Chapter Twenty Two
Dad, you can't believe this.
In Nigeria 2 pm, Canada 9 am. At the International Vice Chairman's Office.
Ken was through with his habitual midday call with his wife and decided to give Mr. Morris a call. After his discussion with him in the middle of the night, he felt he may be distressed and decided to chat him up, knowing that he should be up from sleep by now. When their calls connected, he was surprised to hear the cheerful voice of his father.
"Hello, son."
The surprised ken paused and looked at his phone to be sure that he did not dial a wrong number. He responded anyway.
"Hi father. Good to hear from you. I hope you slept well?"
"Yeah. And you?"
"Fine. What about Jeff and Leon?"
"They have gone to school. We left home together."
"Oh! Are you in the office?"
"Yes. I'm in the office. How is Dora?"
"That silly girl?"
Mr. Morris laughed before he reprimanded.
"Don't address my daughter-in-law like that, please. By the way, what did she do wrong?"
"You can't believe that she was eavesdropping on us when we were discussing last night. She thought I was speaking with another woman."
Ken's statement sparked a guffaw over the phone. Later, Mr. Morris put himself together and remarked.
"That is good. She wanted to protect what was hers."
"Yes, but that was just a joke anyway. She only came to check on me when she noticed I was not in the room."
"It is all right. How is Jewel settling down in France?"
"She is fine. All right, father, I have to get back to work. See you."
"Okay. Thanks for calling. Later."
Ken was pleased. He carefully avoided the love matter.
At Mr. Morris Office.
He looked at his phone and smiled as he admired his screensaver, which was the picture of his family members that they took during Ken's wedding anniversary, and muttered.
"It's wonderful to have someone who cares."
He took a deep breath and went for his Organic Tea that he takes religiously since Jeff brought it to the house. Then he settled down on the couch where he relaxed and had his tea. In his imagination, he smiled and said to himself.
"Soon, I will have someone that would eavesdrop on me."
Two months later.
The thought of getting someone to love and be loved occupied him. When he had the opportunity to be alone, he would read books on love, marriage, family, and sex. He also read a book on parenting and felt he can write one.
He began writing a book on parenting, which he titled. THE GRANDFATHERS' WORLD. This kept him occupied and reduced the frequency at which he monitored his family.
The Organic Tea was almost exhausted due to the rate at which he took it, Mr. Robert the chef alerted him a few days ahead of exhaustion after he served him.
"Mr. Morris, the Tea would be exhausted in a couple of days."
He pointed out.
"It is alright. Thank you for informing me. I will inform Jeffrey."
Jeff had been busy with his academic work and the Island development project. When the results for the Mini Project were released, he got the highest mark of 40 over 40 while the other student scored 30 or 35. He scored the highest mark because he was the only student who carried out his research on two companies
Nevertheless, he had carefully avoided Madam Sica Ray. He would call her to say hello rather than waiting for her to do that lest she would ask him to come over. She was pleased with it, at least he was keeping in touch as he promised. It was during one of the calls that he informed her of his Mini Project result.
"Oh! That is a piece of good news. I'm happy that we are part of your success story."
"I'm deeply grateful for all your support."
"You are welcome."
"All right Madam. Bye."
"Bye."
Now, the Organic Tea that his grandfather loved so much was exhausted, there was the need for him to get more. As far as he was concerned, he would only pick them from the shelf and leave. On that day, he drove to the Endless Love Arcadia for the Organic Tea. As usual, he met the front desk officer.
"Hello Ma'am. Good to see you."
The front desk officer smiled lavishly and responded.
"Young Master, good to see you. How may I help you?"
"Thank you. I wish to buy the Organic Tea. I need ten cartons."
The astonished staff looked at him and excused herself.
"A moment please."
She walked away and came back with the Operation Manager.
"Young Master, good to see you. Madam had been waiting for you since you got into the premises. Come with me, please."
'Oh! My God.'
The distraught Jeff muttered under his breath. The Operations Manager did not give him the opportunity to protest, neither was he sure if he would have protested anyway. He followed him imperatively and attempted to cheer up. When they got to Madam Sica Ray's office, he felt at home because she seemed not to know that he did not come for her. But he was wrong.
"Hello Jeff, you wanted to sneak in and sneak out. You were afraid that I'm going to finish up your name. Is it fair?"
Jeff decided to help himself by being on the defense side.
"Can I seat, please?"
"Oh sorry, Jeff. Please sit down, Jeff."
Jeff looked at the Operations Manager, who was already seated on the couch, and they chuckled. Madam Sica Ray noticed it and chuckled too before she asked.
"Hope I have not started over using your name again. Pardon my manners. If you are not rushing, I will tell you the story behind the name."
Jeff, who wished to leave in the next five minutes, declined.
"Sorry Madam, I actually needed to get the Organic Tea and get back to school. I have a lecture by four o'clock."
"I know, but you cannot get it off the counter. It is for our registered clients. Manager, take ten cartons as he requested to his car and come back."