A HUGE SHOUTOUT to hottiesoftie for the book cover and banner she made for me. Thank you so much. I love it and I'm glad to have met you. ♥️♥️❤️❤️

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Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in.
- Julia Child.

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"No! No! Penguin is a bird. I know what I'm saying"

Aaron shakes his hands and taps his index finger on his desk, a dour look on his face. "Ifunanya, you are wrong. A penguin is an aquatic animal. That's what it is"

"Aquatic ke? Is it a fish?" I exclaim mulishly.

"It is not a fish but it lives in the water," he says and quirks a brow as if daring me to prove him wrong. I'm wrapped in a cozy blanket on the couch in his office with a cup of hot chocolate tea in my hand.

I press my lips and turn my gaze around his office while thinking of a good point to throw at his face. I don't know how we got into this silly bickering but we did. Two grown adults arguing about penguins instead of talking businesswise. Aaron is the managing director of the large company I'm in. His office is capacious with vaulted white ceiling. He has a good view of the parking lot from the wide glass window across his black leather desk. He is on a swivel chair which squeaks whenever he moves with his bulky stature. A room with four corner. I'm surprised to see a wardrobe. I do wonder what's in it. The wardrobe doesn't look like that we see in bedrooms. It just looks like a large cupboard. At both side of the couch I'm on, there are two armchairs, glass table on the center and a rug below it- more like a mini living room in his office.

"I did biology in secondary school. Aquatic animals have gills," I spit out and puff my chest with pride.

"Ah ahan! It is not all that have gills na. Some use other ways to breathe. Will you say a dolphin is not an aquatic animal?"

"It has gills na."

"What?"

I chuckle. "Okay! I'm not sure about that one but I know penguin has wings"

He facepalm himself and narrows his eyes at me. "It is not called wings. It is called fin"

"Nope! I saw one documentary that says Penguins are bird that can't fly"

His eyes widen and his chair spins when he falls back and burst into a fit of laughter. "Are you sure you saw well?" he exclaims. "Just accept it. Penguin are aquatic animal".

"It doesn't live in the water. Penguin walk on land. Will you na call a crocodile an aquatic animal?"

He pauses and taps his finger on his desk. "You are right though. Okay! This is what we will do. I'll search the internet for answers. If I'm right," his lips curves and settles into a smirk, one of mischiefs and mystery. "You will write an apology letter for the insult you've given me".

"Did I insult you?" I hiss.

"You did. You called me dumb"

"Ehen nau! What do you expect me to say? Smart? How can penguin- "

He cuts me short. "What do you know, woman? You aren't a biologist".

"Are you one?"

He opens his mouth to reply but I go first. "Nope! You are not"

His brows crease and I see some muscles working at his jaw. He clamps his lips together and place his fingers steeply on his desk. "Miss Dora, I am the boss here and I am also a man of a respectable class. Don't speak to me with such brash manner".

A sardonic laughter rumbles out of me before I roll my eyes.

"Let me warn you that if you are not careful, I will send you out of my office"

"Ah! Why?"

"Because you shouldn't treat me like that. Show some respect"

"Okay!" I purse my lip. "No wahala. Sorry sir".

This guy is just too bossy and controlling. Mtchew!

"Thank you," he says. "We shall sought the internet for answers".

"Sha...If I'm right, you will compensate me for the saliva I've wasted. 2k nothing less," I proclaim and glare at him.

"You like money," he points out.

"Who won't like money?" I let out a bitter laughter. "No blame me abeg! Things for this country hard"

He nods in agreement and turns his attention to his desktop computer. The sound of his fingers tapping on the keyboard echoes in the room. It goes on like this before he exclaims, "Wow! I didn't expect this"

"Expect what?" I glance at me.

His brows furrow in confusion before he leans back to his chair. "It says that Penguins are fish, mammals and amphibians because they live in water, on land or both. And- "

"They are birds na!" I interject.

"Yes! It says Penguins are birds, even though they spend time on land and in water. Their motion in water more closely resembles flying than the swimming motion used by other animals".

"Yes!" I hop on the couch. "That means I'm right then".

"Well..." he clears his throat and smirks. "It says that Penguins are aquatic flightless birds. Therefore, I'm right. I said they are fish and they are aquatic".

"I said they are birds"

"Then-"

I cut in. "That means we are both right"

"Sadly, yes! But you still owe me an apology"

I chuckle. "You owe me an apology too"

"Then we shall agree to not apologize, right? Because there is no way I am apologizing to you when I got the question right"

"Don't apologise na. Do I look like pesin wey dey chop apology?" I exclaim and roll my eyes.

He scoffs and ignores my comment thereby placing his undivided attention back on his computer.

