“Mama.” “Yaa, I heard you got a new job.” Yaa is my Ghanaian name. Mama likes to call us by our Ghanaian names because she doesn’t want us to forget our roots, even though we’ve only been to Ghana less than six times. Yaa is the name given to a girl born on Thursday. Ray’s Ghanaian name is Abena. She was born on a Tuesday. Names given to children based on the day they were born are called soul names or kradin in Twi -Mama’s native language- and they are very important in the Ghanaian culture. “I did, Mama.” I replied, trying not to sound exhausted. I returned home after 10:30pm today. If today was just my first day, I wonder how the rest of the days are going to be like. Luckily, Lana sent her driver to pick me up after Ace left me alone in the empty office building. “What job is it?” “Have you heard of Black Global Group of Companies, Mama?” “I haven’t.” “Well, it’s a very big company with branches all over the world and they deal with a lot of things. It’s a group of companies
“Ray, you will not believe what happened to me today.” I said into the phone while I sat behind one table near the window in the cafeteria. I waved over a waiter. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work right now? I’m making dinner before Justin brings the kids home.” The waiter came and I gave him my order before I left. “It’s really important. You’ve got to listen to this.” I heard her noisily putting down a utensil. “What is it? You’ve got my full attention. But make it quick. I myself am starving.” “Ace and I had a really intense moment in the elevator this morning.” “I thought you hated him.” “I do. But this morning I took the elevator with him because as his assistant, I’m supposed to. When we got to our floor, he did this thing where everything happened so fast and I was pinned between him and the elevator wall.” “And what did you do about that?” “I couldn’t do anything. I froze.” Ray burst into laughter. “Finally, someone who can tame you.” She said in between laughs. “Thi
“So I decided to arrive unannounced today because the production rates were dropping when I last checked. I wondered what was going on here. To my expectations, all that I saw as I walked to the office proved it. Can anyone care to explain to me why this is so?” When we arrived at the brewery, Ace immediately went CEO mode. He grew calm but looked broody and he walked with power and authority. When the employees sensed our arrival, they all scurried back to work. They looked frightened when they saw us walk in. I thought Ace smiles to his employees like he does to me but I thought wrong. He shows no emotion when he’s in front of his employees. I wanted to question him but I knew that wasn’t the right time. Ace asked me to take notes of the things I notice as we walked and I did so obediently. We headed straight to the manager’s office to find the manager smooching with some lady - an employee - on his desk. They were startled to see us. The lady ran out and the manager immediately ga
At 3am, I heard my phone ringing. I didn’t want to answer it but the person just kept calling so I picked up. I didn’t even look at the name or number. Then I heard his voice. That voice that sounds so sweet in my dreams but is now annoying me. “Miss Snow, you finally picked up.” “Why are you calling me at 3am in the morning? Didn’t you think that I would be asleep?” “Miss Snow, I think it would be convenient if you came to my house every morning before we went to work. You’re my personal assistant and I need assistance at home.” I sat up properly. “Can you repeat that? I don’t think I heard you clearly.” “You heard what I said. I’ll be expecting you here in an hour.” “An hour?” I screamed into the phone. He hung up. I cannot believe this guy. I’m going to call Lana later and tell her how crappy my job is and I will find a way to get myself fired. I can’t take this anymore. But wait Raven, if you give up now, he’ll be triumphant. maybe he’s testing me to see if I’ll cave. Well ch
“Are you out of your goddamn mind, Raven?!” “There’s no need for you to be yelling at me like that. I know I did the right thing.” “What, so you want to be lonely for the rest of your life? Why? Tell me everything. Tell me why you didn’t kiss him then and tell me why you kissed him yesterday and said no to him afterwards.” Ray spoke. I stared at her through the screen and sighed. “You already know why. I don’t have to explain everything to you again.” “Get over the past. You need a new man in your life. Do you have any idea how hard Mama prays for you that you get a good husband soon? She’s concerned and she’s starting to believe that you might be-” “Why would she think that? I’m sure she wants me to get married soon because her relatives have raised eyebrows. But I don’t care. Mama will do anything to look good in front of her relatives. Look Ray, I have priorities now. Me, myself and I are my priorities.” “What? You’re a feminist now? No. I don’t get it, tell me why. Aren’t you
RULES ON HOW TO BE A BETTER ASSISTANT TO MR. BLACK1. Your outfit shouldn’t look too ordinary. The way you look when you’re with Mr. Black emphasises his standards, and the power and authority he has. 2. Be at Mr. Black’s penthouse every morning to help him choose the perfect suit – shirts, ties, watches, belts etc. Thus, you’ll need knowledge in business suits. 6am is the preferred time to be there.3. Mr. Black is always pleased if you make him his preferred coffee from home. 4. You will always ride with Mr. Black to work and other places when he requests. There will be instances where he’ll ask him to drive him to his desired destinations.5. Anytime Mr. Black is before his employees, make his presence before them known. Employees will pause their duties and stand up to greet him with the needed respect. He responds and gives them the permission to return to their duties. That also includes you, Miss Snow. Every time Mr. Black passes by your desk, you do as it has been stated abov
I carefully observed and took in every detail of Ace’s house as I drove inside. Correction: it’s a villa. Because of what happened last time, I didn’t think to take note of my surroundings. Ace’s villa had tall walls surrounding it with two gates that led into the compound of the villa. An outer gate which had ‘Black Villa’ engraved on it and an inner gate. I told the security at both checkpoints who I was and they let me in. The villa had a lot of trees in its compound. Staring at the building itself, I noticed that it looked simple and yet it had a unique design. Moreover, it looked like a home for a family. But I’m not sure if Ace has a family. I’ll look that up later. Immediately I stepped out of my car, a housekeeper walked up to me. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be up at 6am in the morning. But then again, she is a housekeeper so I shouldn’t be too surprised. The young lady bowed and I quickly grabbed her by the shoulders to stop her. “Please don’t bow to me. I’m just an ordinary
“So how is work?” “Work? I sent you pictures of my new car right?” “That’s your new car? Ace bought it for you? Is there something I should know? I thought you were trying out photography now.” I nodded in response to her first two questions. “There is something you should know. I freaking hate my job so much. And that new car he bought was to replace my old car that he had scrapped.” “He scrapped your old car?! I don’t believe it unless you did something to offend him. But he replaced it which means that you didn’t do anything wrong. You treat that thing like your baby. So what did you do about it?” “I decided to do nothing Lana. The damage had already been done.” Lana burst into laughter. We were having lunch together in her office. I was glad Ace allowed me to. Throughout the day, he had left me to work in peace and I enjoyed it even though I daydreamed a few times about that little peck. Now I’m enjoying my lunch break with my good friend Lana. “You didn’t scream at him or an