Where It Leads

Chapter Ten

Peace walked through the glass doors that opened on its own accord to let her in. She walked up to the friendly receptionist and at the mention of her name and the reason for being there, "please take the elevator to the human resources department on the sixth floor, Mr Collins is expecting you"
She returns the lady's smile "thank you"

Peace couldn't believe her star when she got an invitation to an interview. Few hours after she got to the bar, she decided to check her mail and was surprised to see the invitation and not just that, she has to travel the next day to Abuja. The company has paid for her flight and a hotel for her to stay in. She has never being on a plane before. She has called her aunt, and told Philip. He had answered her with a simple "that was faster than I had
expected " when she asked him how he got the job for her that fast.
Something is fishy but she doesn't dwell on it, she has an interview to prepare for. And to wish her well, Philip decided to take her shopping for her interview.
Her aunt had being ecstatic when she got home before evening bearing good news. "wow, that company must be loaded to cater for your expenses just for the interview." Philip has told her that he would wait for her to get back to celebrate. She doesn't know anything about him except that he works in Abuja and he is on a one month holiday.

And here she is facing Mr. Collins, after a few questions and answers and scrutinising her documents, "your resume is impressive, you are hired"
She felt like hugging the handsome man before her.
"thank you Mr. Collins"
"just call me Collins. Do you have any questions?" the man smiles.
"yes, please pardon me being curious but, is this based on merit or recommendation?"
Her subconscious mind tells her that she is careless for having asked that. Do you want to get fired before you even have the chance to start?
But curiosity got the best of her.

She snapped out of it when Collins spoke.
"even though you have no experience and you were recommended by a very important person, I would have still hired you and place you on training. We need your kind of person in our finance department. And as you can see, this is an international organisation. You are smart. So we want you on our team."

"thank you Collins, who recommended me?"

"it's not my place to tell"

"OK"

"you would come back in a week, and by then everything would be put in place for you. You would be sent to Sweden for a month training and then you would come back and resume after a week's break...."

Her eyes went wide with what she has being hearing and she zoned out. Is this what is called from grass to grace? She is getting emotional the man handed her a paper and This is unbelievable, she smiled and tears of joy rolled down her eyes which is now blurry as she try to make out the payment plan before her.

"for a start, we pay you three hundred in thousand per month, you have other allowances and you are entitled to a few weeks leave with... "
She lost it and covered her face with the paper and the man had to give her a hanky to wipe her tears.

"I know it's a lot to take in, congratulations Peace"

***

Her aunt has planned to celebrate her over lunch, the only friends she wishes to invite are Judy and Philip.
The moment she walks into the living room with Philip who picked her from the airport, her aunt narrows her eyes on him.
"you are welcome, you must be Philip, I am Annie" she rushes over to him giving him a hug

"thank you for having me madam" smiling to the friendly woman who pulled back to look at him closely

"you really do look familiar to me"

Philip gives an awkward laugh
"sorry aunt, I must have a celebrity look alike"

"if you say so, please take a sit" as peace moves with him she draws her back towards her, "you haven't given me a hug young lady"

"I didn't think you were done checking him out"

"shut up young lady, he is really hot, don't let my husband here that"

"well I heard that" her husband, Max says walking up to their guest and gives him a firm handshake. Judy arrives shortly and on citing the handsome man before her. Max is the owner of Icemax ventures.

"Peace!" dragging her friend by the hair. "what is Phillip doing in your living room?

On hearing the voice, Philip straightens from his seat looking up to find the one and only. "excuse me Sir" he says to Max, to which he nods. Hurrying up to Judith who just stepped into the living room. He doesn't want her to be the one breaking the news of his identity to Peace.
"hey Jules!
Philip greets Judith giving her a quick hug.
"Phil! Peace my dear," giving her the eye. "when I asked you to get yourself a boyfriend, I didn't advice you to get the most...."
Philip didn't let her finish as he cut her off
"can I talk to you for a moment Jules?

Peace as surprised as she is has become confused. "you two know each other" the word came out more like a statement.

"He is my brother's childhood friend"

They both stare at Peace as she lets out an audible breath.

Phillip grins "what were you thinking peace?

She takes a look at the duo, "it would have been awkward if she were to be your ex."

"Hmmmm,"

Judy smiles, "he has never been my type. Not then, not now. Even with all the popularity and... "

Philip cuts her off sharply, "Jules!" earning a look from Jules.
"may I have a word with you? It's important."

They excused themselves..... "Jesus! Phil, what is it?"

"jules, please say nothing about me."

"not on your life, are you for real?"

"yes!...."
Holding her hand up to silence him

"wait! Do you think she is like one of your regular hook ups?"

"it hurts that you think so low of me. But surprisingly no, I value her more"

"are you in love with her?"

"I can't tell you what my feelings are at the moment, but am sure I want what's best for her"

Raising and gesturing with her hands "fine, cos she has had her own share of heart breaks and I don't want you adding to that."

"tell me about it, I know she seems guarded but I want to know please"

"not now, when would you tell her?"

"am waiting for the right time"

"better don't wait for long. Peace is smart, she might figure it out once you slip up and that won't be good for you."

"OK"