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Unfolding Grace
Azioni libro
Inizia a leggereLunghezza: 292 pagine3 ore
- Editore:
- Kikelomo Kuponiyi
- Pubblicato:
- Dec 30, 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780463214336
- Formato:
- Libro
Descrizione
He is a young, handsome man, the first born of a wealthy father. He had it all: comfort, wealth, a good head, a lovely girlfriend. He was well on the way to becoming a business magnate like his father. His newly founded company was making waves in the world of technology. Say hello to Bayo.
She is young, beautiful, and a focused professional. A banker, with a demanding but well paid job. She is ambitious and aggressive. Say hi to Temisola.
They come together in a relationship full of ups and downs. There are fireworks and wet towels. Where is this leading and how will it all end? What happens when they meet God and decide to follow Him? Find out in this enthralling novel about love, life and faith.
Informazioni sul libro
Unfolding Grace
Lunghezza: 292 pagine3 ore
Descrizione
He is a young, handsome man, the first born of a wealthy father. He had it all: comfort, wealth, a good head, a lovely girlfriend. He was well on the way to becoming a business magnate like his father. His newly founded company was making waves in the world of technology. Say hello to Bayo.
She is young, beautiful, and a focused professional. A banker, with a demanding but well paid job. She is ambitious and aggressive. Say hi to Temisola.
They come together in a relationship full of ups and downs. There are fireworks and wet towels. Where is this leading and how will it all end? What happens when they meet God and decide to follow Him? Find out in this enthralling novel about love, life and faith.
- Editore:
- Kikelomo Kuponiyi
- Pubblicato:
- Dec 30, 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780463214336
- Formato:
- Libro
Informazioni sull'autore
Correlati a Unfolding Grace
Anteprima del libro
Unfolding Grace - Kikelomo Kuponiyi
AUTHOR
DEDICATION
Unfolding Grace is dedicated to:
My husband, Tunde,
My children, Feranmi, Pelumi and Mofe
Thanks for encouraging me to write, and for your relentless support in this adventure.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book would never have happened without the tenacious encouragement of my sister, Sinmisola, who kept on pushing me until this book materialized. Thank you for your labour of love and your expert contributions, your experienced help, and much more, that brought this book to life.
I want to say a big thank you to my mother, Tinuola Ifaturoti, for setting the pace as a writer and for encouraging me to stoke the fire of this gift. And to my siblings: Gbola, Debisi, Fadeke, Toun, Sinmi and Tumbi for your unfailing love and support.
I am also grateful to Ufuoma E-Ashogbon, my editor, for doing a thorough job and making the editing as pain-free as possible. Thank you for your professional contributions and assistance.
Thank you, Angel Okwosa and Janet Udofe, for reading and proof-reading. Your time and effort are appreciated.
Finally, to the One Who gives me inspiration and guides me along the way; to the best storyteller ever, my God and my King, to Him be all glory forever and ever. Thank you, Lord, for this.
QUOTE:
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
Psalm 139:16 (New Living Translation.)
Chapter ONE
The leader of the jazz band made groaning sounds Bayo knew he thought were cool. He didn’t agree, but the bearded saxophonist had come highly recommended and expensive.
He murmured under his breath, Dude should blow his sax and not try to sing.
As though his thoughts were a command, the leader put the mouth of the beautiful instrument to his, and a soft opening of one of Bayo’s favourite soul music came through the speakers. He sighed in relief, as his gaze swept through the hall, surveying the crowd and trying to assess their happiness. He concluded everyone seemed happy with the food and the company on their table, going by the keen conversations going on. He smiled and took a sip of his champagne. In a little bit, dinner would be over, and he would make the big speech to launch his brand – a break away from his father’s conglomerate and clutch.
Sir Elvis John was a force to reckon with. With his formidable wealth came many titles; Member of the Methodist Order of Knights, MFR, JP, and the Atunluse of Ijaye. He was fondly referred to as Sir Elvis. To him, it was an abomination for his first son, Adebayo, to pursue any other ambition different from taking over his business empire in oil and gas, real estate, and finance. Bayo had studied computer engineering, throwing his father off-guard and his mother out of favour with the billionaire. An uncle had eventually convinced Sir Elvis that any form of computer studies was an asset to any business because the future was technology.
Bayo finished his drink as the MC, internationally acclaimed DJ and comedienne, Helene, took over the mic and made a joke that sent everyone reeling and choking over their drinks. He wasn’t sure this was appropriate for a business launch party. Besides, Sir Elvis still hadn’t shown up yet. Bayo had tactically invited his father to cut the ribbon at the main entrance to the new office housing the software company. Who else would be the best fit?
