Good Isn’t Good Enough – Episode 4

04

Azure woke up quite early, her eyes were puffy from the little sleep she had gotten the previous night and all the thinking that had disturbed her.

She held a masters in journalism and she knew that with her experience she could work anywhere in the world, she still had a thing for Mark but at this point she had accepted that he would be the death not only of her but her career as well. So in her hands was a resignation letter that she planned on dropping at the office and also was ready to let go of the toxic relationship.

She put the paper down and made her bed, cleaned her apartment and went to take a bath before settling into a black off the shoulder dress with nu.de heels. She had nu.de makeup on and her hair was tied in a bun, she looked perfect. Being with Mark had actually made her forget just how beautiful and intelligent she was because at some point she lived only to please him.

‘It is time to pick back your life Azure.’ She said to herself as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.

She picked up her handbag and drove to the office, with the congestion; she only managed to get there thirty minutes later but that was still in time for her.

She parked in her usual spot and noticed that Mark’s car was also parked, he was probably having his coffee and going through what the other papers had written. ‘Good morning Ms. Kabwe.’ The security guard greeted when she stopped at his desk to sign in

‘Good morning Joe.’ She responded with a smile

He was an old man but very efficient, he had always been nice to her. Greeting her every time she walked in and he appreciated that she always made time to check up on him.

‘You look beautiful today.’ He complimented

‘Aren’t you just the sweetest?’ she asked removing a sandwich she had packed He took it thankfully and smiled as she walked into the premises. She wasn’t surprised when her colleagues were acting weird towards her, obviously the news of Solwezi had travelled like wild fire and now they were just waiting for her downfall.

She smiled as she walked without minding any of them, she was only twenty four with a masters; doing very well and to top it off very beautiful whilst most of them were not quite at her level.

She walked into her office and called her secretary, not only was she a journalist but a chief in editor for her column; ‘The Youth and The Future.’ ‘You called for me?’ Cathy asked

Azure looked at her then back at the papers on her desk, Cathy was hardworking and easy to work with but she was the one person that took information out of her office to the rest of the company.

‘I need you to go to the ware house, get some boxes and clear out my office.’ ‘Sorry what?’

‘I am sure you heard me the first time.’ she responded putting her bag nicely in one of the drawers

‘Is Mark in?’ she asked when Cathy wasn’t saying anything ‘He is in a meeting with Mr. Anthony.’More interesting stories on Topster Stories App

‘That’s even better.’ She responded with the resignation letter in her hands

Mr. Smith Anthony was the founder of Mark Anthony Printers named after his late father; Mark’s grandfather, he built the company brick to brick, profile to profile. He knew it like the back of his hands and he had extended it in all the big parts of the country. Now that he was nearing sixty; he had put his nephew Mark in charge because he too was very good at his job except he had a weakness for women, something that Azure only learnt of later.

After building his farm house in Shimabala, he had opted to spend his time there knowing that the company was in capable hands and only showed up when necessary.

Azure took a deep breath when she got to the CEO’s office, she always admired the golden prints on the door.

‘Smith Anthony – CEO’.

She knocked once before the door was opened.

‘This is not a good time.’ Mark told her with a look she couldn’t recognize

‘I am not here for you.’ She responded putting her leg through the half closed door ‘Mr. Anthony.’ She said with a smile

‘If it isn’t my favorite person.’ He responded moving from the window to embrace her

Mr. Anthony had fallen for Azure’s intelligence the minute she had walked into the board room the day she had her first oral interview. Out of a hundred people she was the only one that had passed both the assessment tests and oral interviews. ‘You have been scarce.’ She accused when he let her go

‘Age is catching up with me and the big city is not in favor of that.’ He said making her laugh

‘Please do seat down.’

He moved to his seat and snarled at Mark causing him to take a seat quickly ‘How has work been Azure? You look stressed.’ Smith accused

‘It isn’t much work if it is your passion.’ She responded with a smile

‘Flattery will get you anywhere Azure.’ He said standing up to pour them some coffee

‘Thank you.’ She said with a smile getting the cup from him ‘Some coffee?’ he asked in a manly voice looking at Mark ‘No thank you Sir.’ He said with sweaty palms

Smith moved about the room looking for something which he couldn’t find after some time.

‘So, Azure. How has your column been going?’ he asked putting his weight in the chair

She laughed delightfully knowing fully well that he always read her work.

‘I have never loved anything else as much as I love the youth and the future.’ She responded truthfully

‘The minute I set my eyes on you I knew you were destined for greatness and I am just glad that; that hasn’t changed.’

She smiled

They kept talking and catching up like Mark wasn’t even in the room.

‘Well Sir, I need to take my leave and since you are here; I would also like to give this to you personally.’ She said handing him the envelop she had in her hands ‘I hope this is a love letter.’ He humored

He opened it gently, his face changing from soft to almost angry as he read what was written.

He swallowed hard and closed it, placing it on his table ‘I am not accepting it.’ He said ‘Excuse me?’

‘Azure, give me one good reason why you want to leave apart from this.’ He paused looking at Mark who had his eyes facing down

‘Mark will never be in your case again least he gets sucked, for now do your job and if you decide to leave; I will support you but let it be because of greener pastures.’ He told her

‘Thank you Sir, let me get back to work now.’ She responded feeling a weight lighter

#GOOD_ISNT_GOOD_ENOUGH