The Joseph's private plane landed in the BESMA Group private airstrip by ten in the morning and Brandon came out first, followed by Natasha, who had been tense the whole flight, then Watson came out last. At the strip, they were greeted by Jacob, who had flown in the day before to make arrangements for the visit. "Ms. Claire," Brandon said looking at Natasha as soon as they stopped by where Jacob was standing. "I trust you know top lawyer Mr. Jacob Henry. He is also the BESMA Group lawyer." As Jacob and Natasha shook hands, Brandon looked at Natasha and smiled pleasantly. "Jacob, Ms. Natasha Claire, my General Manager, BESMA." Everyone looked at him, shocked at the use of the word "my", but he maintained his look on Natasha, who smiled awkwardly. Watson looked at Jacob then raised his eyebrows at him.
"Nice to meet you, again, Ms. Claire." Jacob said, smiling at Natasha. Brandon looked at him dangerously and Jacob immediately let go of Natasha's hand and stopped smiling. "Shall we go and see the firm?" He added with his voice slightly shaking. "I shall travel in this car with you as Watson travels in the other one with Ms. Claire." Jacob said to Brandon, intentionally poking him. He then quickly avoided his eyes as he knew the threat he would see through them. Watson slightly chuckled then disguised it with a cough as soon as he saw Brandon turn sharply to look at him. Natasha smiled sweetly. That was good news to her and she immediately went in to the range rover that was supposed to ferry her and sat at the back seat. Watson rushed to get in to the same car before Brandon could threaten him. Brandon could feel a pinch in his heart. He got in to the other range rover with Jacob and they left the airstrip. "So beautiful." She constantly kept half saying to herself. The journey to the piece of land took almost another hour but the view was beautiful. The city was all green full of various crops all round. Acres and acres of green field. It reminded Natasha of her journey home. The bus would pass through a particular town so green that it was named 'Green Town.' The view was especially spectacular as the green plants kissed the rainy season. It never failed to take her breath away. Watson watched Natasha smile at the site of the town. He smiled.
"Ms. Claire," Watson softly called out to her. Natasha smiled and looked at her suggestively. "Natasha," He corrected himself. "The boss, do you like him?" Natasha almost chocked at the direct question. She looked at him, eyes wide alert. "Because if you do, know that he is a work in progress. He is annoying, cold and full of threats, normally. But you melt the ice barrier. He likes you. And I have been his friend for way too long to know how deep this is and how different it is from the previous one. You hold more power than you think. Don't misuse it, please."
In the car before them, the situation was bizarre. One man was furiously looking out of the window and at the car behind them via the rear mirror and the other tried to hide his laughter with the documents he was pretending to skim through.
"Boss Bran, what seems to be the matter?" Jacob asked the angry man next to him. Brandon knew he was poking him. Brandon took out his phone and dialed a number. He held it to his phone and smiled at Jacob.
"Good morning Mrs. Henry. How are you today?" He asked. Jacob looked at him in surprise. "I am fine too thank you. Is Mr. Henry well? Is he there with you?" He continued. Jacob panicked.
"Come on Brandon, you can't do that to me! I am your good friend. I am sorry!" Jacob whispered trying to get the phone from Brandon.
"I am fine too. So is Jacob, in fact, I have some news about him..." Brandon continued putting his right elbow between him and Jacob who was constantly trying to grab his cellphone.
"Please Brandon. Please don't. I'll… I'll put you in the same table with her during our mid-year business party today night!" Jacob begged, trying to compromise.
"Yes…I am afraid it is quite some news…" Brandon continued, ignoring his begging friend.
"Okay…okay. I shall ensure you stay together throughout the whole trip. From the car to the party. Even to the hotel!" He snapped. Brandon looked at him then smiled.
"Your son did a good job in getting me some land I wanted to build my branch in DD City. For that reason, I shall ensure that Henry family has a share in the BESMA Group." Brandon said smiling. "Yes, it is good news. I have to go now. Please take care, Auntie, Uncle. Good bye." He hang up and continued to look outside, completely ignoring his best friend's angry eyes. "Oh come down Jacob, is that not good news?" He said smiling.
