sincerely yours

just a minute" iheadichie. D.Khalil replied just as the doorbell rang. He opened the door,a mail-man clad in black suit and had a tag written post office hung on his breast pocket . "You got a letter sir" said the man handing over an envelope sealed with Atlanta post services. "Thanks,"Khalil said, throwing his gaze to another fellow standing behind a black van. "You welcome"said the man walking out while Khalid shot the door . Khalil dropped the envelope on a sofa and walked slowly up the stairs.A message popped out from his phone.He checked ,it came from Mama his mother Mrs chinweudo Evelyn Daniel."My son when will you bring a wife home? I'm still waiting." He hissed . He had promised to return home and marry. Evelyn has always wanted her son to marry a high class woman from Nigeria but her son wasn't making it easy. "She has to be a patient dog " he said to himself.Yes he was wealthy,living in a mansion, had his dream job and working under the IRIM company in Atlanta Georgia as he always dreamed of.Been paid scads of three hundred and sixty thousand dollars per annum.He walked into his bedroom , counting his life achievements, he shifted his gaze to the medals and awards he got from the company also his secondary school medals won in state competitions . Different shapes and sizes all stocked up in a silver line glass shelf. It made him remember his school days as an academic prowess at Kings college Lagos. He studied petroleum engineering at the Base university Abuja , graduating with a first class certificate.He inhaled deeply shaking his head raking his beards with his finger nails. He had bad memories too which he wished he could erase.Ruth ijeoma was one .She was his lover ,ex lover . He met her in his old days at Base university where she studied financial economics.Things had gone well till she got in for Adrian Adebayo he was been referred to as "an academic poison" by his lectures.His father being an influential man, C.E.O of the AGIS GROUP popularly known as the AG.From his father's influence and money ,he got all he wanted starting with Good grades, cars, girls, rocked the parties .He was totally an influencer. Ruth had made out with him after a party and she blamed herself for being drunk giving him access to abuse her. Nothing can change anything now because she had his baby and Kahil couldn't bear the mess.She broke up with him before he could.And after their graduation it's been seven years . They never met, never spoke. He sighed as he reached for the window. Early hours of Monday,the weather was dry ,cool and dusty.The traffic was usual, Ruth stood in front of her porch."jay watchu still doing com on get yo ass off that room u late for school"she kept her hands akimbo "Jay im gonna spank the hell outta u ,come out now" she was upset .A little black boy with a big curly hair rushed out through the doorway."what kept you so long?"she sighed. "Tryna get my books around the closet" "What the hell are your books doing in a closet Jay?" "Nothing mom ,we're late already"he faked a smile. She was now on school run.Travelling to America was something of an anti climax after years she spent in Africa.The drive to Dalton high school was a twenty minutes drive from Lincoln Ave where she lives "Be a good kid, no worries ,no punches"she kissed his forehead. "Love you mom" "Love you too smart ass" Training her boy had been a hard moment for her as a mother.She loved him despite the fact that everything about him was all Adrian ,from his eyes to the way he walked. She inhaled deeply as she kicked on she had to get to the bank before heading to the office .A few kilometers away from the bank ,she almost ran into a silver Mercedes Benz A class but luckily drifted away.she had to stop by due to the pressure coming from the event that could have been fatal.she clasped to the steering breathing heavily. "Anything wrong?"the other vehicle approached with the driver hanging on a healthy smile.Ruth shook her head."Anything wrong?more like everything but somehow she did get through this.The driver offered her a friendly wave then leaned out his Window the more. "You okay?" "Yeah am good " she said with her head bent "sorry I wasn't focused "she added as she eased the GTO into gear and slowly travelled the dirt line.The driver had acted cool and she wondered what he looked like because she never looked up at him head bent till she felt she could drive slowly.Her throat tightened and she blinked a few times. A fleeting glance in the mirror showed the vehicle still followed closely.she quickly parked , rummaged through the contents of her bag then out into the bank.she checked her time over and over while she rushed to the deposit desk..."mmmm''a throaty masculine chuckle made her glance. She turned around and in a minute paused with her eyes bulged out.. beads of perspiration ran down her face..she was out of words .Shocked to the bones.This was the least she expected to see all these years.."Kha..I" she tried to speak . "Hey good morning" he smiled .Her face straightened up ,then ran a hand over her hair as she studied him.A dimple cleaved his angular chin .His eyes the colour of a melted caramel .full beards , broad shoulders that tapered down to a narrow waist. He looked smart dressed in a navy blue suit and a thin silver designer spec covered his eyes. And momentarily she stared at him like a lost sheep... He was still the Mercedes Benz driver she almost hit.. "Hey how re you it's been years now?" he tapped her shoulders "Yeah i- - - guess so"she faked a smile.."kinda surprised seeing you. Thought you were dead"she said and he chuckled " I was not anymore". " We can't talk right now .Am sorry , ain't no time left ." she said, trying to cut him off from further conversations.. "Sure but call me anytime," he smiled... "Anytime" she mused. A woman could weave some very interesting fantasies about a man like that and fantasies were probably the safest way to be involved with him.. Ruth opened her eyes ``morning already "she yawned .She lifted her head . The room was dark and the only illumination