Recommendation

A letter arrived at my office from the headquarters in Lagos, on the day of the job interview, it was a recommendation letter, and it had your name on it, John Solomon, and your curriculum vitae was in the envelope also.

Your CV was an impressive one, no denying it, but I was still curious as to why the headquarters was recommending you for the job when you hadn't been interviewed. I needed to know who you were, and how you got such connections to be given the job even without the interview. While I contemplated that, my telephone rang and I answered.

"Hello, good morning."

"Good morning, this is Mr. Felix Uche, the Managing Director of Lexious Bank. I'm sure you know who I am, Josephine."

"Yes, I know who you are sir. Good morning, sir."

"I am sure you've gone through the letter sent to you. I need you to be present at the branch in Maitama for the interview.

"You won't be part of the interviewers, your job is to assess the candidate whose name is on that letter because after the interview he'd be working at your branch."

"I understand sir, but there are others who can handle this task."

"Be present at the branch in Maitama. He came highly recommended by the Central Bank, and I am handing the task to you to carry out and get back to me after your findings. Have a lovely day."

"Okay, sir. Bye."

At the sound of 'Central Bank', I became more curious as to who you were, I needed to put the pieces together, so I went to Maitama immediately. Most people get recommended by normal people, but yours came from the bosses.

On my way, I put a call through to the branch manager there, asking him to leave you for last, but he was curious as to why I said that and I didn't have an easier way to explain to him over the phone, I only told him it'll be better explained in person.

The type of interview room we make use of has a one-way mirror, that can allow other high-ranked staff to have access to the interview as well.

I was there on time to be present at your interview, and the way you answered every question brilliantly, fascinated me. For an instance I knew why you were recommended, you would be the best staff the bank has ever hired and I still had your CV in my hands going through it over and over again while the interview went on.

Your brilliance, the way you talked, the way you were gallantly dressed and most importantly, how handsome you were. Of course, I didn't let what I was feeling for you make me forget why I was there.

You did excellently and without the recommendations, any employer would still have hired you, you were very qualified for the job, so I put a call through, back to the MD.

"Hello, sir. The interview is over."

"How was his performance?"

"He did excellently sir. I am not sure he needed any recommendation to be hired. He outperformed the others."

"Of course, he will. Make sure you prepare everything necessary. No need to have him come pick up his appointment letter, send it to him via email."

"Alright, sir."

"I am tied up with something now, we will talk more about the other details."

You looked so ordinary as I stood outside to watch you leave. I was expecting you'd walk to your car and drive out, but you stopped a taxi because I expected that since you were recommended from a top place, you'd be a top person in society, except someone saw your potential and wanted to do you a favour.

I took a liking to you after everything I saw about you and I was eager to see you again and start working with you. Your appointment letter was prepared almost immediately and sent to your email.

As days went by towards your first day at work, I looked forward to seeing you again, I wished the days went faster, and when the day came, you weren't at work. At first, I thought you had gotten a job somewhere else and ignored ours, but I decided to put a call through to be sure, but I was shocked when you asked me which job I was talking about.

The good thing was that you came to work, and we're having such a good relationship, you find me attractive and I see you as the same.

The MD called a few days ago to know how you're doing and your performances at the bank, and he's also planning on transferring you to the headquarters in Lagos after a while, but I convinced him not to, and told him you only started working and transferring you won't be the best thing. Because if you leave I'll miss you so much.

***

"I have always lived alone and would like it if you come to stay with me from time to time, at least, we get to know each other more," said Josephine.

"I think I might inconvenience you if I come all the time." I took a sip of water. "But it won't be a bad idea."

"So, John, who recommended you for the job? I've always wanted to know."

"If you find out, you can tell me, because I have no idea who did."

I paused for a while and thought about it again, it must have been my mother who pulled the strings, but I was excited to know that even without her recommendations, I'd still have gotten the job.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Josephine.

"Nothing, just thinking of anyone I know who works for the Central Bank, but I know no one."

"Exactly my thoughts. You don't look like someone who would have such connections to that level."

We were done with her discussion, and I reminded her that I needed to meet up with someone and it was getting late already.

Josephine walked me to the door, holding my hand, we hugged and exchanged kisses, and then I left, assuring her I would come back.