There is a thick fog of silence between us. My mind wanders back to my past while his hands glides on his keyboard.

"Hmm...Miss Dora," he calls out, his eyes on his computer.

"Yes!"

"Why are you here?"

I am startled by his question but I shrug it off.

"Why are you here?"

"To see you," I reply gravelly.

"Why?"

"Because you are my destiny helper!" I say and await his reply.

His head pops up and he arches a brow in disapproval. "What do you mean by that?"

"I'm here as regards to the investment you proposed before. I am hoping you can help my destiny and future by fulfilling that promise," I reply, feigning a officious tone.

He chuckles and asks, "Is that why you call me your destiny helper?"

I shrug, my mouth sealed. It's funny how he is not offended by this but here I am feeling dumb for calling him that.

"Alright!" He rise to his feet. "Let's get down to business".

"Much better," I sigh in relief.

"You want to be fashion designer?" he inquires and moves to the couch where I am sitting. He thrusts his hands into his pocket and stares at me squarely.

"Yes!"

"Why?" he asks, a more intimidating look on his features. "I want to know why you have interest in it? What motivates you to do it?"

"I have passion for it"

"Designing?"

"Yes! I love to design outfits for both male and female. Then, I sew them"

"Hmmm..." he shrug. "Is that all you can say?"

"Actually...." I rise, the blanket still wrapped around me. I just had to stand. The situation feels too tensed for me. His intimidating look plus his height makes me feel microscopic on the couch I'm on. "I have a reason why I love to do it".

"And it is?"

"It's because of my personal experience"

"Go on!"

"Like...um...." I can't disclose much to him but I do have a reason for designing. I may sound hypocritical with what I am about to say, but it is what I believe and wish to share.

Aaron is expectant and I reply, "Like...umm...I can't tell you my personal experience but...I want you to know that I want a world where people are comfortable and confident in their own skin. Humans tend to characterize a part of their body as flaw. Someone even hide them. However I want people to be confident in their dress so I design what will turn their supposed flaw to their beauty. I believe you should dress the way you want to be address. If you are confident, people will appreciate you for that and you won't ever have to feel inferior".

Yes! That's what makes me design and sew. I love to see confident people walk with their head held high. The problem is that I preach this but I don't practice it. My scars are my flaw. I hide them all and I'm hardly confident with what I wear. I feel intimidated by other people around me. For instance, I felt oppressed when I saw the receptionist formal wear earlier. I'll just leave the blame on my aunt and her stupid daughters. They never had anything good to say about me.

'Ifunanya, you look hideous'

'Yours scars are disgusting'

'Ewww! You look like an injured rat'

'My eyes are bleeding just seeing You'

I can remember how my aunt would force me to wear long sleeve clothes to hide my scars. She would always tell me that my stubbornness is turning me into a monster and that I am so ugly. I would always hide my scars in other to prevent the world from seeing my ugliness. My aunt didn't only scar me physically, she also scarred me psychologically. I am so disappointed that my father's lawyer allowed them to go scott free. This is not right. They need to face their consequences in court and I will make sure of that.

"I know a little about fashion design," Aaron chirps in. "My mom owns a fashion company".

My eyes go round in an instant. "And...?" I quip.

"Don't look at me like that," he says with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Can you introduce me to your mom? I'll like to show my designs to her. She will like it. Please! Please".

"Sorry but I am not introducing you to her"

"Why?"

"My mum hates that. She feels people are using me to get to her"

"Oh!"

"Yes"

"But..." I sigh. "How can I improve my business? It needs help"

"How is your shop?"

Silence! This moment would have been comical if there was a sound of a chirping cricket.

"How is your shop? Didn't you pay the rent?" he frowns and now, folds his arms across his chest.

"Hmm..." I scratch my jaw and take some steps away from him. "To cut the long story short....I...err...I didn't rent a shop"

"Tell me that long story!" he growls.

One glance at him and I spill the beans.

Aaron, the bender of the world with his intimidating eyes.

He shakes his head in disappointment and strolls to his desk. 'How about developing an online store?" he asks.

"I don't know. What do you think?"

"The world is global now. Everyone loves an easy life. The public will be happier to shop from the comfort of their home"

"You're right and- " I'm interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in" Aaron says.

The door swings open and a young lady walks in. I'm unable to see her face as she strolls straight to Aaron. "Aunt just called," she says. "Ekene is begging her for money. He says he is owing a drug dealer. Give him the money na. Do you want that boy to get killed?"

Aaron groans and pinch the bridge of his nose. "I told that fool not to get mom involved"

"Me too but he is in my office disturbing my peace. I can't even breath fresh air there," her voice id dripping with disgust. She places her hands on her hips and mumbles, "Will you give him the money?"

