"What's with that smirk on your face? You are not going to plan a deadly thing, are you?" Maxwell couldn't help but ask, squinting at him. Oliver looked way too excited about this surprise now and it started to creep him out.
"Oh come on, it's going to be fun. I have a perfect idea." Oliver winked at him and they came out with a perfect plan to surprise Maxwell's parents.
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Mr. Holmes was seated at the balcony overlooking the backyard, from where you could see the swimming pool, the mini basketball court, the swing, the flower garden that the cleaner volunteeredly made with the help of the other workers, and a mini bamboo groove. The afternoon sky was very bright and fair, and the cool breeze and sweet scent from the flowers warmed his old, calm soul.
He adjusted his glasses as he read something on his tablet with a solemn expression on his face. He was going through the program outline for his upcoming grand opening of one branch of his company in that city, which would be given to his son, Maxwell, to be in charge as president. Too bad, he wasn't around and it couldn't wait since the business in that company should be in full swing before he comes around to take over.
As the chairman, he had to make sure everything was in order, so he asked his secretary to send him the program outline for review. After some time, there was a small frown on his face and he took out his phone and placed a call to someone.
"Hello, dad?"
"Hello, Oliver, good morning son. How are you?"
"I'm doing well dad, how's your health too?"
"Mmm...I've been good. You just don't check on this old man. You're becoming stubborn by the day." Mr. Holmes said grudgingly, his eyes never leaving the tablet.
"Haha...that's not true dad. I called you three days ago. Have you forgotten?" Oliver said as he laughed at this old man. He tends to be petty when it comes to him being taken care of. And he would never let an opportunity like this slide. So Oliver knew he had deliberately tried not to recall him calling to check up.
"You did? Oh, well you should have called yesterday."
"I'm sorry, dad." Oliver said with a tint of laughter. He had to cut this old man short with an apology. Else he would never stop ranting. "I'll remember to call you every day. I hope you won't come again telling me to stop bothering you once I start."
This man had become Oliver's second dad, aside his own dad, Mr. Wright. Both men were best friends, it came as no surprise that their sons became best friends too.
"Alright, enough talking. I have more important issues at hand." He said as he scrolled up on the program outline and paused at a point. "What happened to the guest speaker? I asked my secretary why there's a blank space and he told me you made plans for a guest speaker. Why is his name not up?"
"Yes, dad, about that. He will be confirming tonight. But I can give you my word that he's going to accept our invitation." Oliver explained. "And I'll be mastering the ceremony so no need to worry about that as well if you were going to ask that too." He quickly added. He was good in public speaking, one of the best radio presenters in the country with a great sense of humour, and so was best known for his great ability in being the master of ceremony for most occasions in their country.
"Alright, good." He nodded satisfactorily, and asked, "But who is this guest speaker? Do I perhaps know this person?"
"I'll let you know once it's settled, dad." Oliver said. "How's mum? It's been a while since I heard from her." He stealthily changed the topic.
"She's doing well. I'm sure she misses you. Do pass by one day for lunch or dinner."
"I miss her too. Please extend my greetings to her and let her know I'll be coming over for dinner very soon." Oliver replied excitedly over the phone. "Bye for now, dad."
"Sure." Mr. Holmes said and ended the call. He went through the outline for one last time and closed the tablet. He stood up and made his way towards the living room just in time to see a maid serving his wife some juice.
"Honey, join me here," Edith said to her husband as she gestured for him to sit beside her. "I'll let them get you some juice." And she informed the maid.
"Honey, have you heard from Maxwell today?" Edith asked her husband with a worried countenance. "I've been trying to reach him today but it's not going through."
"He called yesterday and he was fine. You don't have to worry. He's alright." He said as he accepted the juice from the maid and took a sip.
"He called you? And what about me??" She asked in an accusing tone. That boy got the nerve to call his dad and not her when she was dead worried about him? He was so going to get it from her! Hmph!!!
"Relax, my dear. He had a lot on his hand. He told me he'd call you and that he was on his way to a different city for an important event." Robert Holmes tried to coax his wife.
She dotted on their son so much because he had most of her features. Maxwell was literally a mom's boy when he was young. And Edith still took care of her son like he was still his baby boy back then, which sometimes made Maxwell uncomfortable, but there was nothing he could do since this woman wouldn't stop.
"Let me call him so you can talk with him." Robert took his phone and dialed Maxwell's number, but the call got disconnected. "See, his number is not reachable now. Maybe he left for the event he talked about." Robert draped his hand over his wife's shoulder and coaxed her.
"I am so going to spank him when I get him. Why would he call you first?" Edith was acting like a spoiled big baby. Robert couldn't help but chuckle. She looked like she was about to cry and that was very amusing.
"That's not funny." Edith glared at her husband and nudged his side with her elbow. Robert laughed and caught her hand. They sat there and watched TV for sometime before going for lunch.
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After Miriam had gone to see her dad, she had dinner with them and spent some time with them before returning to her apartment with Janet in the university. She had forgotten to call Janet to tell her she had gone home to check on her dad. It was when Janet called her when she was on her way back to their appartment that she remembered. Miriam pinched the space between her brows and shut her eyes before picking up, preparing herself mentally for some rants from Janet. As soon as the call got connected, Janet's irritated yet concerned voice came out.
"Which part of 'I will be back right after returning the book' don't you understand, Miriam Hammond?" She knew she was irritated when she mentioned her full name. Usually she would call her Mimie.
"I'm so sorry, Jane, it was so unexpected that I forgot to call you..."
"What was unexpected, huh? The new book was unexpected? You could have just told me the truth when we were parting ways. As a matter of fact I know you too well to just return a book and come back home. You know..." and Janet kept ranting non-stop. And Miriam knew she deserved it. She had told Janet that she would come right home after returning the book at the library. She should have called her when something came up.
"Calm down, Jane. I got a call from home that dad was sick. The way mom said it, I just had to rush home to check on him so I couldn't..."
"What? Dad? How is he? Oh my God is he okay? Wait, so you're home now?" Janet threw a barrage of questions at her. Miriam massaged her temple and answered.
"You really should ask the questions one after the other, Jane. Dad is doing well now. And I'm on my way back."
"Oh God, I hope it's nothing serious." Janet's mood had a 180degree turn. Her voice was now lower than before. "You should have called me. I would have gone with you."
"I'm sorry, babe. Don't worry. I'll make it up to you. I'll make you something special tonight." Miriam said, wriggling her brows as if she could see her.
"Whatever...just hurry and get your stubborn ass here right now. I'm bored to death."
"Yes, ma'am." Miriam said and they both laughed before the call ended.