1 covered

Ten months earlier…

"What are you doing now?" Toke's voice came through the tiny Bluetooth speaker in Tolu's left ear.

"Tapping my foot nervously while waiting in the lobby," Tolu replied her twin sister who had been on the phone with her for the last thirty minutes since she got into the Folarin cooperation building.

"Stop that, you will pass this interview, although I don't know why you chose to wear your ugly clothes for an interview but I'm sure it will work out,"

"There's nothing wrong with being covered up," Tolu adjusted her turtle neck blouse. It was neatly tucked into a black pleated skirt that was maybe too long but she was nervous and her look meant nothing to her.

"Okay, I agree with you." Toke sighed, she had to agree. Her sister was taking one for the team and she didn't want to upset her. "We need this job," she added with worry laced on her tone.

"I say we don't." Tolu replied stubbornly.

"I say we do, we need to build a strong capital base for our business to really grow," Toke explained.

"Lucky us."

"Yes sis, lucky you. And I'm lucky to have a sister blessed with such book smart to help us in situations like this," Toke added.

"Oh please shut up, you are just trying to butter me up."

"You see what I mean, I'm so lucky."

Tolu looked around the large reception again and it was really quiet. She imagined there would be people going out and coming in of the building or even sharing a talk or two but it was dead silence except for the receptionist who was far away from her due to the size of the reception.

"They still haven't called us up yet?" Toke asked tiredly.

"No they haven't called me up yet," Toku responded.

"Hey, we are both in this together."

"Yes and no," Tolu loved her big sister and while they looked almost alike their characters were on two different ships. Academically Tolu loved science and technology, Toke loved arts, so one was a computer engineer, the other was a lawyer, but a failed lawyer like she would call herself.

But one thing they both shared a love for was fashion, so they built a company on a common interest and passion, but their baby was slow to grow and their capital base was weak and both born with pride wouldn't ask their parents or their elder brothers for any help, so the only other option was to look for a job that could help them get by while they build their dream.

A lady walked down the large stairs towards her and Tolu stood up before she got to her.

"Miss Tolu?"

"Yes."

"The chairman will see you now," the lady spoke as she turned to go back where she came.

"Who?" Tolu asked confused. Wasn't this a job for the HR department?

"Did I hear chairman? As in Daniel Folarin himself?" Toke screamed in her sister's ear.

"Yeah I think so."

The lady leading the way turned to Tolu with a stern look on her face

"Toke, I have to go. I will call you when it's over."

"Good luck sis,"

"Amen to that." Tolu dropped the call as they entered the lift to the top floor. Once in the lift Tolu explained that her sister was concerned about the job interview and had called to check in but the lady didn't care.

"Tough crowd" Tolu thought as they stepped out into the top floor lobby. She thought it was breathtaking. Finally, some persons to make this feel like an actual company Tolu thought as she saw some people working in the opposite side of the lobby. She was led to the secretary's office where she was told to wait further.

A picture of a young Daniel Folarin hung neatly on the wall, next to his father and his father's father the actual Folarin, Mr Daniel was old now in his late seventy's. Tolu prayed one day her baby company will be this big and established.

"Miss Tolu?"

"Yes," she stood up

"The chairman will see you now," the secretary said with a nod and a smile.

Tolu walked into the magnificent office and was afraid to move. Everything looked so perfect and she felt like it would get ruined if she moved.

Mr Daniel looked up with a smile on his face and beckoned on her to come take a seat. Tolu held her file and her mini handbag tight as her nerves tied themselves up.

"Mr Falade recommended you" he spoke sharply.

"Yes sir her did." Mr falade was her lecturer back in school, the only favor she had been willing to call in. He had been so happy to hear from her and even more eager to help her out with her job search situation. He couldn't believe she was still out of job after a year of graduation. She left out the little detail about her failing company and few days later he called her to head on to the folarin cooperation for a job interview.

Tolu hadn't believed it. The Folarin cooperation is the biggest and the best food manufacturing company in the country and it neighboring countries. The company had branched out into the restaurant business and was doing amazingly well.

"So," the old man spoke cutting her thoughts. "Why do you want this job and what do you think you can contribute to the folarin cooperation"

Tolu's words came up blank. She couldn't tell the real reason why she wanted the job and what in gods name can she contribute? She had no clue, but she spoke, like reading off from a manual she said some words

"You googled us I believe." Mr daniel smiled again as he talked.

"Yes sir I did" she relaxed a little because the man didn't seem to be as scary as she thought.

"That's good but not impressive." He closed her file and looked up at her. "What does business mean to you?"

Tolu looked past the man to the large glass windows behind him. "It means a lot of things to different people for different reasons. For me it means family, I and my sister built a small business together and while it wasn't easy operating it, while it lasted we did everything together and that brought us closer than ever and help us grow in ways we didn't even know."

"Sir your meeting is in two minutes," a man in his mid-thirties walked into the office without knocking to announce.

"Is it time already?" Mr Daniel asked looking instantly tired.

"Yes it is."

"Miss Tolu, if you would excuse me, this meeting is of great importance, we are done for now," he turned his attention to his assistant.

"Okay Sir, thank you for your time," was all she could manage. She didn't get the job, just as she had expected.