DC CORP

The clitter-clatter of her heels drew Remi’s attention; as it did other occupants of the spacious office. The members of the IT department at DC Corp were a tightly-knitted bunch of individuals, and it never failed to show in their interactions. As friendly as they all were, Remi had always felt like the odd fish, as enumerated by her refusal to giggle at the sounds of her boss’s heeled shoes.

Wham! The slapping noise of a file jolted her from her faux concentration on the blurry images on her computer screen. Now replacing the tedious view was the well padded jumbo-sized cleavage of Anita Dike, the HOD of the IT department. Remi often wondered how the woman got the job, seeing as she had little to no talents with computer systems. Not one for gossip, she couldn’t contribute whenever her co-workers dropped hints that Anita was sleeping with the CEO of DC Corp.

“I want you to do a backlink check on those digits and present them in my office in the next…” Anita adjusted her blazer’s sleeve to check the thin silver watch on her delicate wrist. “Thirty minutes.”

Remi pulled the file jacket closer, and perused its contents. She sighed after a few seconds and raised a meek expression towards the impatient woman in front of her desk.

“But ma’am, these are binary codes. They’ll take me more than thirty minutes to decipher, let alone run a backlink check.”

Expecting that, Anita gave Remi a catty smile before turning around with a pose that would make a runway model jealous.

“Figure it out Remi.” She answeredi. “Or just ask your Jesus to perform a miracle for you. He’s capable of that isn’t he?”

Remi closed the tab on what she was working on and decided to face Anita’s work. Anita was not a mean person per se, but for some reason, she enjoyed picking on Remi, and it got worse every day. Remi could feel a headache coming on, as she rubbed her temples in resignation.

“Why haven’t you reported her to HR?” Nelson’s voice came from the desk beside Remi’s.

Remi turned to give Nelson a smile. “Because she hasn’t out rightly done anything out of the company rules to me.”

“Saint Remi.” Ada snorted from one end of the office.

“Holy Mary.” Itohan chuckled from the other end.

Remi shrugged, unperturbed, and already used to their taunts. Being a staunch believer in the middle of other not-so-convincing believers wasn’t an easy feat. They made fun of her more than the non-Christians and pure unbelievers did. They believed she was too rigid and she had a holier-than-thou attitude. Their opinions stopped mattering to her a while back, but it did not make it any less hurtful to hear.

Within thirty minutes, the headache had intensified and she was sweating, even though the AC was in a good working condition.

She knew the moment Anita stepped out of her office again. If her annoyingly cloying perfume wasn’t a dead giveaway, the noise from her shoes did. It only took seconds for her perfectly manicured nails to make an entrance on Remi’s desk. The tapping made a danceable beat.

“I thought I told you I wanted the file on my desk.” She said.

“Yes, ma’am, but it’s taking longer than you envisaged.”

“Why isn’t Jesus helping you?” A mocking smile traced Anita’s lips. “I thought you always called his name every chance you get, as if na only you get the Jesus.”

“He’s a miracle worker not a magician.” Remi snapped; finally reaching the end of her tether. “And Jesus isn’t mine alone. He can be yours if you wanted him to be.”

“You judgemental little troll” Anita’s voice started rising. “Are you trying to imply that I don’t have Christ? Ehn?”

“I did not…”

“What’s so special about you? You think you’re better than everyone else just because you don’t drink or flirt a few times or join in office soirees? Well, news flash Mary Magdalene. I am a worthy chorister in my church and I am doing well in my journey with Christ.”

Before Anita could respond, the door to the open office space was opened and the CEO himself stepped into the room. His eyes roamed the room, assessing the situation, before finally settling on the two women standing abreast each other, with eyes blazing.

“Miss Adekunle.” He called out.

Remi’s heart skipped a beat. “Yes, Sir?”

“Please, come with me to my office.” He turned on his heels and walked off.

Anita scoffed and gave Remi a smug smile as Remi scrambled off after the exiting man. She caught up with him after a few strides, and he didn’t miss a beat before he struck up his conversation.

“I see Anita is harassing you again.”

“Sir?”

“Oh, don’t be so surprised that I’m aware. The cctv in my office may be soundless, but it doesn’t take a genius to know she’s always coming to your desk to frustrate you.”

Remi did not know what to say, and the man took it as a sign to continue.

“I know you hear the rumours about why I still keep her around.”

“It is not in my place to judge sir.” Remi responded.

The man stopped walking and faced Remi with a smile. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” He paused for a second. “I’m sure you’ve heard that Mrs. Olotu resigned.”

Remi nodded. “Yes sir.”

“How do you feel about taking the job she left behind?”

Remi raised her head immediately. She needed to be sure she heard him right. He was still smiling at her and he didn’t seem to be pranking her. “You want me to be COO?”

He nodded.

“Why?”

“Because it is a post that requires an honest, God-fearing, and firm person. You tick all those boxes Miss Adekunle.” He started walking away, leaving Remi on the spot, still dazed. “Your new office awaits you whenever you say the word.”