Chapter Twenty-five

Valerie waited for an explanation. She couldn't understand what gave the woman the right to embrace Albert without fear. All she needed to know was who she was and why she did what she did.

It took a while before Smith broke the silence. "Valerie dear, I know you'll be concerned about what you saw earlier but please do not dwell so much in that. That woman is just my friend's daughter. To be sincere, she is obsessed with my son , to the extent that she insisted she serve as a maid just to always set here eyes on him. So please look over this. I'll go and warn her. At least she knows her limits though she went overboard today.

Valerie wasn't in the mood to talk again, she quietly excused herself and left for her bedroom. 

"If anything happens because of Sofia's stupidity, then she'll have me to contend with" Smith warned. Albert kept quiet, he didn't want to involve in the discussion. 

Valerie entered the room with heavy hearts. She closed the door behind her as she stooped to the floor. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She felt it was her alone for Albert, never planned to ha ve a competitor. Worse still, Albert seemed to accept her(Sofia) to her(Valerie).

Meanwhile, Lady Lily and Mira took Sofia to their room consoling her. Sofia felt her world had crumpled, she was the Legal wife of Albert not that lady, that is the reason why she's been ignored in the family.

 The atmosphere that day wasn't good for anyone. No one wanted to talk to each other and some slept on empty stomach, people like Valerie and Sofia.

...

...

Albert and Sofia prepared well for the day's work. Before they left for work, they had a  hearty breakfast. Albert called on the both of them, to admonish them on things relating to the company. 

"Please be very careful." He finally told them pleadingly. "Moreover, I chosed Sarah to be your assistant." He said looking at Valerie, who nodded in return." I can't trust a lot of people again. Gregory must have done his magic." While he was speaking, Sarah strode toward them and gestured a greeting to them. She dressed in a formal outfit, one that depicts that of a secretary. " I want you to serve your Mistress with all sincerity."

" I promise to do that." Sarah replied.

The trio thanked him and turned to leave. The walked out of the building. The car door was opened, Albert and Valerie sat on the backseat and Sarah on the passengers seat. And so, thy drove off to work company with security guards few distance away.

SMITHS CORPORATION.

The trio (Albert, Valerie and Sarah) went through the private elevator to the toppest floor of the building. They exited the elevator as soon as they reached. Just in time, Eddie, Smith's secretary came and greeted them. She took Valerie and Sarah to their offices which is few doors away from the CEO's office.

"Wow" Sarah exclaimed as soon as she came inside Valerie's office. She had lived with the Smiths but haven't seen such facilities before. The walls, floors, chairs, everything in it was highly sophisticated.

Eddie scoffed at the lady behind her, admiring her environment. "Hello" Eddie said, snapping her out of daze.

"I love them." She blinked her eyes and then left the room with Eddie. 

Valerie settled down in her office and began setting up for the day's job.

Just next to Valerie's office is another office, though smaller in shape. Eddie strode into the office with Sarah following behind. Immediately they entered into the office, Eddie switched on the office lights which radiated throughout the room. Sarah felt her heart jump in joy. "This was better than being a maid." She thought.

" This will be your office. If you need anything, you can come to me. And I am available to offer you directions on your work. Also be ......." Eddie looked at the lady she was talking to. Totally distracted, Sarah was already lost in thoughts, she thought of home compared to the wrorking area, she thought of the dignity she had gained working at the Smiths Corporation. Moreover if she worked hard, she may be promoted to a managerial position. She imagined herself commanding a lot of people and so many other things.

Eddie got so irritated seeing that she had been talking to herself. She left the 'dream lady' to continue in her world of dreams.

The closing of the door jolted Sarah back to reality What? Did she leave? Hey, I need to be directed by you!" She shouted, opening the door simultaneously. " Hello,"  She said but Eddie kept walking down the narrow passage to her office.  

"Wtf!" Sarah almost fell. She wore stiletto heels and it wasn't easy walking in them. She usually wears flats as a maid in the house of the Smiths.

 Eddie stopped so that Sarah would meet up to her pace. "You've stressed me out," Sarah complained, panting heavily as soon as she was beside Eddie.

