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Vows Of Betrayal
Vows Of Betrayal
Vows Of Betrayal
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Vows Of Betrayal

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Sheila Maseno and Irene Masa have a lot in common. Both are well-educated ambitious beautiful women, but for unclear reasons, none is able to sustain a relationship with a man for long. Even as Masa believes that her academic credentials are intimidating men, Sheila thinks most men are liars and double dealers and her extraordinary beauty intimidates them.

Masa’s mother, Henrietta Muntari, runs a computer-assembling firm. No sooner does Masa join the company than she hurriedly seduces Maneno, one of her mother’s employees, into a romantic relationship. But because Masa is aware of Maneno’s indifference towards her, she secretly decides to bond their relationship by using trickery to get pregnant.

When their wedding is only three months away, Sheila joins the company and manages to convince Maneno that she is the right woman for him. But to his shock, Masa reveals to him that she is pregnant.

When Maneno decides to leave her and Masa’s mother later learns that her daughter is pregnant with his child, she sees him as a cold-blooded traitor. She advises her daughter to abort the pregnancy, which she does with fatal results. She bleeds to death. Henrietta puts the blame for her death squarely on Maneno. Although thereafter she resists the urge to avenge her daughter’s death for a long time, she hardly anticipated the crushing blow that ultimately compels her to action.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherPeter Lumba
Release dateDec 14, 2011
ISBN9781466198623
Vows Of Betrayal
Author

Peter Lumba

The author runs a Public Benefit Organization (PBO) for disadvantaged children. Has special interest in youth development, especially teenagers.

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    Vows Of Betrayal - Peter Lumba

    Vows of Betrayal

    By Peter Lumba

    Copyright 2011 Peter Lumba

    Smashwords Edition

    License Notes

    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share it with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. The book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, incidents or locales is purely coincidental. All characters are products of the author’s imagination used fictitiously. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    CHAPTER 1

    When Sheila Maseno joined Almasi Holdings Ltd as an employee, the shock waves of her beauty did not only ripple throughout the organization, but also beyond it. Sadina, the Director of Almasi Holdings Ltd, was less prepared for what was to come when she took her on as an accountant. Sheila had grown up in a humble background, but this did not prevent her from having wishful fantasy-trips inspired by her dream. In her mind’s eye, she had climbed to the position of a Chief Executive Officer in the corporate world. Still in her fantasy realms, she was a happily married woman with three children, living in a mansion on an exclusive half-acre plot in Nairobi. The enclosed wooded compound of this make-believe mansion had well-trimmed lawns, colourful flowerbeds and an impressive vast swimming pool. Sheila also liked nursing in her mind a vivid imagination of her husband to be and herself relaxing on the veranda of their mansion, mostly on the weekends, with generous mugs of steaming coffee, her two lads and their little sister running across the lawns with shrieks of laughter, all bathed in the rays of a beautiful sunset.

    Although Sheila’s not well-to-do parents had little schooling, they saw to it that their daughter got the best education they could afford for her. Having completed her university studies successfully, she saw no reason why she couldn’t succeed in navigating through the intricacies of life. She had grown up in a needy family, but she wasn’t going to let the memories of her humble childhood intimidate her in her effort to accomplish her dream. As she bid bye to the university campus at the age of 23 after graduating with an honours degree in commerce, accounts option, she still had plans to go back to the university to do her Master’s degree in accounts so as to boost her chances of realizing her dream.

    Besides her commerce degree, Sheila had another plus. She was extraordinarily beautiful, so beautiful that people stared at her openly. She was slim, tall and oval-faced with smooth delicate cheeks as those of a child, large soft eyes, a long flawless narrow nose and an average sized mouth graced with natural sensual cerise lips. For an African, her skin was so brown that most people understandably thought of her as a half-caste. Her straight dark silken hair, which gracefully fell on her shoulders, was as often as not parted in the middle. Although there were those who mistakenly assumed that she had some Asian blood, both her parents were bona fide black Africans, light skinned in complexion, with her mother endowed with beautiful long dark glossy hair as well as good looks.

    But then, three years after graduation, Sheila’s confidence somehow began taking a nosedive, and for a good reason. She soon realized that virtually every opportunity that crossed her way came with a rather repugnant moral choice to make, in the face of little or no assurance of getting what the opportunity promised. In relationships, the men wanted sex without commitment, while in the labour market she too was required to give sexual favours or cash bribes for job opportunities that could as well be nonexistent. With no money to give bribes and opposed to offering her body in exchange for any form of material gain, Sheila felt rather frustrated.

