Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Lola finished teaching the young ones and was clearing the classroom of the toys littered on the floor while her thoughts gained a mind of their own. She was becoming worried about her state of unemployment. In spite of Franklin's incessant calls, she was bent on remaining dignified, even if it meant living off her nest egg while she tried to get a job. But she chose to volunteer as an instructor in an orphanage owned by her church while she job-hunts. She was a church girl but allowed her job to take too much of her time that she did not have time to render her services for God’s use. Now that she has time on her hands, she will contribute whatever she could to help the church and eventually her community. The Big guy up in the sky sure knows how to get her attention.

“A penny for your thoughts” A masculine voice interrupted just by the classroom entrance.

Lola jumped; she turned her gaze towards the voice. “Ben, you startled me”

“I didn’t mean to, you were so lost in thoughts you did not hear me come into the room.” He walked closer to her.

Lola smiled in response. “What are you doing here?”

“The Reverend invited me to check the books of account.”

Ben is one of the best in his field. An accountant by profession and a very good one at that, it’s no surprise the church requested his service. Lola, smiled at her friend’s husband “How is my favorite godson doing?”

Ben’s grin broadened as it usually does at the mention of his son. “He is doing well; the reverend told me you are helping with the children here.”

“Yes, I see it as an opportunity to put my time to good use, while I wait for a job”

“That’s very sweet of you, Lola. Tamera told me you lost your job, sorry about that.”

“Yeah, it’s nothing to be sorry about, you know what they say- all things work together for the good of those who love God” Lola encouraged herself

“That’s the spirit; your optimism is commendable… a good one will definitely locate you soon.”

“Thank you, Ben”

“Alright I have to head back to the office, he turned to leave but stopped midway, I will talk to some of my clients, in case there is an opening”

“I really appreciate that Ben”

“See you then”

“Bye”

“Bye.”

Lola was grateful for the people who surrounded her. That’s one nice thing about her community; everyone looked out for the other. God has a way of sending good people her way.

****

“We have a slight interruption in the flow of things,” Ryan said immediately after he entered Collin’s office. “Anderson’s baby decided to make an early arrival.” He interrupted Collin’s work, referring to the Project Manager assigned to the newest contract, and whose wife was heavily pregnant; it is the company’s policy to give both paternity and maternity leave to new parents. Collin would not have it otherwise. If you deserved a vacation then you must get your vacation. He so much structured his business that his staffs are priorities because he believed so much in staff management and satisfaction. Everyone who worked for him believed he or she was fortunate, which in turn enhanced his or her dedication and commitment to the company.

“So this means we need to assign a new Project manager.” Collin reasoned with Ryan.

“I reached the HR, but every team member has their hands full at the moment, that we might need to get a new person.”

“Ryan, this is one of the biggest projects we’ve got I don’t want it messed up” Collin responded worriedly.

“Yeah, I know man. Anderson is willing to support the new intake, in fact, he is willing to work from home if need be, but we need someone to be physically present to carry out Anderson’s instruction to the letter.”

“Then the HR should interview from the pool of applicants”

“That’s the problem, no one is ready to resume immediately, the project can’t wait we are already moving slowly behind schedule.”

Collin rubbed his temple… thinking it shouldn’t be too difficult to get a decent person. “Do you have anyone in mind?”

“I was about to ask the same question, none I can think…” Ryan stopped mid-sentence remembering something….His face lit up like he got a solution.

“Ok, the look on your face means?” Collin’s gaze fixed on his friend’s dramatic expression.

“I think I got someone; he stood up hurriedly to go. I will fill you in Price,” he said before closing the door behind him.

****

Lola could not contain her excitement. It’s been so many weeks since she proudly and un-regrettably walked out of her former job. Now Ben has given her the best news ever. She got a job; the best part was she could start immediately. God has a way of coming through when you least expected, she thought. Who would have believed that she would get a job while volunteering at the church? She was with the children at the orphanage earlier in the day when Ben called her that Transco Construction was in need of a project manager assistant that was willing to start as immediate as tomorrow morning. She had jumped at the offer; Ben told her to check her e-mail for the needed details. She rushed home immediately after she finished with the children, she did not even spare the time to chat with Matilda, the matron at the orphanage. She made a note to call her later about the good news. She would definitely miss her and the children as well. Matilda was like a warm teddy bear, beautiful, nice, compassionate, and very wise. She knows how to bring the best out of everyone, and always had something nice and wise to say to her when she was down. She cleaned a tear that threatened to spill, opening her email she read through the terms of the contract. It was perfect, and they even pay more than her previous job. She knew nothing about Project Management but was willing to learn even if it meant taking a crash course on it. She would do everything to be the best project manager assistant ever. Once she was done with the contractual agreement, Lola decided to search for the company online. She knew she would find Transco Construction on Google search engine. She read all that was written about Transco. She even saw the pictures of some of the Executives, Mr. Ryan, who is one of the Partners, and some of the top officials. Transco is obviously doing well and they are handling a number of projects simultaneously including their most recent contract awarded by the State. She read and studied for the better part of the night before she finally succumbed to exhaustion.

It won’t do to be late on my first day at work she murmured and hurried out of the parking lot towards the elevator. She berated herself for being an addictive latecomer. She entered the reception area and was mesmerized by the beauty of the compact space. She checked the multi-time zone wall clock hanging just above the receptionist. A few minutes to her resumption time, walking further into the cozy reception area. She admired her environment.

“Hello,” a female voice interrupted her inspection.

“Sorry, I didn’t know anyone was here” she smiled sheepishly.

“I bet you don’t,” she looked Lola over with conceit in her eyes. “You are Lola I believe”

“Yes, please. I’m Lola Peterson” Lola observed her rude demeanor but she wouldn’t allow the arrogance of the young receptionist to rain on her parade.

“And I’m Nicole, the receptionist. You can have your seat while I call Mr. Ryan office”

“Okay” Lola took her seat.

She waited while Nicole made the call, soon after she directed her to Ryan’s office.

Lola thanked her and followed her directions.

The lady in Mr. Ryan’s office seemed to be more welcoming than Nicole was.

“Hello, I’m Janice, Mr. Ryan’s Secretary. And you must be Lola”

“Yes, I am.” She responded with a smile.

“Please, have your seat.” She invited as she made the needed call to Mr. Ryan

Lola observed the beautiful interior, the company might not be as mega as the Cola beverage that already has a name, but it sure looks like a thriving business; in fact, they are rumored to be the best in the industry from what she gathered in her research yesterday.

“Mr. Ryan will see you now” Janice announced with a smile.

“Thank you,” she stood to follow her lead. Janice reminded her of the little Angels in the bible storybook she reads to the children at the orphanage, she thought as she follow her direction to one of the senior partners’ offices- it must be Mr. Ryan she saw on the internet.

Lola stood just by the door and patted her hair in place. She learned her lesson from Cola beverage so she decided to dress down- neat, corporate, and not obvious, she doesn’t want to attract undue attention to herself just want to blend into the crowd.

They call her head-turner at Cola beverage but here, she wanted to earn the opposite, which was why she pulled her massive hair in a bun at the back of her head and she wore clothes that were not curve-flattering, just appropriately decent. She considered a pair of spectacles or maybe braces on her teeth to give off the ugly Betty vibe but decided against it. In as much as she didn’t want to be noticed, she didn’t want to appear scary either. You will be fine