"Well, I decided to leave you to continue daydreaming." Sarah rolled her eyeballs to what Eddie said.

"I'm a novice in all of these but I'm computer literate. I'll need your guidance in my day-to-day activities."

Eddie looked at her carefully and smiled inwardly before heading back to Sarah's office, ignoring Sarah.

"You." Sarah wanted to hit the woman acting all high and mighty. She had no choice but to follow suit.

"Everything had been kept in place. All you need is to arrange these files." Eddie said, pointing at the files on the table. "I'll need your assistance in fixing schedules. I'll send all schedules to your system and report back if you encounter any problems. And don't forget to always be at the beck and call of the Vice President." Eddie instructed and made for the door.

"May I know why I'll need to assist you in fixing schedules. I mean that should be your work." Sarah inquired.

" That's because you're my servant!" Eddie retorted stressing the words.

Sarah closed her ears with her palms as she watched Eddie close the door.

"That bitch..." She cursed under her breath. "She almost blocked my ears with that ugly voice." And then a hiss escaped her lips before she went to continue with her duties. 

***********

Albert was signing some documents when he heard a knock on his door.

"Come in," Albert said.

 The door opened and Valerie came in. She put on a smiling face as she walked toward Albert. 

“You seem to be very busy.” She said sitting down. 

“ Yes, I am. It’s not easy leading a large Corporation like this.” Albert told her.

“ Yes you’re right and that is why I am here to assist you,” Valerie affirmed.

“ So how do you see this place?”

“ It’s okay. Very comfortable. I love it here. And I haven’t done anything yet as a vice president, so I won’t say it is an easy position.”

Albert chuckled hearing her response. 

“ What are you doing now?” Valerie enquired.

“I’m going through some documents and signing them as well.” 

“Let me have a look,”  Valerie said. She went beside Albert in the pretence of looking at the documents. She wanted to get closer to him.

As she bent to examine the paper, a knock came on the door.

Eddie opened the door and came in. She was left dumbstruck when she saw how close Valerie was to Albert. She greeted them and proceeded to keep some documents in the drawer.

“Arrange those on the table as well.” Albert instructed Eddie. And immediately she swung into action, putting every document in place. 

Valerie was annoyed, she wanted an opportunity to seduce Albert. An opportunity like this should not be misused. But the secretary appeared and stopped her plans.

She looked at the secretary who stooped to the ground with her back facing their direction.

“Good job.” Valerie complimented Albert, concealing her annoyance. “I’ll return to my office.” 

…

...

Valerie paced up and down her office. She thought of Eddie and viewed her as a threat. “That girl doesn’t seem innocent. I’ll watch her movements from henceforth.” She sighed slumping into her seat in frustration.

At the end of the day, they (Albert, Valerie and Sarah) went back home.

Smith was in his room when they arrived. Albert and Valerie decided to go freshen up before going to see Smith. Sarah headed back to her room. 

Sarah was taking her bath when Eva came into the room. Both of them had the key to the room so it was easy for either of them to come inside when the door is locked.

Eva sat on the bed waiting for her friend to finish bathing. 

She smiled when the bathroom door opened. Sarah had only a white towel wrapped around her body. She came close to her friend and hugged her.

“Welcome Dear,” Eva told her.

“Thank you.” She replied.

Sarah moved to her closet and brought out a flair orange gown and wore it.

“How was work today Ma?”  Eva teased.

“Wh…a…t? And when did I gain that attachment to my name?” 

“The moment you seized been a maid and became a high-ranking worker in the Smiths Corporation,” Eva replied.

“Oh no. I’m still one of you. Don’t pull my legs, please. “

“Ok. So how was work today?”

Sarah began narrating all she experienced at work. From the environment to meeting the arrogant secretary and others.

“Wow. That’s nice. “

“ You’re not kidding me. Are you?  That woman was a thorn in my flesh. “

Eva smiled and told her, “There is still a lot to face. But for now, can you help me clean the garage? “

“Ok. Let’s go and work then. “ 

The duo left the room to the garage. Chitchatting on their way.