Now, when you guys have wiped off the tears from your eyes and cleaned the mess you made laughing over my dry jokes, help me welcome the CEO and owner of The App, Bayo Elvis-John!
Helene yelled into the mic, her voice increasing in tempo and pitch.
Bayo cringed. He walked to the front, while his friends and business associates clapped. When he got to the podium, he flashed one of his winning smiles. I can’t crack jokes like the lovely Helene, but I can build a business,
he quipped.
In the next few minutes, Bayo talked a little bit about his vision for The App; a company that would assemble all apps in one and give the users easy access to any app they are subscribed to in one place. He then introduced his engineers and top management staff.
We will now proceed to the office building and see a demonstration of The App,
he concluded, wondering where the Sir Elvis was and when he would make an appearance.
His mother, Sisi Beatrice Elvis-John, walked up to him with her younger sister, Aunty Matilda, who preferred to be called Lady, for no reason known to Bayo.
If your father doesn’t arrive on time, you can ask your mother to cut the ribbon,
Lady said.
Bayo mentally rolled his eyes. You know Sir Elvis will never forgive that kind of thing.
You give him too much credit, Sisi mi.
Lady nudged his mother. You people allow him to get away with too much.
You know Sir Elvis. Little things like that make him so jealous.
Sisi Beatrice laughed. I’m used to it. Oh, here he comes.
Bayo looked toward a small commotion as people hurried over and paid obeisance to his father.
About time,
he muttered and hurried over too.
Sir Elvis, a trim, tall and handsome man in his sixties, who looked ten years younger, had a twenty-something-year-old beauty walking closely behind him. He wore a fitted deep blue voile dashiki that took another five years off his age and smiled amiably. Bayo knew the young woman with him must be the latest attraction and, if she played her game well, may last up to six months.
He went on his face, in the traditional prostrate, to greet and show respect. Dad.
Sir Elvis patted his back. "Dide. I’m not so old you will be kissing the ground for me. He laughed.
Have you started?"
Bayo straightened. Yes, sir. We were moving to the office building.
Oh, perfect timing.
Sir Elvis smiled. He turned toward the exit, where the offices were just a passage away from the banquet hall.
The big twin ribbons in front of the door were in the colours of the company; red and blue. Bayo had chosen those colours because the biggest countries for apps had them in their flags. Countries such as the United States of America, United Kingdom, Russia and China. Sir Elvis gave a short congratulatory speech and prayer and cut the ribbon as cameras flashed, and their operators struggled for the best angle. The videographer had come with drones floating over people’s heads.
A short description of how The App would work followed, and guests were invited randomly to download and demonstrate for everyone to see. This segment was Bayo’s favourite as he stood with Ayomide, one of his engineers, and assessed how easy to use their app was.
Ayomide beamed. It’s working perfectly, Bayo. This is the most important part.
Bayo nodded. Definitely. I feel like launching the app now.
An elderly lady was assisted by a younger one to download the app and use it.
You’re launching The App now,
Ayomide said. If she makes it, I’m buying you a bottle of cognac.
They both laughed.
The whole hall went quiet as the woman made a joke about computers being the size of a bedroom in her days. She successfully downloaded and installed the app on her Android phone, opened it, and used it. A loud applause went up in the air.
Ayomide turned as a young, beautiful woman tapped his shoulder. Bayo thought, in that split second, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in the flesh. As if to make his heart race faster, she smiled at him.
Hi, Ayomide. I wanted you to introduce me to your boss.
Ayomide beamed. Hello, Temisola! You made it. I thought you wouldn’t. Thanks.
Bayo cleared his throat. I am eager to meet, too, Ayomide. Are you going to do the honours?
Sure. Bayo Elvis-John. This is Temisola Ibiyemi, a friend, and my banking officer.
Oh, a banker...
Bayo extended his hand, and she shook it briefly. I appreciate your sacrifice, coming on a weekday.
You’re welcome. It was crazy at work today, as usual.
Temisola smiled. But I’m glad I came. Your app is brilliant.
Bayo couldn’t take his eyes off her. Thank you. From a beautiful, smart woman like you, it’s the best compliment of the night.
Temisola is smart. I mean, all my investments are in her hands, and her financial acumen is the sharpest ever,
Ayomide said.
She laughed. You guys want me blushing under my brown skin.
Bayo arched an eyebrow. Will I get your number?
Temisola held back a knowing smile. Ummm, how about you give me your card?
Bayo smiled. No doubt. But I’d still like your number. I know how busy you bankers get...
Temisola laughed, taking the card Bayo had brought out of his suit pocket. Busy, but never forgetful. But if you insist, Ayomide has it. It was nice to meet you, Mr Elvis-John.
Ayomide nodded his head. Alright. Later, Temisola.
