Chapter twenty two

The best parts of sleeping next to someone you love, are falling asleep in his arms, snuggling up, feeling secure and loved. Feeling like nothing can ever hurt you. Cuddling in the morning becomes even more better, curling up as he wraps his strong arms around you... His body heat burning off every freezing part of your body. With him, you never wake up in the middle of the night...You only wake up to a toasty nice morning.

When I open my eyes, he is gone. One moment he is here and the other, he is away leaving me to myself. He didn't even wake me up to say goodbye. I reach for the table, only to see a note.

'Good morning honey, sorry we have an emergency in Gulu. Will call you. Good luck on you interview. Say hi to the kids. Love you.'

What has Simeon become? Him giving me the best nights ever and running off in the morning. He didn't even say a thing to the children. I swear to God, for the next two to three weeks, he is going to be a starved husband.

I had one of the nicest nights ever. It still felt the same, like the first time and much better. He looked into my eyes, rubbed his big lips against mine, he kissed my neck as he passed his fingers on every single corner of my body... I never wanted it to stop. But now he is gone, back to his second wife, work.

It's six in the morning. I have to take the kids to school and at 9:00AM, I have an interview with an advertising agency. Advertising and public relations are things I really want to venture in. Why? Take a look at this face! Take a look at this ass! I can't do journalism.

Anyways, so in my third year I majored in communication. I loved talking to and convincing people. When at one point I convinced MasterCard donors to start up an organization for pregnant women at campus, there I knew I was meant to be a communicator.

My dad had insisted on me working at the company, as expected. But remember, we said we would be democratic.

"Journalism, communication are just a waste of time you know... You know you are meant to run this company.. Because no one is taking my place other than you, so whether you like our trees or not, you will have to come back... Those trees have fed us, clothed us, housed us for years Vanny!" He was looking at me in a way, to give in. Oh my God!

"Dad, I don't like the trees, I love them... But I came to love communication too…I want to make something out for myself... And I know what the trees have done.. I will be back surely, soon."

He looked at me saying nothing, he had not approved still... But he couldn't stop me. I wanted this.

When I reach Gava advertising agency, am late by five minutes. I hurriedly get into an elevator finding soomeone inside. He is looking at me but I pretend to look up. I don't have the time to socialize now.

"Uhmm excuse me" He says softly ...What now?

"Ah yes?"

"You kind of something in your hair... " I try to look for it when she reaches for my head and hands me a pencil. Oh my God! Eleanor!

"Here!"

"Thanks... I guess my daughter forgot it in... She always sticks it in, for my hair to stay still"

"You have a daughter?"

"Yeah.…two actually! Why?" Do I look aged?

"No biggie, you just look so fine... By the way am Sam Gava" What? He stretches his hand out.

When he mentions his name, I want to run for the hills. I can't believe it. When I was applying for jobs, I didn't want big firms. I wanted to build up with something starting, so when I landed on Gava advertising agency, I knew I had landed on the perfect job. However coming late, and meeting my boss in the elevator wasn't planned.

He looks at me waiting to tell him my name. The moment I mention it, I don't think am getting this job.He is not going to take me seriously. He is still looking at me, asking for answers. The elevator opens... He gets out with me. He is definitely the one.

"Excuse me, I have to go" I tell his inquisitive face.

"But I didn't get your name?"

"Uhmm..." Am biting my mouth.

"Yes?"

"Okay am Vanessa Mats!" Yes am the one your supposed to interview and am late! My head is buzzing.

He looks at me expressionless for a moment, before he finally recovers.

"Wow... Your late Mrs. Mats" Yeah I know, and I don't know what your going to do with me.

"I suppose it's because of the kids"

"Absolutely" I agree immediately ... He still looking at me.

"Come with me." I let out a sigh.

We head to his office? No to the boardroom where the rest of the staff is. Great!

The room features a traditional tudor-styling, with a sleek conference table and plush seating for eight. It has large picture windows and a sun porch which can function as a separate break out corner for smaller group sessions or casual conversations.

The flat screen is talking about how to recover Red Bull, an energy drink, back on market. It's projecting materials from his laptop, the guy with fake glasses. He smiling at me, I smile back. It's a quiet room that invites brainstorming in a more flexible setting. The boss wakes me up from my observations.

"Miss Vanessa?"

"Ah yeah?"

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Vanessa Mats, she has an interview with us." what? I can't help myself when I speak.

"What do you mean 'us'? Am supposed to see the boss...you!"

"We are a family here Mrs. Mats... Have a seat." I rest my ass as the boss moves to the front seat.

What's this? I look on my right, she is smiling at me. The boss says, her name is Melissa. Melissa the possessed, she doesn't make people laugh but makes them miserable with her brilliance. She knows things, almost everything!

Next to her is 'I'm the only blonde, don't worry.' She loves crazy hair, her real name is Kelly though. Besides her is Mr. Toby, horsey to strangers and cute. He spends five minutes arguing me about lying to have kids. He keeps quiet when I show him my wedding ring. He is hilarious.

Facing me directly is the girl who I don't think likes me at all. She looks at me like she wants to get something right. She is the flaw highlighter, Jenny. Next to her is Shanon, no time for bullshit, work in progress. She is all about work, work, work!

Lastly is the life of the party, Mr. Tin... He is the computer man…He is loves colours, he is wearing blue tight pants, red slim belt and a yellow shirt, not forgetting the floral tie.

And oh the least, the guy, Gava! Kelly says he bathes regularly, reads too much, smiles at everyone, eats less, talks good, works out like crazy. He is a zoo volunteer, he is the boss but not bossy at all... And as I can see, he is the hottest…

"And oh he is super fucking kind…" She says, as she continues to speak, the super fucking kind creature cuts her off.

"Enough Kelly..." He laughs a little. "So as you can see, we are not a big group, just eight of us…and maybe you will make nine?"

"But I haven't even been interviewed." I can't help it, am confused. They all look at me. What is it weird people? I came here for a freaking job interview!

"As you can see on the screen, we have a problem.… Red Bull, the product, is no longer selling. People are neither happy or content with it, yet we need them to be greedy about it... How can we? Vanessa?"

What now?

I look at the screen, not saying a word. Am thinking. So this is how they do it? If I fail, am out.Since they are super friendly, they will probably hug me and kiss me goodbye. I concentrate as their eyes stay glued on me. When I finally speak up, their eyes are still in motion, on me.

"Well, we can create an advert of women on the beach... " No one says a thing. Not even any protestations... I carry on.

"These ladies are dancing... Dancing to this nice song…like Despacito.. but one of them eventually feels drained and dizzy, and as she is falling…" I get up and start pacing. Like my daddy!

Pacing can make people take you seriously and maybe lose motion?

"As she is falling, a guy comes in grabs her…from her torso. He has these dark brown eyes and soft lips, he looks directly into her eyes, and gives her a Red Bull...When the woman sips it... She is refreshed and she proceeds with the dance...they dance together. Nothing refreshes you with more energy, like Red Bull! Refresh yourself with a Red Bull! " I conclude...my hands in the air. I have been acting out this whole thing... They are still looking at me like a target, saying nothing.

And then, they clap!