BIG WIN

It’s the dawn of a brand new day. The sun had just started to appear above the horizon. Kenina woke up a few minutes earlier, stood from her bed and strode to the window, she loves nature, she especially loves to watch the sun rise and set. Using the back of her palm to cover her yawn, she went down the spiral stairs, helping herself with a glass of water from the kitchen.

This is an old habit of hers that she learnt from her parents to always drink water first thing in the morning, they said it helped to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract and aids in bowel movement. The doorbell rang, it was a delivery from her favourite restaurant, she previously ordered a meal because despite her mother’s scolding and teaching, she ended up being a terrible cook and since she lived alone, she solemnly didn’t see it as a necessary skill she needed to acquire.

Her name is Kenina Miller, Luca Miller is her elder brother’s name, our parents were George and Margret Miller, her parents owned a successful biotechnology industry business. The business was passed down from George’s father to himself, it was during the course of George running it that the encountered a setback..

Kenina quickly prepared and headed to the parking lot, the last thing she wanted to be was late as she’ll be closing a huge deal with an investor. The atmosphere at work was tensed, Mr Martinez, her Boss seemed to be darting at her in the quest to find a hopeful expression on her face when she walked past him, it is the first deal she was handling since she graduated and got employed. She was particularly excited for pulling this off since everyone looked down on her. To them, she was just a spoilt child who got employed because her parents were connected, to them, she wasn’t even qualified to work there. she cared less, that attitude wasn’t new to her, she had met people who said worse.

Kenina had just settled in her office when the investors arrived arrived. The meeting was a short yet a successful one, they all came out from the conference hall smiling, Kenina seemed to be the bone of contention after the investors left, she got tons of “Congratulations” from all her colleagues and seniors, including Mr Martinez. It all seemed weird as she usually do not get that often, not from this people she had worked with for close to six months.

Before the closing hour, Mr Martinez sent out a memo, inviting everyone to dinner for a job well done.

The day had ended and we converged later at the said venue. If only I wasn’t the main concern for this celebration, then maybe I would have undoubtedly blanked the celebration without regrets.

He raised a toast saying “this is a rare occasion that required a rare impromtu celebration”, he clang his glass of wine against Kenina’s and that of others. It was weird to Kenina, sitting amidst same people who never regarded her in weeks past, she didn’t believe it was a change, it was more like being on the winning side. They beckoned on her to order any drink she wanted since they were all toasting to the success she brought the company. She didn’t like getting drunk, not with her colleagues at least, so no matter how comfortable they made her feel, she still drank in sips. Soon everyone was tipsy and displayed all sorts of character while she watched, it was entertaining after all. She took up the burden of making sure they got home safe. She got home late, and since she had already started drinking earlier, she decided to complete it, got really drunk and passed out in her living room.

She woke up to her annoying blaring alarm that seated pretty on her wooden stand. You know how the night ends so fast when all you wish for is a longer night, or a few hours delay at least. The previous day was really a long and hectic one but what does she get? A short night sleep? ”Arghhh’’ she hesitated

She staggered out of bed, rubbing her left palm on her forehead hoping she could wipe off the brain splitting headache she felt.

“This hangover feeling should be rated five stars” she muttered.

Sluggishly, she took a warm shower hoping it would help with her headache, the truth is, she didn’t know if the warm shower was soothing or aggravating.

Today wasn’t a special day, so she just slipped into a monochrome fabric trouser and blouse while trying to wear her blazers and shoes simultaneously. She grabbed a refreshing cup of coffee and rushed to work. The building seemed unusually quiet, she had to walk in to find out what was going on at least. The door opened and she approached only to hear someone announce her presence, everyone either held flowers or cheered with all radiance of happiness. She found the exhibit unduly embarrassing and dramatic, she only managed to blend in to the mood at work. She walked into her office, sat down and brushed through the files to sort the unattended ones from the finished ones when her eyes glanced at the portrait at her desk. It was a portrait of her parents and herself at her school convocation.

That day was the happiest day of her life, thought that she was going to be finally free from her parent’s grip and school. It was a day she looked forward to, but right now, she wanted more in life, graduating wasn’t the stage she wanted to stoop for. Unlike other parents who scolded their kids for not graduating with the best grades or not getting more recommendations and awards, her parents were usually there to encourage and support me at whatever path I chose to ply. They only guided me and allowed me to move at my own pace. She realized that it has been a while since she heard from her parents, she wanted freedom but not to this extent, in that moment, her phone rang, she reached for my bag, couldn’t find it and had to empty the contents of her bag on my desk, her phone had already stopped ringing. The missed call came from George, this was really more than a coincidence. At that instant, she got a call from Mr Martinez, she dashed out of her office to his.

“You sent for me Sir” she said almost immediately

“I did, have a seat” He politely asked closing the book before him and adjusting his glasses to focus on me.

“I just wanted to personally thank you for the just concluded deal which wouldn’t have been possible without you” He paused and studied my countenance.

“…And I don’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable but you are amazingly full of surprises, I like that” He added leaning backward.

“Thank you Sir, I hope to do more for the company” she managed to say.

“Yes, of course, and that is why I’ll like you to look into this” He said handing a file over to me.

“Alright Sir” I said jerking in my seat, a gesture to know if that was all before making my way out of his office.

She sank into her seat, inhaling and exhaling slowly, backing her office, staring at the painting on the wall, until her concentration wasn’t the painting.

It was calming, she had just started to feel at ease when someone walked into her office without knocking.

“Etiquette rules still exist in the world though” she replied eyes closed, still facing the wall.

My mind concluded that was Isobel, her friend and colleague, but the Isobel she know would have spoken loudly or made some noise but this intruder was quiet which made her lazily turn her chair around only to set her eyes on the last person she ever thought to see. It was Frederick, her eyes widened and her heart raced, she was still putting her thoughts together while he surveyed her office.