His mind could not rest as he drove home that evening, the road that was so busy when he drove for work that morning has become so quiet with few cars on it, probably those who were still at their days job either expiring the beautiful cold evening.
He imagined himself with Emily and little Aimee together. This time he smiled like a groom who is about to take his bride. He really didn't know what to do especially with the case at hand, he would not want Emily to know the situation at work but still yet his face could barely hide his thoughts.
He had gone to the bank to seek for loans, the winery has been going through some tough time in finance for some weeks now he has been secretly thinking of how to manage the situation without Emily but it was so hard for him.
He had never hid anything from Emily especially when it concerned the wine business, her ideas were so helpful in the past but he would not want to bother her this time as it may burden her, but yet he needed counsel and only Emily would be best at that, he reasoned. Still lost in his thought he drove like one who was under an influence of alcohol almost hitting a young man crossing the lonely road
"So sorry" he replied after pressing on his brakes as hard as he could.
"Watch it man" the young man barked. He looked like a man in his early 40, tall with brown skin, one may even think he is African. He worn a brown skin leather material jacket, walking so quietly and lonely, he appeared as one who had just lost a close relative. Walking down the road as he did, one would suggest he was on a stroll.
"I'm very sorry sir" Frederick tried to apologize as he waved to the man.
"No problem, just look at the front when you drive" the man cautioned. Back on the lonely road he still couldn't get his mind off the winery, finally he resolved to tell Emily about it.
"Daddy, daddy," Aimee, who was playing at the front yard ran towards her dad who was about stepping out of his car.
"Aimee..." Frederick tried to say bending low to grab a warm embrace from his precious daughter.
"And how is my Angel doing?" He held her trying to force a laughter out from her and Aimee who was now laughing out so loud could not help telling how she was. Emily came out from her room, she was wearing a white T shirt on a blue jeans, that was the Jeans Freddie had selected for her on her birthday.
"How was your day darling?" Emily asked.
"All great, I'm glad I'm home" Frederick responded. He was looking all stressed out like one who has not gotten enough sleep in days, She sensed all was not alright but couldn't pin point what exactly it was or could it be the vacation? She tried to reason out but concluded on discussing with him after lunch.
Earlier on that day, Frederick had gone to meet with his friends concerning his winery bankruptcy, he was so desperate as to finding a solution. They had suggested many ways for him but no one was willing to loan him any amount to clear off his bills, what he never understood was how it all happened. His secretary had called him two month back of the drop in their sales and the rising competition in the market but he never thought it was as serious as she had claimed, now he is faced with so much to settle. He can't afford the thought of selling his company but he really must find a way if he must not. He made a call to Sam Taylor his business associate who had travelled to the States for a business meeting hoping he might receive a positive response.
"Hello, is this Sam?" He asked as the call was picked.
"Yes, Freddie! Freddie! It's been a while" Sam responded in his usual style, sipping from a cup of coffee. His voice could tell he was having a whole lot of fun in the states. If he had an option, he would for certain choose the states over England, to him business strive more perfectly there than home.
"I can tell you are having a great time in the States" Frederick said trying to tess his friend.
"You can say that again Freddie, I'm having so much fun here that I doubt if I will travel back to England" he said smiling.
"I do hope you are not serious Sam?" Frederick said but this time he was not to sure if the question came out correctly.
"Of course I am" Sam replied almost immediately. For some seconds there was silence as Frederick was not too sure on how to present the subject for calling, until Sam who noticed there was problem finally broke the silence.
"Freddie, I just know you won't call me if there was no fire burning in the bush, so tell me what is the problem?" Sam spoke out, Frederick was not sure what to say. He had asked for help from his other friends but to no avail, he just hoped this one turns out pretty well.
"Yes you know me well my friend, the truth is I called to ask for your help" Fredrick finally spilled out.
"My help! I will be glad to help if I can. So tell me what troubles my friend Freddie?" Sam Taylor queried.
"My winery has gone bankrupt and my business needs a whole lot of funding to fuel it back, I have applied for loans but no one seems to be helping out" Fredrick lamented almost like a woman whose husband divorced her.
"Wow how bad is it?" Sam asked.
"Very bad" he responded.
"Is Emily aware of it?" Sam asked.
"No, I have not been able to get myself to tell her" Frederick defended.
