Episode 8
Just when he was beginning to think all hope was lost, he got a call from one of the banks he had applied to for a business loan asking him to come in for a meeting they scheduled for the following week. He had been so happy that he made dinner that night and shared the good news with Lola and Lara
“I told you it was just a phase” Lara said giving him a peck on the nose, “I’m definitely sure you’re getting the loan.” She added with a smile. Jeff’s mood began to lighten up from that day as he eagerly looked forward to the day of the meeting with each passing day.
Finally, the day came and he arrived at the bank an hour earlier, he didn’t mind that he had to sit down waiting to be attended to because he thought it was better he waited than risk losing his opportunity if he got caught in traffic or any other Unforeseen event.
“The manager would like to see you now in her office” the secretary announced, pointing towards the door at the end of the hallway after he had waited anxiously for over an hour. “Her office?” He thought to himself, all along he had imagined he was coming to attend some sort of conference meeting where he would have to defend his loan request and even if it wasn’t, he had just never imagined that the manager would be a woman.
He jumped up from his chair, adjusting his jacket with both hands and walked down the corridor knocking on the door when he reached it, “do come in” a female voice called out to him. He stood for a moment, took a long deep breath and said a short prayer before finally turning the door knob to let himself in.
“Oh my goodness!” He exclaimed in shock leaving the door open, when he saw who the manager was, “Ellen Coker?”
He said pointing at the lady sitting behind the desk with her arms folded across her chest, “it’s Ellen Dada” she corrected, “you didn’t think I was going to remain single forever after you left me to marry that woman, did you?” She added sarcastically, “I..I…I’m just surprised to see you here.” Jeff stammered, “I’m not surprised that you’re surprised” she said swinging round in her chair, “kindly shut my door and take a seat” she added pointing at the door that was now wide open.
Jeff turned around to shut the door, he didn’t know if it was better to just walk out altogether or if he should stay and see if things would actually turn out well. The possibility that the whole meeting had been a pre-planned trap to humiliate him suddenly dawned on him, “stupid me” he thought blaming himself, “I should’ve known that it was too good to be true”…….
To be continued