    She still lived in a run-of-the-mill estate in Nairobi, sharing a bed-sitter with Rosaline Chelule. Twenty eight year old Chelule was a former college mate at the university. Their friendship began during their first year at the university and they had remained best of friends since then. They were so close that there were virtually no distasteful secrets between them.

    Although within three years after graduation Sheila had successfully completed CPA II, while Chelule, a major in computer science, had completed a diploma course in computer programming, both ladies had not yet secured permanent jobs. Sheila was working for a jewellery firm on commission, while her roommate was a tutor in a second rate private computer training college in the city. The meagre income they earned from their humble jobs merely enabled them to meet their very basic needs.

    Her lack of a permanent job aside, Sheila was gradually getting over anxious about something else. At the age of 27, she had not yet met a man she could trust for a lasting relationship. She was of the opinion that only the social snobs, double-dealers, pathological liars and those below what she considered acceptable social status showed some interest in her. As for those who did not follow in the above categories, they either were not ready to settle down for marriage or were already married, the latter being the majority. But for her, getting into a relationship with a married man was absolutely out of question, for she considered this as a sure way of knocking off-balance her romantic life, ultimately subjecting herself to misery. Self- assured, she looked upon those young girls who befriended sugar daddies or seniors, as she liked calling them, as self-absorbed, immoral and unfocussed.

    In the last four years, she had entered into several relationships - the most successful of these lasting for only eleven months before she discovered the man she called her friend had a double life. It took her this long to discover that not only was he unduly involved with other women, but he was also a drug trafficker. It was just as well, for the man was eventually charged with a drug trafficking offence, convicted and sentenced to serve fifteen years in prison. Sheila had even tried ‘salvation’, hoping to get an honest man from those who claimed to be ‘saved’, but the hypocrisy and arrogance she met among this group more than ever left her disappointed and confused. Yet, she kept on hoping that the right man for her would one day cross her path. Just like many women of her age, although she had a vague description of the man she wanted for a mate, she probably had no idea of what innermost desires controlled her actions. She constantly wondered whether love should come first and let the other things follow or whether it should be the other way round. This was one of the challenging uncertainties that faced her – aware that most young women always want to have their cake and eat it. Nonetheless, Sheila was not about to let herself sink into depression.

    She had just finished eating her supper one evening when her mobile phone rang. She actually snatched the phone as if she had been anxiously waiting for the call. The caller was her uncle, a manager in Cash bank. The first thought that came to her mind was that he was finally going to offer her a permanent job with the bank, something she had patiently waited for a long time. After talking to him on the phone, she sat down on the edge of her bed and looked across the room at Chelule, who was also relaxing on her bed in their bedsitting room. Excited, she said, Guess who that was, Chelule.

    Sounds like your uncle, answered Chelule who had listened to Sheila’s side of the conversation carefully. She continued to stare at Sheila curiously.

    You are right, confirmed Sheila, it is Uncle Mako. He wants to know whether I could go to see him tomorrow in the morning.

    Did he say why he wants to see you?

    Not quite.

    Could be he is calling you for a job with the bank.

    I just hope so. How I wish we could move out of this cell.

    It would also be a big relief from that dreary business of hawking jewellery, added Chelule.

    All the same, it puts food on the table as dreary as it is.

    I am not belittling your job, dear. It’s just that both of us could do with something better.

    Despite the forbidding challenges, I have not lost hope, honey. I just know one day things will be different. Sheila wished she felt half as confident as she sounded.

    The next day she went to see her uncle first thing in the morning. Unable to control her excitement, she sat down at his office desk facing him.

    Her uncle gave her an upraising look in appreciation of her beauty. Yes, Sheila, how are you doing?

    Not bad, she answered. And you?

    Well, I am doing fine. Have you got a job yet?

    That is it, thought Sheila, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Her waiting for a job was now over! Not yet. I am still hawking jewellery, she said, holding her breath.

    I see. Have you heard of Almasi Holdings Limited?

    Sheila’s heart sunk. She frowned, as her eyes too registered a sudden change of expression. So it is not a job with the bank after all, lamented Sheila silently. I think so, she said in a rather subdued voice. They deal with computers or something like that, don’t they?

    You are right. I want you to take your CV in person to the director. I have personally talked to her about giving you a job. Her name is Mrs. Muntari. Sadina Muntari.

    Another application? Oh no! She had written several scores of unsuccessful applications to different companies, organizations and institutions. This meant another uncertain and indefinite wait. Where are their offices situated? she asked trying as much as possible to hide her disappointment.

