Through my eyes episode 2

Love is no respecter of persons, status or place as it can happen to absolutely anyone at anytime and anywhere. One of the greatest mistakes you can make is to try and predict or control 'Love' because the honest truth is that you can't. No matter how well you have pictured or imagined a suitable partner for yourself, be prepared to be surprised because things might not just go the way you want. The unpredictable and fair nature of Love is what makes it more beautiful because that way, everyone has a shot at it and not just some selected few.

Now pause and imagine a world where Love discriminates or could be predicted; what an unfair world it would be because it will mean that some people might never be privileged to experience the beauty of Love. It's such a relief that this isn't the case because if it was, then there's no way a man like 'Ned' with such great affluence and wealth would even blink at a lady of such low status like 'Akunna'. These two individuals came from completely different worlds but one thing about Love is that it doesn't consider man-made obstacles such as social class, beauty standards or qualifications when it wants to make an entrance into anyone's heart. Without an ounce of doubt, it's safe to say that Akunna had effortlessly stolen the heart of Ned without even trying. What a woman!

All through the rest of that day, Ned could hardly concentrate without the thought of Akunna popping up on his mind. It felt as though he was hypnotised by her personality because everything about her just seemed to drive him crazy: her smile, her composure, her brilliance, her politeness and her demeanor. Everything about her was such a mystery that he felt compelled to unlock more. Despite all effort to be in denial of his feelings, Ned couldn't deny the fact that Akunna had touched his heart in ways no woman has ever done.

While Ned sat in his office in deep thoughts, Akunna had already gotten to her house and began to prepare for her new job which was scheduled to start the next day. She was super excited to work in such a renowned company. Ever since she graduated from the university as a Business Administrator, she hadn't been fortunate enough to get a job after over two years of job hunting; hence the reason she had no choice than to settle for the role of a cleaner at Global Tech Company: a firm that specialize in manufacturing tech devices and household appliances. She had no idea that the CEO son 'Ned' was the man whom she unknowingly mesmerized few hours ago. The salary offer for a cleaner position was great so she had to take the offer even though she knew she graduated from the university with a First Class. It's sad that the economy reduced her to such position but I believe everything happened for a reason and that reason would soon be unveiled.

While ironing the uniform given by the company for domestic staffs, it dawned on Akunna that she didn't have any family member to call and break the good news to. She was an only child and had lost her parents few years back in a ghastly moto accident. At the time of the accident, she was 26 years old and was able to fend for herself after her parents demise. Life hasn't been fair to the young lady but she has never looked like what she had been through. No matter how bad things were, she would always put on a smile on her face and look presentable wherever she went to. Her extended family members were insignificant in her life and she wasn't the type to run to them for support whenever she was in need. Life was tough for the beautiful lady but she went about her daily activities gracefully and was always contended with whatever she had.

That day was a sad and happy one for Akunna. She was happy for her new job and was also sad that her parents weren't present to share the good news with. She dropped a few tears but was quick to clear it up and remind herself of the strong woman she had always been.

Back at the office, Ned closed from work after such a stressful day and headed back home. He first made a stop at his family house to brief his dad on what was concluded at the conference meeting they had earlier that day before driving another 15 minutes to his own house. Ned lived alone in one of the estates that belonged to his late grandfather: It was a penthouse with astonishing decor to the taste of an eligible bachelor like Ned. He liked black and white a lot so his house had a lot of both colours.

When Ned arrived at his house, the gateman greeted him and collected his briefcase. His house was his sanctuary and peaceful haven after a stressful day at work. When he entered inside, the gateman dropped the briefcase at the center table and walked away while Ned sat down briefly on the living room to cool his head down before entering the bathroom to take a shower. As he sat in the living room and stared at the ceiling, it suddenly hit him of how lonely he truly was and how there's nothing he would want more than to come back home to a woman he loves. The emptiness in that house suddenly hit him and his eyes opened to what he couldn't see earlier before.

It's apparent that Ned's encounter with Akunna had unlocked a vulnerable side of him that was locked up for so long. The constant thought of Akunna was driving him crazy and made him realise that he wanted someone in his life as a partner. There was just too much love in Ned that he wanted to give to that special someone. He was a great guy and a humble son of a billionaire so imagine how well he would treat the woman that makes her way into his heart. That day was such a day to remember for Ned and after series of thoughts, he finally tried to prepare for bed and catch some sleep.

