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   What you do today can improve all your tomorrows

                       – Ralph Marston.

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I'm comfy. I have tasted luxury and I'm still tasting it. I snuggle the duvet over me and crawled under it. Last night was bloody while this morning is slow. I donated my precious blood. Since I didn't eat well yesterday, I got dizzy. Aaron took me to his house and ordered food from some five star restaurant. The food gave me joy. I slept like a baby and now, I don't want to leave the comfy bed.

I imagine my properties and belongings being thrown out of my shop. The thought makes my bones weak and discourages me from ever leaving the bed. Have you ever been served breakfast in bed? One of Aaron's cook did that. I ate in bed. It's a weird experience and I have fallen in love with it.

I roll over and my eyes goes up to the ceiling. It's neat and beautiful. The room is spacious. It's more than a cube. The interior decorations is exquisite. I love it. The color theme is purple and pink. I wonder why Aaron has a room that's filled with such color.

I sigh. I need to get back to reality. If I want this kind of lifestyle, I need to work. No food for a lazy man! I rise up and crawl out of the bed. My feet touch the cold tiles and sends a shiver up my spine to my fingers. I smile as the sweet aroma of the room rushes into my nostril.

I go to the bathroom and spend a good amount of time showering. It is when I'm done bathing that I realize I didn't make plans for my clothes. Last night, one of Aaron's female worker gave me clothes to wear to sleep. Now, I don't have clothes to wear out. I need to leave and say goodbye to the lifestyle that's not yet mine. I get dress in the same clothes, a black top and a pair of pajamas trousers.

I stroll out of the room and wander till I get to the bottom floor. That's when I spot Aaron clad in a suit, walking towards the main door.

"Aaron," I call out.

He stops in his movement and turns to my direction. I am still on the staircase so I scurry to him. "Good morning," I greet.

"That is if it's still morning," he says in a displeasing tone.

"Oh...ummm...What time is it?" I ask.

He lifts his left arm and pushed his sleeve to reveal his wristwatch. He rolls his wrist before he checks the time. "Twenty-three minutes after twelve. Good afternoon, woman!"

I roll my eyes. "Good afternoon, man"

He maintains a cold demeanor as he stares at me.

"What did I do?" I scoff.

"I went to the hospital today. I'll be heading to my office now. Don't you have anywhere to go?" he inquires.

"I do," I reply. "Just that....I don't have transport fare".

"I'll give you"

"Thank you!"

There is a slight change in his stern look. The corner of his lip quirk up and his eyes soften. "No! I should say thank you. You saved my brother's life. He is still unconscious but I'll ensure to tell him about his hero".

A large toothy smile crawls to my face. "I'm not a hero," I say. Just so I don't look cocky. "I am happy to help".

"How can I repay you?" he asks and shoves his hands into his trouser pockets. His tall figure towering over me. His eyes lowers at me and I'm the one lifting my head to meet his gaze. We are three steps apart and I dare not reduce that distance.

"You don't have to repay me"

"I insist"

"Don't"

"Nothing is free. I know that. Nothing is even free in Freetown so what can I do to repay your kind deed?"

"By apologizing?" I say sheepishly.

"Huh?"

"Yeah!" I exclaim. My boldness seeps back into me. "You poured mud on me, remember? You called me shameless".

"Oh that," he chuckles and shakes his head. "Blame yourself for your bad timing".

"Bad what?"

"Timing"

"I don't understand. Why should I blame myself?"

"You met me when I was in a bad mood. However...." he trails off and clears his throat.

"What?"

"I'm sorry!" he says levelly. "I'm sorry, Miss...."

I place my hands on my hip. "Miss who?"

"You should tell me your name"

"So you didn't bother to know the name of the lady that donated blood to your brother? How responsible!"

"Hey," he snaps and points a finger at me. "You didn't tell me your name".

"You didn't ask"

He scoffs and rolls his eyes. "Now,  I'm asking"

"You're not," I snicker. It's quite fun teasing him.

He groans and asks, "What's your name?"

"Ifunanya"

"Hmmm..."

"You can call me Dora though"

"Dora the explorer?" he chuckles.

"Lame joke!" I sneer and his face hardens.

"I didn't even crack a joke," he snaps and glares at me. "So what can I do to repay you, Miss Dora?"

"Nothing!"

"Get to the point, woman! Talk! I don't have time to waste. I need to get to work," he bellows and then, crosses his arms over his chest. His bulging muscles draw my attention and I'm surprised by that. I guess I haven't been surrounded by men that are actually attractive. This is a strange experience.

