Good Boss

Kathleen arrived at the mall two hours later, but just as she was about to go inside, the sole of her shoe came off, and she looked around in embarrassment, wanting to make sure no one saw her.

How was she to walk around the mall in this? She asked herself in distress and decided to stand outside the gate, hoping to find one of those cobblers that roam the streets.

It was at that time that Pete was driving into the mall with Amanda. "Daddy look at her," Amanda said pointing at Kathleen in excitement.

"Her, who?" Pete asked, looking around curiously.

"The office lady you said I should apologize to," Amanda explained, making Pete turn around to look.

"I want to apologize now," Amanda said, motioning for Pete to turn around. Pete sighed as he parked the car and walked out with Amanda to meet Kathleen.

"Hello!" he greeted, and he saw the flicker of surprise in her eyes the moment she recognized him.

"Good afternoon, sir!" She said, bowing her head politely as her heart thudded wildly against her chest.

Why did she have to meet him like this again? She wondered, hoping he wouldn't see her bad shoe.

"Good afternoon. Are you okay? You seem nervous," Pete asked when he saw the way she was moving her legs.

"I'm fine," she said, looking down at Amanda, who was smiling at her.

"Hello! Daddy says I'm to apologize for embarrassing you the other day. I'm sorry for the other day," Amanda said with a smile.

"It's fine," Kathleen said and looked up when Sharon called her name.

"Kathy, how far?" Sharon asked before turning to greet Pete. She sized him up and decided he must be a Lagos big boy since his clothes looked really expensive.

"Sharon, meet my boss and his daughter," she turned to Pete. "My friend, Sharon," Kathleen said as she prayed for Pete to leave immediately since they were done with the introductions.

"Boss? It's nice meeting you, sir," Sharon said with a grin and winked at Kathleen.

So, virgin Mary was having side runs? Who would have this kind of fine-looking man as a boss and not drop their Bible? Sharon mused, looking at Pete and then back at Kathleen.

"Same here," Pete said, wanting to leave, but looked down when Amanda tugged at his trousers and used her eyes to motion at Kathy's legs.

His lips twitched in amusement when he looked down at her legs and saw her shoes.

"Why are you here? Let's go inside," Sharon said and frowned when Kathy winked at her to shut her up.

"You were going inside? Let's go in then," Pete suggested and turned to lead the way but Kathy remained at her spot.

"What is wrong?" Sharon whispered, making Pete turn to look Kathy over.

"What is your shoe size?" Pete asked, startling Kathleen, who looked up at him in surprise.

He knew about her bad shoe? She wondered.

"Huh?" She said before she could stop herself.

Sharon glanced down at Kathy's feet and quickly got a clear picture of the situation.

"Size 39," Sharon quickly answered, knowing that Kathleen would likely act like a good girl and ask him not to bother.

"Let's get you something else to wear then," Pete suggested, but just as Sharon had predicted, Kathleen quickly declined the offer.

"Thank you, sir, but you can go in. I will just wait for one of those cobblers to pass," Kathleen told him with an embarrassed smile, making him raise a brow.

"The sun is scorching hot, and I don't think you should be standing here like this," Pete said with a disapproving frown.

Not that it was his business anyway. She was just one of his employees, and it didn't matter to him what she chose to do with her time, but it was for the sake of Amanda that he was going this extra mile.

He quickly took out three crisp one-thousand-naira notes from his wallet and handed them to Sharon. "Please, can you get her something to wear while she waits in my car?" he asked, pointing to his Mercedes-Benz car, which was parked not too far from where they were standing.

"You're not going to buy from the mall?" Pete asked when Sharon turned to cross over to the other side of the road.

"Mall ke? Those people price dey cut throat," Sharon said, making Pete chuckle in amusement as he watched her walk away.

"You really didn't have to do that. It wasn't necessary," Kathleen said in embarrassment as he led the way to his car.

"Just see it as me being a good boss. And repay me by putting more effort into doing your job," He told her while Amanda looked on with interest.