    In Nyota Plaza, 3rd floor.

    Well, I will do as you say. Although, she had not mentioned it to her uncle, Sheila would have preferred working for a multinational bank or company. She knew the problems associated with local firms- among them low remunerations, delayed salaries, poor working conditions, violation of employee rights and bad employer-employee relations.

    Reluctantly and with little hope, Sheila took her CV to Almasi Holdings Ltd the next day.

    Mrs. Muntari, born Henrietta Sadina Bakina, the director of Almasi Holdings Limited, had promised Sheila’s uncle that she would consider her for a job as a good turn after Cash bank gave her a loan to expand her business. Bearing in mind the favour Mako had done her, she had no convincing reason to deny the manager’s request to ‘please fix my niece somewhere in your company’. But to say the truth, when Sadina met Sheila for the first time, her beauty unnerved her to a point of almost regretting her pledge to Mako. She believed such an astounding beauty could only originate from hell to bring suffering to the world. Such a beautiful woman was only likely to cause trouble within her firm. She wanted to tell her flatly that there would be no opening soon, but she found herself telling her to go and wait - that she would get back to her as soon as there was an opening in the accounts department. And she meant it.

    On a Tuesday nine o’clock in the morning, exactly two weeks after Sheila had submitted her CV , Sadina dispassionately bypassed all her staff members without saying the customary ‘good morning’. A detail that sent cold shivers down their spines. For that could certainly mean only one thing - something was dreadfully wrong. A crisis meeting, which they all dreaded, could be in the offing. She was grim-faced as she hurriedly opened her private office.

    Almasi Holdings Ltd offices were on the third floor of Nyota Plaza, one of the tallest contemporary skyscrapers within the Central Business District of Nairobi city. Her firm dealt with importation and mass assembling of branded computers and laptops. It also dealt with imported computer accessories and spare parts. A multi-million enterprise, Almasi Holdings Ltd had market ties in all the East African region.

    Sadina was an ambitious well-heeled woman. It had taken her years of self-sacrifice and hard work to build her business empire. Though she was a firm administrator, she had set lenient office hours for her staff. A normal working week started on Monday at nine in the morning, ending on Friday at five in the evening.

    Tall and of medium body build, she liked maintaining a striking physique. Her chocolate round smooth face defied her fifty-six years of age, giving her a younger look. Her slightly protruding eyes had an intimidating gaze that only the audacious could outstare. While her thick-lipped mouth was slightly smaller for her face, one could not fail to notice the firm determination it evoked. Her exquisitely dyed glossy dark hair was always in magnificent curls, impressively hanging just above her shoulders. Being manifestly class and superiority conscious, her formal dressing mainly comprised exclusive designer trouser suits, in which she always projected an image of elegance and affluence.

    Her marriage of thirty-two years had been irrefutably peaceful. However, this had not been inadvertent, but a result of painstakingly planning her affairs. She sturdily believed in strong family ideals and made all sorts of noteworthy sacrifices for the sake of the unity of her family. Though she strongly believed in hard work, she had profound respect for her marriage. Her husband, Henry Muntari, could attest to this - for Sadina hardly ever let her business or social affairs get in the way of her family life. In other words, she meant hers to be a model family in the community she lived in. She was constantly in nerve-racking fear of that day when suddenly her long treasured family reputation might end in a fiasco. Her three children, Kato, Tara and Masa, were all university graduates brought up with the same strong family standards. Stanley Kato, who was still a bachelor, was working with a reputable bank within the city as an accountant. He had categorically turned a deaf ear on his father’s constant requests to resign and join one of the family businesses. But Kato liked being independent. Janet Tara, the eldest of the three siblings and happily married to a wealthy businessman, assisted her husband in the management of their family businesses. Irene Masa, the last born in the family, had joined Almasi Holdings Ltd at the age of 30. Having studied business administration in Britain, her mother had given her the position of assistant marketing manager.

    Before joining her mother’s company, Masa had repeatedly told herself that she wanted to be as successful as her mother, if not more successful. She feared failure, probably because of the stringent manner in which her parents had brought her up. She had decided to join Almasi Holdings Ltd to learn her mother’s management techniques, for if there was anyone who inspired her, it was her mother. Masa’s appearance was fragile, with a petite body, a delicate oval face, a moderately thick-lipped mouth, bright big eyes, and dark well-groomed hair, quite often fringed and kept straight.

