I felt like my life had finally started when I got a job in the next city. My father had used his connection to get me in, and I didn’t want to miss this chance, I didn’t really care if I stayed in a tiny apartment as long as I had a job.
It was loud and full of people. I managed a one room apartment and even though the room was small, I did not mind.
My boyfriend, Miguel called me every time, sometimes three times a day just to check up on me. He would say things like “Baby, don’t let the men over there distract you.” I would laugh along with him. That wasn’t on my list at all, I just wanted to be independent.
At the office, I was on my own, I just wanted to do my job and at the end of the month, get paid.
My boss, Mr. Thompson was one of those men who never talked loud. He was in his late forties and everyone at the office respected him and the workers said he had a wife, but people hardly saw her.
At first, I thought he was being kind when he always asked me about my health and food. Then he started taking me home after work. One day, he dropped me off at my house and spoke about how empty my house was the day he dropped me off.
The next day, I got a text from him that some things were going to be delivered to my house. And when they came, I could not contain the shock. A flat screen TV, a bed, rug and curtains were brought in.
“You deserve comfort, Helen. I just wanted to make life easier for you.” That was his statement when I had asked him.
He started sending me money for clothes, bought me expensive bags and shoes. And even got me a new phone. And when I started dressing better, everyone noticed. And I somehow became the talk of the office.
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“My wife can’t give birth,” he opened up to me one evening. “We have been married for five years. I love her, I mean it. But I also want a child. Helen, you’re young and kind and I trust you. I want you to have my child.”
“No. I... I cannot do that, Sir.”
“I’m going to take care of you. I’ll set you up for life. There would be nothing for you to worry about. Anything.”
“You have a wife. I can’t do that to her. You’ve been good to me and I really appreciate it but this…this is too much. I’m sorry.” I already had Miguel, I could not betray him like that. I just could not accept his request.
The workers at the office started talking about me, they said I was pregnant already. That I got to wear all these good stuffs by being with one of those big men.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I did not go to work for a few days and I saw on our group chat that they were talking about me. They said I was pregnant so I was hiding.
And Mr. Thompson no longer talked to me anymore. Had reality hit him too? I sent a resignation letter to the company and left Lagos two weeks later.
“You resigned? From that good job I suffered to get you?” my father yelled angrily.
“Dad, I couldn’t stay anymore.” Could I really tell him my reason?
“Why? You don’t even know how many people are looking for that kind of job? And you just left like that? Have you lost your mind?”
My eyes turned teary, “Dad, its not what you think. Things got complicated, everyone talked about me. I couldn’t stay anymore. I was not happy. I just-”
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“Happiness? Who told you life is about happiness? You and you grow. That’s life! You need the money.”
“Dad, to me, peace is more important than money.”
“You are a woman, Helen. You should know better.”
“I’m sorry. I know I disappointed you. But I just couldn’t go on. Everything was…just wrong.” I cried.
“Come here.” He hugged me. “You’re my daughter. I just hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I do. I’m sorry.”
Months later, I found a good job. Sure, it was not fancy like the previous one but I preferred it. I was happy with the job, how far I had come, and how happy I was happy with Miguel.
IMAGES WAS GENERATED USING META AI
