The Sponsor

Wairimu

She had not thought it would pan out like this, I mean it was her daddy's company she would most certainly get a manegerial position maybe even a small office to start off. I mean weren't those the perks of being the boss's daughter?

She had gone shopping with her ten thousand bob monthly allowance and bought a few dresses whose hems went below her knees. She wanted to please daddy, if only for a while. She had gotten two pairs of heels. Wairimu was tall the heels made her look like a tower, relenting and she loved it especially how it intimidated men when she looked down on them.

She had gotten cheap earrings and a knock off neckless. She stared in the mirror, she looked descent. The look she was going for was elegant. That would all change after her first salary. A hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, three... She smiled. She could even move out and bring her sister with her.

She got a matatu and within the hour she was entering the revolving doors at Ajabu Digital. The Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Kitana welcomed her warmly in his office. He was short and lean and his face gleamed with intelligence. His office was second only to the CEOs but it was also grand with a big mahogany desk, a meeting area and a breathtaking view of Nairobi. Wairimu looked at it with eyes full of envy and wondered why she had refused to start her job sooner.

After she'd had her coffee they sat on the meeting table for debriefing.

"Your work will start at eight in the morning everyday," his tone had changed from warm to cold, business like and apt. You will pick the newspapers from the reception desk and ferry them to the CEO, COO, Creative Directors, Account Directors, Head of social media, uhmm, I can't name them all, the receptionist will guide you. We each get a copy of The Standard and The Daily Nation," he said making it clear that she wasn't part of the elite yet.

He continued without looking at her face which had now sagged and turned pale, defying the make up she had applied. "After that you will sit on your desk and sort out the inventory for the day. What is needed in every department in maters pens, notebooks, markers etc. My assistant will guide you. That will be your job from around 10 till you clock out at 5."

"Does my dad know about this?" she coughed with a whining tone to her voice.

"These are his orders, miss." Kitana said sternly without a hint of emotion.

"And my salary?"

"We will start you off with a gross income of twenty thousand bob,that will be around sixteen thousand after taxes." He paused waiting for her to respond but her mouth had formed a small 'O' instead. "If there is nothing else, the receptionist will assist you from here on out.

Wairimu wanted to go back home, she got up smoothed her dress, took her small bag and got out of the office. She headed for the exit. There was a big plush reception desk and an equally plush receptionist sitting on the desk. Beside the desk was a pile of newspaper that formed a mountain the size of a nightstand.

She hesitated then picked them up.

"Where do these go?"

"Oh, you're the new intern, eh?"

She nodded.

"Come, let me show you around," the receptionist said while smiling, happy that the task of ferrying newspapers wasn't hers anymore.