    Only one thing was constantly worrying the beautiful, light skinned, well-educated woman. At thirty, she was no longer a young girl. She was almost getting past the convenient marriageable age. All her past friendships with men had been explosive and short lived. She did not seem to have the ability to strike the right romantic rapport with men. Occasionally, her mother had been teasing her.

    Which Order of nuns do you aspire to join, Masa? her mother had once asked her humorously.

    I don’t get you, mum, Masa had replied self-consciously, having had figured out what exactly her mother meant.

    This time, though still in an obliging manner, her mother had spoken bluntly. What else could you be waiting for at your age?

    Masa’s reply had come in an equally blunt manner. Mum, most men do not seem to have the capacity to relate to cultured women.

    Why do you say that?

    Masa had detected the slight disapproving frown on her mother’s face.

    Looking composed, she had continued to say, The few men I have befriended seemed too self-doubting to relate to effectively.

    Her mother had fallen silent for some time before she asked, What do you think of Dr Kwendo? Age is irreverent these days, Masa. What you need is a man who can take care of you.

    She had given her mother a long thoughtful stare before bursting into a torrent of words. There must be a reason why Dr Kwendo has come this far without getting married. There is no level-headed single man of Kwendo’s age, not to mention the gaping generation gap between us. Moreover, if the man really wanted to marry, even at his age, he wouldn’t look far. There are so many eligible women out there than he cares to find out. Why should a man wait until he is forty-five before he marries? With our age difference, his interests and mine must be very diverse. I need a younger man whom we can share interests.

    Her mother had left her at that.

    Anthony Maneno, the accountant-cum-debt collector of Almasi Holdings Ltd, had been working for the company for the last three years. A tall young man of medium-built in his early thirties, he walked with a pronounced poise. The dark square faced man, who always kept his dark hair short, had bright genial eyes and thin wide lips, which gave the impression of a permanent smile. Normally an exceptionally well-groomed man, he came from a family that for a long time had lived a life of hand to mouth, but he hardly ever let this fact affect his ambition to become a Chief Executive Officer in the corporate world one day. Maneno was always forthright, focused and good-natured. His jovial disposition made him stand out among his male colleagues. However, as much as he tried to be warm and friendly to everyone, he had kept a safe distance from romantic relationships. For the three consecutive years he had been working for Almasi Holdings Ltd, he had never committed himself to any consequential relationship with any woman. He was still waiting for ‘Miss Right’. This had consequently created bad blood between himself and the single women colleagues in the office.

    Within days of joining Almasi Holdings Ltd, Masa, who had a childlike brazen fascination, overtly fell for Maneno. Nevertheless, she doubted whether Maneno was likely to approach her for fear of her mother and her academic superiority. She had already learnt that Maneno was a high school ‘graduate’ who had done most of his professional courses by correspondence. Therefore, to expedite a date with him, she decided to make the first move by writing an ostensibly innocent note. The note read:

    Dear Maneno,

    How about a cup of coffee at Chaimoto Restaurant after work? I will be waiting for you there. I hope you will not disappoint me!

    Masa

    This is dangerous! Thought Maneno apprehensively after reading the note. Notwithstanding his fears, he knew he had to acquiesce in her invitation to avoid antagonizing her, for to snub her would be deliberately risking his job, something he was not ready to do. When they met that evening, Masa daringly confessed her feelings to him. Noting her determination to win him over, Maneno faked some interest in whatever she was telling him. It was after several similar outings together, that Maneno eventually succumbed to her pressure, resulting to a birth of rather one-sided relationship. Had the circumstances been different, Maneno would have truthfully told her that he had no romantic feelings for her. However, Masa was not just another girl. She was the daughter of his employer, a fact that complicated the matter. He knew rejecting her advances meant accepting the risk of losing his job. If all his patient waiting had been for Masa, then it had all been in vain, he reasoned quietly. Masa was definitely not the kind of woman he would like to have for his future spouse. They were completely two different people in two different worlds. Unlike him, she had been brought up in lavishness. Secondly, the academic gap between the two was too intimidating. He actually had no idea how he could relate to her.

    But Masa was no fool. Although she truly loved Maneno, she was sensible enough to see how cold their relationship was. It being a low-key affair, she had tried her best to please him, but her efforts did not seem to bear fruit. While she wanted Maneno to take charge of the relationship, he appeared satisfied with being the little guy. What’s more, as days went by, the relationship seemed to take a heavy toll on his disposition, for he had progressively become withdrawn and downcast.

