After more than two hours on the phone, Fosuwa landed design jobs with two of Abeeku’s partners. Every week, she would spend one day at each of the two agencies, and work from home the rest of the time. They offered her very attractive packages, which could be increased if she exceeded her job quotas.                                                                                                                      

‘Now’, Abeeku said, ‘We have settled the job problem, so let’s go and get something to eat. I have other things to discuss.                                                        

Abeeku and Fosuwa spent two hours at the restaurant. By the time they left, they had become quite well acquainted with each other, as they had answered each other’s questions. Fosuwa mentioned that although she thought that Abeeku was a nice guy, she thought that perhaps his wife and mother-in-law were disrespecting him because he was lazy and not bringing in enough money. Most women would feel that way, she said.                                                                       

‘The simple truth’ Abeeku said, is that even though her mother was influencing her, I was able to tolerate it. Sandra is a very nice lady, and I would have done my best to make it work. The problem came when I visited their office at Sandra’s request to solve a problem. What I saw was terrible. Her two brothers were not just spending money in the company’s account; they were taking monies that should have been paid to suppliers and tax authorities. When they returned to the office and heard that I had been there, they went all out against me, and they lied about me to their mother, who became more aggressive. Sandra also turned against me.                                                         

‘But, if I may ask, will you now move to your parents’ home till you sort yourself out?’             

‘I will answer that question by taking you to my house, one of these days if you don’t mind. 

‘Of course I don’t mind going to your house. Can I come there tomorrow?’                               

‘Yes. Certainly. First we will go to my office. I will spend about an hour at the maximum, then we will go to my place. I will cook something for you to eat, after which I will take you to the doctor to treat you for diarrhoea, food poisoning and constipation’. Fosuwa exploded with laughter.                  

He dropped her at home, promising to come in and meet her parents the next morning.                 

‘So, you won’t be working in the Anderson home again?’ her mother asked.                                

‘No Mom. I sent Sister Sandra a note to say that I want to stop the job, and she said fine. Abeeku has already connected me to two companies involved in web design, and I have done online interviews. I will go to work two days in the week, and work from home the rest of the time. And Mom, the salary is very good. I will even earn extra money if I exceed my monthly quotas.      

‘Well. You seem to have done rather well, haven’t you?’                                                                 

‘Mom, I have struck a bonanza. Abeeku and I had a great dinner at a restaurant, and we seem to have hit it off. He is picking me up tomorrow to go to his office, then to his house. He will come and meet you and Dad tomorrow.                                                                                                  

‘Then it’s more than a bonanza. He is obviously a decent guy who has a nasty experience with his mother-in-law. He needs a break.                                                                                       

‘Actually, Mom, they didn’t really go through with the engagement process, and Mrs. Anderson kept reminding Abeeku of that. So he does not have any legal commitments. He’s a free man.               

By Ekow Heheer, the author