Though my eye 3

True character is what you do when no one is watching. It's apparent that Akunna was truly everything she said she was and more. If she faked her personality during the briefing with Ned when she first got employed into the firm as a cleaner, then it would have just been a matter of time before Ned sees through her lies and find out her true character. The fact that she lived up to the expectations of someone who claimed to have a strong value system built on Love was what broke the camel's back and made Ned fall even deeper in love with her and the best part is that she was now on her way to becoming the Production Manager of another firm owned by Ned's father. From Akunna being a cleaner to becoming a production manager in less than two months she came in contact with Ned and blow his mind away with her mesmerizing character and genuine personality. Now that's grace!

Immediately Ned broke the good news to Akunna about her new employment, her heart dropped. She was numb, dumbfounded and confused as to how such a transformation was possible. All she could do at that moment was open her mouth wide in shock. "How is this even possible? I just resumed work here two months ago as a cleaner and now you are telling me this will be my last day as a cleaner and that I have a job interview tomorrow for a big position such as the production manager for another company owned by Global Tech? Like how did this happen? I am shocked and don't know what to say or how to react" she said.

On seeing the shocked and confused state of Akunna, Ned smiled and looked into her eyes. "You deserve everything you are getting. There's no way I would have folded my arms and watch such an intelligent, smart and honest lady like you clean the floors of this company when you should be at the top. It would be a waste of potential for you to stay backstage when your kind is needed in the fore front of affairs. I pulled some strings this morning to get you a new job after you wowed me with your problem solving skills. I want you to flourish even though this company would miss an outstanding cleaner like you. Go and kill it tomorrow at the interview and reach out to me if you feel like celebrating with me once you get the job. You can have my card and call me whenever you want to; I wish you all the best Akunna" he said with a warm smile on his face.

When Ned was done talking, Akunna looked into his eyes and dropped a few tears. She wanted to hug him but couldn't because of boundaries and the fact that he was still her boss. She held the appointment letter tightly and placed it on her chest as tears dropped uncontrollably from her eyes. "I really don't know why you did this for me but Thank You" she soberly said.

As Ned watched Akunna cry, he felt a sharp pain in his heart. He wanted to wipe the tears off her eyes so bad but just couldn't because he didn't want to cross boundaries too. His heart bled as he watched the only woman he had ever loved cry for something as common as a job elevation when he had the capacity to make her never to work another day in her life. For some reason, he just wanted to take all her pains away forever and give her a pampered life but knew it wasn't in his place to decide such fate for her when he was still finding it hard to confess his feelings for her. Also, Akunna looked like the kind of lady that loves to be a part of something no matter how small. She doesn't seem like a person who would turn down an offer to bring something to the table as a partner even if she happens to date someone as wealthy as Ned.

After Akunna was done crying for few minutes, Ned finally spoke. "Stop crying and start getting ready for your job interview tomorrow. You can close now but first inform Human Resource that you might not be coming back here tomorrow. Let them know that you got a last minute job offer and had to resign" he said. Akunna nodded her head to everything Ned said to her. Finally, it was time for both of them to part ways and attend to other pressing issues. He wished her success for the last time and walked away.

With Ned gone, Akunna sat down and began to thank God for such a miracle and blessing in her life. Shortly after, she headed to the HR office to tell them exactly what was instructed of her. The resignation was accepted in good fate and her employment with the company was dismissed.

Immediately Akunna got back home that day, she began to prepare for the upcoming job interview she had the next day. She studied and rehearsed some interview questions in the bid to prepared herself well. The next day, she arrived at the firm an hour early for her interview and effortlessly aced it. She gave the interview personnel a run for his money and left him dumbfounded at such level of intelligence she showed. Without much deliberation, the job was given to her and she was told to start right away.

What a happy day indeed it was for an orphan who had been through a lot. There's no suitable word to fully describe the joy and excitement Akunna felt when the news of her new employment was broken to her. She shed tears as she thanked the interview personnel that broke the good news to her. It was such a rollercoaster of emotions and she couldn't believe that was her life. Work began immediately after the interview and she got introduced to her subordinates at the production department.

Immediately after the job interview, the Manager reached out to Ned who had called earlier to inquire how everything went. He told Ned all that happened back at the interview. As he spoke, he couldn't help but commend how smart, intelligent and awesome Akunna was. He had too many nice things to say about Akunna and this made Ned's head swell. There was nothing as pleasing to Ned as hearing all manners of good things and compliments about a woman he was desiring a relationship with. It made him feel proud of her. "Thank you Philip, I appreciate your promptness to giving her the job. Thanks for this favour" Ned said and the manager told him not to mention.

When the call ended, Ned couldn't stop smiling. He was super happy that things went well and hoped that Akunna would call him to break the good news to him. He didn't have her number so the only way to communicate with her was if she called first. Deep down, Ned prayed for her call because that would be a breakthrough in his pursuit for a relationship with her.

All through that day, Akunna was extremely busy with work at the new firm so she couldn't call Ned to break the good news to him yet. It was when she arrived home in the evening that she tried reaching out to him. On seeing that it was passed 7pm, she felt it wasn't appropriate to call by that time so she sent a text message to break the good news to him. It wasn't even up to two minutes after sending the text and her phone rang. She looked to see who was calling and it was Ned. Happy and excited, she picked up.