Bayo stared after Temisola as she moved on to greet other people. As soon as she was out of earshot, he faced Ayomide. You never told me your account officer was so pretty. Are you for real?
Bayo, you’re a bachelor, I am married. Only my wife is pretty.
Bayo thumped his chest. You need to give me her number, like now! She’s mine. You hear that?
Ayomide shrugged. No problem. I’ll send via WhatsApp.
Chapter TWO
Temisola took her car keys off the centre table and walked to the door. On her way out, she grabbed her bag from the dining table and stole a brief glance at herself in the mirror. Sundays were always busy for her, though she usually tried to have a quiet evening to prepare for the working week ahead.
As she drove to the supermarket to grab some supplies for the week, her thoughts dwelt on her deliverables for the week. She recalled an activity report due first thing the next morning. She had concluded the report but needed to review it tonight because she would be discussing it at their weekly Monday morning meeting. She also remembered some outstanding requests she had promised one of her key customers to treat first thing on Monday. She smiled as she recalled her average balances for the prior week. Her boss would be happy, and she hoped to push the balances higher in the few remaining days to the end of the month.
Her mind moved to her profit run rate for the month. It was a bit high because she had lost some money when she went on vacation the previous month. Her backup had failed to efficiently serve a customer, and he had taken his transaction to another bank. If this month ended as she planned, she would close the gap.
Temisola wanted to be a bank manager before she turned thirty, and a bank owner by the time she was fifty. Her work-addiction was what pushed her towards Bayo in the first instance. She saw the launch event as fertile ground to win customers and had insisted Ayomide invite her for the occasion.
Of course, she had heard of Sir Elvis John. Who hadn’t? That was before her branch manager had tried endlessly to get the man to open his account with their branch, but the big man only wanted to deal with the ‘ogas’ at the Head Office. Hence, his preference to retain his account at the Head Office Branch. She had visited with her boss several times until they gave up. So, she had jumped at the opportunity of having a word with Bayo Elvis-John. Maybe he wouldn’t be as picky as his father was.
As she’d expected, he’d called her a couple of days after his App launch and invited her out to dinner. She’d had the good sense to decline, sensing his intentions were not entirely professional. Besides, she was too busy for dinner dates and had zero interest in men right now. She’d suggested they meet during work hours and expressed she’d be happy to come over to his office. However, the last two dates they’d scheduled hadn’t worked out well due to impromptu meetings on both their ends. She made a mental note to follow up with him first thing Monday morning.
She stopped at the traffic light and looked around. A posh Mercedes stopped beside her, and she looked at the driver. He looked quite young to be driving a Mercedes. Maybe it was his father’s.
The guy noticed her and winked at her. She hissed and looked away. Stupid boy, she thought to herself. Did he think she was interested in him? The car could not be his, definitely! She hissed again and accelerated as the lights changed.
Her mind continued its gentle recap of the previous week’s business, and she found herself thinking of where she could get new prospects for the coming week. Her balances had to grow. Her thoughts soon returned to Bayo. A deposit from him would certainly make a big difference. However, she worried that he could be one of those clients who saw bank marketers as desperate professional whores, ready to do anything to increase their balances. She definitely didn’t want him to think that, but if he insisted on dinner again, she might just have to take the bait and see.
As if by telepathic communication, at that moment her phone rang. She glanced at it and saw it was Bayo. She allowed it to ring out, as she returned her focus to the road ahead. A text message followed. She would check it later.
She drove into the supermarket parking lot and parked the car. Before alighting, she checked the text message. Bayo had written: "You obviously can’t be in a meeting today! Pls call me back. Bayo."
She smiled and called him back. He picked at the first ring.
Hi!
Hello, Temisola. It’s my lucky day!
Well, I don’t know about that. You said I should call back. I was driving when you called.
Yeah, seeing that you don’t normally pick my calls, I would say it’s my lucky day.
It’s not like that. You just seem to call at the wrong times, when I’m busy with a customer or in a meeting.
Well. If you say so, I believe you. So, what are you doing? I was just thinking of you, you know? If we could see today...?
She was quiet for a while. He waited for her to say something. When she didn’t, he sighed and asked. Are you still there?
Yes.
Okay. So, what do you say?
I’m actually doing some running around. But I can see you during the week. I’ll come to your office. What day can you see me?
I can see you every day. Just call me before you come.
Will Tuesday be okay, in the morning; say around 10 o’clock?
Yeah, Tuesday should be fine. Call me tomorrow to confirm, will you?
Okay.
I look forward to seeing you. Have a lovely evening.
You too. Bye.
Bye.
She sighed and got down from the car. She wondered when he would let up. He wasn’t the first customer that would hit on her. But she had always been focused. She had goals and was not going to let go of them because of any man.
