Matilda Wilson

Esimaaba drove home in a frenzy after a day of being hounded in the office by a very irksome client.

Good old Mrs. Ephson, she is the most difficult person to work for, Esi thought, recalling the events of the day.

After aligning her choice of colours for the interior décor, Esimaaba and her firm had finally been able to get Mrs Ephson's work done as scheduled. But then Mrs Ephson had come in and demanded that all the colours be changed, because she had seen this new blend that would make her hall the real hall of fame.

'Oh this woman, she always gets her way. The only reason I am keeping her is because, whatever the cost, she pays.' Esi mused.

Mrs. Ephson was a very wealthy woman. She was well known for dating high class incomparable men during her heyday. She once made a comment to a group of girls, saying in Ga, nta okpongor nor inshe le bele dang* Mrs Ephson meant that she had had fun when she was younger; and though she was in her mid fifties she still looked youthful.

Esi's phone rang.

'Hello Esi's Décor, how may I help you?' Esi began, before she realised it was Mrs Ephson and said,

'Oh hello. Mrs. Ephson how may I help you?'

'Listen girl, were you told I wanted a new design? Seriously, I don't like what I requested for the other day, I want this new one, and I am ready as always to pay for any costs you might incur. I want it done within the next few days as Christmas is just around the corner.'

'Okay mum, we will send somebody over tomorrow morning so you can give him your new requirements. I promise we will get in touch with you first thing tomorrow morning. I will personally handle this décor and I hope you will like the outcome.'

'You bet, because if it's not finished on the stipulated day, I will have no choice but to refuse payment outright. I will leave you to do whatever you're doing and I hope to see your guy tomorrow morning.'

The line went dead before Esi could say goodbye. Obviously the woman was in a hurry.

After graduating from the country's premier university with first class honours, Esi had dedicated her life exclusively to her business, which she started about five years ago. Five years of pain, anguish and loneliness, because since Esi reached her prime, she hadn't had any man ask her out on a date. She always coiled into her shell at the least approach by any man.

Even though she had a boyfriend once, that had been years ago when she was still in primary school. That had just been a childhood affair and she wouldn't really call it a relationship because they were both too young to know what a relationship was all about.

At the University, everybody thought she was rather strange. They called her a nerd or ninny and even disassociated themselves from her. She was a well-mannered girl from a humble family so she accepted whatever fate dealt her. Her parents were poor and so she strove hard to get a scholarship that enabled her to finish school.

She made up her mind not to fool around on campus or to play with her studies. And the old man above heard her prayers and honoured her with a string of As which she so deserved.

It took her almost an hour to get home, because of the heavy traffic for which Accra is becoming well-known.

'Enough reminiscing,' she told herself, drawing a deep breath as she moved on to prepare supper.

She reminded herself to ask Lexis to see Mrs Ephson first thing tomorrow morning. After her call she settled for her meal after which she went straight to bed.

At 9 am the next morning, she decided it would be best to go to Mrs. Ephson's and see things for herself, after Lexis had informed her that he had completed Mrs. Ephson's work.

After driving through the heavy Friday morning traffic to Dzorwulu, Esi finally arrived at the Ephson's residence. She pressed the intercom button at the gate and a male voice asked her who she wanted to see. Then the guy on the other side asked her to come in since his mum was in the bathroom.

Esi was met at the door by a handsome man who directed her into the hall. In her nice office suit and short skirt, Esi showed off such nice well proportioned legs as she strode into the hall.

'Ooooooooh such muscles' she mused, as her gaze swept over the man. 'A sight for sore eyes, indeed. He looks like he doesn't do much, like a pampered mummy's boy. Everybody and everything at his beck and call.'

Wow, what is getting into me? Esi thought. The guy felt her uneasiness and decided to break the silence.

'I am Frederick Ephson, the eldest and only son of the most annoying woman in the area.' he said lightheartedly. 'But everybody calls me Freddy. You must be Esi, the interior decorator. Mum told me so much about you but she never mentioned you are a stunner.'

Esi felt uneasy. The man was starting to get to her. This was not normal for her.

The room fell silent for a few minutes. Esi felt uncomfortable under the man's constant scrutiny. Finally Mrs. Ephson came in smelling of rose-tinted lavender and wearing a revealing and almost topless blouse. She motioned Esi to sit down just as she was getting up as a sign of respect.

Freddy excused himself, hoping to escape the sight of his mum flaunting herself around her house as she always did when she had company. This was a behaviour he had always detested and which had earned his mother more enemies than friends.

*[Ga]: I have sat on a horse and smoked a pipe before.

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