"Hello sir, Goodevening" Akunna greeted, "Goodevening Akunna, how are you doing?" Ned asked, "I am fine sir. I'm sorry I couldn't call you earlier after I got the job, I was so busy and decided to send a text message immediately I got home since I felt it might be inappropriate to call by this time" she said. Ned smiled and assured her that it was fine to call whenever she wanted to, that so far as he isn't asleep, he would pick up. Akunna thanked him once more for the job and he told her not to mention.and he told her not to mention.

As the call was headed towards an end, Akunna thought to do something more to show her appreciation. "Sir I don't know if you would accept this offer but I would like to buy you dinner on Saturday at a good restaurant not too far from my house. It's my way of saying Thank You" she said. Ned was touched by her kind gesture and accepted the offer ofcourse, since it meant he would have enough time to see and talk to her. "Count me in, I accept" he said and Akunna happily thanked him for accepting.

When the call ended, Ned couldn't stop smiling. He was happy for two things which were: having Akunna's number and going on a casual dinner date with her. He couldn't wait for weekend to come so he can see her again. It was such a good development as regards his desire to officially seek for a relationship with her.

As Saturday drew nearer, Akunna realized that she didn't have any fancy dress to wear for the casual date. She raided her wardrobe in search for a suitable outfit but there was none so she had to go to market to buy one after closing from work on Friday. The first store she entered had this yellow floral gown that could make a person's eyes pop and make them look enchanting. The store owner persuaded her to go for the yellow dress and she bought it after trying it on. The dress for the occasion was ready, but it was remaining her hair and shoe.

At that time, Akunna didn't have too much money to spare on shoe and hair since she would be paying for their meals so she subjected to wearing a nice sandals her mum owned and going on her natural hair. She packed the hair up in a bun style and it made her look like an angel on earth.

Finally, it was time for the dinner date. Akunna sent the restaurant's location to Ned so he could locate the place. That area wasn't in the upper class part of town but rather in the lower class area. Ned had never been to that area before so he had to rely on his Google map to find the restaurant which was quite huge in that area. He parked his latest model 'Range Rover' in a filing station at a very far distance and used a taxi to locate the restaurant. He didn't want Akunna to know just yet that he was wealthy. She knew he wasn't a poor man but she definitely had no clue that he was super rich. She didn't know he was the CEO's son of 'Global Tech Company' and also didn't know that they owned the company she was presently employed in. If only she had a slight knowledge of this detail, I believe she would have never invited him to such a restaurant. But you know, the greatest good gestures are the ones from a heart with pure intentions. A heart that isn't seeking for validation or what to gain.

When Ned arrived at the restaurant with a taxi, Akunna was super happy to see him. She walked towards the taxi to pay for his fare but he was quick to stop her. "What are you doing?" He asked with a smile on his face, "I want to pay for your taxi" she happily replied and Ned chuckled, "Don't worry, I have got this" he said and paid for the taxi. They walked into the restaurant and took a seat and that was when he clearly saw how beautiful she looked that evening. From her hair, down to her dress and sandals, she looked breathtaking and he couldn't help but compliment her.

"You look beautiful I must confess" Ned said and Akunma blushed, "Thank you sir and you look good too" she replied. He looked into her shy eyes and smiled. She was just so cute and beautiful that he felt the need to protect and care for her. The waiter was called upon and their order was placed. Ned settled for goat meat pepper soup while Akunna ordered rice and chicken. They ate and spoke at length while at it. He asked her about her family and that was when she told him that her parents were late. It was such a heartbreaking revelation and Ned couldn't help but console her. He complimented her strength and zeal towards life despite being an orphan and an only child. She thanked him for being kind and they continued with their meal.

As they ate and conversed, Ned knew he had to make his feelings known to Akunna that day but the problem was he didn't know the perfect timing to strike. He sought for the perfect timing but it wasn't forth coming. While they were engrossed in their conversation, the chili in the pepper soup got into the wrong hole and began to choke Ned. He coughed and coughed till Akunna became scared and reached out to him where he sat. She gave him water to calm the coughing but it wasn't working so she began to sob and seek for help in the restaurant. The waiters gave him something to drink and it worked like magic.

Despite the fact that the coughing had stopped, Akunna still couldn't stop shedding tears. She held Ned's shoulders and patted his back several times to calm him down. "I am so sorry sir, are you ok?" She soberly asked and Ned smiled in the midst of his pain; "Don't call me sir again, just call me Ned" he said. She nodded her head in agreement while still tapping his back.

The restaurant's once happy vibes wasn't there anymore so Akunna paid the bills and held Ned on the shoulder so they could leave. As they walked out of the restaurant, Ned couldn't help but notice how selfless Akunna was and how she truly cares for people. Everything about her felt so innocent and genuine and it only made him fall deeper in love with her. Unable to hold back his feelings anymore, he had to spill it.

"I have something to tell you but don't know how you would take it" Ned said as they stood in front of the restaurant waiting for a taxi. "Ok, what's it?" She curiously inquired and he took a deep breath in before finally confessing his feelings to her. "I love you Akunna" he calmly said and on seeing the shock on her face, he continued. "You stole my heart right from the first day I met you for your briefing. I am madly into you and what you in my life. Take as much time as you need to think this through and let me know about your decision once you are done" he said.

Immediately Ned was done talking, a taxi came and he boarded it and left Akunna feeling dumbfounded, speechless and numb. He could see her still standing at the restaurant from the taxi side mirror as they drove away.

As Akunna stood there looking confused, she held her chest to feel her heart which was beating fast as a result of everything that had just happened that evening. As she watched the taxi drive away, she shockingly muttered "Am I dreaming?".

End of episode 3 😉

Than you all for reading this article

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