Chapter 4: Company Palava

The day I leave Morayo, I resign from my job. My hand dey shake as I dey fill HR form. My ID card for back pocket—wetin remain na just to drop am for reception.

No be say e change much—at Mainspring Tech, the company Morayo and I build together, I don dey sidelined since. My office big, but my voice small. Staff dey greet me, but dem fear Morayo pass.

When Halima, the HR madam, see my resignation for system, she call me sharp. Her voice sharp like blade.

"Director Kunle, you tell Madam Morayo before you resign?"

She sound surprised, like say she think I dey play. Her accent still get Kogi blend, but her tone carry Lagos wahala.

Of course. Halima na Morayo friend from university, always believe say I be gold digger. Over the years, she dey warn Morayo to shine eye for me. Sometimes for lunch, she go talk, “Men no dey loyal. No let love blind you, Morayo.”

I first hear this for company third year. That year, we get big investment. Morayo happy, throw end-of-year party. After help her and drink too much, I hide for lounge to rest.

Morayo come in to fix makeup, Halima follow. Dem no notice me. Dem dey gist while I pretend sleep for sofa.

Until I hear Halima mention my name:

"...Madam Morayo, you need to watch Kunle. Now, even your staff dey listen to am, no be you."

Morayo no send. "Kunle na boss too. No be good thing if people dey hear am?"

Halima try convince her, "Madam, Kunle na co-founder, but the real oga na you." She snap finger, as if to drive home the point.

Morayo laugh and tell Halima make she no overthink. She say, everybody fit betray her, but Kunle no fit. That time, my mind cool like pure water for freezer. I feel say Morayo believe me die.

I touch that memory. But I no expect say just two years later, my power for company go fade till I be just decoration. My seat dey office, but my ideas no dey count again.

Halima voice for phone bring me back.

"Just process the resignation. Morayo and I don break up." I talk am like say I dey order bread from mallam.

Halima quiet. Phone static loud.

After small time, she ask, "Director Kunle... you dey joke? Two of una dey engaged. I dey wait for wedding rice o."

I sneer. My face squeeze.

Halima sabi play both sides. For my front, she go talk about eating my and Morayo wedding rice, but for back, she dey advise Morayo on how to control me. After Femi show, she even help arrange for him and Morayo to dey meet. Lagos women sabi network!

"No be wetin you want? Now you fit openly play matchmaker for Morayo and Femi." My voice small, my chest dey burn.