Amina
“Or because you like her?” for a moment, everywhere turns numb. The only sound that could be heard is that of the AC splitting around the room and then my unsteady beating heart. I stared at Nabil whose hands were clenched together. I couldn't read out the expression on his face. A mixture of confusion and worry.
“It has nothing to do with this. I'm saying what I think is right?” His answer wasn't what I was expecting. Yet, I was hoping to hear what he thinks of me. Is he helping me just or because he feel something towards me?
“And what I'm saying is wrong” Ahmad ushered.
“Sir believe us. We have nothing to do with that file. Besides, you have other employees, someone might've leaked it on-” I began again standing beside Nabil. His expression was still same. I know he's trying his best not to lash out.
“And you're the only person who has the file. And now the file is gone. You expect me to believe it?”
“Well it means you don't trust your Secretary. She left her city to work for you. Wake up every morning for work. Manage things even though she's not familiar with them. The little thing you could do is to appreciate her hard wwork but instead you're pointing fingers at her when you don't know the real truth” Nabil exclaimed.
I don't know how it happened. However, I found Ahmad right in front of Nabil, his hands around Nabil’s neck.
“So now you have the mouth to utter nonsense to me right? Was she not paid for the job? Like I said I hired her for a reason and now she'll be of no use to me. I don't care about what you said. I won't let you get away with it.” he seethe tightening his hold more.
To say I was beyond speechless will be an understatement. Every word of his felt so unreal. I knew our meeting wasn't a coincidence. Yet, I didn't expect him to go to that level. That means my uncle is part of it.
Disbelievingly I found my foot moving forward.“What do you mean you hired me for a reason?” I muttered out which I know he heard me because last time I checked he's not deaf.
His hold on Nabil's neck loosen a bit but he didn't let go. That give Nabil cue to snap back. This time around, he was the one holding him by the collar.
“Our encounter, you buying my moi-moi, was it all part of the plan?” he didn't say anything only stare at me.
“Well isn't it obvious. Why will I approach you without a sole reason” a chuckle escape from his mouth as he snatched himself away from Nabil and turn to me. “Since you're curious to know why I approached you that way back in your state, let me explain things to you” a smile made it way out of his lips as he hop on the desk.
“So it started with your uncle. We planned everything out together. He knows I was looking for someone to work for me. So he suggested you and he told me you're a fierce one which even made me curious to get you that's why I approached you by buying your moi-moi. And just when I'm about to assign you to the job, you decided to mess things up”
His last words were distant to my ear. The only thing that managed to stay in my head is my uncle he mentioned. I knew my uncle doesn't like me that much but I didn't think he'd do such thing to me. So many truth hidden to me. Without much strength I ask again “What are your motive for hiring me?” The left of his lips curved up once again. For some reason, I hate the smile on his face.
“To be my spy?”
My brows furrow in confusion. “Spy?” I repeated.
“Yes spy. I planned to train you first before I will then send you as a spy to sparkle”
“Why me? You could get anyone why did you go to that extent to get me”
“Haven’t I said it before. Because you're fiersty and fit for the job. I wanted you to obey everything I say. To cut things short to be my slave” I don't know how I got the courage and did what I didn't expect to do. I slapped him.
My breathing was ragged as I inhale and exhale. I have never felt angry in my life like I did at the moment. I felt betrayed. “I have never thought you'll be a selfish and selfcentered man like this. Life doesn't work this way. You brought me from my hometown to work for you as a spy. Slave?” I repeated my voice increasing.
I didn't care about what the outcome will be. I didn't care about who will hear. I didn't care about what will happen. I felt bile rise in my throat. My mama’s thought ran through my head. She's there all alone thinking I'm here earning money, when that wasn't the case. The brother she trusted betrayed her. He sold her daughter for money. He knew the truth yet, he went ahead with it all for greediness.
“You dare raised your hands on me?” He said. His eyes turning a shade of red. I don't care what he would do to me. He can slap me back or whatever but that would be nothing compare to the heartache I was feeling deep down. My head began feeling heavy. I almost lost balance but Nabil was quick to my aid by circling his hand around my waist. Even with the hotness I was feeling, his touch was hot to my body.
“You have betrayed me Ahmad. You only care about yourself and I will never forget what you did to me” His eyes didn't look remorseful a bit it reminded me of Hajiya and Kaltume’s face. Their distasteful look.
In a matter of second, he was in front of us, hands folded together. “Well Sadeeq and Amina, remember this, I won't let this slide. Especially this” he ran his thumb on his cheek. “I will make sure I repay you nicely. Mark my words. Wait for it” without saying anything else, he walked out of the office banging the door hard, loudly that it increase my heart rate.
Bile rise in my throat. My legs went weak and I found myself falling down rock hard on the floor. The only thing that I could do is stare into space.