"You…. you… Mr. Brandon Joseph… You!" Jacob stuttered unable to complete his sentence. After a minute of silence, Jacob looked at Brandon. "Have you told her?"
"There is nothing to tell." Brandon answered dismissively, still looking out of the window.
"Oh my dear friend. We both know that lie won't hold." Jacob added as the journey came to a stop.
The two cars were parked at the entrance to a very large field. When they got out of the car, there were already two more cars waiting for them. Natasha stepped out and followed Watson, who was following Jacob and Brandon to meet the other people already gathered at a short distance from where the cars were parked. As Natasha approached them, she noticed an elderly couple and two men stood out. All the others were guards, about ten.
"I see you actually made it. We were beginning to think otherwise!" One of the two men, dressed in a white cotton shirt and trouser said them as they got closer. He had his shirt folded up to the elbows exposing the veins running through his dark chocolate hands. The other man, who was dressed in a brown trouser and white shirt simply seemed to chuckle and took off his shades. The elderly couple were holding each other's hands and the man was leaning on a walking stick with the other free hand. The closer they got, the more nervous Natasha felt.
"Ms. Claire, may I introduce you to Engineer Fred Thomas and Architect Edward Paul, who are here to suggest structural plans for the new BESMA building here. Friends, Ms. Natasha Claire, the new General Manager of BESMA Group." Jacob introduced the people warmly. Natasha smiled at them and put out a noble nod and she looked at Watson who whispered: "I know. I was disappointed too." As he bent down pretending to be checking out his shoes. "Dear all, please meet Mr. and Mrs. Zachary and Veronica James. The nice couple who sold to us their ten acres of land." Jacob continued as all others listened attentively. "Mr. and Mrs. James, our CEO, Mr. Brandon Joseph." He said and gave the old and new tenants of the land to get acquainted. All that time, Fred and Edward looked at Natasha. As Brandon went on, distracted with the old couple, they went over to say hello.
"Paul…" Edward started, smiling oddly then turned over to look at Natasha, "Ms. Claire, it is so nice to meet you." The three shook hands.
"Yes, so very lovely to meet you." Fred added as she shook Natasha's hands.
"Paul the second…" Watson called out to Edward in the same tone. "Fred."
"Is there something I am missing between these two?" Natasha asked Fred almost whispering.
"No. They are always like that. They have never been happy of the fact that they shared a name. But don't take them seriously, they are good friends. Very good friends." Fred replied and looked at the two men next to them. Natasha let out a light laughter and shook her head. 'Men and their egos!' She thought.
The meeting went on with Fred and Edward showing their plans to Brandon and Natasha after the couple were taken home by two of the guards. Natasha was impressed by the architectural plans that Edward presented before them. Jacob chipped in once in a while to help confirm laws and guidelines of the state under which their company fell under. Natasha observed the four men and admired their work. They seemed to be very good friends too. They walked around as Fred showed how and Edward showed where the new building would be set up.
"This is an enormous piece of land!" Natasha exclaimed to Jacob once they fell behind of the energetic men walking before them. "Did the couple have any left?"
"We had been trying to get this land for a year now. The couple seemed to have been approached by one of our rival firms and they may have come to an understanding." Jacob told her.
"And how did you get past that?" Natasha enquired.
"Because we had the best lawyer." Watson came from behind them and interrupted. Jacob just looked at him and smile.
"Yes. But then, we also have the best CEO. Very smart guy that one." Jacob said as the three of them looked at the man in front of them walking, his hands thrust deep in to his pockets, listening attentively to his engineer and architect. It was a little past four when the tour was finished and all plans laid before Brandon.
"So constructions start next week." He said as he put on his shades and began to walk back to where the cars were parked.
"Is that a question?" Natasha asked the other men standing behind her, confused.
"No. It is the big boss stating a fact." Edward replied, smiling. He loved looking at her in that dress.
"Are we ready for that?" Natasha suddenly turned around and met with Edward's lustful eyes. She rolled her eyes at him and looked at Fred shaking her head. Edward sighed and walked past her. Her back was still turned to the cars that she did not know which car Brandon had gotten in. Jacob and Watson looked at each other and smiled. Natasha thought they were smiling at her question. She rolled her eyes again and shook her head, turned around and walked straight to the same car she came in.