TheInkWell Prompt #70 | | Unpredicted Promotion
The chattering, fast paced movements, hugs and laughs, followed by occasional interruptions by the voice from the intercom made the arrival section of the airport sound like a congregation of villagers speaking Luo.
The busy airport didn't distract Uchechi's thought. She kept thinking of the right words to convey the message of how she failed to make Chief Oke a new client . She thought of how her boss a woman in her sixties would look at her like a ne'er-do-well. She even thought she was done after this, that her boss would spit her out like a fully chewed gum and she would be fired.
As the voice announce arrival of the flight from JFK airport her heart skipped. She felt like burying her face in the ground. As the doors slide open she saw her boss Mrs Bolanle. She adjusted her skirt, then stepped forward to greet her.
"Good afternoon ma" Uchechi said, as she made to carry her boss's hand bag.
"Good afternoon Uchechi, Hope everything is good" Mrs Bolanle said, casting her usual stern look. She held her hand bag close and continued forward. The driver was already parked outside. Mrs Bolanle got in first before Uchechi climbed in looking like a toddler on his first day to school.
"Uchechi, am I to beg you before you tell me what happened at the meeting with chief Oke yesterday?". Mrs Bolanle was now trying to answer a call. This gave Uchechi some time to set her acts right.
"And what kind of rag is this" Mrs Bolanle said touching Uchechi's clothe as soon as she was done with the call. Uchechi felt embarrassed like a kid stained with oil.
"Anyways what happened at the meeting" Mrs Bolanle said, now her voice was more settled.
"I couldn't get him to sign a deal with our company but" Uchechi said and stopped abruptly as she was shushed by her boss.
"But what, this was a very simple task." Mrs Bolanle was now gesturing with her hand.
"I left for two days and you already fell on your face." She added, as she hissed.
Uchechi was glad the scolding was over atleast for the day. She got home late that day and was so tired that she had to eat cereals in other to quench her hunger. She had her bath and tucked herself in her duvet, as it didn't take long for sleep to catch up with her.
As she woke up the next morning, she felt relaxed as it was a Sunday. She slept all morning, and later in evening she decided to visit her friend.
"Madam sorry ooo" the bike rider said. But it was already too late as the dirty water splashed on her had already created contour lines and made dents on her yellow dress. Uchechi didn't even answer the bike rider. She just turned and walked back home. She felt embarrassed as everyone whispered a sorry before passing by her, like it was a rite of passage.
Monday morning, as Uchechi entered the elevator. Her heart began to jump. She started thinking of all she had done in the office the week before. She checked her brains for mistakes that could cause the hammer from her boss to fall on her.
As soon as the door opened she went straight for her cubicle ignoring Dozie who was smiling and wanted to gossip about something urgently.
Uchechi was still typing her reports. Her head down, when someone came over to her cubicle.
"Dozie I'm busy" she said with her head down.
"Uchechi you're need at the conference room now" the voice said. Every inch of her body stood as she looked up to the person who now turned to leave. It was the secretary to her boss. Her heart that had stopped racing began another sprint.
Uchechi entered the conference room and was offered a seat. The CEO of the company started with how he had heard wonderful things about her. He talked about how deligence and commitment to work.
Uchechi was confused and give a desperate look at her boss who was also seated there. Unfortunately, her boss was looking at the CEO and nodding.
"And so it is with joy in my heart as I announce you the new branch manager at our new branch in the state" the CEO said. Uchechi couldn't believe her eyes. She pinched her skin to make sure it wasn't a dream. What further surprised her was her boss smiling briefly at her. She had never seen her smile before.
After all the hand shakes, Mrs Bolanle beckoned on her. She had a wrapped box.
"You better get all your clients this time and don't just strike deals with their PA's" Mrs Bolanle said. She stared at her for a moment.
"I know you'll be a great branch manager" she added as she handed the present over.
"Thank you ma" Uchechi said. Dozie was already lurking around the almost empty conference room.
"Get more presentable clothes" Mrs Bolanle said as she smiled and walked away. Uchechi just heaved a sigh of relief. She gave one look at her dress, then twisted her lips.
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Great story! You almost made me believe that she would definitely be fired in the end. Lol. Forgot the title once I was halfway through/ Great job and keep it up!
Thanks @indayclara for reading me. 🙂
This is a well-told narrative. The young lady is cowed by a boss who actually likes her, but can't show it. Tough love? The embarrassment works well here. There certainly is conflict.
Your descriptions of the young lady are excellent, and your focus on the detail of her clothing works well.
Thank you for sharing this story with us and for engaging with other authors in the community.
Thanks @theinkwell for helping me develop myself into a better writer. I hope to learn more.
Wow. I loved this. It's so well written I could see the events happening in my head. Uchechi has anxiety though. Reminds me of myself.
Ha ha ha. @young-boss-karin I can't imagine you having anxiety. I've seen the way you talk with authority.🙂
Nice read! I'm sure this is what some of us have felt before, being called in and thinking we're in trouble, only to find out it's good news 😄.
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And all the nervousness would disappear as quickly as they appeared.
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Wow awesome story.
I must appreciate your way of telling it.
Thanks. I really appreciate you reading me.
This is great. Most bosses are like that. They don't like showing their love out but inwardly they love their employee's commitment and dedication to work. Glad for Uchechi.
Thanks for taking out time to read. I really appreciate.
Nicely done! @buezor, I realize that with each post you are improving your writing skills. Congratulations!
!POB
!PGM
!DREEM
!PIZZA
Thank you @acgalarza . The credit goes to @theinkwell as they point out every error and help improve my writing.
You're very welcome, @buezor! And Kudos to @theinkwell as well! Great teamwork!
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Unpredictable promotion indeed. I love the story and it's interesting. Perhaps the boss had been packaging her promotion since and just decided to act in a weird manner before then. I came to your post through Dreemport.
Thanks for reading my post. Perhaps ha ha😁
Wow. Glad she got promoted. I know how scary it can be to work with the boss you described. I guess working with her made her better
Looks like you've had some experience. Glad you're in a better place now. Thanks for reading 🙂