, but she could not help but look around for her friend. Gamela disliked going to church, she only went to church because of Joy, she always loved to hear her best friend sing in church. Gamela was from a wealthy family, her parents were always traveling for business and work, she lived all her life alone in a big house with domestic workers, so she had no fear or respect or home training, she always did whatever she wanted and her parents had always supported her and given her whatever she asked for, as long as she did well in school. She had many friends, mostly bad ones, Joy was one of her few good friends. WHERE ARE YOU? I CAN’T SEEM TO FIND YOU IN CHURCH Joy texted Gamela I AM RUNNING LATE BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC Gamela replied I AM ABOUT TO LEAD THE WORSHIP SESSION, I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO MISS IT TODAY Joy replied I AM ON MY WAY, IT’S OKAY I HAVE NEVER MISSED IT AND WOULD SEE IT NEXT WEEK ANYWAY. GOOD LUCK I LOVE YOU Gamela replied. Joy was called upon, and she went to lead the worship session. Joy loved leading worship sessions it was her and her friend’s favorite part of every service. She loved to lead while her friend loved to watch her lead. Gamela arrived at church almost at the end of service, her and Joy’s eyes met and they smiled at each other. Immediately after service Joy ran to Gamela “My late coming friend” Joy laughed “My Worship leader friend” Gamela laughed along “There is good news girl” said Joy “What is the good news” Gamela asked “I have gotten a Job, My Father is now a lecturer at a private college and my mother a principal at a private secondary school, we would all resume work on Monday and all of this happened just yesterday, I am sorry I didn't tell you immediately I was so tired.” Joy explained “But how did so much happen just yesterday” asked Gamela “It is Sammy Ma, he did all that. We just received our acceptance letters.” “Oh wow,” Gamela smirked “You don't look happy, is anything wrong?” Joy asked “No ma, everything is fine” Gamela replied. Gamela was very annoyed, Joy had forgotten they made a pact to work in the same company after graduation “But how could Joy forget something so important?” Gamela thought “Oh so because she has gotten a man who gives her everything she wants, even without her asking. She is starting to forget about me? Her best friend who is always there for her? Okay, let's see” Gamela said to herself “Are you talking to me?” Joy asked because she could hear Gamela murmuring. “No Ma, I just remembered I have an event to attend and I should be going home now to prepare, Gamela hugged Joy and ran off, Joy went to the church parking lot, got into her car, and drove home leaving her parents behind because they had tons of meetings and church members to attend to and she needed to pack her room from the mess she made in the morning because she was running late, spread her bed, do some online shopping and rest because she had to resume her new job the next day. Joy went home, undressed, wore a short and a T-shirt, packed her room, spread her bed, had her bath, ate ordered new clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories online for her new job, Called Sammy but he didn't pick up the call “I think he is busy at work, he'll just call me when he is less busy” Joy said to her self. She watched a movie, texted Gamela HEY GIRL, HOW IS THE EVENT? PLEASE BE SAFE

She then read her Bible, prayed, lay on her bed scrolling through social media with her phone until she slept off.

Early the next morning Joy woke up, did her daily morning routine, and left for work. Joy also made sure to text her class representative to inform him that she would not be coming to classes and that she had started working, even though she was almost at the end of her course and at that time, having a Job was more important than going for classes because they had done all they needed to do, they were just taking extra classes and getting advice on how to behave in the corporate world. Joy arrived at her new Job location, she parked in the company's parking lot, looked at the building and her stomach began to rumble she was terrified, she took a deep breath, said some prayers, and summoned every courage she could get, came down from her car, and walked like a boss into the building.

Joy got inside and met with other employees, they were very nice and accommodating. They went back to their Jobs after they showed her the directions to her office “Wow!” this big space just for me? I will surely love it here!”

She said to herself and a lady walked in, “Good morning Ma, I am your office assistant” The Lady smiled as she streched out her hand to give Joy a hand shake “Oh I even have an office assistant?” she asked “Yes ma and I am your office assistant” The lady giggled “It's a pleasure meeting you and I’m excited to work with you” Joy replied as she shook the lady’s hand “The pleasure is mine, ma” The lady smiled and walked out of Joy’s office. Joy settled down, checked every corner of the office, and got to know the toilet and everything else inside her office, she sat on her chair, prayed, and started work. Moments later Joy’s phone kept beeping “Who is this?” she said as she pulled her phone from her handbag to check. What! Joy screamed in shock immediately she opened her phone. She jumped from her chair and started pacing in her office. She could feel her heart racing and chills all over her body, she started to gasp for air as sweat covered her body in a fully air-conditioned office, she felt a sharp pain in her chest and stomach together, she screamed out pain, fell, and fainted