Pedigree

It’s one thing to say drunk thoughts sober mind until you are in that situation, I don’t even know where VK has gotten the towel from but he has it in his hands when I come out of the pool. The water has sobered me up and I am very embarrassed to even look at him right now, obviously people are even starting to think that he is my boyfriend or something but that is the last thing I care about. What I care about instead is how I am going to face him after today, some how I need to make this right and that can only be achieved if I put my professional hat back on.

I get the towel from him, pick up my dress and walk back to the room as fast as I can after wrapping the towel around me. I don’t even bother facing back to look at him because I just can’t.

When I get to the room my phone is ringing, I rush to where it is and find it’s Gymani calling.

‘Hello.’ I say wondering why she is calling me at this hour.

‘Ernest asked me to call you, he has been trying to reach his father but he is not picking up.’

‘So why in God’s name would he ask you to call me? How am I supposed to know why his father is not picking up his mobile phone?’

‘You are together not so?’

‘Excuse me?’

‘You are in Siavonga together, I am sure you have his room number. Go and knock and tell him that his son is trying to reach him.’

‘Gymani are you okay? Do you realize what time this is?’

‘What do I care?’

‘How do I go and knock at my boss’s room this time of the night?’

‘Because your other boss said so.’

‘Gymani bye, tell Ernest to enjoy his vacation.’ I say before cutting the line, I don’t know what is wrong with that girl. Ernest will never marry her, even if he wanted to his wife wouldn’t go down without a fight because she doesn’t look like the type of women you want to cross.

I receive an email from VK, we are supposed to go and see the flats tomorrow at 10AM. We are to meet for breakfast at 8:30AM in the restaurant and then leave after that, I remove the clothes I will be wearing in advance before hitting the bed. I set the alarm and close my eyes, before I know it I am deep in sleep.

I should have slept pretty hard because I am woken up by a hard knock at the door. I quickly rush out of bed, pick my robe then rush to the door. It’s the man from last night who helped with my bags.

‘Good morning ma’am.’

‘Good morning.’ I respond wondering why he is here

‘VK asked me to bring breakfast to your room and to tell you that a driver has been assigned to you that will take you to the flats as he has an urgent matter to attend to.’

‘I see.’ I respond

I stand away from the door so that he brings the food inside, it’s almost 8:30AM and I don’t know why I didn’t hear the alarm.

‘Where will I find the driver?’

‘I am the driver.’

‘I see.’

‘When you are ready I will be by the reception waiting.’

‘Alright.’

I don’t even waste time because I am scared when I take too long the food might get cold, when done I apply lotion then eat my breakfast. I enjoy the waffles and brownies, the rate at which I am eating I have a feeling that I might put on weight because everything I am eating is delicious and I am eating without a care in the world about my weight.

I wear white high waist bell pants with a baby blue smart shirt and crystal heels, I wear minimal makeup and carry a black handbag. I feel really good about the way I look and I know I will do a good job today, I plan on proving not just to VK but to myself too that I can be professional and I won’t mix work with my personal life.

The driver is by the reception and on standby when I get there, immediately he sees me he gets the keys. I didn’t have time to go through the email that VK sent so I use the time on the car going through everything, so I am to meet the lady that has been in charge of the properties from the time the builders started building till date. I am to assess the work done and price them, then go to the office here and see how the work was done then start conducting interviews tomorrow as a number of people have already been called to come through.

I am just getting done with reading when we get here, from the outside I wouldn’t miss that these are Maluchi Properties and I can’t help but feel proud.

‘I will be here.’ The driver says

‘Sure.’ I respond getting out of the vehicle

An elderly lady who looks like she is in her mid-forties is outside waiting for me.

‘Kasweka right?’ She asks with one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen

‘Yes ma’am, and I am guessing you are Madam Monica?’

‘Call me Monica.’ She responding extending her hand and I shake it

She is dressed in beige pants and a white blouse and slippers on her feet, I can’t help but notice the perfectly manicured nails. Her hair is neatly combed and is falling on her shoulders.

‘When Vivek told me I would be meeting someone he didn’t say it would be a pretty young lady.’ She says as we walk into one of the houses

‘Vi what?’

‘Exactly why he insists on being called VK.’ She says giving me one of her beautiful smiles

I want to ask what sort of a name is Vivek but don’t ask.

‘So there are ten apartments in this yard, five are two bedroom flats and five are studio apartments, the next flat has four studio apartments and four fully furnished apartments.’

I start taking down notes.

‘But why would studio apartments be put in the same yard as two bedroom flats?’

‘The criteria was to combat the noise from the singles.’

‘You thinking putting them together with families will help?’

‘What do you think?’

‘I have been in this business for a long time and I haven’t learnt that you can’t have studio apartments and family apartments in the same yard, the singles want a certain type of freedom. Usually parties and coming home at whatever time they want, this is not bad except it won’t be conducive for the families. Unless when renting them out you specifically say you want newly weds.’

‘But you know at the end of the day we are running a business yes?’

‘Which might give us a lot of pressure, we would have to be looking for new tenants every other month because John in studio apartment one has been bringing different woman and it isn’t good for Mrs. Mutale’s children in flat seven.’

‘So what do we do now?’

I walk outside and look at the surrounding.

‘Put a barrier so that there is privacy for everyone.’

She looks around as if seeing what I am talking about.

‘I see why he brought you down here.’

I just smile, glad to have my professional hat back on.

..

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Winnie

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