Sebina pulled a black cap with her company logo over her short hair that had now been unbraided, cut shorter and permed. She tucked everything into the cap and made sure that she wore clean overalls that were not torn or stained today because it was her first maintenance day at Sonar Fleet.
She took a taxi to the company location and then paid the driver, grabbing her toolbox from the back. She walked up to the security guards at the gate and showed them her pass before being searched and then being allowed in.
The receptionist smiled at her as soon as she walked in.
"Good day, how can I help you?" she said politely.
"Good day to you too." Sebina couldn't help smiling back at the positive energy this woman radiated. "Im Sebina Molapo. I'm here to see Mr. Bert Acheampong."
"Do you have an appointment?"
Sebina nodded. "I'm not sure but I'm supposed to come and check the fleet. A Mr. Faizal can confirm it for me?"
"Let me check...oh! Right! We've got you here for 11am. You may go in. Here's your access card." The receptionist gave her an access card with her name on it. "Mr. Bert's office is at the top floor, first door to your right. Enjoy your day."
"Thank you. You too."
Sebina made her way to the office, patting herself down as she adjusted the long sleeves of her grey overalls with her company logo on the breast and Fleet Maintenance written at the back. She was finally meeting the man himself! And she couldn't dress up because she wanted to be as ready as possible for today.
She walked up to the secretary and introduced herself before being led into the spacious office to wait for Mr. Bert to show up.
The door opened and in came a handsome silver fox looking impeccable in his custom suit and shoes, his fade in and his black and grey hair neatly combed. The grey and black hair complemented his bronze flawless skin, connecting straight into his salt and pepper beard.
He smiled at her when he saw her, threatening to make her melt into her seat. He had to be almost fifty but she didn't care at this point.
He walked over to her and introduced himself. "Bert Acheampong. I'm glad you could join us, Ms. Sebina. I'm sorry about the previous times i couldn't meet you...I had other matters to attend to."
Sebina swallowed. Loudly. "Um...the pleasure's all mine, sir." She shook his calloused hand.
He looked at her for a while with a soft smile. "Sebina Molapo," he said, smirking a little. "It's been ages."
Sebina blinked stupidly. Did this man know her? "Do I know you?" she asked, looking at their hands still holding. Not that she was complaining.
He grinned. "You don't. But I know you. A few months ago at the Watson Cars show? And...you were giving a speech about how to maintain classic cars? If I am not mistaken, you wore a silky skin tight dress?"
She felt color creeping from the bottom of her feet to the top of her head. She thought she had been so boring no one was paying attention to her during her speech. "Um...I'm sorry. I don't remember you."
"We didn't get the chance to be introduced because you were so busy that day. I never saw you again after that."
Sebina nodded with a small smile, suddenly feeling like a little school girl with a crush. "I guess we were bound to meet again at some point," she said as she looked at her hand still clasped in Mr. Acheampong's. He wasn't wearing a ring nor did he have the mark of a wedding band around his finger so that was promising. H quickly let go upon realization that he was still holding her hand.
Clearing his throat and adjusting his tie, he went around to his desk and pulled out his copy of the contract, motioning for Sebina to come sit before him. "Anything you would like to fix with me while I'm still here? I'm not often in the office or around here so we need to fix whatever needs fixing while I'm available."
Sebina sat down and pulled out her folded contract copy from her pocket. "Well, Mr. Acheampong-"
"Bert will be just fine, Sebina."
She looked up from her contract at him. "Bert. Well, I revised the contract with Faizal and I think that man deserves a promotion, honestly."
Bert smiled. "Why? Would you fancy a coffee and a doughnut or something in the meantime?"
"I don't drink coffee but some earl grey would be nice with a cheese sandwich, thank you."
Bert quickly dialled a number and talked to the person on the other end. A couple of minutes later, a knock came on the door and a lunch lady came in, carrying two steaming mugs and one wrapped sandwich which she placed on the desk and quickly made her way out.
"We were talking about Faizal," Bert said, sipping his coffee while Sebina unwrapped her sandwich and bit into it, closing her eyes in ecstacy as a small satisfied moan left her mouth. Bert's smile grew wider as he watched her.
She came back to earth. "Yes, Faizal, he's a great man when it comes to this whole contract stuff. I liked him from the first day because honestly, he made working with you guys look like it was going to be nice and i was comfortable with him. Apparently he drew up the contract himself...he should have been a lawyer. He's a respectable young man-"
"Hold up, how old are you to be calling Faizal young?" Bert looked at her with a raised brow.
"I'm turning 34 in a week."
"Really? So black don't crack for real?" he teased her.
"With a gym regime and good products, yes, it dont crack," she laughed.
"Hmm. I thought you were at least 30, not 34. Faizal is indeed a young man. He's 26. I will think about that promotion. I hope you will do our contract an honour, Sebina."
"I will, Bert."
A knock came on the door and it opened to reveal the colored man with his short trimmed hair. Sebina smiled at him.
"Ah! Faizal. Please do come in. We were just talking about you."
Faizal came in and sat beside Sebina, glancing at her and smiling politely. "Good morning," he said.
"Morning," Sebina and Bert replied.
"Well, there's no need for introductions since you both know each other. Sebina here was just telling me to promote you."
"Bert, I wasn't telling you-"
He laughed.
Faizal didn't like the way she said his boss's name. They were too familiar...like they were friends or something. He looked at Sebina. "You alright? Your foot?"
Sebina stopped smiling, feeling a little embarrassed after last night. "It's fine, thank you."
Bert looked from her to Faizal. "Anything wrong with her foot?" he asked.
"I had a little accident with my car and injured my foot, Faizal was a dear and he helped me out."
"Oh! Is that why you want a promotion for him?" Bert teased.
Faizal looked at Sebina, biting his lower lip to hide the small smile of amusement that threatened to make it's way to his face. She looked absolutely even more beautiful today compared to when he first saw her, even though she barely had any makeup on and her hair was not done under her cap.
"...be okay?" Faizal heard Mr. Acheampong asking.
He drew his gaze away from Sebina and realised that the question was directed towards him. "Im sorry, sir. I didn't get that?"
"I was asking if you'll be okay with showing Sebina here around? She needs to get well acquainted with the area, especially our maintenance workshop."
Faizal nodded, glancing at the woman beside him. She barely acknowledged his presence but he wouldn't be deterred.
"That's all for today then." The older man looked at Sebina with a smile that made Faizal weary. "Dont forget the dinner, Sebina. Pick you up at 6pm?"
Before Faizal came in, Sebina had just gotten invited as a plus one to a networking event and she had accepted without hesitation knowing that this was her chance to promote her business.
She nodded. "I'll send my location. Thank you." Then she excused herself to the ladies'.
Bert looked at Faizal. "She's a little old for you," he stated.
And you're a lot old for her, Faizal thought but he would never say that to his boss. He pretended he didn't know what Bert was talking about instead.
"Huh?"
"Sebina. She's not for you. I saw the way you looked at her. Stop. I want this relationship to be strictly business and you shall not compromise it in anyway, Faizal. You may be excused."
Faizal nodded and got up from his chair, wondering if he had been that obvious.