    It did not take long before the other members of staff discovered this allegedly unbecoming relationship between Maneno and Masa. Since none of the staff members approved of the iffy liaison, they started gossiping, until that day when Cecilia Cheche, a sales representative of Almasi Holdings Ltd, decided ‘enough is enough’ and chose to report the matter to Masa’s mother, the director of Almasi Ltd.

    So on that particular Tuesday morning, only Cheche was aware of what was disturbing Sadina. The previous day, she had sneakily gone to Sadina’s office to report on Masa and Maneno. She knew for sure this would infuriate the director. It was not essentially out of genuine concern that she had decided to do that, but rather out of jealousy. Nevertheless, whatever her motive had been, her report had the anticipated effect on the director.

    On that Monday, when Cheche entered the director’s office, Sadina looked at her inquisitively. What is it, Cheche? Take a seat please.

    She lowered herself into a chair in front of the director’s desk. Nervously breathing slowly and deeply, she said, There is an abysmal condescending behaviour being arrogantly displayed in the office, madam, that I thought I should bring to your notice, Then she held her breath.

    Does it concern the members of staff? asked Sadina, suddenly narrowing her eyes.

    Yes, replied Cheche.

    Sadina had the feeling that whatever Cheche was about to tell her wasn’t pleasant news. Bracing herself for whatever it was, she said, Okay, tell me what it is, Cheche.

    Cheche released a powerful sigh before saying, It is about Masa, madam.

    Sadina frowned. Something condescending about my daughter?

    Yes, madam.

    Is she patronizing you?

    Cheche fell silent.

    Come on, tell me, urged Sadina impatiently.

    Not in the sense you mean.

    Then what is it?

    Maneno is dating her!

    What? Had Sadina been told that her daughter had a fatal accident, the effect would not have had been worse. She stared at Cheche in disbelief. How did you know this?

    It is no secret, madam. Everyone in the office is aware of it. Observing Sadina keenly, Cheche experienced some sense of fulfilment.

    For how long has this been going on? she asked in a biting voice.

    Looking more relaxed, Cheche replied, For more than a month.

    Are you sure?

    Absolutely certain.

    What are the other members of staff saying about it?

    Everyone sees it as a crackpot relationship.

    For a moment or two, Sadina gazed in space in an absent-minded manner before saying, Thank you Cheche, go back to your desk.

    That same Monday evening, Sadina unexpectedly burst in on Masa in her bedroom ready to castigate her for presumably having made such an ill-considered choice for a mate.

    Why are you storming into my room like this, mum? Masa asked her in bewilderment.

    Masa, you are dating Maneno, aren’t you? not a person to mince matters, Sadina shrieked.

    Masa gave her mother a defiant gaze. Who told you that, mum?

    So it is true! her mother screamed.

    Yes, it is true, mother! Masa replied in a rather insolent voice.

    Then her mother’s response came in an ominous drawling undertone. You have no shame!

    What do you mean? I love….

    I love my foot! her mother cut in sharply. That is imprudent of you. Maneno is a man without class and you cannot just throw yourself away on a lowly soul. I have invited Dr Kwendo in this home regularly for your sake, hoping you would be able to establish a relationship with him. Now, what have you put yourself into?

    Mother! Masa was shocked by her mother’s tactless approach. How do you despise the man I am so much in love with?

    Are you out of your mind, Masa? I am firing Maneno first thing in the morning tomorrow. You can follow him out there! In fact I already have someone who is going to take over the accounts office after that fiend is gone.

    Oh mother! That is not a solution at all. You can fire Tonny, but that will not kill my love for him. So you had better let him stay. I am afraid nothing will ever materialize between Dr Kwendo and me. I honestly don’t like the man. Maneno is the man I love!

    Tomorrow I don’t want to see your face in the office! Stay away! She bellowed before storming out of Masa’s room.

    Therefore, as Sadina hastily tried to open her office on that particular Tuesday morning, she was set on two things - firing Anthony Maneno for demeaning her daughter and bringing in Sheila Maseno as his replacement. But as soon as Sadina entered her office, Masa, ready for a battle of words followed her inside.

    Get out of my sight! her mother shouted irately.

    Don’t do it, mum! said Masa firmly.

    Don’t do what?

    Don’t fire Maneno, please, she replied. I love Maneno wholeheartedly and nothing will change that fact, not even sacking him.

    Her mother was furious, but Masa’s temper was always unmatched. High words passed between them before Masa stormed out of the office in a huff leaving her mother disconcerted.

