10:15 AM
Nelly's legs moved almost twice as fast. Several thoughts were spiraling in her mind; after a thousand tries, she couldn't come up with an excuse good enough.
Doubt stirred somewhere within. "This interview was over." Nelly shook her head in disagreement.
Exhaling deeply as the automatic doors slid open. She put one leg in.
The lobby was a vast space, wider than it was tall, the floor covered with pristine marble and reflecting the fluorescent bulbs hanging in the ceiling, creating a dizzy sensation in her head.
At the heart of the monolithic granite desk stands a lady with long brown hair and a pair of glasses, sitting comfortably, staring at the screen in front of her.
"Uhm, excuse me." She inhaled deeply. "I'm Nelly Samuel, here for the interview."
"It was over 30 minutes ago." The receptionist slipped her a curious glance, then returned to her screen.
"Please, I was held up by traffic."
"Traffic in Abuja?" she snorted. "Try a more creative lie."
Nelly's head fell; it wasn't exactly the best she could come up with. Abuja was no Lagos. If only her phone hadn't died.
Whispers blew by the wind reached her ear, the words soothing, she turned, in a row of comfy chairs somewhere far behind them, closer to the walls.
The waiting area.
The sound came again, and two ladies spoke in low tones, giggling at each sentence.
"I didn't believe Kelvin Akor would interview us personally."
"Me neither."
"Did you see him, so..." one giggled, "I can't wait to start working here already."
A strange thought struck Nelly's mind. Taking another look at the nonchalant receptionist, she had a better chance of convincing him herself; she scanned the reflection in the polished marble structure…if only the rumors about him were true.
"Can you leave, ma'am? This is a business premises, leave, or I'll be forced to call security."
Only Nelly didn't hear her.
She moved in the direction she'd seen the strangers walk out from, towards the shiny elevator.
That'll lead to his office.
"Security." A voice strained not far from her.
The elevator opened, the cold air embracing as she stepped in, the turned.
The receptionist and security had caught up, almost, just a few seconds late.
She smiled as the door slid shut.
The ascent began slowly, Nelly patted herself. Just then a thought appeared in her mind, her heart stop.
What if Kelvin kicks me out himself.
The elevator just passed the 30th floor, already too late to give up, she steeled her mind.
The door opened.
an expansive, curated extended before her, the pristine white wall were lined with decoration of arts, the walkway was wide, its flour covered with green carpets, here and there pots of flowers laid. Despite it's size only two offices were in the top floor.
One door stood near the elevator. The boardroom, another at opposite at the far end. Kelvin Akor's office.
Nothing about the entire building suggested it being built in less than a month.
Standing in front of his door, she inhaled sharply, contemplating her choice.
Reluctantly, she knocked on the door, which felt stupid because it was an automatic door and would have opened as it sensed her. Of course, she had to assume he had his own control over it.
He wasn't letting her in.
Just then, the emergency door burst open as the receptionist and two security guards rushed in, just several feet from her. The door in front of her remained shut, and Nelly was overwhelmed with shame as they caught up with her.
"Get your hands off me. I'll show myself out," Nelly said coolly as a guard grabbed her.
The receptionist stared at her with an intensity... if only looks could kill.
"It's okay, Sarah. I'll see her now." A rich bass voice echoed as if he were standing behind them.
They all grew tense. Nelly could note the subtle shift in the atmosphere even from their faces. A faint hope flickered in her heart. Kelvin is as ruthless as they say, meaning the other rumors are true as well.
The door slid open as the security guards began walking away.
The moment she stepped inside, he didn't even acknowledge her presence. He sat behind a sleek glass desk, typing away, completely absorbed in whatever he was doing. The only sound in the room was the soft, rhythmic tapping of keys.
Nelly shifted awkwardly. "Good afternoon, sir—" she said, realizing how nervous she felt.
"Have a seat," he cut her off without looking up. "I've been expecting you."
She hesitated before lowering herself into the chair. Silence stretched between them as he continued working, ignoring her again.
Her eyes wandered around his office, and something inside her stirred. The room—this space—held faint details from a memory she could have sworn she had. Kens' every detail. The antique sculptures, the massive windows overlooking Maitama, the paintings…
It felt like déjà vu.
Exactly how he rambles on about a future office, even reflecting her previous love for art.
Just how much of his idea was stolen?
No it was fundamentally wrong, this could all be a coincidence right. Was her memory betraying her again?
Her gaze lingered on one painting in particular. A man facing a mirror. He had three reflections. That wasn't the strangest part. None of them matched him.
Below the painting was a king-size bed. The office was an epitome of luxury and class.
Several artworks covered the remaining space. It was strange to see this many paintings in one room, and they were all antique. She had an incredible desire to take a closer look.
"Do you like what you see?"
His voice snapped her back to the present.
She turned to find Kelvin watching her, amusement flickering in his dark eyes.
"Yes."
"Go ahead," he said coldly. "Explore."
As though it were an order, Nelly stood up immediately and walked the expanse of the room. From one piece of art to another.
A moment later, she found herself standing in front of the man with three reflections, and it stared back at her… haunting.
"Interesting piece," she murmured, sensing movement.
"Don't bother," he said from behind her. "You won't be able to make sense of it."
His voice was closer now. She turned slightly, realizing he was standing just inches away. The heat of his breath skimmed her skin.
"This," he continued, "was made in view of society today. No one cares about the man himself—only the versions of him that suit their expectations."
He was close… too close.
There was barely any distance between them, as she soon felt his eyes on her body. Studying her.
This was what she'd been banking on. Kelvin Akor was a womanizer, the rumors say, and he was particularly obsessed with caramel-skinned ladies.
Nelly was dressed to show sufficient skin to attract his attention.
It was working.
Then…
Her body betrayed her. A longing ignited within, faint and familiar. A tingling in her skin where his breath touched, the quickening of her pulse—it felt wrong… too wrong.
"How badly do you want this job?" he whispered.
A shiver ran down her spine.
Then it hit her. He was playing with her. Testing her.
Nelly clenched her fist… everything was going according to plan.
Her control was slipping. Still, it was worth it. Turning slowly and facing him, they both stood near the bed.
"Can I have it?" His voice was deep with authority.
"Yes."
Everything was in place. If he refused to give her the job after, the micro-camera on her bag would capture enough evidence for blackmail.
Then he leaned in, his chiseled brown face illuminated by the fluorescent light.
Nelly closed her eyes in anticipation as she inhaled his fragrance. Her knees weakened. She felt a freshness between her legs.
She fought to stay in control as her consciousness melted away.
"Come and get me," she blurted.
A slow, predatory smile curled on his lips. He unfastened his watch, setting it down. Rolled up his cuffs further.
Nelly's breath hitched. Her mind screamed at her to move, but she stood frozen, waiting—anticipating.
"Miss Nelly."
Her heart pounded.
"You have something for me."
She swallowed.
He extended his hand.
"For the interview," he lifted an eyebrow. "Your CV."
Her stomach dropped. She bit her lip, regaining all of her consciousness, as he walked away.
"I've got to say, I like the way your mind works."
Nelly stared at him, dazed, tears shimmering in her eyes.
She opened her mouth to speak. No words came.
He sat, smiling. A mocking expression on his face.
Without another word, she grabbed her bag and bolted from his office, willing herself not to cry.