HER GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT

Chapter 15: Lie to survive

None of them was willing to talk about what happened at club clove. The leaving in secret without Linda knowing all of it was confused by the sweaty s*x they had that night. James was avoiding Linda’s calls and Anita was keeping an eye on him. But she was also avoiding someone's calls perhaps she did not want to go to heaven on a direct ticket. Anita wanted Jesus in her life not in her pants. The reverend was showing unyielding advances towards her. He even explained the whole lunch at his fifteen acre mansion was because of her. People can do crazy things for love. And it is no different to some men of the cloth. He was surprised. Gone were the days young girls like Anita were after money. The tide had shifted thanks to the wind. The reverend was not used to being taking no for an answer. Not after showing off his wealth and financial ability. Anita was no stone. She was going to c***k someday. He had to be a little patient like job or Jacob. To work twice as hard to get what he wanted. Anita was still wrapping her head around being approached by an influential and well decorated man of God. She did not tell James anything. She was not planning to at least not in the near future when Linda was showing signs of snatching her food. Above all, some secrets are better of when they remain secrets. It was not lying, it was survival.

"Babe I was thinking of getting a job", Anita proposed lying on his lap.

"You got your CV ready I can drop it at dad's office toady", James said happily.

"Would you help me update it am a little bit rusty", She complained.

"Anything for you love go bring my laptop", He said.

She got up from his lap and walked to their room happily. He admired her brown thighs and massive backside in her blue hot pants. It was all his and he couldn't have enough. She had his T-shirt own actually looked good in it than he did. He loved her silence and resilience. Tania said something about him being the last one to know Linda was in love with him. Meaning she knew but she was acting like she didn't. He enjoyed her meekness but he did not confuse it with weakness. It was just a matter of time before she started showing how she really felt. And to counter that he wanted to get her a job. He paid for everything in the house. It was his father's money that took her to school if she wanted some few coins for herself it was alright.

They worked on her CV and James opted to take it to her father’s office with her. It had been long since they went to visit him together. His old man was the best dad he could ever ask for. He might have made him feel neglected while he was young but over the years that had changed. James got a chance to Meet his dad's friends and run some family businesses. It was what he always wished for. Right by his side making decisions at the top. As he drove through the streets of the city with Anita by his side he imagined what was going to happen if his dad passed away. Brings back the Scott Richards feeling.

The elder sister Sonia had send him a screenshot indicating law of inheritance. The wind had changed. Now women were allowed to own land. Have a share of their family’s inheritance. Valuable assets not just clothes and utensils. Some few animals. He never replied her message. Perhaps Sonia knew their Dads health was diminishing. He spend most of his time in the hospital and James did a lot of his managerial tasks. Another war was building up and the death of Collins was the signal there were waiting for.

"We are here", James said pulling over at Collins and son enterprises.

"Your dad's in?" Anita asked.

"Yeah he is usually in on some weekdays", James affirmed.

The two went past security to his large office. Collins was in meeting with some investors in the boardroom. James directed Anita to wait for him as he went to check on his old man. His office was exquisite. A large rectangular desk made of well-furnished hard wood. A desk top computer on the middle of it. A comfy black chair behind it a picture of Collins in a black suit holding a chain tied around a lion’s neck. He looked young. Anita could approximate the picture was taken in his forties. The other walls were decorated with pictures of him with his family. His dead wife_ James mother and his sisters Sonia and Sharon. It was one big family. On the desk was a picture of him and James his only son. They looked alike. In fact if someone met Collins while he was James age might have thought James was the younger version of Collins. Many people who had met them both referred to James as JC jnr. The initials for James Collins junior. Their resemblance ended on facial characteristics. Behavior was something different. James usually blamed it on Collin’s emotional unavailability. While Collins said nothing about his son's behavior. He took it as his fault to pick up on him while he was young. All he wanted was to make his son to grow up knowing that a man had to be proud for what he earned. Father and son came back almost half an hour later. Looking happily together.

"My daughter!" Collins said happily stretching his arm for a handshake.

Anita got up from her seat to show respect. Shaking the old man's hand with reverence and care. He was still handsome for his age.

"Thank you for coming James tells me you want a job", He said taking his seat.

"Yes dad I think am ready to start working here is my CV", she said giving him the white envelope.

They all called him dad. Not just out of respect or because he educated her and was paying school fees for her siblings. Collins was a father figure in her life. Not many employers could agree to give the insurance money to their dead employee’s family and go an extra mile to support their children. Collins was a gentleman. He accounted for every shilling when Anita's father died the line of service for his company. He ensured her mum did not struggle like many widows did. They never slept angry as a matter of fact their life became a little better when her father died.