Very early the next day, Akunna was present at the company and began her duties. She showed up 30 minutes before her officially working hours. Without being told of what to do, she did her duty and rounded up on time before the staffs resumed work. After her duties, she retired to the cleaners lounge to rest.

y 9:30am that day, Ned walked into the firm and headed for a brief meeting with the board of directors. The meeting lasted till 11am and afterwards, he walked round the firm to supervise activities. As he walked from department to department, one thing was clear and it was the manner at which everywhere was neat. He could tell that the cleaning that day was different and deep down, he knew Akunna was partly behind it.

While Ned walked around the firm, he prayed dearly in his heart to bump into Akunna but sadly couldn't catch a glimpse of her. He indirectly searched for her codedly but couldn't find her. Gradually, his heart began to beat fast and his palms became sweaty. There was nothing Ned wanted more than anything in the world than to just see Akunna again. Unable to find her, he went to the Human Resource office to make enquires.

"Goodmorning Mrs Lola" Ned greeted, "Goodmorning sir" Mrs Lola quickly responded, "I just want to inquire if the new cleaners we employed yesterday has began their duties?" He asked and without hesitating, she replied; "Yes sir, they have resumed work. Akunna came in 30 minutes earlier today and did her duty even before we opened for the day. The other two guys are scheduled to work at the manufacturing department where we need more intense cleaning".

That tiny piece of information was all Ned needed to calm his emotions. The fact that he was told that Akunna came in earlier actually made him impressed and it validated all she said the previous day about her values. This gave Ned the impression that she truly meant every word she said and he began to see her as a genuine and pure person. After the briefing with Mrs Lola, he thanked her and walked away.

As Ned walked back to his office, he saw a familiar figure taking to the receptionist. She was faced backwards so it was a bit difficult for him to ascertain if it was Akunna whom he had indirectly been searching for. As he got closer to the receptionist counter, the familiar figure turned towards his direction and their eyes jammed; Lo & Behold, it was the one he had been searching for.

Immediately Ned looked into Akunna eyes, his heart dropped. The effect this lady had on him was too strong that it was almost impossible for him to put his emotions on check. Before he could say a word, she greeted him "Goodmorning sir" and walked away.

As Akunna walked away, it felt as though Ned's heart was parting from him. He wanted to call her back or go after her so bad but just couldn't. He was first her boss before any other thing so he had to live up to the 'boss title'. He was going crazy for a lady that had absolutely no idea that he could even blink at her twice. Akunna was just about her business and had never for once thought of Ned in a way other than him being her boss. She didn't go there to catch any feelings but to rather do her job as a cleaner and mind her business.

When Akunna left, Ned continued walking till he got to his office. Immediately he entered inside his office, he sat down and placed his hands over his head. He was trying so hard to be strong and to conceal his feelings for Akunna but it only further drove him crazy. His heart couldn't stop pounding, his palms couldn't stop sweating and his emotions weren't about to give him a break.

The worst part of the whole situation was the fact that Ned couldn't talk to anyone about his feelings for Akunna. Like how would he tell his dad, friends or siblings that he was crushing on a cleaner that worked for him? He knew for a fact that his dad would forbid such relationship and might even go as far as sacking Akunna. He didn't want to tell his friends or siblings either because he knew they might end up taking his feelings for a joke or talk down on the woman he was deeply falling for. Everything seemed so impossible that he tried talking himself out of the feelings he was developing for Akunna but all to no avail. He was helplessly 'Love Struck' and there was nothing anyone could do about it. After work that day, he went straight home to be alone with his thoughts.

It's been about a week since Akunna began working at the firm as a cleaner and Ned had only seen her once. It was just impossible to get a hold of her in such a big company. She usually came in 30 minutes early to clean up before the official opening hours of the firm and she was always at the cleaners lounge whenever she wasn't working. She cleaned twice a day and the second cleaning usually took place in the afternoon. The second cleaning comprised of cleaning the hallways and emptying the trashcans. Ned was either in a meeting or supervising whenever she came to empty his trashcan in the afternoons and this was the reason he never saw her.

For one whole week, Ned had been starved of Akunna's presence to the extent that he had to do something different just to see her again. One afternoon, he purposely stayed back at his office and refused to go anywhere that day in hopes that he would see her when she comes to empty the trashcan. Just as expected, there was a knock on the door and it was no other person than Akunna. "Hello sir, Goodafternoon" she greeted, "Hi Akunna, Good day" he responded.

Akunna seemed a bit tensed when she saw Ned because that was the first time she was seeing him on seat. She quickly waived the tension and informed him of why she was there. "I am here to empty your trashcan sir, can I?" She asked and he beconked on her to go ahead. In less than a minute, the trashcan was emptied and she turned to leave. He wanted to stop her so bad but just couldn't because of the 'boss tag' on him, however, he was happy to see her beaming smile again.

