Chapter 20: Chapter 20

In a normal working day, stepping into Event Channel office in Accra was like stepping into a phantasmagoria. Every inch of the open-office space was covered in bright, inviting colours; from the boldly patterned floors to the vibrant hanging light fixtures. The designers added a lot of neutral elements such as polished wood floors and clouded the walls with high oxygen–emitting plants to prevent the colours from appearing too loud. The unique space was populated with offices that provide employees with a wide variety of different working environments. These offices were customised according to their specific function, and randomly positioned to break the monotony and encourage spontaneous interactions among staff and clients. Snaps of unexpected colour on staircases and furniture contribute to the office's aura of casual, creative professionalism. This one storey office space on a bright, sprawling fifteen thousand two hundred and forty (15,240) square-metre space used to be a printing press before it was converted into a one stop advertising offices.

They retained many of the original area's industrial touches, such as exposed beams, recycled wood, and massive double-pane windows that allow for free-flowing natural light. Chalkboards suspended from the ceiling offer employees daily inspirational mantras. The eclectic space was home to a gigantic effigy of the founder of the company surrounded by a 2000 litres fish pond and a bar. Indeed, from outside the resonant Accra suburb of Adabraka, one envisions a picturesque office building that depicts modern art gallery that expresses an environmentally friendly space that also impressed visitors, clients, and prospective employees all the time. The new entryway featured reclaimed timber panelling, poured concrete floors, and places for potted plants. The unfinished wood was incorporated throughout the office's many communal spaces to continue the environmental motif.

Narrow rooms have been converted into areas for library-style desks and vintage lockers for employees to store their belongings. Ceilings were left with their original piping and outfitted with exposed-bulb fixtures. All these are strategically designed to encourage cross-departmental interactions and the exchange of new ideas, since collaboration was important ingredient for creativity.

Gregory Donkor, the Managing Director of the global advertising giant, Event Channel occupied a private office at the top floor of the building. He usually gets to the office by 7:00 am to enjoy the early quiet time, which indeed helped him to prepare and plan for the day ahead.

On the first working day of the sixth month of the year, Greg as usual arrived at the office and went to have uninhibited access to the coffee machine to fetch his non-sugar black coffee before the 8:00 AM rush took hold. One might ask why non-sugar black coffee made from a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. Greg loved this classic blend for its strong, fragrant without any cream. According to him, this was a perfect aphrodisiac to up-stage his libido. A habit picked during his graduate days in Switzerland. Those days he could drink ten tea cups of Arabica-Robusta espresso with sugar and no milk. The stuff helped him to maintain stamina during sexual intercourse, kept him alert and awake to study and maintained concentration for a very long time. For students, memories were the cues of the souls of past and future keys to knowledge.

Greg loved his black coffee to the hilt, since it developed his photographic memory and made him alert and sharp all day long. But in the journey of life, nothing was hid-den from age except nothing. Over the years, he had grown to prefer black coffee to white coffee with sugar. Even though it was not scientifically proven, his own anatomy suggested to him that too much sugar intake had slowed down his sexual performance. He has debated upon himself and arrived at the conclusion that the last time he tried to masturbate, he failed to have full erection, which prevented him from enjoying his aged old habit. From his limited understanding, he believed that putting sugar in coffee was the cause of his recent poor sexual performances. Never did it occur to him that perhaps having masturbated for close to twenty years could also be the reason. Actually, he was not ready to give up the habit of masturbation because throughout his adult life no woman including his wife Anastasia has been able to satisfy him sexually in bed.

What made him stop drinking coffee with milk in his adult life was the fear of death. He knew that an average daily consumption of 1,200 milligram of calcium was not bad, but he also knew that dairy products contributed to the overall saturated fat and high calorie content, which invariably increased the risk of obesity, heart disease and type 2-diabetes. Therefore, to be on the safer side it was better to avoid milk altogether to keep him fast and sane.

Greg paced along the balcony at the first floor; sipping his coffee and admiring the effigy of the founder down. Perhaps, he was taken inspiration from the artistic beauty of the figurine to spur him on for the day’s task. He finished drinking the coffee and quickly tossed up the disposable cup onto a rubbish bin placed at the balcony. He turned 180 degrees to spin the door opened and entered. He sat down to begin his long, fulfilling day as the Managing Director of a fast paced advertising Agency. He opened the “ClickIn” from the laptop resting on his desk. This was an online database tool that helps him to understand key Client-Agency relationship in Ghana. Greg was an introvert, who spent most of her days glued to his seat and desk using a brilliant shared messaging and posting board to communicate serious and social aspects across the company. Usually he used this software, which was peculiar to the company to reply, send mails and documents respectively as well as receiving information into the company. No two days seemed the same to Greg since he assumed the mantle as the Managing Director. He has been motivated from day one to commit to building robust foundations in three areas. Any day he reported to work, he designed strategies towards achieving these three areas.