"That's good as a woman you should always have your own money this generation of gambling and excess partying is alarming", He said giving James the "am talking about you look"

"Not fair dad", James said smiling sheepishly.

"For you my son not fair means it's true. Now let me interview my daughter go to work this company won't run itself you know", He said pointing at the door.

"Catch you later babe", He said leaning in for a light kiss on her lips.

"Horny generation", Collins teased walking away.

Both Anita and James were suppressing laughter. Theirs was a generation where kissing in public was not that of a bigger deal and Collins had gotten used to it. He was good at embracing change unlike many of his age mates.

"And tell Tina to bring us something to eat", Collins said to James who was halfway across the room.

Collins read through the CV carefully. He had his glasses on. Anita was busy on her phone waiting for questions. And again you might wonder if the interview and the whole letter thing was necessary when he was her father_in_law. She could get employed by word of mouth. Not Collins. He had his own principles and the organization policies_ his organization- were to be upheld by everyone including himself. The guy could ask for permission from the employees not to come to work. Ask for forgiveness for coming late. He sometimes ate in the same hotel with them and listened to them. The wave of power misuse among the C_ suite guys like him was not on his blood. It had not affected him. Even James had to qualify to get a job as the operations manager of a company he co _owned with his father. Who does that?

"Thank you Tina get my daughter a bottle of soda too this might take long", He said.

"Okay sir", she said placing the tray on the table, "What brand?" Tina asked staring at Anita.

"Blackcurrant", Anita said shyly.

Collins asked Anita to serve the food. He was done with reading through her CV and now it was time for questions about visions, goals and other things they ask during interviews. He was smart to ask them over lunch and slowly the conversation drifted from Job related to family matters. His eyes became a bit sad. He thanked her for staying by James side despite his anger issues and periodic violence. The two had gone through a lot together and he admitted it was her resilience to overcome adversity that kept them together that long. Collins trusted her to take care of him when he was gone and from his tone and pauses he took while talking Anita could tell he did not have that long to live. It was clear collins was going to leave at the most unexpected of times after battling cancer for long yet he was still strong.

"My doctor told me I have less than a month or two the cancer has advanced to stage four", He said looking relaxed.

"Have you told James?"

"No and I don't want you to tell him either. Am not afraid to die", He said.

"What are you afraid of dad? You look like you're afraid of something", Anita commented with a lot of concern.

"What will happen to my children when am gone. I wish I had time to teach them how to love each other I was busy chasing money and now it can't give me a long life that I desire", He said sadly.

Anita had taken some psychology classes in business school. She was a good listener and smart too. Yet she didn't know what to say at that moment. It was beyond anything she had experienced.

"You tried your best to give them a good life dad. If they mess up that's on them am sure Sonia will understand. I will try and talk to her”, Anita said.

"I know you will that's why I made a decision", He hesitated a bit crating suspense.

"What decision?" she asked curiously.

"You'll be the administrator of my property when am gone. I have already allocated each of my children their property but you'll keep the house and everything in it including the three acre piece of land_ their mother always wanted you to have it anyway that way you might teach James how to take care of the home", Collins said. His face was filled with relief.

It was a major announcement. So major and abrupt that she still couldn't believe how rich she was and what kind of a man Collins was. Just when she thought he was the best of all fathers he continued to surprise her. Giving women inheritance? It was unheard of. But why her? She was not even his blood in the first place? How was James going to react if he found out she was given property by his own father when he was planning not to give his sisters any tangible assets? It was a conundrum.

"Are you sure it's the right decision dad?" Anita asked still in shock.

"The best I have ever made in my life I can't be ruled by years of history and culture I've always wanted James to break from the shackles of antiquated socio-cultural beliefs that segregate the two genders but it looks like I failed", Collins said. Sounding disappointed.

"You did not fail dad. You tried your best but it was not enough"

"You know how to make me feel better don't you?" He asked smiling.

"It’s not always unfair to give yourself credit try it sometimes", Anita said.

"Okay there you go. Congratulations Mrs. Owens you're hired", He said giving her a signed acceptance letter and a guide book.

"Thank you sir when do I start?" She asked happily.

"You started the moment you got in the family"

"I should have known my past performance should not be considered", She said getting up from her seat.

"One more thing", Collins said swinging on his chair", In fact two", He added.

"Start with the bad news", Anita teased.

"Whatever we discussed with you in here remains here not even James can know about my will", He said.

"And the good news?"

"Am not dying unless you're married to my son"

"Contrary to that"

"I will haunt you. Start getting a dress I will talk to James. Next Saturday sounds nice to me"

"What!"

"You're dismissed", Collins said with finality.