1 The Launch Break

I keyed in seven digits into my computer and watched as the balance multiplied. I frowned at my intercom as it rang for the second time. Picking the receiver, I listened to the Operations Manager. ''Send her to me,'' I said at last. Some days are quite annoying, and some people are even worse. It's almost lunchtime, and having somebody threatening to sue is not a good appetiser.

    ''Do you know how much I have spent flying to and fro Lagos just because of a silly mistake and negligence?'' She screamed at me almost hysterically as soon as she'd barged into my office. I tried all I could to calm her down; she rained abuses at me and at the bank in general. At last, I just sat and listened to her vitriol.  

   "I have just finished rectifying the problem madam," I said when I sensed that she was done. Then I told her that I will reimburse all the expenditure she had incurred flying to and fro Lagos because of one of my bank staff. I clasped my hands for effect and watched her anger evaporate and her mouth stood agape in scepticism. She searched my eyes for a clue of a joke.

        ''I'll pay you from my pocket,'' I added. Edging back, I pulled out my chequebook and a 32-carat gold pen. She declined my offer and smiled sheepishly out of my office. With a sigh, I rested my back on my chair; rocked it for a few seconds and then smiled coquettishly. I made a mental calculation of how much I was worth, a couple of millions, 180, 200 or even more. A smile crossed my lips again, a smile that conveys accomplishment and fulfilment. I took a mental roller coaster to where I was six years ago; I shook my head and smiled at the irony of life.

My mind took a dive into the days when I was in the streets, the days I walked the hard tarmac from office to office, and from one interview to another hoping for a miracle. Six years ago, six years is not entirely a long time.

        ''Its lunch time sweetheart,'' I said aloud. Grabbing my cell phones, PDA and car key, I walked out of my office. A big grin spread across my face, it is amazing the pleasure it gave me just to know that I could talk to her anytime, and amazing to realise that she will be waiting for me in my Bugatti Veyron.