First, his job was to develop a strong global reputation as the integral solution for successful cross-platform video advertising across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp.

Next, he was obliged to hire a stellar crew of commercial sellers and account managers to bring in more clients and to pitch for new jobs as well as presenting Advertising campaign proposals to Event Channel’s clientele base.

The last most important duty for Greg to perform was to build operational practices in unison with other global companies in order to forge commercial partnerships with international advertising and media Agencies and their brands.

In trying to achieve the afore-mentioned goals, Greg on daily basis, planned, organised, directed and controlled the company’s resources , human and material, to give strategic guidance as outlined by the board of directors for the company to achieve its mission and objectives. He had a tight schedule to establish and maintain effective formal and informal links with major clients, relevant government departments and other media agencies. This required lot of meetings with a wide variety of media agencies, clients, journalists, job applicants, headhunters, and end-of-day management conference calls.

At one o’clock in the afternoon, Greg stood up and walked towards the front door to respond to a bell. He came face to face with Koryo. “Hello little Angel. Surprise, surprise!” Greg screamed. Koryo was at her wits end. She was short of words. Nevertheless, she managed a brief smile. “Come, come and have a seat.” Greg outstretched his right hand towards a chair opposite. He sunk onto his armchair. Greg flung forward and said, “love, I really don’t know what has brought you here this hour. But whatever it is we can talk about it over lunch. I was on my way to the bar downstairs. But with your presence, I think it will be better for me to order for two upstairs. The menus for Mondays are banku with Okro sauce, Fufu in light pepper soup, Konkonte with groundnut soup and fried rice with chicken.” Koryo gaped in amusement and said, “Daddy, konkonte in groundnut soup with goat meat is my thing.” Greg gritted his teeth in annoyance. “Don’t call me daddy again. Just address me as Greg. After all, you have seen everything about me except enjoying my sweet honey pie. Even that one, I know very soon it will happen live before your very eyes. Hahahahaha..!.” He left the office without looking back.

Koryo leaned back in the swing chair. She threw her neck backwards to view the solid bright bluish-white decorated earthenware-shaped cloudless sky from the office glass pane. She gave out deep sigh to signify fatigue or the seeming assurance that Greg has accepted to give her some little care. She resolved that if truly Greg was in love, then it would be wise to surprise him with a request, even though their relationship was a ‘baby-one’. In silence, Koryo began to make mental scan of the office. First, she had a feeling of a cold large office space. No wonder, Greg had a very soft, smooth skin tone, she surmised. The air-conditioner temperature recorded 18° Celsius. There was only one glass window. It was wide, horizontal and closed to make room for the air-conditioner to chill the office without any air leaked out. There was no need to fortify a top floor window. The architecture, therefore, depicted more of aesthetics rather than safety. The only window in the office has a blind which was pulled to the right, making way for the transparent glass visible to the eyes from in and outside the building.

The floor was tiled with black porcelain made from Ghana’s finest clinker, which was harder, denser, tougher and less porous. It appeared durable and impervious to water damage. The tile grout has been recently sealed to renew its outlook; since she could not see any stains on the floor, she envisioned. There was a big messy desk. On top was an Apple laptop connected to a scanner and a printer, all of the same brand. There was cordless phone, a translucent ball pen with a big plastic framed picture of Anastasia and Ama. Bordered at the left of the desk was a file cabinet, an old wooden wardrobe, a large poster of a nude woman in her twenties on one wall and a horrific photographic blowup of a man’s face beside it. On the left side of the doorway stood a small cactus flower planted in a vase to shout welcome to any visitor who entered the office.

The door swung opened and Greg shoved in. He was fol-lowed by two fair ladies carrying two trays stuffed with foods. The ladies set the food on a small centre table be-side two stuffy sofas at the office. Greg sat comfortably on a sofa and beckoned Koryo to sit on the one adjacent to his. He smiled and winked at the two waiters as they left the office. Greg then directed his attention to Koryo. “Sweetie, enjoy your favourite. Wash your hand in the blue bowl.” He picked the soap and handed it over to her. Afterwards, he also washed his hands. Koryo started enjoying her Konkonte, with chevon in groundnut soup and slimy okra to garnish. Greg on the other hand, set-tled for pounded cassava and plantain fufu in hot beef pepper soup. Either by default or deliberate, Greg did not notice the belle sitting beside him at all. Instead, he fell into the chomping of the sumptuous meal. Intermittently, he watched Koryo from the corner of his eyes. Maybe he was gathering his thoughts for deep discussion after the meals. “Koryo, has there been any discussion between you and your friend about what happened between us the other night?” “Hmm… Greg, in fact, that is why I am here this afternoon. She does not want to have anything to do with me. She thinks, I have stabbed her at the back and betrayed our friendship. No explanation will make her reason up with me.” Koryo rattled.