She entered the supermarket, and as she walked the aisles, her mind dwelt on the conversation with Bayo. She promised herself to be strictly professional when she went to see him.
***
Bayo ended the call and stared at the phone, as if Temisola was somehow inside it. He regretted not having enough time to chase her. What, with The App causing disruptions and attracting so much attention from within and outside the country, he was inundated with business meetings, discussions, emails, and even Skype meetings. Sometimes, he called her in-between meetings, hoping to just hear her voice. He needed no one to tell him that he was wasting time. He decided to make the Tuesday meeting meaningful. He would free his morning and make sure no one interrupted their meeting.
He was normally a ‘no frills’ man, and he had an open-door policy at the office. Anyone could come to his office anytime to discuss any issue. Recently, it appeared that the policy was working against him. He could hardly get a quiet moment. He had wanted the business to be a success, but he didn’t expect that success would come so quickly. Now, the team was struggling to cope with it. In the midst of it all, he needed to woo a lady!
Ah!
he sighed heavily. He was up to the task. Where is it heard that an Elvis-John is failing in the business of wooing a lady?
***
Monday proved to be extremely busy for Temisola, and she forgot to call Bayo, even though she had set her alarm for 5p.m. At the said time, she had been busy pacifying an irate customer, who'd insisted on seeing the branch manager so as to register her dissatisfaction with one of the junior account officers. Unfortunately, the manager had closed early, and she’d had to step in for him. Thereafter, one thing had led to another, and she’d forgotten to call.
She was just getting into bed later that night when her phone rang. She debated within herself whether or not to answer it. It meant getting up and walking to her dressing table, because she was careful not to place the phone next to her bed when charging it. Eventually, she got up to check who it was and, as she picked up the phone, it stopped ringing.
It had been Bayo. She decided not to call back and went back to bed. As she switched off her bedside lamp, the phone bleeped twice and twice again, indicating the arrival of text messages.
She remained in bed, thinking of any reason why he would be calling her so late. She jumped up when she recalled she had forgotten to call him. On checking her phone, she found two messages. The first was an apology for calling so late. The second was a reminder for the meeting with him the next day. She sent a ‘Thank you’ in reply and switched off the phone. She wasn’t ready for any late-night texting.
***
Tuesday started in an upbeat way for Bayo. He got to the office early and grabbed his personal assistant, Peter, and gave him instructions.
My account officer will be coming in at 10 o’clock. I want you to grab some sandwiches from Kay’s Diner and arrange for tea in my meeting room. Let the ladies set it up nicely. I understand someone is coming in from Cisco at 10.30. It’s Ayomide’s meeting but, if he needs me there, you can send me a message. Only if he needs me there. Thank you.
Peter walked briskly to carry out his instructions. Bayo sat on his swivel chair and swung it around to back his table, trying to clear his mind and get ready for the business of the day. He could barely suppress his excitement. Today, he would get a good chance to let Temisola know that he was serious about her. He sincerely hoped she would respond positively.
Chapter THREE
Temisola looked at herself again in the mirror, second-guessing her decision to wear a black dress to work. She wasn’t satisfied with the way she looked, but a brief look at her wristwatch and she knew that changing her outfit would definitely mean she would get to work late. She hurriedly finished her make-up and grabbed her bag. In the morning rush, every minute mattered.
As she drove to work, Temisola ruminated on her meeting with Bayo. She tried to mentally prepare for what he would say and how she would respond. She felt nervous about the meeting but told herself if by the time she was going for the meeting, she was still nervous, she would take a colleague with her.
At nine thirty, she left work in the branch car, and the driver took her to The App. She got executive treatment right from the reception. Peter was waiting for her there, and he led her straight to the meeting room.
Please have a seat,
he said, pulling out a seat for her at the small round table. He walked towards the snacks table and brought a plate of sandwiches to her. What would you like to drink? We have tea, coffee, water and fruit juice.
Water would be fine. Thank you,
she said, putting her phone on the table.
He brought her a small bottle of water with a glass, opened it and filled the glass.
Please feel free to have more snacks, if you wish. Mr. Elvis-John will join you shortly.
With that, he left her and closed the door behind him.
She felt a bit intimidated. It was a small meeting room, but it was pleasantly set out. She looked around the room. The walls were decorated with lovely Nigerian artwork, and she wondered whether this was Bayo’s choice or the work of a good interior decorator. She was considering whether or not to eat the sandwich when the door opened, and Bayo walked in, closely followed by Peter. She got up and took his outstretched hand.
Good morning, Temisola,
he greeted her warmly.
Good morning, Bayo.
He turned and addressed Peter. Please, see that we are not disturbed. If Ayomide needs me, send me a text. Thank you.
On
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