Capítulo 0007

The thought of staying with the Coker's made Edna glad,she had always thought of having a comfortable home,and here it was. Edna hummed a beautiful song, of praise in her heart to God and walked around the vicinity to take a look at nature's gift.The Lord had been faithful to her and she felt grateful, Mr Coker sat on his armchair at the corridor as he smoked into thin air letting the puffs curl up slowly. He had always been a plain strict man who took no nonsense from anyone. Although he had a good sense of humor when he wanted to be jovial. He loved the weekends when the house will be quiet as he took pleasure in having his private time to himself. It had taken him years to have this comfortable life and the quest for his children to have a better future than he had. But although comfortable,he had no peace and could not understand how he had gotten involved,But the different facets of life made it difficult for him to predestine what next phase was to come. He dropped the cigarette,in the ash tray and lit up another stick of cigarette as he reminisced on his childhood days of no pain or struggle.

"Just plain freedom."he whispered.

But his unending desire to create wealth had led him to an escapade of no return.He had still not become very wealthy to live the flamboyant life that he dreamed of but the quest for action was required. He couldn't let his children go towards that life of lack.

"No never" he whispered again.

How could he look at their faces and not give them, life's necessities. The years he had spent being an employee all went down the drain as he had nothing to show for it. Then after so much toil,their came Afolabi with the idea of getting him something to do. He had considered it a good thing that after being jobless, their was hope of getting a job and he had known Afolabi for sometime so he felt confident that the job offer would be available. The day for him was an exciting one as he had woken up, expecting to go for a job interview. He swallowed hard ,as he stepped out of his house,fear gripped him through his veins that morning as he took a taxi to Afolabi's house. He had questioned him the other day about the company he was to go for the job,and was only given a reply by Afolabi telling him to get prepared. When he got to his house,his entire being revived and felt excited again,He flung the gate open and went to Afolabi's apartment that was, located at the left side of the two storey building. He gave a slight knock and their was no response then slowly he knocked again, Afolabi opened the curtains and peeped through the window to see who was at the door.

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It was sheer innocence and ignorance that lead to his present fate. The compound was a finely built one, with a massive golden cast gate with finely trimmed flowers properly arranged around. A fence was built around the compound with barbed wires placed on the wall. Afolabi came to a halt as he drove into the garage. The Mansion was erected, at the middle of the compound and it was constructively designed with silver tinted glass that glittered like gemstones under the sun. Mr Coker marvelled at the sight, of the building. His heart raced as the air of wealth blew,to his face. How much he realized his predicament of lack at that moment. They entered the building, and passed a small group of hefty looking men and they took a path upstairs. Across the hall way upstairs were two men who spoke in hushed tones and he cast a lingering look as he walked into the sitting room with Afolabi. His heart began to thump again,as he visualized what the outcome of the meeting would be.

The living room, was properly furnished with bright, electrical designed lights in the ceiling. Mr Coker sat on the couch and looked around amazed at how beautifully decorated the living room was. Afolabi sat down beside him in anticipation as one of the cooks,had gone in to call" Baba". They both sat in silence, looking into thin space as they anticipated him.They waited for what seemed like an hour, when 'Baba' finally came out to the living room with his long flowing Agbada .They both prostrated on the floor as they greeted him. He smiled as they got up from the ground.

"The maids didn't serve you drinks."He questioned.

"Thelma,Thelma."he called,as a fat plump lady who was in her middle forties rushed out.

"Get these men some refreshment."

She went to were the men sat and asked them what they would, prefer to take.

Mr Coker kindly, requested for a soft drink why Afolabi asked for a beer.

"So Gentlemen, you are welcome."

He turned to Afolabi who introduced Mr Coker . After the introduction,Thelma came out with a tray in her hands and served them their drinks. They exchanged pleasantries again and spoke about other things as they took their drinks.

"We have to be fast about this I have an appointment to keep with the minister of finance."

"Mr Coker,I heard you worked at an insurance firm."

"That's true sir."

"So you are experienced to handle,the job of a marketing manager in my company."

"Yes I am sir."he spoke confidently as he felt a rush of excitement within him.

"And I believe you are a graduate from the department of Economics,as Afolabi told me so."

"Yes sir ."he replied

"Okay that's good." One of the hefty looking men that he saw downstairs came to the sitting room and delivered a message to him.

"Come to my office ,first thing tomorrow morning with your Curriculum vitae."

Thanks

"Gentle men I have something to attend to."

"He shook hands with them and walked

away briskly, as he rolled up his flowing Agbada.

He was happy,and it felt too good to be true as he had been searching for a job. Walking out of the Mansion with Afolabi he felt astonished as his mouth were wide agape with excitement.

"You mean I have gotten a job, just like that."he said smiling as he turned to speak to Afolabi.

"Yes you have my friend ."as he smiled back at him .The tale of his escapades were yet to unfold, but he simply rejoiced on his new job that was about to be commenced.