came from the bedside lamp.She sat up.A plaid blanket fell from her shoulders to bunch in her laps."what a night" Her eyes got to the clock at 7:05 am.She moved into the bathroom and reached for her toothbrush. Ruth kept a steady stare at the mirror in her bathroom.Her conscience had been throbbing her and sometimes she felt she still needed him.All about him was insidiously tempting.She had known a lot of men.Many good-looking men but this one was different. Ruth herself was alluring.Her black skin was completely flawless.She was twenty-eight.Still had the exuberance of youth.She had that movie star look.She wasn't just flawless,her skin was silk over glass and she radiated an intelligent beauty. She glanced at the mirror again this time using a comb to straighten her messy hair.The bathtub was next and it took her thirty minutes to take a clean bath. Coming out of the bathroom her son Jay stood at the doorway."Good morning Mama" he rubbed his eyes. "Baby u gotta go prepare for school while I go make breakfast Okay".He nodded walking sluggishly. She inhaled deeply. She had moved to Atlanta a month ago due to her job transfer.She worked as a Marketing director for a small chain of luxury boutique hotels EDEN.She loved writing marketing briefs , coming up with objectives and seeing them come to fruition. All these while she felt having a man wasn't necessary.She believed being a single mom was best. She rushed to the kitchen and made buttered toasts and scrambled eggs IRIM.. "Mr kahil" kahil turned to the Voice behind." Hey James, how are you doing?" James Hinton ,tall white British . Was a freak .His hands never left his jaws "We lost the contract," Kahil said, knowing what James wanted to ask. "s**t happens,"James inhaled . " 2.8 million dollars slipped off our hands" Michael said, opening the door to his office. " Brown Should be blamed," James said. "Hey c'mon man no judgements now" kahil said "see you later I got work to do" "Rounda rounda" said James walking away. "God damn" kahil hissed moving in.His table was scattered with sheets of papers.He switched off his desk lamp ,gathered his work papers neatly inside his file cabinet.Opened up the curtains then sat on his swivel chair.He said a short silent prayer before a knock came to the door. "Come in" he said .The door opened and a lady walked in.Old and blonde . Maybe a woman in her late -fifties . "Have a sit ma'am" she sat down "Good morning ,how can I help you?" he flicked a smile. " Am Alisa Chamberlain. Director of the JULIAN'S , London and you must be Kahil ihe- -ad-ichie" "Iheadiche" kahlil corrected. " So what brings the JULIAN'S over to IRIM?" "I know you son" she said "How?" He said uncharacteristically. "Okay let me put it straight to you." She said with a non-stop look at him.``I want to buy you out" she said then for some seconds there was silence before he burst into laughter. "Wait a second. You tryna buy me out ? What do you mean ma'am?" "I want you to come work for me,"she said "We have a great staff here.But am not certain anyone would love to be transferred"he said"And besides you meet the acting boss not me". "Your boss directed me to you.she said"Work with The JULIAN'S".. "It's really an honor to receive such a proposal to work with you Mrs Chamberlain. But i must confess, am preoccupied here. I love my job here in IRIM." "The pay's heavy boy sixty thousand dollars monthly" Michael chuckled. God! The pay was nice, that was twice his salary. "Are you asking me to leave a company I always dreamed of?" "Well it's an option for you to choose you worth working for me and you worth the money. Besides, the company ruled you out and I'm giving you a fresh start." "Ruled out? Can you hear yourself? Who told you that?" "Your boss" "Anthony Brown is acting for the moment" he mused"why the f**k would Anthony " he tightened his fist "wtf" He was a high wall for Anthony Brown and for Anthony kahil was a treat . kahil had everyone's love.He was appreciated.This had to do with jealousy and probably a huge salary was the best possible way to lure him in to leave the company. "Sixty thousand f*****g dollars" he said to him.."Am sorry I can't." "Well when you do call me"she said using two fingers to slide her card across the table to him.``Am gonna have to leave now just think about it"she said leaving the office. "f**k!"he hit the table with his fist. "Wtf is going on "kahil boost into Anthony Brown's office "Hey hey easy man "Anthony said"Am actually doing you a big favour.The biggest favour" he laughed" I was on the run to get you out for a long time now" he grinned mischievously.Anthony was despotic,atrocious and cruel.He had this craggy face and his mouth was mean.His face held an unamused expression.Eyes scrunched tight in anticipation of something bad.He was blonde and teeth slightly crooked. "Why are you doing this? Criticizing your policies here shouldn't get to this and you know it. "I got lots of companies competing but right in here you are a big competition don't you get it...I didn't want to send you packing so I got an offer from THE JULIAN'S and it's big money .Don't you like it? Many people would dream to be in your shoes right now and u tryna reject this very good offer.''His eyes were sharp like the cat, his laughter hit kahil like needles.Beads of perspiration ran down kahil's face . "A black man never stops hustling. In one way or the way we always succeed.one day I would welcome you in my office" "Whatever"Anthony said.."if you don't accept the offer you still leaving" "Yeah for sure I have been a boss on my own " he smiled leaving the office. The traffic along St.Thomas was at a snail's pace.He lay his head back against the seat of his car Ford fusion(2020 model).He flicked the radio (the box) by Roddy rich played and he had to sing along"I just hit a lick with the box Had to put the stick in a box, mm Pour up the whole damn seal, I'ma get lazy I got the mojo-deals, we been trappin' like the '80's She sucked a nigga soul, gotta Cash App Told 'em wipe a nigga nose, say slatt, slatt I won't never sell my soul, and I can back that…