Lead the way
EPISODE 4
INT. ANN’S OFFICE- EVENING
Ann looks up from her laptop when she hears Bankole exchanging pleasantries with her secretary outside her door. She gently swerve on her chair placing her left leg over the right one, with her hand under her jaw facing the door with s broad smile on her waiting for the door to open.
Second later, the door swings and Bankole comes in. he smirks and closes the door behind him. He rest his back on the door with his hands folded
BANKOLE
You didn’t wait for the verdict
ANN
I didn't have to, you already won
BANKOLE
I kicked ass in that court
ANN
(Chuckles) oh yeah, you did
She slowly stands up from her seat and walks to him
ANN
You made me proud today
BANKOLE
I know
She caresses his cheeks
ANN
You did well
Bankole removes her hand from his cheeks and pecks it before dropping it
BANKOLE
Thank you
ANN
I have a gift for you, follow me
She holds his hand and tries to go out but Bankole forcefully removes his hand from her grasp. Ann turns to him in surprise
ANN
What is the problem?
BANKOLE
People will see
ANN
When has that ever been a problem?
BANKOLE
People talk
ANN
I don’t care
BANKOLE
Well, I do… what is this gift anyway?
ANN
You will have to wait and see, come
She tries to hold him again but he evades her and then slowly put his hands into his pocket to Ann’s surprise
BANKOLE
Lead the way, I will follow you
She rolls her eyes and then opens the door. Few minutes later, she opens the door to another office almost as big as hers. In the middle of this office are set of black cushions arranged in a N-form while towards the wall is a very large table with an office chair. Empty book shelves rest around the wall of this office. On the large table is a bottle of champagne, two wine cup and an official file with a small white envelope on top of it
She turns to him after she has entered the room and smiles sheepishly at Bankole who looks around in awe
BANKOLE
Where am I?
ANN
Your new office
BANKOLE
(In a sharp voice) This is the gift?
ANN
(With a bright smile) Yes
BANKOLE
(Huffs) Ann, you can’t keep giving me gifts like this, people are talking about us
The smile on her face fades and is quickly replaced with a scowl
ANN
I am not just giving you, you made junior partner
His eyebrow widens as he opens his mouth in surprise
BANKOLE
What?
With a sigh, she walks to the table and picks up the envelope on and then slams it in his hand. Bankole quickly open the letter and then he chuckles loudly
BANKOLE
Oh my God! It is real
He laughs out loud and then looks up at Ann to find a scowl on her face
ANN
Since when do you care about what people say?
BANKOLE
(Sighs lightly) Since I heard people saying I slept my way to the top
ANN
You didn’t
BANKOLE
Well, they don’t know that
ANN
(Sigh deeply) Who are those talking?
BANKOLE
I am not telling you that, you are going to fire them
ANN
(Shrugs) Of course, I cannot have my own employees sprouting unfounded rumors about me in my own damn office
BANKOLE
You can’t blame them actually, we are too close
ANN
Excuse me?
BANKOLE
None of it matters, Ann, I am a junior partner
ANN
(With a bright smile) Yes, you are and keeping winning cases like this, you will be a senior partner in two years and a named partner in another three years, I promise you
The smile on his face fades again
ANN
What? Did I say something wrong?
BANKOLE
(Huffs) This is why people said I slept my way to the top, how can I become a named partner in five years? It is nepotism
ANN
It is not nepotism if you work for it
BANKOLE
Right now, I can mentioned five of your employees that have been working with you longer than I have and are badass lawyers but they are not even senior partners not to talk of being named partners
ANN
(With a soft voice) They don’t matter, you do. I created this law firm for both of us. I am just making do on my promise
He walks few steps away from her and then turns back to her
BANKOLE
That time was different, Ann, we were together and we were planning a future together now, we are not, so any promise you made to me years ago is void
ANN
I can’t even do what I want in my own law firm
BANKOLE
If you want me working for you, no, you can’t at least when it comes to me
ANN
This is unfair
BANKOLE
What is unfair is finding out that the woman I love with my whole heart was getting married to another man while I was studying in Boston from another mouth that was not hers. She didn’t even had the decency to break up with me
ANN
Are we still on that?
BANKOLE
No, we are not. Which is why I am asking you not to give me promotion I don’t deserve
ANN
You deserve it, you worked hard for it
BANKOLE
(Shrugs) maybe but I will get them when it is the right time
Ann sighs deeply
BANKOLE
Let it go, Ann
ANN
Fine
BANKOLE
Thank you
Ann walks to the table and pick up the file on it. She hands it to him
BANKOLE
What is this?
ANN
I have another case for you
BANKOLE
I thought I will follow up on the grant ca…
ANN
Aperry will handle that, I need your attention on this
BANKOLE
You know that man is going to cook up some research that does not exist right
ANN
I know which is why I said Aperry will handle that. As we speak, his people are on it, investigating. There is nothing you can do at this point. I need you on something else
BANKOLE
Fine… I see a bottle of champagne, is it for me?
ANN
Yes, I was thinking we can open it over dinner tonight, have Loveth join us. She told me she saw you on the TV and that you were cool
BANKOLE
(Chuckles) Yeah, she told me that too but…
ANN
But what?
BANKOLE
Can I get on a rain check on dinner, I have an appointment?
ANN
(Looking disappointed) I am your boss, what appointment am I not aware of?
BANKOLE
It is a dinner
ANN
A date?
BANKOLE
More like an appreciation dinner
ANN
Who are you appreciating when we could be celebrating?
BANKOLE
Someone who helped me with the case
ANN
Someone I don’t know?
BANKOLE
(Nods) Someone you don’t know
His phone rings and he checks the caller ID but did not pick the call
BANKOLE
I have to go
ANN
Already?
BANKOLE
Yes… Can I take the bottle? I will buy another one for our dinner this weekend. Tell Loveth, we will have our dinner this weekend
ANN
(Begrudging) Fine
He picks up the bottle and races to the door. Then he turns back to Ann who looks hurt at his early exit. He walks to her and hugs her
BANKOLE
I know you have been waiting for this day to give me this promotion, I am sorry if I made it seem like I don’t appreciate it because I really do… It means a lot to me
He pecks her on the forehead and runs out of the door. She watch the door he raced out through and unconsciously touch the place where he pecked her with a soft smile on her face. The smile vanishes when she sees her golden wedding ring shining.
She sighed deeply and sits with her half buttocks on the table when her PA enters
TEMI
Sorry for the disturbance, Ma’am but Chief Ategbero is here to see you
Standing up, she walks gallantly to the door but then suddenly turns to her PA
ANN
So, I heard you people are gossiping about my relationship with Bankole
TEMI
(Raising her hand quickly in defence) I am not part of them
ANN
Which mean you know the people involve
The PA looks away
ANN
I want their names
TEMI
What?
ANN
At the end of this week, if I don’t get those names, you will be fired
TEMI
What?
Ann leaves immediately
Next on Why?
IMADE
You could have said something
WEMIMO
If you come to board meetings, you would have heard about it
IMADE
I do come to board meetings
WEMIMO
Five minutes to the end of the meeting is not an attendance
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEDNESDAY, 9.00PM WAT
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Why? 3 || Shackled to the Heart 2
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