Pedigree

I have always always hated Morning hurdles, and that is one of that major reasons I don’t look forward to Monday mornings. But today is a different Monday altogether because aside from being stuck in a meeting for close to an hour talking about things we talk about every Monday morning, I get to look at one of my bosses in a different light because she is now the Mrs to my ex boyfriend.

I take a really deep breath before getting out of the car, I have been sitted in here for close to twenty minutes practicing my breathing in and out as everything still hurts really bad.

I fix my beige pencil dress, it’s sleeves are three quarters of length and just below my knees. I am wearing black stilettos, a matching handbag and watch and my weave is combed backwards.

I swear at a few familiar faces though I can see how hard they are trying to act normal, my relationship wasn’t a hidden one so I am sure they all want to ask what happened.

I get into my office, close the door and lean against it to take deep breaths. I actually thought I would do this but then it’s a little hard.

‘Breathe child.’ I say to myself as I walk towards my desk

I put my handbag and laptop bag down before settling down, the meeting is starting in fifteen minutes so I can use this time to go through the minutes that were circulated on Friday as I didn’t have that time.

My phone rings, it’s dad.

‘Good morning paps.’ I say into the speaker

‘Good morning my baby.’

‘How are you this morning?’ He quickly adds

‘Alive and kicking.’

‘Alive is good, eventually you will get better.’

‘Yeah, and how are you?’

‘I am fine, just wanted to make sure you are okay.’

‘Thank you dad, honestly this means a lot.’

‘I gat you baby, now put all those emotions into your work and ace all your day’s challenges. Remember daddy loves you and if you need to talk don’t hesitate to call me.’

‘I won’t paps, take care of yourself.’

‘You too baby.’

‘And Kasweka.’

‘Yes daddy?’

‘I love you.’

‘I love you more.’ I respond before dropping the line

I switch on the laptop and I am about to start going through the minutes when my door opens.

It’s Gymani, my boss’s secretary and side chick , honestly I wish he could have been more professional and not started sleeping with her. Because this girl has become big headed in such a way that she feels she is my boss too, and sadly his wife doesn’t know what happens around here and knowing the type of woman she is, hell would break loose.

‘Ernest and Vaughn won’t be coming in today, I am sure you heard about the wedding.’ She says with a smirk on her face

‘Yes I did, but how is Vaughn’s getting married affect Ernest’s work?’

‘You know they are siblings right?’

‘And so?’

‘The family went on a vacation’

‘His on a vacation with his wife?’ I ask

She clicks her tongue

‘VK will be working here whilst the two are away, thought I let you know.’

‘By VK you mean Mr. Kaluba Snr who is the chairman of this company right?’

‘Mr. Kaluba or whatever you choose to call him I don’t care.’

‘I think you should Gymani, that man might be sleeping with you but his father still owns this place and he will not hesitate to fire you.’

‘He wouldn’t do that, Ernest wouldn’t allow him.’

‘I see you have it figured out.’ I say with irritation

‘I was just informing you, and the meeting won’t be happening this morning. Also anything and everything you need from him, you will have to pass through me.’

‘Ernest’s instructions.’ She adds before walking out of my office

Gymani is really naive or maybe stupid or both, because I don’t understand how a girl as intelligent as her can’t see Ernest’s lies. He is married and he folds his tail whenever Moudy his wife is here, so why can’t she see that he is just using her for sex? Anyway, I am not the best person to act judge right now because I too was played. But one thing I am happy about is that the siblings will be away for some time, I swear to God had it not been for the hard working people under them this company would have crumbled because they use whatever opportunity to celebrate and that means company funds and time being wasted.

Mr. Kaluba Snr started this company when he was twenty eight, he is an engineer by profession and was working working for National Council for Construction at the time. He started by advertising property for some of his colleagues until he went into real estate, he built a number of properties and decided to quit work so that he could go full time into that and only get government contracts for Construction when the need arose. He and his wife divorced when Vaughn had just completed high school, rumour has it that she was cheating on him but it could be just that. She still sits on the board and influences some decisions and if anything Vaughn got her bitterness from her. Ernest on the other hand is a charmer, a big teddy bear and if not careful one would easily fall in love with him. But when you get to know him you realise that he only gets close to people either to use them for worm or for their privates and the two playing role of MD and Director Operations respectively is a pain in the arse.

My office line rings bringing me out of my reverie.

‘Kasweka on the line.’ I say as per custom once I pick up

‘Miss Kasweka please come to my office.’ Mr. Kaluba Snr says before dropping the line

I was hoping I don’t get to be called by him today, he is a very busy man and I have only worked directly with him once in all the years I have worked here. People say he is difficult to work with, way tougher than his children but in a good way as he works really hard and wants results to show. Besides he is the father to the woman my ex has married, him and his family are not exactly my favourite people right now.

‘And where do you think you are going?’ Gymani asks as I walk towards the office of the chairman

‘He called for me.’ I say

‘I need to double check because he hasn’t called me once telling me he wants to see you.’

‘Please hurry, I don’t want to keep him waiting.’

She picks up the phone and calls him but from the way she drops the line it looks like it didn’t go as well as she thought it would

‘Go in.’ She says before picking up her personal phone and I can only guess she is updating Ernest.

I knock once on the door before he lets me in.

‘My way by ARMANI.’

‘What?’

‘Your perfume.’

‘Oh yes.’

‘Good choice, though sweet scents are not exactly my preference.’

‘What is your preference Sir?’

‘Floral and wood.’

‘You would have to be a man to love wood.’

I beat my head in embarrassment realising he is a man after all

‘Good morning Kasweka.’

‘Good morning Sir.’

‘VK please.’

He always insists on first name basis, says it makes the working environment less formal.

‘Please take a seat.’

‘Thank you Sir.’ I respond

‘I am sure Gymani has mentioned that with Ernest and Vaughn being away I will be here seeing you it that things are run properly yes?’

‘Yes Sir.’

‘That was the case but I have just received a call that the flats and offices in Siavonga are done.’

‘Okay.’

‘You being the property manager for Lusaka, I want you to go and view them with me and hold interviews for the offices.’

‘Okay.’ I say wondering where this is going

‘Everything you need to know I will tell you on the drive there, I will pick you up from your house in the next hour. Just send me a location.’

‘Huh?’

I am still very lost right now

‘Or would you rather say no?’

‘No Sir, I will send my location.’ I say before excusing myself

..

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Winnie

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