Chapter 7: The Corridor Twist

Our fight for the top obvious to everybody—big mistake for management. E make people dey fear pick side.

To teach me lesson, Morayo take Halima advice, use HR and finance squeeze my department. One day, my staff go training; next day, our budget bounce for cost-cutting. Many people wey follow me leave, department just die. No more Friday pizza, no more team bonding.

Later, new people see as e be, side Morayo. Sometimes, for pantry or toilet, I go hear whispers:

"Omo, CTO no get power. His ideas good, but boss no dey hear am."

"E hard for am as partner. E no easy to follow am—he no fit fight for us."

"Na boss show. We dey here for salary. Company values? Culture? Who send? Boss talk, we do. I think Oga Kunle too soft. How long he go last?"

True talk. My passion no fit last forever. I start dey come late. My smile dey fade.

After all Morayo do, I even start dey doubt myself—maybe I really no fit for the job. Sometimes, I go sit for car, pray make God show me road.

As my power disappear, I become just decoration. Morayo start new projects, nobody challenge her. The company pour money into smart home product. Later, as money finish, Femi return, become Mainspring biggest investor. To Morayo, he be like saviour. My own advice na old story.

After that, Morayo grow more impatient with me. Around then, headhunters from CoreBridge Tech start dey call me, try recruit me. But I never give up on Morayo, so I refuse all. I think say love fit still win.

I no know CoreBridge go keep trying for two years. So, the day I break up with Morayo, I finally accept their offer. As I look back, na the right choice. God really dey answer prayer, even if e slow.

Uche toast me:

"Oga Kunle, from now on, we dey your hand!" His grin wide.

He start, and the rest of team make me drink. I no too sabi, so I surrender, escape go bathroom to wash face and catch breath. Cold water run, I dey thank God say at least my head still dey my neck.

But as I come out, I jam person.

"Sorry," I talk, wan waka go, but the person stop me.

"Oga Kunle... Kunle."

I pause. The voice familiar, but my mind dey run. Who fit dey here tonight, call me like that? My heart do gbim gbim as I turn to see who stand for corridor. Who dey here for my matter this night? Lagos no dey ever sleep.