Led to Mr. Billionaire

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

I have been standing in front of this big building for ten minutes and still haven't summoned the courage to go inside. Yemi has kept me updated with the schedule for the meeting with the human rights organization. It was a private organization, and when I looked it up, 'Rights for Children' had ranked second out of the top human rights foundation organizations in Nigeria, so imagine my fear, surprise, and nervousness when Yemi called me to say an interview had been scheduled for today. It has only been three days since I was told, and to say I wasn't scared would be an understatement of the decade.

I had already gone back to Pastor Ayobami's place, where I promised we'd stay for the two-week break. It was better that way since I wouldn't have to worry about Grace's well-being while I took on this internship.

Taking a big whiff of breath, I sighed and walked into the big building. My legs walked slowly as my small heels made contact with the tiled floor. I walked toward the receptionist and gave her a little smile.

"Good morning, I'm Darasimi, here for an interview with Mrs. Adedotun," I said with all the courage I could muster while the receptionist gave me a once-over look like she was trying to decipher who this small girl was.

I was wearing an ash-colored complete pantsuit with a black-covered wedge, and while my hair was let down, I had my hair done into a fringe-fixed weave, so I knew I didn't look bad. I snapped out of my small, insecure moment and looked at her directly, with firmness written all over my face, making her smile. Was that a test?

"Good morning, I'm Tara. You can take the elevator to the top floor; which is the fourth. You should see a secretary there; tell her about your business, and she'll direct you." Tara's voice was poised like she had been there for years. I nodded curtly and walked to where I was directed.

Entering the elevator with a couple of people, I picked my floor and tried to remain as quiet as possible as the others talked about how tired they were from a new project. Fortunately, they all left the elevator on the third floor, and all the while I got curious stares as to why I was still inside. Maybe it wasn't every day; they saw someone going to the top floor.

Shrugging, the elevator pinged at the fourth floor, and just as Tara said, there was indeed another woman there. I walked up to her and repeated my introduction; she just smiled and directed me to an office with big doors.

Walking behind her, she opened the door, and I followed her inside to see that the office was huge. It was like a chairman of a company setting with a desk and chair in front of the big glass that viewed the outside world perfectly and a set of couches in a circle format with a tea table in the middle. This woman sure was big and important—all things that worked up my nerves

"Ma'am, your 10 o'clock is here. The secretary, whose name I still didn't know, announced, making the woman who was engrossed in her papers look up and stare at me, making my breath hitch. She was beautiful.

"Thank you, Eniola; you can go." Her voice was curt and graceful. What is this, royalty? Chuckling internally, I looked at the ground.

"So, I assume you are Oluwadarasimi, right?" She asked, still in her curt tone.

"Yes, ma'am, it's an honor to meet you," I replied with a smile, patting myself internally for not flinching or stuttering.

"Have a seat then; I want to make this quick," she said, offering me the chair in front of her. Taking my seat, I crossed my legs under the chair and fiddled with my hands.

"So, let me know you," was all she said as she dropped what she was doing and looked directly at me.

God help me.

"My name is Muhammad Oluwadarasimi Semiat. I'm twenty-three years old and a student of Law at Lagos State University." I said short and precise because there was nothing else to tell. She nodded again.

"I was told you would be here for two weeks, and you came highly recommended, but I want to know why you are here. What do you hope to achieve from this internship?" She asked, still looking at me. I took a big breath and explained myself.

"I'm here because I want to learn. I chose to study law for many reasons, one of which is to prevent any harm from coming to a child. Many people are not experienced or good, and as such, their children are seen as mistakes and objects to let out their frustration. I would like to correct that. I came here to learn everything I couldn't in school and, if possible, be a part of the experience of helping these children." She hummed at my explanation but held the same curiosity as Mr. Coker when I first met him.

"I can see your passion in the way you talk, but I also want to know why." I understood what she was asking me, so I looked at her directly to answer.

"I was a victim of child abuse, molestation, rape, underage marriage, and more. I had to be my helper and run away from society, where all this happened. It's a small, remote town in Kastina that many people don't even know about the law and practice in that area, and so they take the opportunity to do whatever they like, however, they like." I started.

"The children have it worse; the boys are made to undergo rigorous training at such a young age of seven, saying that it will toughen them up and make their wives fear them; some are castrated, some are sold, and some are just objects, while the girls are to be sold to the highest bidder at young ages. Once they get their flow, we don't get a say but are just married off by our parents to men old enough to be our grandfathers. We are not a rich community either, which makes it more interesting and honorable for a girl child to be sold to the ones who have more than enough. Our police stations are useless as well because these men also take part in the practices. So as much as I loved to get out of that place even though I was broken and with a child, I also want to get these children out of such places." Mrs. Adedotun looked at me with surprise. I chuckled, yeah, I have been through hell.