CHAPTER 28: A BETTER LIFE

Anna did as her boss had instructed her. Being in charge of the office while Nancy learnt from her. She

asked alot of questions and Anna answered them as best as she could.

Nancy observed and within a week she knew all there was to know about being Mr. Jason Campbell's

personal secretary.

Jason was not satisfied and put her through alot of test which she passed very well.

'You are really a fast learner', he commented smiling appreciatively at her.

'I have to be to survive. I am a survivor, sir', Nancy said smiling in response. She was glad that he was

not the kind of boss who was hard to please or who find it difficult praising or appreciating his workers

when they have done something commendable.

'Even then,Anna will still stay in this office with you, observing you and putting finishing touches to her

training of you'.

'But....' Nancy was going to object. Not because she didn't like Anna but because she felt that Anna

had to go back to her own job and not do a double job while she, Nancy was just sitting idle earning,

the kind of salary, Mr. Campbell had placed her on. She wanted to justify the money she was going to

earn.

'No buts. That is my final decision

And while we are at it,what plans are you making towards getting a better apartment?'

'I shall live where I have been living for sometime until I can afford a better place of residence', she said

defensively.

'Yes, but now that you work here, I cannot allow any of my staff to live in such deplorable conditions.

That place is not got for any human being, key alone a pregnant one. So, I shall advance you your

salary to get a change of wardrobe. You have to get clothes that are worthy of your position as my

secretary and till you can get an apartment for yourself, you will have to come live in my house's, he

said turning to go, his stance showing that he condole any objections but Nancy had to have her say.

'You are my boss sir, but that does not give you the right to take over my life,plan my life and take

decisions for me. I am an adult and capable to taking care of myself as well as decisions concerning

my life. How can you ask me to pack up and come live with you? What would your wife say, have you

thought about that?'

A shadow fell a Ross hos face but quickly disappeared and Nancy was not sure that she saw what she

thought that she saw.

Anna who had been there, could not believe Nancy or how she could speak to the boss that way and

most of all reject such a mouth watering offer. Any other person in her shoes would have jumped at

such an offer. Living with the boss would certainly spare her money for feeding because she was sure

the boss would not allow her buy her own food. So she would be treated to the best food money could

buy and she would save the money for her apartment and use it for something else since My. Campbell

would definitely not accept rent from her but here the foolish girl was refusing. Some people are so

lucky and do not know it or fo not know how to appreciate it. But the mention of the boss'wife made

Anna uncomfortable because they rembered what he went through when Mrs. Campbell left with the All rights © .

boss' best friend Terry. She excused herself and left the office, thinking that the boss would storm at

Nancy for being so rude and assumptions.

'I do not have a wife!' he said harshly.

Nancy could not believe it. How was it possible that a devilishly handsome man such as her boss who

was also as wealthy as this was not married?

She recalled the shadow and something else , anger? bitterness? that had flickered through his eyes

and knew she had not imagined it. There was definitely something , a story behind his being unmarried.

The girl he wanted to marry must have rejected him or left him for another or it could be a case of

unrequited love. This shows that money could not buy love, else what else could a woman desire that

Mr Campbell didn't have? But that was a subject to be contemplated at another time but for now, she

had to stand her ground. It was her life afterall and she was not a baby, requiring a baby sitter or

someone to father her.

'If there is not wife, the a girlfriend or someone and if not,how can I live with you, a single girl like me

would it not raise eyebrows?'

'Did you really think about the eye brows that would be raised when you got yourself in your present

condition with the loser who made you pregnant?' he said angrily.

Nancy was shocked. She looked at him with her mouth agape.

He regretted it as soon as the words were out of his mouth but he could not take it back and explaining

himself would only make matters worse.

'You are not going to live insidey house. I have staff living with me and you will have a room in the staff

quaters as well. It might not be what you want but it is definitely better than your present place of

abode.I am not trying to impose anything on you and neither am I giving you charity, you work for me,

so your welfare is of paramount importance to me. I would do it to any other person as well. You do not

have to worry, your honour is intact where I am concerned', he said and left.

Nancy could not get over all he had said. She slumped I to a chair and cried. She supposed she

deserved it. She was already pregnant with no father for her baby and she was still concerned about

what people would say if they found out she was living with her boss? She just had not expected him to

be so insensitive. The way he blurted it out was not flattering at all. She had a mind not to accept his

offer but she had to put her pride aside and think about the welfare of her baby. She never doubted that

her honour was safe with him though she was beginning to soften towards him because of the

kindness he had shown and was still showing her. She knew that not every one would do for her what

he had done and is still doing and instead of being grateful, she was fighting him.

She was not going to agree just yet. He had hurt her with his words and she was not going to forgive

him that easily.