Weeks passed but the feelings still remained the same. Ned was going through a lot in both his personal and professional life. Firstly, he had a huge business deal to help his dad close for the company and secondly, a lady he was madly in love with but was powerless to have her. Everything was beginning to get to him at some point and this made him break down a little.

Due to the business deal that had a deadline attached to it, Ned was occupied with lots of paperwork and meetings. As the deadline approached, he had to come in more early to work and close late and it was in one of those days that something beautiful happened between himself and Akunna.

It happened one fateful day that Ned came in to work very early. At the time he came to the office, it was only the security guards that were present. He went straight to his office and buried himself in paper works. About an hour later, Akunna resumed work for the day and began cleaning. She was early as usual and cleaned from office to office till she got to Ned's own. With no clue that he was around, she opened the door only to see him on seat. The surprise on her face was priceless and was enough to light up Ned's sad countenance.

"I am sorry for not knocking sir, it's just that I felt no one would be around by this time as usual" Akunna politely said, "It's ok, I came in a bit earlier today because I have a lot to do, just go about your duty and ignore my presence" Ned said. Without hesitating, she began to clean the office but was quick to notice his down countenance and the paper works that covered his desk. She wanted to ignore but had to show concern. "Sir are you ok? That seems like a lot of work you have on your desk" she said and he smiled, "Yes you are right, I have to get these documents figured out in 2 days time for a presentation we have with another firm" he said.

One look at the documents on Ned's desk and Akunna knew she could help. She was really good with maths so she optioned to help out. "I can help out you know, let me see what you are working on" she said. The gesture was a nice one and Ned was mesmerized at how graceful and kind she was. He passed some documents to her and it didn't take up to a minute before she began to offer solutions. She cracked few of the maths and was able to project the cash inflow the deal was going to bring into the company. She also drew a pie-chart and gave a pictorial presentation of how the resources for the project would be channelled. In just ten minutes, Akunna figured out something that could have taken Ned the whole day to figure out. To say he was impressed would be an understatement of how the young man felt at that moment. In fact, he was Blown Away!!

Immediately Akunna was done helping out, she wished Ned all the best and left him dumbfounded on his chair. When she walked away, Ned knew for a fact that something had to be done with her position in the company. There was no way a brilliant mind such as that would be cleaning the company while those not up to her brilliance were sitting in furnished offices and holding big positions for the company. There was just no way!

That day was the greatest confirmation Ned needed to make up his mind about Akunna. He now knew for a fact that she was the one he wanted and this time around, he was going to go after her with everything he had without looking back. As he sat in his office still in awe of what the intelligent lady had just done, he began to see how he would take her off the position of a cleaner to a better one but he certainly knew that it won't be a good idea for both of them to work under the same roof; seeing that he had feelings for her and was seeking for a relationship with her.

At that moment, Ned's mind began to process of what his next course of action would be and an idea came to mind. He picked up his phone and dialed the number of a manager that managed one of his dad's companies which produced biscuits and beverages to inquire for vacancy positions. Fortunately, there were few vacancies and one of them was the position of Production Manager. Happy and excited, Ned informed him that he had a suitable candidate for the position and would send someone over for interview the next day.

What an excellent news for Akunna but she didn't know yet that it would be her last day as a cleaner. The interview appointment letter was sent via email to Ned and he printed it out. As working hours gradually came to an end for the day, he went in search of Akunna and found her in the cleaners lounge getting ready to close for the day. When she saw him, she smiled and greeted him.

"I was hoping to find you here" Ned said with a warm smile on his face, "Sir is there anything you need me to do before closing for the day?" Akunna innocently asked and without saying much, Ned handed the piece of paper to her and she opened it right away thinking it was another paper work that needed last minute solving. As she read through, her countenance began to change. It took a while before she finally figured out that it was an interview appointment letter for the position of 'Production Manager' in another company owned by Global Tech. It would actually interest you to know that up until that moment, Akunna still had no idea that Ned was the CEO's son. She felt he was a manager and supervisor that's all. It still hasn't come to her knowledge that he was a billionaire and Ned didn't see the need to spill such detail just yet till he was ready to tell her who truly he was.

Immediately Akunna was done reading the appointment letter, her heart dropped and her mouth suddenly became heavy. All she could find herself saying was "What...How?..When?".

On seeing Akunna's shocked state, Ned smiled and finally broke the good news to her in his own words; "Congratulations Akunna, this is your last day as a cleaner".

End of episode 2 😉
Stay tuned tomorrow to see what happened next

Thank you for reading

I love you all 💙 💙