"Okay!" I say and fold my arms too. I maintain direct eye contact and add, "I am establishing a fashion company in Lagos. I had capital and I've started it but I hardly get profit in it. My shop rent is due and I might lose my shop today. Or let's say I've lost my shop and I need a new one".

"Hmmm..." he voices and regards me. "I knew you wanted something".

"Ah!" I exclaim. "You said I should talk na. Don't even dare to call me shameless. I have my self-respect".

His glazed eyes settles on his wristwatch and his jaw clenches. I frown and tap my foot. He turns his attention to me. "How much is the shop rent?"

"Ummmm....two-hundred and forty thousand naira," I reply in a heartbeat. My eyes wide open in expectation.

"You need an investor, don't you?" he asks and picks a briefcase I didn't notice he dropped.

"Err...Yes...I think so"

"I am a business man. I own some hotels and run a transport company. I invest in small scale businesses alot. I want to be one of your investors. That will be my way of saying thank you. I hope I won't incur losses. If I do, you'll pay every single money you owe me. I don't waste my hard-earned money"

"Err...Ye...Umm..Okay... Alright! Thank you," I stutter and genuflect before him.

He tilt his head to a side and studies me. "You seem like the hardworking kind"

"Really?" I exclaim.

"Nope! Just hoping"

I frown and he chuckles. Quite annoying.

"Follow me," he beckons and marches into the dining room. He drops his briefcase on the table and opens it. He picks a pen and a cheque book. "How much did you say?"

"Two hundred and forty thousand naira," I respond.

He nods and writes it down. Swiftly, he signs and passes the cheque to me. I stare, owl-eyed at the cheque. "My brother's life is worth more than that though".

"Thank you, Aaron"

He pauses. "What did you call me?"

"Aaron!"

He stays silence for a moment. "I didn't tell you my name," he points out.

"I know that," I say and a soft laughter escapes my lips. "I figured it out".

He shrugs and picks a card from his briefcase. "Here is my business card. I'm mostly referred to as Mr Ibe". He signs at the back of the card. "I want you to come to my office next week. We need to talk more on this investment plan. The address is on the card. When you get to the reception, show her my signature on the card and tell her you want to see me, Mr Aaron Ibe". He extends the card to me.

My wide eyes are still on him as I take the card. Our fingers brush slightly and I'm still surprised I noticed that. I'm suddenly too conscious of every touch.

"Are you leaving now?"

I sigh. "I don't have any appropriate cloth to wear".

"Huh? You should. I got someone to order a dress for you. It's in the wardrobe. Get change and please leave my house".

My brow furrows and I eye him. "You're rude in a way. Correct that attitude. It is a new year. Change for the best".

He ignores me as he shuts his briefcase.

"It's a new year, Aaron"

"Don't call me by my name. Only friends and families are allowed to do that. Call me Mr Ibe"

"Aaron," I say with an eyeroll.

"I see Miss Dora is quite stubborn"

"And I see Aaron is quite strict and RUDE!"

Our eyes meet and we are staring ourselves down. I send the iciest glare at him. I will not back down. Hmmm....Aaron looks like someone in his late twenties.

"I don't have time for your childishness. I have two of my workers in this house. They'll be monitoring you. Please, leave my house! Thank you," he picks his briefcase, bows a little and swaggers out of the dining room. His gait, powerful and elegant. I hear the main door open and then, it's shut with a thud.

Wow! I have a rich investor. I can see God's grace in my life. This is good. Time to meet that stupid Baba Lolade.

                       ****

It looks like Baba Lolade loves to trouble me. He thinks frustrating me will make me crawl onto his bed. Wrong move!

I stand staring at my belongings and properties that lie on the mud ground in front of my shop. Can I still call it mine? I guess not. Baba Lolade is cruel and heartless. He threw my properties outside and locked the shop with chains and padlock. He has shown me his true color. I like that. Today marks the end of my stay in his stupid shop. I'll rent a new one.

However, it's not the loss of the shop that hurt me. It is the fact that some of my goods were stolen. I couldn't find my materials and sewing tools. But what break my heart to pieces is that they stole my one and only sewing machine.

I sigh as I gather my remaining things into a taxi. As soon as I'm done with that, I get into the car and go to the cube. I take my things inside and rush out again. I just stand at the gate to the building filled with several cubes. Babe Lolade also owns this place. Aargh! I need to rent an apartment. I can't bear to stay here any longer. I'm sure the old man is crazy enough to leave me homeless.

I look up to the sky to where my help comes from. It comes from God. I know I'm a sinner and I also know He loves me. That's my faith and it keeps me going.

"Hi!" a masculine voice calls my attention. I tilt my head to the fellow beside me. "Hello!" He says and waves a little.

