When the MD’s son came knocking, Winifred had no choice
Chris Obi is the only son of his parents. He has been in America for half of his life. His younger sister is in Medical School, also in America. He hasnít always been in agreement with his mum on running their family business. His mum always reminded him of the need to show interest in the family business because the idea was that he would take over.
He was recently in Nigeria and decided to come to the office to pay his mum a visit at work. ìMy dearest Mum, at least, I am here at work with you today, isnít that a good start? Donít I deserve some accolades for this?î he said as he bent over to give his mum a peck on the cheek. ìYou cannot bribe your mum with sweet words, you must begin to consider coming back to Nigeria to take over this company or you want your father and I to sell it off?î she queried him to which he responded ìOk! Mum, we will take it one day at a time.î So he walked towards the long sofa in his motherís office to pick up a magazine. As he did that, there was a knock on her door and when she asked the person to come in, it was Winifred Orji, the 28 year old Deputy Human Resource Manager. Immediately Chris heard her voice, he dropped the magazine and turned. He briefly looked at her and liked what he saw but didnít want it obvious that he was looking at her so he sat down and pretended to be reading the magazine even as he observed Winifred speaking with his mum ìOk Winifred, I think your idea is better. Letís do it your wayî Chrisís mum said to which Winifred responded ìOk Ma. Will put it in the file.î And she left the office.
Immediately Winifred left, Chris walked up to his mother and enquired ìMum, who is…î before her could say ìthatî, the mother interjected ìChris! Chris!! Chris!!! How many times did I call you? Donít go thereÖI repeat, donít go thereî and he said ìBut mum, donít go there?…how? I merely asked a questionÖok mum, I will tryî ìI did not say try ChrisÖI said No Way!î so he walked up to her, gave her a peck on her cheek again and said ìAlright mum, I will see you at homeî and left her office.
He perused the office environment after he left his motherís office to see if he would catch a glimpse of Winifred. He certainly wasnít in a hurry from the way he walked. As he stepped out of the building, he saw her about to open her car so he rushed there and opened the car for her ìQuite a gentleman, thank you.î Winifred said ìYou are most welcomeî he responded and he ceased the opportunity to introduce himself. ìMy name is Chris.î ìNice to meet you Chris, my name is Winifred. So you are here for?î she asked and Chris responded ìA business meetingî ìOh NiceÖî She said. ìUhmÖmy complimentary cards are not here with me, may I please have yours?î Chris asked ìSureÖhere you goî she responded, handing over hers to him.
After she left, he asked himself ìI hope I havenít started on a wrong note, why did I have to lie to her? Gosh! Chris! Silly meÖwell, I hope this doesnít hunt meî
Chris gathered courage to reach out to her and gradually they became friends but he still never told her he was the son of her boss.
Chrisís mum travelled for a week and when she returned, she asked Chris to come and check something for her at work. While in his motherís office, he did not agree with her suggestion so she said, wait, let me call Winifred, she always understands me. Chris wasnít comfortable with the idea but knew that if he told his mum, she would wonder why he was reluctant for Winifred to come. While in the process of deciding whether or not to call Winifred, there was a knock on the door and immediately Chrisís mother said ìcome inî, Winifred walked in just as Chris was saying ì…but mum, I honestly think you should do it another wayî. Hearing him say ìMumî was a shock for her. She became jittery and her pen fell. She horridly picked it and ensured her eyes did not meet with Chris ìWinifred, yeahÖyou brought the other documents, thanks. However, I was just speaking with my son and I told him you should be part of this deliberation.î If Winifred thought she didnít hear Chris say ìmumî earlier, now his mother said ìmy sonî that was it, she needed no further clarifications. Again her pen dropped ìWinifred, I hope you are okay?î Chrisís mum asked ìYes ma, I am fine, just a bit under the weatherî Winifred responded. ìSorry dear, you should close early and go take a restî and she retorted ìThanks Ma, I will tidy up in 5 minutes and goî she replied and hastily left the office.
Chris knew there was trouble. So he opened up to his mum ìWhat?? Chris!!î she exclaimed and he said ìMum, I am sorry, I really am. I went after her and I like her. I know you want my happiness. Please ask her to come to your office please. She is never going to believe me again. Please mumÖplease!î
Chrisís mum picked the office line and just as Winifred was about to ëescapeí out of the office, she was told the MD wanted to see her. She reluctantly went. When she got there, Chrisís mother stood up and said ìI believe you both have something to discuss. I am leaving for a meeting with the General Manager, I will be back in 20 minutes, make sure you have both sorted yourself out before I comeî
Immediately his mum left, he ran to her and began to plead. ìI donít know what came over me. I just didnít want you to see me as the ëMDís Soní but I acknowledge that, under no circumstance should I have lied to you.î
Though pained but Winifred let it go. His apology felt sincere so they made up. By the time Chrisís mother came back, the mood had changed ìSomebodyís headache seems to have vanished suddenlyî she teased ìI, the proficient Pastor Chris was used for this ëmiracleíî he joked and the all had a good laugh.
They are taking their relationship one day at a time but neither of them have plans to quit the relationship anytime soon. Hopefully we are invited to their I Dos!
Kemi Ajumobi