A Wrong Surrogate for the CEO-Chapter 21: Please don’t say no

"...the CEO wants to know who informed the board members in charge of the interviews that there are no more applicants waiting?"

Kasper recognised the voice, it’s the CEO’s special assistant, Lazarus Doe. He stood outside and waited patiently,but soon got into the office.

Mike Blake was standing behind his desk and his colleague who turned lover, Tolu was by the sideline. They don’t share an office but within the slightest opportunity, they slip into each other’s office.

"I don’t know sir" Mike replied. It was his duty but sometimes, anyone could be instructed to bring the file forward and he knows nothing about it.

"An applicant who was not interviewed after being invited is a dent on the reputation of the company. She didn’t just get left out, she was attacked by both of you.

But that’s for another day. You will now get me the identity of the employee who was in charge of the files this morning. This is an order and the CEO wants answers in ten minutes" Lazarus declared and turned around.

He saw Kasper and paused. He was going to see him in his office as well. But since he was there, he gave him the instructions.

"Mr Kasper, the CEO, wants to have the shortlisted names of the expected applicants that was supposed to be interviewed and those who are absent" he informed.

"Alright, I’ll get to it immediately," Kasper replied and turned around to leave. He glanced at Mike and Tolu briefly before stepping out.

As soon as Lazarus and Kasper stepped out, Mike turned to glance at Tolu. He saw her looking non challantly a while ago. From her looks, she’s not involved, he is certain about it.

Curtis Rodney gave instructions to Lazarus. Lara must be protected and kept from harm’s way. They mustn’t let her be alone at any time.

Kasper sighed softly when he got back to his desk. Lara indeed came to be interviewed but she was not allowed in or something? Whatever, he’ll find out.

When they got the information to the CEO’s office,his secretary kept it on his desk and dismissed them. She said when the boss is through with his meeting, he’ll send for them.

By evening, Lara was stable and the doctor said she’d been discharged. She was given some medication and rest was also prescribed.

While getting ready to step out of bed, a middle aged woman stepped into her ward and quickly came over, giving her support.

Lara was surprised and she glanced at the beautifully dressed woman, who helped her as if she was some fragile woman. She smiled at the woman.

"I’m Benny, your nanny" the woman introduced herself smiling broadly. She appeared to be in her late forties with a few strands of grey hair scattered over her neatly tied pony tail.

Nanny? She now has a nanny? She’s an adult, what does she need a nanny for?

Lara sighed softly and smiled. Standing on her feet, she held the older woman’s hand in her hand. "Did Curtis hire you to be my nanny?" She asked.

The woman nodded.

Lara, still smiling, said "I don’t actually need a nanny. I’m fine besides, I won’t be able to pay you for your services nor do I have a convenient apartment to bring you in" she explained.

"No ma’am. I was hired by Mr Curtis. He’s my boss for many years now and he’d just transfer me to be with you as your nanny...Benny explained.

"But I don’t need a..." Lara was saying when Benny interrupted her. She held both of Lara’s hands and smiled at her broadly "please don’t say no.

This is my job and if you say no, he might fire me for being incompetent on a simple assignment. Please, accept me"; Benny pleaded.

Just then Lazarus Doe stepped in and forced a brief smile "Miss Edmund, you’ll be coming with us" he informed.

Lara smiled. She doesn’t like this man that is standing before her. Every time he comes before her, something negative tends to take place. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Come with you, to where?" She asked. She hadn’t agreed that she would share her baby’s parenting with him. She isn’t agreeing to anything yet.

"To your new home. You will not be going back to your former house. Mr Curtis has prepared somewhere else..." Lazarus was saying when Lara interrupted her.

"I knew it, that moment when you stepped in, I’m going to have an unpleasant situation again. I have an apartment, and that’s where I will be returning to.

I don’t want issues here please. So please, just leave me alone" Lara said, her heart beating fast. Is this what he meant when he said she should just follow the instructions of his men?

Lazarus Doe was quiet. This woman is Curtis Rodney’s number one concern now. He cannot afford to say anything that would infuriate her the most.

That way, Lazarus turned around and left. What kind of a woman is this? She’s not afraid of Curtis Rodney nor is she interested in his generous offer.

Now, a decision that would keep her protected and safe, she doesn’t want to accept it. He’d never dealt with a woman like this before.

He massaged the temple between his eyes. What will he do now, he cannot report to Curtis Rodney, he would be so furious with him for his failure on a simple task.

Soon, Benny stepped out, walking Lara towards the car. No one knows what she said or did, that Lara followed her quietly without a fight.

Lazarus Doe held the door for her and Lara stepped in. She knows that Curtis was doing all these for the babies sake. She wished she didn’t have anything to do with this cold merciless man.

She doesn’t know why but this woman’s words kept repeating itself in her thoughts. She’d pleaded that everyone assigned to work for her, are under strict supervision.

If they fail, they might lose their jobs. Curtis Rodney doesn’t accept failure as being unsuccessful. He termed it as incompetence.

She remembered the doctor who lost her place in the medical profession simply because she made a mistake. How can she let someone’s source of livelihood be taken away because she wants to be rigid?

And now Ms Benny and this man with a scary look, is also involved now. This mistake in insemination has really entangled things together for her.