At her early twenties, Koryo was studying Law at the National University of Ghana and the closest friend of Ama Donkor. The amity between Koryo and Ama dated back from infancy through basic school up till date, when circumstances pushed the latter and her mother to brand her betrayer.

Greg trembled slightly, “well, she is your sister from an-other parents. Allow time to heal any pain or bad blood that might have passed between the two of you.” “Actually Greg, it is hard to explain, Ama has changed fast. She acted weird these days.” Her eyes appeared burning red and been popped out from their sockets. Greg snapped. “It is okay. Have patience! Indeed, I am not having it easy back home since that incident. But just leave her to me.” Koryo was speechless. All she could do was just nod in agreement and hummed. Koryo coughed one, again and many. Greg quickly took bottled water, squeezed to uncork and handed it over to her. She sipped the water. “I am fine.” She hissed. “Sorry, dear. I think I now under-stand why our elders said it is not good to talk whilst eating.” Greg said soberly. They continued to eat in silence.

Greg finished eating first, washed his hands with soap in a bowl. Wiped it with a napkin and took a tooth pick to remove meat morsels stuck in between his gaping teeth. He watched Koryo eating with admiration, until she finished her meals. Likewise Koryo also washed and wiped her hands. She drank some more water. Greg got up to stand in front of her and eventually offered his two hands to help her to get up as well, of which she obliged. “Let us enjoy a little fresh air at the balcony, whilst the tenders come and clear the table.” Greg told Koryo and led her to the balcony. They leaned on the parapet admiring the stunning view of the effigy of the founder of Event Channel. Looking at the fountain spilling water around the effigy, Koryo appeared to love the entire atmosphere in a pleasantly blissful mood. “Thank you for the lunch, Mr. Greg.” She said. Greg stared at her in awe. “Why are you thanking me? It’s my responsibility to delight my guest. Isn’t it?” Koryo nodded in bewilderment. “If you said so.” Greg was all along looking at the fountain. He instantaneously lifted his eyes and asked, “how about my proposal? Do you want to consider what exist-ed between us: the passion, love and affection?” Koryo shook her head decidedly. “No, Greg. You know it is not possible. Your only daughter is my best friend. In fact, she is like a sister. Besides, you are happily married. What do you think people will say?” Greg replied. “What will people say, what people will say, huh……Aww, people will say nothing! After all I have my own life to live, not people.”

Greg stealthily looked about to find any trace of human life, but found none. He slowly placed his right hand on Koryo’s waist and tried to fondle her. He cheerfully said, “Koryo, my dear. Please be sensible to understand me. It will be sweet dream come true if you are my lover.” Koryo pulled herself away from Greg. “Greg, stop that! This is not a safe place to indulge in this act.” A dark stormy cloud instantly hovered beneath Greg’s eyes. He shouted angrily, “why are you behaving as if you are a child? Do you want me to finger your eyes before you understand my point?” Koryo heaved a sigh of panic and said. “Why, are you angry with me?” Greg did not answer but frowned in confusion. They exchanged glances. Koryo crumpled and asked coldly, pretending as if nothing has happened. “Okay, dad...” Greg hurriedly interject-ed, “Greg!” “Okay, I am sorry, Greg. Now, can I trust…..that is, mmm…... trust to strike a deal with you?” Koryo concluded shyly. Greg quickly directed his gaze at her. He looked deep into her eyeballs as if dazed, completely in disbelief. He felt like he was hovering in the clouds. What does this girl meant? What is she drawing at? He guessed. At this moment, there was absolute qui-etness until Koryo broke the silence. She held Greg’s right hand and lowered her head to droop her eyes. “Do you mean it?” She said softly. “Meant what?” He snapped. She quickly raised her head to look straight in his face. He began to blink fast as if hit by a bad news. Koryo repeated her words calmly, “Do you mean your words when you told me that you loved me?” “Yes sweetie!” Greg answered her. “Just give me a chance to show you the love I have for you.

Now, please just tell me the deal you want to strike with me.” Koryo sighed quietly inside her heart. “Hmm….actually, I am scared.” Greg snorted in disgust. “Is this the deal you want to strike with me?” She let go her hand and said, “Allow Greg! Just take it easy with me! If you want to go out with me, then in return, I want you to prevent Ama, your daughter from pursuing the agenda of getting Greg out of jail, so that they will marry.” “Really!” Greg exclaimed in surprise. “How does my love for you have to do with my daughter’s love for another man?” Greg laughed sarcastically. Koryo remained mute. “In any case, I personally do not subscribe to Ama’s relationship with that condemned bloke. So, if that is your deal with me, then you have won.” Koryo in excitement jumped to embrace Greg. She wrapped her two hands around his waist and planted deep kiss on his lips. After exchanging some feeling of adrenaline from each other, they separated and Koryo assured him. “No, we have won together, darling.” They burst into uncontrollable laughter as the two newly love birds turned to leave the balcony back to the office.