A Win!

CHAPTER SEVEN

A month later, it was the day to award the contract to the winner. Joan went to represent the company.

Back in the company, the staffs were all nervous especially Jim, he couldn't rest. His heart was beating fast. He didn't want Joan to lose again.

"Mr Jim,the idea you gave the director is so smart,how come? I mean none of us could have thought of such a brilliant idea" Mrs Thelma,a manager,commended.

"Thank you Mrs Thelma" Jim said with a smile.

****

On the same day at about 10:00 in the morning. In the village where Mr Bennett and Angela resides. They sat on a wooden chair under the shade of a big mango tree, enjoying the cool breeze smoothening their skin. Angela had just prepared a delicious plantain porridge for her husband who enjoyed it under the shade of the tree.

"I still can't believe that your old friend Humphrey, got married to that small girl... I mean, where are his senses? That girl is younger than Jim our son" Mrs Angela said.

"I confronted him before he got married to the girl he said he wants a new wife and that the girl professed undying love for him so he had to marry her" Mr Bennett said.

" Undying love? Are you sure she is with her senses?" Mrs Angela asked just to be sure.

"Didn't you see smiles all over her face yesterday at their traditional wedding? Let her use her head to carry whatever she brought upon herself" Mr Bennett said and there was some moments of silence.

"My husband I think it's time our son, Jim, choose a wife for himself, his mates here in the village are down with at least one or two kids but instead he chooses to be chasing money here and there" Mrs Angela said.

"He is 29 years old and I know he will be planning towards that my dear don't bother yourself. He's too young for us to start mounting pressure on him" Mr Bennett said reasonably.

"If you say so because I can still get a well-behaved beautiful girl for him from this village... There's no time" Angela insists.

Later they changed the topic and continued cooling off under the shade of the tree.

****

Back in the office, tensions remained high. Jim and his colleagues were restless as Joan, their director, isn't back yet and you dare not call her on phone.

"She had always trusted us as expertises but then we let her down. I wish she doesn't get disappointed again" one of the staffs said from her desk.

Jim couldn't sit again, he paced from one end to the other.

"She's back! Ye!" Shouted one of the staff who almost peed on herself. Everyone ran to the window to see. Jim's curiosity rose.

When Joan entered, all eyes were on her.

"How did it go Ma?" Jim broke the silence which was almost killing him. The others looked at Joan with rapture.

She wore an odd, strict and disappointed face but all was just a prank.

"We won the contract!" Joan shouted happily. Joan couldn't hold her joy as she hugged her staffs who were all happy. Jim couldn't believe his eyes.

"What?!" He shouted in excitement. He was enthralled as he watched Joan.

"Congratulations are in order" Joan said to Jim.

"Thank you so much ma'am" Jim said happily.

"Let's see in my office okay" Joan said going towards her office while Jim sheepishly followed her. When they got into her office, she sat down and demonstrated for Jim to sit.

"You are a genius. You know we can be friends so you can share with me some business ideas haha! You are outstanding" Joan couldn't hold back as she praised her one-time enemy,Jim.

"Thank you Ma" Jim replied with all loyalty.

"Maybe we have a drink or two tomorrow by 2:00pm please" Joan requested.

"Ah really? Who am I to say No? I'm all yours by 2" Jim said with a grin.

"So we can talk about your background, family... You know more about you" Joan said.

"Anything for you boss Queen, haha!" Jim said.

Just then, Joan's phone rang

"Okay Jim we will see at the staff room" Joan finally said and Jim left her office.

Joan picked the call.

"Dad!" Joan screamed with excitement.

"Wow Joan you almost blocked my eardrums Ha-ha! How did the meeting go?" Jim's dad, Mr Felix asked excitedly.

"We won! Dad yes we won!" Joan said with happiness.

"Oh no we did!! I'm so proud of you Joan. You are just so smart! We will celebrate to this I promise. Congrats my love" Mr Felix said happily over the phone.

"Seriously Dad I'm happy. Well, all thanks to our intending Admin manager, he's the brain behind the win" Joan said and Jim smiled.

" Really? He's the new guy... Well my regards to him okay" Mr Felix said.

"Alright Dad I have to run along. I have a little meeting with my staffs. Talk to you later, bye" Joan said with smiles.