Solitude – Episode 10

 

SOLITUDE

 

_10_

 

Lucky for me they were still taxis by the taxi rank, I knew the price would be absurd considering the time but what option did I have. I was charged double what ulendo would have charged me and without complaints we drove to my place in silence. After getting there I paid what I owed and thanked the cab driver before getting into the house.

 

The first thing I did was to remove my shoes, I was as tired as hell. Mostly because I was emotionally drained from doing nothing and understanding nothing most of the day.

 

 

After taking a long relaxing bath, I prepared some noodles and stir fry vegetables. I was trying my best not to think about Chileshe, it was getting harder by the day and I knew now more than ever I needed her. Isn’t it funny how just when you need someone the most, they decide to live you? In a cold world with no one to turn to and all you are left with are memories and most likely regrets of what you should have done whilst they were around.

 

I lost my apetite, thinking about her did that and deep within me I knew that if I didn’t stop this, I would lose so much weight and eventually get sick.

 

I decided to go through some of the documents that I had put on my laptop, maybe an hour or two of trying to get this I would eventually. But still, there was nothing that was making sense and that is how I decided to call Mr., Cochrane. It was late but what other alternative did I have.

 

‘Good evening Ms. Mphanda.’ He said formally

 

‘Good evening.’ I responded before clearing my throat

 

‘You are calling me after working hours.’ He accused

 

‘I am sorry but I didn’t have much choice.’ I responded genuinely sorry

 

‘It’s fine, just don’t make it a habit.’ He said

 

I keep quiet for a minute without knowing what to say

 

‘I am sure this call is because they are documents that you can’t understand right?’

 

I am embarrassed that he guessed right but I don’t have much choice.

 

‘Your silence means that is a yes.’ He adds when I don’t respond

 

‘You are right.’ I say

 

‘Ms. Mphanda I really want to help you.’

 

‘But?’

 

‘I have a job; you are not my only client and my contract to you doesn’t say that I should be at your service twenty-four seven.’

 

‘How about we revise that contract.’ I say quickly without thinking

 

‘Excuse me?’

 

‘Meet me in my office tomorrow at 08:00hrs, we can go through the contract.’

 

I don’t give him the chance to respond as I cut the line, for the first time since the passing of Chileshe I can see some light and I don’t doubt that Mr. Cochrane wont turn down my proposal besides I looked at what I own and how much it’s worth; I can pay him any amount he will ask for.

 

Tuesday morning, I wake up feeling really refreshed, I even manage to have some cereal for breakfast and I hum along to Emeli Sande’s beneath you are beautiful. The ulendo driver I requested for is at my gate on time and I am excited for the day ahead.

 

By 7:45hrs I am in the office and I have called a mechanic to look at my vehicle, also I make a mental note to talk to the security guard concerning the safety of my car.

 

At exactly 8AM my secretary calls me telling me that Mr. Cochrane is outside my office, I had already told her that I was expecting him so she lets him in.

 

He knocks once and lets himself in, with the same grace that he continually walks with – he walks towards me. He is in a navy-blue suit and crispy white shirt; I notice he has shaved his beard from the last time I saw him and his cologne hits me hard almost sending me into wild thoughts which I am not even allowed to have.

 

I stand to greet him, green dress hugging my figure and a mustard throw over complimenting it.

 

‘Good morning Mr. Cochrane.’ I say extending my hand

 

 

‘Good morning Ms. Mphanda.’ He says opening the only button that was tied on his jacket without shaking my hand

 

‘Please take a seat.’ I say ignoring his rudeness

 

And he does

 

A few seconds later my secretary walks in carrying a tray of biscuits and coffee

 

‘Thank you Mweene.’ I say with a smile which she returns

 

After Mweene walks out I pour us some coffee, I wait for Mr. Cochrane to get his cup but he doesn’t so I pick up mine. One of the things that Chileshe taught me is never to allow how people perceive life or how they treat you to be the reason you treat them the same.

 

‘Without wasting much of your time, I will get right into it.’ I begin after putting down my cup

 

‘You are incompetent.’ He says looking me in the eyes, he says it unapologetically

 

‘I have never done this before.’

 

‘You do realize they are people who are waiting for this company to fall to its ruins right?’

 

‘It won’t.’ I say confidently

 

He laughs, not a humorous laughter but one of mockery.

 

‘What makes you so sure?’

 

‘Because you won’t allow it.’

 

‘Excuse me?’

 

 

‘You are not going to allow this company to fall to it’s ruins because not only are you going to be my lawyer but my adviser as well.’

 

This time he looks at me intently

 

I stand up giving him a paper with some figures as I stand against the window giving him my back.

 

‘What is this?’ he asks

 

‘What I am going to pay you for doing this.’

 

There is silence in the room.

 

‘You are joking right.’

 

I laugh.

 

‘Am not.’

 

He keeps quiet again

 

‘I can see the hunger in your eyes, you want a breakthrough. You are not the kind of man who wants to be in the background, you want to be recognized and seen around the world. You want your name on everyone’s lips and that is what I am offering you right now. That chance, that breakthrough.’

 

‘You must be insane to think that I will ever work for you.’

 

‘You are not a foolish man Mr. Cochrane, neither am I. I know great potential when I see it, just imagine the things that we can do together.’

 

‘At a price of 0.00000?’ he asked looking at the paper I gave him

 

‘Money doesn’t move you, of course unless I am wrong.’

 

‘I could never afford you.’ I add

 

 

He looks at me as if reading my mind.

 

‘Your friends would be willing to pay me millions to work with them and you, you offer me nothing.’

 

‘Because I am not my friends and I know what a man like you is worth.’

 

He lifts an eyebrow

More Stories @ generalloaded.com

‘It’s nothing money can buy.’

 

‘Think about it.’ I say dismissively

 

I watch him walk out and I know I have him where I want him, I won’t let Chileshe down because I know she must have seen something in me to allow me do this.