My Boss is a cheat....A Story by E PLUS the Storyteller.(This story is dedicated to all the hard working women and men, who are striving to give their best. May God continue to bless the works of your hands.) I walked into Yusuf's shop and asked for a bottle of cold water and groundnut. I needed to really calm my nerves because I had received one of the most provoking news of my life. Ten good years of utmost service and dedication, all wasted! Nothing to show for! Na wa o! Yusuf handed me the groundnut and bottle of water and I sat down to reflect on all that had transpired. No one saw this coming! No one ever thought that Mr Ade could be so heartless to lay off an entire staff, just like that.

It all dawned on me, that he had been using us, all the while. Or else, how can you explain his sudden action? Mr Ade had been reluctant for quite sometime to pay our salaries and every protest had fallen on deaf ears. Then, we thought maybe we gave it time. Months after, Mr Ade, our Boss set up a committee to investigate the protest.

For all one could say, it was a very biased investigation. People were victimised and harassed. I remember standing before that committee and I could see the determination in the eyes of the committee member to frustrate me. I managed to put my temper under control. Navigation from  Mr Williams, please, can you tell us more about your role in the last protest. I took my time to ponder over the question and, my answer.

"Well, I think it was a peaceful protest with no harm intended." I replied. The members of the committee began to discuss amongst themselves.

I stood there for a long time, waiting for their verdict. Eventually, the chairman of the committee spoke.

"Mr Williams, were you part of the people who broke into the reception hall, on that day of the protest?" That question took me off guard because, actually in the real sense of the word, such incidence never occurred. I wondered where they got thier information.

"Please, with all due respect, I am not aware of such incidence." I replied, this time I had become very impatient. The committee members stared at me like they were about pronouncing a capital judgement. I stood still and stared back.

"Anyway, Mr Williams, your testimony thus far is inconsistent and we think you should take time out to put your facts together.

Meanwhile, we will be suspending your allowances and bonus pending when we are through with investigations." The chairman declared. I was out raged and was ready to break loose but a part of me remained calm.

"Sir, I don't understand." I lamented. The committee members remained silent. Apparently, it appeared like they had all decided on their verdict. Immediately I left the room, I went to see my Boss. "Good Morning sir" I greeted. He was engrossed with a newspaper article and was reading inaudibly to himself. My Boss was oblivious of my presence and I had to cough several times to get his attention.

Then he stopped reading and, looked up.

"Oh! Mr Williams! How are you this morning?" He asked, immediately he saw me.

"Good Morning Boss. I would like to clarify some issues." I said. Then my boss sat up and drew his chair forward.

"Okay? What are the issues?" He asked.

I had to pull myself together before speaking. "Well, sir I just want to know why my allowances and bonuses have been cut off?" I said. My Boss remained silent. I waited in anticipation of his response.

"These issues are part of what the committee members are handling, they will be carrying out more investigations to ascertain the truth." My Boss spoke. I was not satisfied with the response my Boss gave me thus I probed further.

"Are you by any chance, sir, aware of any break out at the reception hall, during the last protest?" My Boss did not respond immediately, he just stared on. Then he responded, eventually.

"What really, is the the issue here, Mr Williams?" He asked.

"I have been wrongly accused sir." I lamented.

"Are you sure?" My Boss replied. I wasn't sure if his response was a question or an affirmation?

"Yes sir, I have been wrongly accused, I just stepped out of the conference room where the committee members summoned me." I continued. My Boss had on this blank look. He shook his head persistently. "Hmmm.. it's quite unfortunate." He said. I was lost.

"Sir, what do you mean?" I enquired. He heaved a heavy sigh. "I was told that you were part of the protest." My Boss said.



"Yes, I was but, it was a peaceful protest aimed at expressing our grievances over the nonpayment of salaries for months, until the security guards began to threaten us with their tear gas." I explained. My Boss cleared his throat.

"Mr Williams, you should know better that such acts have thier implications and to think that you, of all people will be a party to it, leaves much to be desired." He added. At this point, it dawned on me that I was in a fix! A week later, a sack letter was despatched to virtually all the staff who participated in the protest, including me! This time, it was the last straw that broke the camel's back! I stormed my Boss' office for an explanation.

"Boss, I don't understand this letter." I said. Without looking at him., he responded.

"Mr Williams, what's the problem again?" "I have been sacked sir!" I lamented.

"Hmmm..I see..so where do you go from here?" My Boss asked nonchalantly. I could hardly believe my ears! Such impunity? Years of relentless service with utmost sense of commitment and dedication and, one was being treated as a fly!

Apart from his charisma and eloquence, My boss is a cheat! He had tactically eaten his cake and now, he was about eating the icing. As I continued to chew my groundnut with the bottle of cold, a car pulled over and, parked by the shop.

The driver rolled down the glass and as he spoke, I sighted my Boss, seated at the back! Wow! He had bought a brand new car..

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