"You should Freddie, not withstanding, I will get back to you when I travel back home" Sam had told him before ending the call, he just so wished that a miracle could happen. He had heard of miracles, he listened to many testimonies on Sunday services at church, if only one could decide to work for him. Nevertheless he needed to tell Emily about it.
Later on that evening after lunch, Emily and Frederick were seen in their bedroom. Emily was sitting at the edge of their bed with her eyes running to and from the room as if she was expecting something to come out from nowhere. Frederick on the other hand had been working on his laptop pressing buttons right and left sides but deep down within him, he was seeking for a right moment to open up to his wife. The silence finally broke when Emily spoke out.
"Freddie, why do I have this feeling that you are hiding something from me" She said, he had no option but to spill out what he had been hiding inside for some time now.
"Dear, I'm really sorry for keeping everything from you, if only I had known of a better way out" Frederick tried to put forward.
"So tell me, what exactly is wrong?"
"Dear, the business has gone bankrupt and I don't really know what to do" Frederick complained. "How bad is it?" Emily tried to understand.
"So bad dear, that it will only take a miracle to get things back to it normal state"
"OH!" Emily exclaimed, she really couldn't understand why he never told her about it before it got out of hands, what was going to be their fate now, she just couldn't stop asking how it all happened. She stands up from the bed where she had sat and made a move towards Frederick, she could tell he had been struggling all alone so to comfort him was the least she could do. "Don't worry we will get through this together as we have always" she comforted him as she held his hands so tight. He felt more alive now at least the cat has been belled.
Emily had gone to see Aimee in her room, the little girl have been so excited since her dad had announced the vacation, she really can't wait, what she never understood was why her dad told her not to tell Clive or even Marie about it.
"Anyways dad was always right" she consoled herself.
"Time to sleep" Emily announced, Aimee rushed into her bed as her mum switched off the light.
"Goodnight sweetheart."
"Goodnight mum" she replied with her eyes closed.
Few days later, prior to Frederick's call across Sam Taylor, his business associate, he was seen sitting in a bar with his single friend. They were both laughing and gisting like friends who had longed seen each other. Of course it's been ages they last sat down to chat, so it was an opportunity to catch up for the lost days.
"So when are we coming for your wedding?" Frederick asked Sam in a more joking note just to get at Sam, he finds it hard to believe why on earth his friend, even though he was well to do, handsome and loving, I mean he has everything a natural lady would desire or ask for is yet to commit to the marital bliss.
Everytime they meet they would also joke over it. Sam on the other end didn't understand what commitment was as he finds it so hard to imagine a person committing to a single person all through one's life that was boring to him, being so single gave him the free license to date as many ladies as he wished, probably one day he might find reasons to find a wife.
"Freddie, don't worry when I'm old enough I will get a wife and a lovely one at that" Sam said even though he never meant his words he was seeking a means to pace his friend curiosity.
"Okay, if you say so who am I to question your move just be fast with the process I can be among the men in suit at least before my hairs start changing its colouration" Frederick put forward.
"So, Freddie back to business, let's talk on the main issue on ground."
"Yes Sam I think we should" Frederick replied almost cutting his words.
"Before your call came in, while I was at the States in American, a friend of mine, Mr Charles contracted me with a contract to supply him wine and you know what Freddie?" with out waiting for a response he continued "It's a life changing Win, I accepted of course who wouldn't? But you see Freddie you are more like a brother to me and I thought it not robbery to sign you in instead" Sam narrated.
"What!" Frederick who is still shocked on what his ears just heard exclaimed.
"You heard right my friend, your ears are functioning optimally, I mean what are friends for but to help each other in time of need, I know very well that if I were in your shoes you would definitely do same for me." Frederick was only listening as Sam spoke, he really could not believe what his ears just heard. Just like that, was the term in his mind, he never thought his life would take a drastic turn as fast as this. Indeed miracles still happened.
"Sam, what more can I say I'm really confused here, I mean just like that you are handing over your contract to me, this is tons of money man" Frederick said looking as someone who had just seen a ghost. He knows Sam to be a nice guy and friend even though he has refused to marry for God knows why but he never for once thought anyone could do something like this for him.
"Thanks man, you are a life saver and a brother you know" Frederick offered his right hand towards Sam for a hand shake, they shook hands together and resumed their discussion.