The campaigns were hot and heavy and every candidate did their best to prove that they were the best choice for the position. They wore branded clothes, danced to the latest hit songs, and paraded their families. It was strange to see since the same men never showed any love to their wives, in public at least. Yet, there they were, holding their wives’ hands and showering them with praises. But I guess that was what politics was all about.
Finally, the election period came to a close and things went back to normal.
I was a fresh graduate and had to start looking for a job. It didn’t take long for me to find one. Coincidentally, I landed a job at the office of the Governor as an executive assistant to the Governor himself. He was starting his second term and was looking for a new assistant after the previous one went on maternity leave. Someone tipped me off about the job and I applied without thinking that I would get accepted. However, after going for the interview, the governor took a liking to me and called me the next day to let me know that I had been successful.
As an executive assistant, I worked closely with the Governor and learned a lot about his personal business including his love life. It was safe to say, the Governor was the typical politician who kept a few side chicks around him. I didn’t judge his love life though. After all, I was there to work and not to meddle in his personal life. The girls came in and out of his office with huge smiles and equally huge hips swinging from left to right. The governor definitely had a type. Whenever one of them showed up, the office would go dead silent then we’d give each other looks and chuckle quietly.
“Sally, cancel all my plans for the rest of the day.”
“Sure thing, sir,” I replied.
After a few minutes, the governor emerged from his office with the beautiful lady in his arm. We watched them walk out of the office then everyone erupted.
“That’s part of politics.” Someone commented and everyone joined in the spirited conversation.
I could care less about their opinions on the governor’s affairs. It was nothing new and most of them would do the same if they were in his position. I picked up my bag and headed towards the door, got in a matatu, and went home.
I changed clothes as soon as I got home and got cosy on the couch then turned on the television. Working at the governor’s office made me hate politics even more but it seemed like I couldn’t avoid it no matter where I was. Maybe it was because we were still in the election season but it seemed like every time I turned on the television, there was a politician on the screen.
However, the show was a bit different this time. The moderator was a young, lady with a soft, high-pitched voice. She was the last person anyone expected to have the guts to have a conversation with politicians. She looked almost the same age as I was. So, naturally, the show piqued my interest.
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“You have a meeting at 2 pm,” I said to the Governor.
“Okay, Sally. Thank you.”
“And your wife called. She asked you to call her back.”
He changed his face as soon as I mentioned his wife. He always did. I never understood why. She was a sweet lady who checked in on her husband. It was hard to find that kind of love these days but the governor seemed to think otherwise. Whenever I mentioned his wife, it was like I was talking about his arch-enemy.
I had met her once before when she came to the office. She spent a good 15 minutes getting to know me and even gave me career advice. Apparently, she was in politics as well but had to step out of the limelight to let her husband join politics. She came off as a loving, caring woman who any man would be lucky to have as a wife.
When the governor found out she was in the office, he went ballistic on her in front of everyone. He reminded her that she was not supposed to come to his office. Having her pop in the office unannounced was bad for him for obvious reasons but he gave her a lame excuse about his “enemies”. She ate up his excuse and stayed away from the office.
You’d think the least he would do is return her calls but he never did. I simply let him know she called as a routine.
“You’ll attend the meeting.” He let me know. I was happy to attend being that it was the first meeting that I got to attend since I started working for him. I soon realized why.
It was a meeting with a media company that wanted to arrange an interview with the governor. One of the producers at the media company attended accompanied by none other than Harriet, the young journalist whose show I stumbled upon the other day. It felt like I had met a celebrity and I was star-struck the entire time. They arranged a date and I scheduled it in his diary.
As they left, the governor requested the young lady to stay behind for a few minutes.
“I have some things to discuss with you.” He said and we took the cue to leave.
I couldn’t hear what they were discussing but she looked very happy and even laughed a couple of times. The governor can be a charming man when he wanted and he must have taken a liking to the young, vivacious lady.
She came out soon after and joined her colleague. That was the last time we interacted until several weeks later when she called me to confirm whether everything was ready for the interview.
“Yes, I sent you the details of the venue and time in your email.”
“Okay. Thank you.” She replied in the familiar, bubbly voice.
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The lady with big hips walked into the office. I hadn’t seen her in a while but I instantly recognized her. She was being trailed by a security guard who tried his best to restrain her. Noticing the commotion, I got up to try and help the young lady.
“It’s okay, Oscar. She’s the Governor’s visitor.”
“Actually, the Governor is the one who told me not to let her come in but she didn’t want to listen to me.”
I tried to act surprised but I wasn’t. This was what he did once he got tired of the lady he was with. Seeing the look of disappointment and shame on the lady, I offered to talk to the Governor and try to change his mind. I welcomed her and she sat at the reception.
After explaining to the Governor that his lady friend was waiting for him, he made it clear that she should never step into the office again.
“Take her out of the office and if she ever comes back I will fire both you and that useless security guard!” he bellowed.
I explained that the Governor was busy and couldn’t see her at the moment. However, she was smart enough to know that he was avoiding her. She stood up as if to leave but turned back to face the Governor’s office.
“You promised that you’d give me a job and now you don’t even pick up my calls.” She yelled. “Your karma is coming!”
That was the last time I ever saw the lady.
Find out what happens next in Love And Politics Don’t Mix Part 2
Check out
The Unexpected Love Of My Life
An Office Affair Landed Me In The Hospital
Picture Perfect Part 1 – The Girl With The World At Her Feet
She Went Back To School To Earn Her Husband’s Respect