    What a bitch of a girl! with her voice trembling with rage, Sadina exclaimed to herself. All the same, she restrained herself and let the situation be for the time being.

    But still her mind was so disturbed that she almost ignored the intercom call from her secretary. Merely snatching the receiver, she responded abruptly, but this time she tried her best to control her voice. What is it, Alice?

    There is a lady waiting to see you, Madam, answered Alice, not missing the director’s sour mood.

    Who does she say she is?

    Sheila Maseno is her name.

    Tell her to come in.

    Inside, Sheila ignored the velvet-covered sofas in the director’s office and sat on the chair in front of her desk. It was a cool morning, a reason to wonder why the director had her electric fan running. She rightly guessed it must have had something to do with the lady who had just come out of her office in a huff. Something must have transpired between the two that seriously annoyed the director, thus forcing an upsurge of her body temperature.

    Sadina released a potent sigh. You are following up your job application, aren’t you?

    Yes, Madam, answered Sheila.

    Please, be patient. I will let you know as soon as we have an opening.

    Thank you, madam, Sheila replied, that is all I wanted to know. It was just as well, for Sadina was not in the mood of talking further.

    Before she stood up to leave, she brashly took her time to scan Sadina’s office with obvious admiration. Though scantily furnished, the big room looked elegant. Apart from the director’s well polished mahogany desk, her chair and the visitor’s chair, there was one velvet gold coloured seven-sitter sofa set, a long narrow table in front of the long sofa, two big steel cabinets on either side of her desk and a large bookshelf standing at the middle of the left wall. The spotless white cream painted walls exquisitely matched the light coloured thick floor carpet. Everything gave the office a bewitching ambience. Seemingly satisfied, Sheila released a deep sigh, stood up and walked deliberately towards the exit door, for the first time truly wishing she could get the opportunity to work for this prosperous looking company.

    As it turned out eventually, Sadina, gradually, though reluctantly, accepted her daughter’s relationship with Maneno and responded by promoting him and raising his salary to a level he never thought was possible. In effect, he became the financial controller of the company. Masa herself had bought Maneno many expensive gifts including a fashionable car. But to her disappointment, practically nothing seemed to perk up Maneno’s detached attitude towards her. Six months down the line, it was evident to Masa that the relationship was heading for disaster. All the same, she was not about to give up on him. A compelling bond was necessary if she had to salvage the relationship. What if I got pregnant with his child? she asked herself one day. Certainly, he would have no choice but to marry her, she reasoned. Then she bleakly made the decision.

    Finally, it was Maneno’s promotion that created an opening for Sheila. After Maneno took his new office, Sadina brought her in to take over the duties of his former office. She became the new accountant-cum-debt collector of Almasi Holdings Ltd. Her entry into the company was not without some sentimental impact. The atmosphere in the office changed instantly, for she became a subject of both hate and love. Her astounding beauty was not only unsettling to the director, but also to everyone in the office, both men and women, and more so to Masa. Although Masa pretended not to notice her, she was bothered by the manner in which the new girl seemed to magically draw the men in the office to her. She just hoped Maneno would be able to rise above Sheila’s charm. Although the women hated her with passion, most of them successfully concealed their hatred and pretended to be nice to her. Suddenly to the men, it was as if Sheila was the only woman in the place. They were all about her, offering small and big vain favours. Concisely, Sheila was that kind of woman who could well make the blood of men boil in their veins.

    Incidentally, after she landed her new job with Almasi Holdings Ltd, her old employer allowed her to continue selling their products during her spare time. Accordingly, she occasionally went round hawking them whenever she had the opportunity to do so.

    By and by, Sheila was inwardly attracted to Maneno. Although by then it was no secret that Maneno and Masa were engaged for marriage, she was quick to observe that their relationship was unstable. It was apparent that Masa was forcing her affection on Maneno. Although Maneno was academically inferior to Sheila, he had many qualities that attracted her, thus regarding him as a prospective mate. Maneno was everything most of the men she had met before were not. In a nutshell, he seemed to be an unpretentious honest man. Yet, as much as she fancied him, she doubted her own sincerity. Was she attracted to him as a person or was she rushing against time and settling for what seemed to be available to her? Did she really love him? Was she going to achieve all that she wanted if she married this man? On the other hand, was her beauty going to intimidate him just as it has many others to a point of falsely thinking she was promiscuous? Despite the fact that he was far below what she had hoped for as a husband, she was going to cast her net in Masa’s fishpond where she knew Maneno to be the only fish inside the pond. Her problem was how she was

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