My brow hitch up.

"I'm Samson," he adds. He rubs his palms together and stares with this sheeplike manner.

I avert my gaze to the weeds growing beside the wall and sneer. I'm just not in a good mood and now, a stranger wants to start a conversation with me. My gaze lazily sweeps back to him. He gulps and takes two steps away from me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he says and shakes his hands in the air, more like a surrender.

I just stare at him. He rubs his neck and then asks, "Can I know your name though?"

"Who are you?" I ask, a note of irritation in my voice.

"Samson! I live in the second floor of this building," he points to the building behind us. "I know you stay here too. We are like neighbors and I just wanted to greet. Just to say Hello and know your name".

"Oh!" I nod. He stays in a cube too. Alright!

"Ummm...." He pauses. "What's your name?"

"Ifunanya"

"Wow! Such a beautiful name"

"Thank you!"

"You're beautiful too," he adds.

I raise a brow in disapproval. He shouldn't mock me. No one should call me beautiful just to be in my good book. I do appreciate sincerity. You can say that I'm not pretty. I won't mind. I also think I'm not pretty too.

Samson stops and takes in a long breathe. He exhales and says, "I didn't mean to get you angry. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable".

"Hmmm..." I shrug with a calm expression. "Apology accepted. You did made me uncomfortable".

"Oh! I'm sorry. So what...." Samson is interrupted when a girl screams his name. Our eyes go to her as she waves at him. She jogs to us and hugs him.

"How are you, Samson?" she asks and pecks his cheek.

"I'm good," he replies, his face flushed in embarrassment. He sends an apologetic look to me and I feel offended. It's not like I want to talk to him so why is he sending this I-am-so-sorry-but-I-am-busy look.

I roll my eyes. Samson is a lean boy with this young, cute Playboy features – firm jaw, cute smile and a good height. He's average in height though and his complexion, like dark chocolate.

"Hmm..." The girl clears her throat. "Who is she?"

My eyes were on a moving car but I snap my head to her direction when I hear the venom in her voice.

She fix a piercing glare at me.

"A neighbor," Samson answers.

Her eyes moves up and down my body. She gives an unimpressed look and shrugs. "Can we go now?" she propose to Samson.

"Sure! But..." his eyes fall on me. "Ifunanya, I work at this bakery shop and we have a vacant spot. We need a new worker. I just wanted to tell you. In case you might know anyone who is in need of a job. Please tell them that they should tell the owner of the bakery that I referred them to the job".

He pulls a card from his pocket. "The bakery shop address is on this card. Call the number for more enquires".

I snatch the card from him. It was unexpected and they both stare at me in shock. "This job..... Will I help in baking?"

"Hmmm...." Samson looks at the girl. "Is it baking or cleaning?"

"I don't know," she shrugs.

"You should have a clue na. I thought your mom said she need more hands in the kitchen to help her"

"I know she said that but we need more cleaner too," she says and hisses, another angry glare on me.

I think this girl dislike me.

"Ifunanya, just call okay? Do you want the job?"

"I'm really good at baking. I've been baking for years now. I have also been cleaning for years. I am actually interested in the job offer," I reply with a bob of my head.

"What?" The girl exclaims.

"Wow! That's awesome. You can come with us. We are heading there now," Samson responds.

"No way! She can't," the Miss grumpy says and folds her arms across her chest.

"If you care about your parents's business, you won't reject help," he says.

Her face is etched with a frown and she mumbles inchorent words.

"I'm sorry, darling" he says and puts his arm on her shoulder. "Let's just encourage your parents' business".

"Okay! Fine" she heaves with exertion.

"Come with us, Ify" he says with a cute smile.

"Ify?"

He nods.

I shrug. My secondary school friend, Sandra used to call me that before she moved away to a new state. I don't know the state but I miss her. I wish I can see her again. I can remember how she would scream Ify just to get my attention or get me out of my thoughts. We aren't so close since she doesn't know about the abuse I faced but we were good friends.

"Let's go" he beckons.

"Can I get my bag please? It's upstairs"

"Okay! We'll wait"

"Thanks!" I exclaim and rush back to the cube. I quickly read a quote from my Book of Quotes. I need something to boost my confidence. What you do today can improve your tomorrows?

Alright! Then, I'll take this job. I've lost my shop and if I use the money Aaron gave me to buy my tailoring materials and equipment, I won't have enough to rent a new shop.

This new job is necessary

A/N: Trust me. I'm not in my comfortable zone. This book is truly unlike me. I'm a kind of person that loves fun. Hehe! What do you think? Am I still trying in the present tense?

Thanks for reading.