"I have the money with me. Tell him to come to my office!"

"Okay! But....Can you give me money for lunch? You know that I didn't report you to grandma that...."

"Shut up! I have a guest here" He glowers at her.

"Guest?" Her eyes search the room and falls on me. "Whoops!" She snickers and winks at him.

"We can talk later!" Aaron adds.

"Wait!" She gasps. "Ifunanya, is that you?"

My mouth drops. I scan her face properly and my brain picks up the familiar face : her broad nose, thin lips and round eyes. "Sandra?"

She rushes to me and we embrace. "How are you na? Ify baby!"

"Sandra, you lack work ethic. Leave now. You can't- "

"Abeg! Aaron hold on first. This is my secondary school friend na"

He places his hand on his forehead and shakes his head in what I presume to be disappointment. This man is always disappointed with people. It's not like he is perfect.

"Wait!" She exclaims and hugs me. "Sincerely, I didn't expect to see you here. How have you been?"

"I'm good"

"Really? Omo! I am so happy to see you oo. Why are you here sef? Do you work here now?"

"No!" I chuckle. "I just came to settle some business with Mr Ibe"

She glances at him. "Oh! I am so sorry for interrupting".

"Apology not accepted. Leave!"

She leans and whispers to me. "Do you remember that my cousin I use to tell you about? The one I said that's very handsome?"

My brows goes up. "Is he the one?" I gasp.

"Yes na!" She pinches my arm. "We have a lot to talk about, girlfriend". She bounce on her heels and adjust her straight black pencil skirt. Her avid eyes fall on Aaron. "Okay! I'll leave now" she waves at me and then at Aaron.

"I can't wait for your University to resume. You need to leave this company. Your presence is truly not needed"

"Na so!" she hisses. "I am going oo. Don't start to insult me".

She waves at me again and struts out of the office. A smile settles on my features and sweet memories of my high school flickers through my head.

I had few friends in school and Sandra was among those few friends. She's the kind of student that never suffered in school. Her parents were rich and so every staff in the school feared them leading her to have a better treatment. I benefited from this because she always ensured to save me from any harsh school punishment. She was close to a bestfriend to me. The only problem was that she didn't know the real truth about me. She thinks I live a perfect life with my aunt and uncle and she has no clue of the scars I have.

I'm glad to see her- really glad.

"Miss Dora," Aaron asks.

"Yes?"

"How old are you?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Answer the question!"

"I'm twenty years old"

His eyes widen in shock. "And you want to base on business? What happened to schooling?"

"It's not necessary," the words leaving a bitter taste in me.

"What?"he exclaims. "Education is the leading of human souls to what is best, and making what is best out of them. That is John Ruskin's quote. Don't you know? Education is the best thing you can give to yourself".

"But I don't have the money for it. That's why I want to start a business. When my business booms, I can then think of school"

"I don't like that"

"Life is not fair, Mr Aaron"

He shakes his head. "Now that I think of it. If I want to appreciate you for saving my brother's life, I have to do something valuable to you. Education is the best legacy. Where did you stop in your schooling? I will see how much I can help you with that"

"I don't want to go to school," I yell at him.

"Don't be foolish. You need it"

"I don't want to"

"Have you written jamb before?"

"No! I never got to. I always missed my exam or sometimes didn't pay for registration"

"I'll pay for your registration"

"I don't want"

"This is the month of January, you might start Jamb class August. You have six months to set up your business. By August, you must start your jamb tutorial. It's a Must. Agreed?"

"No!"

"Then I am not investing. Please, leave my office"

"Why must I go to school?"

"You are too young. You don't know what the future holds for you. No one wants to work with an uneducated fashion designer. I just believe you will have more opportunities when you are educated"

"Did I say I am an illiterate? I went to secondary school. That's enough education"

"Do you agree with my terms or not?"

A voice in me screams, I agree. Deep down, I want to go to school. I want to study psychology and I don't want to just be a fashion designer. I desire to do more than that. However, I know dreams don't easily come true and that this life is not balance. I sigh and ponder on Aaron's term. This is an opportunity to further my education. I dare not miss it.

"I agree"

"Thank you"

"I just have one question"

"What?"

"What jamb tutorial should I join?"

"I have a great one in mind. It's what I call, the best tutorial in the world. You'll love it"

As I stand in the room staring at him, something told me that I won't love this tutorial and I'm yet to find out.

A/N: Thanks for reading. I got a new book cover 💃💃💃 I'm super happy.

This chapter is dedicated to favourime202

And Talkmarie11

And I want to thank you all for giving this book a chance.

Pls tell me what you think of my use of present tense in this story. Am I trying or is it faulty?

God bless you all. Expect more interesting chapters in this new story♥️❤️💃