CHAPTER 8

Maria looked at him, almost lost in thoughts. She simply nodded and tried to force a smile. She wished she had a magic wand to make herself disappear into tiny air. Why was she always unlucky?.

Thank you sir" she finally uttered, feeling almost disappointed.

He took her to another part of his office where she could wait, while he attended to his visitor.

From the rear side of the transparent door, Maria could see the visitor being ushered into his office. He was a young man, probably in his mid twenties. He wore a white tee shirt over a blue jean. He had a beautiful physique, although she couldn't see his face clearly. She saw the two men exchanged hand shake and began to chatter away. She couldnt hear what they said, but she however prayed that their discussion could help her get employed.

The young man said something and then brought out a file, and showed it to Mr Tim who inturn shook his head and collected them to read. He scanned through the contents, and finally placed it on the table.

Maria silently watched the two man as they seemed not to mind if someone was waiting or not. Mr Tim suddenly whispered something to the man, which made him look towards her direction. Maria quickly looked away, pretending to have being engrossed with something else.

Few seconds later, her phone began to ring with Mr Tim's number. She knew he probably wanted her to come over. She however placed the call to her ear, and heard;" Please do come over here" he said, as Maria quickly stood up and made her way towards the men.

" Kindly pick this document and see the problem at hand, paraventure you may have the solution we need" Mr Tim said pointing to the file on the table.

The young man seated, seemed to have focused all his attention on her. His eyes was locked on her as she took the document to glance at.

The document contained a report about the government divertion of a company's goods during it's exportation If a company is duly licenced to carry out it's business, then it's a breach of it's rights to withhold it's resources. Especially when the said company has not breach the law." Maria answered, still scrutinising the contents on the paper, especially some of the legal procedures being stated. She smiled.

"I would first of all advise the company to file an administrative claim to the agency involved, and hopefully it responds favourable within the stipulated time. Else legal actions should be taken immediately. Maria finished, dropping down the file.

The young man now had a smile of admiration plastered on his face.

"I think that's brilliant" he immediately said. And looking up at Mr Tim, he quickly added "I think I will take her".

"Well, I am pleased to hear that Mr Jay. I believe she would be of immense help to your company. I also look forward to working with her in the nearest future" he said, as he stretched his hand to Maria congratulating her for the new Job.

Maria seemed almost lost in the conversation of the two men. She however shook Mr Tim, as he offered her a seat to join in their discussion.

" Mr Kay is the co founder of the

'Kelison diamond company' responsible for the country's import and exportation of all special stones.

His company gives opportunities to sound legal personals to join into his team of other legal giants. Maria, I am sure, it will be a good training ground for you to launch into your legal career" Mr Tim said.

Maria seemed short of words to express how thankful she was for his help." I will leave Mr Kay to talk to you, when I attend to other issues" he said standing up to leave.

"Thank you so much sir" maria muttered, as he knodded and smiled before taking his leave.

Maria looked up at the man, who had spent most of the time, stealing glances at her.

He quickly cleared his throat and spoke with a voice that sounded more sensual than maria could imagine.

"l think you are more of a combination

of beauty and brains" he spoke, as Maria found her self replying " thanks for the compliment sir".

"Sir?" He asked laughing.

Please feel free to call me Kay. I may not know how to act like a conventional employer. But one thing I know, is that everybody has a unique gift and personality that can be harnessed and turned into something beautiful." he explained.

"Maria, I look forward to work with your unique personality" he concluded, and stood to take his leave.

I have your details with me. You can expect my secretary to reach out to you he added and made for the door.

"Thank you so much sir." Maria said, trying to hold herself from getting emotional. "l promise to do my very best sir" she responded.

"You are welcome" he replied, "And please, its 'Kay' " he corrected, and Maria feigned a smile.

"Thank you so much Kay" she replied shyly.

Maria could not think of a better day. She had finally come to the end of her job search.

Finally she was going to have money to kickstart her mother's treatment. The doctor had being kind enough to allow her receive free medication that would subside the pains, until she could afford a proper treatment.

Maria sighed.

Tobi was still not back from his journey. Maybe she should call him and share the good news. He had being with her all along, in her job hunt and even supporting her all through the way.

She however dialed Mandy's number instead, and heard it, switched off. She had earlier left Mandy and her mother at the hospital, and was desperate to find out how her mother was responding to the treatment.

The weather was changing very fast, and the sky was gathering to rain. She was hungry and tried tirelessly to wave down a taxi. They all seemed to be in a hurry to somewhere. She decided to look for something to calm her throbbing stomach. She walked straight into a small cafeteria by the road side, and ordered some coffee and pizza for herself. She sat by the side of the window and stared at the street as various cars swept through the almost empty street in speed. The wind was blowing fiercely throwing things around and most people had taken shelter in various joints.

Suddenly the rain started to drop. It rained heavily as most vehicles drivers struggled to see the road clearly.

A young lady stopped her car beside the shop and entered in hastily. Few minutes later, a young boy almost drenched in the rain walked in too. He looked like a child of nine.

He seemed to be catching cold as his arm and legs quaked badly as the wind blow at them.

Maria couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He looked very rough and tattered, and even had bruises on his lips. She felt he was too young to be away from his mother's shelter. Maria wondered what he could be doing alone away from home.

The lady from the car had taken a seat and was now busy talking to someone on the phone. She could hear her dishing out some command to the person.

Oh my God!" someone suddenly screamed from the hall. " its Emilia" the voice said, as some of those who had earlier sat on the other tables frooze and immediately stood up and walked towards her to shower some encomiums.

Maria was not a fan of any actor or actress, as she seldom watched movies. Her favourites were reality shows, with 'Judge Judy' toping the lists.

She sat still and watched the crowd of people flock towards the lady, and some tried to get her to sign autographs for them.

The lady seemed not to want to be disturbed as she literally turned down signing any autograph. The little boy had suddenly gained some warmth and also walked towards her just like the others.

" Oh jeez, what the fuck, is this?" The lady suddenly yelled, when she saw the boy trying to touch her too.

She quickly pushed his hand away, and also screamed at the person on the phone to come pick her up immediately.

Maria felt sorry for the boy, and stood up almost immediately to reach the child who now looked devastated and scared

Someone in the crowd shook his head disappointingly at Emilia and walked straight to his seat, as the others also took turns returning to their various tables.

Maria bent down at the child, who had reclyned to a spot, now bent and shivering.

She reached for his arm and felt them cold. She walked to her bag to get a tissue and handkerchief and got busy wiping his face with the towel as well as his palms with the tissue.