At the dining table, Henry sat at the top while Jerry sat at the end. Jenny sat beside Alexis. Penny and John sat at the other side of the table. But Penny was not seated now. She was serving breakfast. "Good morning uncle," she greeted Jerry with a smile and filled his plate. Jerry smiled and answered her greeting. She moved over to John, "John, have you greeted your father?" She whispered why filling his plate. Reluctantly he greeted Jerry, "good morning." Jerry nodded and said nothing. Penny moved over to her mother's plate, "good morning boss," she greeted and everybody laughed out except John who was feeling uncomfortable. It was a rule never to leave the table until you eat to your fill. "Morning employee," Jenny greeted back and they all smiled. She went over to Alexis plate, "good morning grumpy brother." The whole table erupted into laughter because of the funny face she had made, "here's your food," she told him and Alexis told her thank you. It was a rule that Henry made that he must be the last person to get food, so Penelope filled her plate before putting for her father, "good morning daddy," she greeted and Henry replied and pecked her forehead. She viewed it as a blessing and smiled. They all say to eat. The food was tasty and Jerry kept complimenting Penny. She felt on top of world and kept making funny eyes to her mother. They were all in a good mood to eat and John ate all his food before everyone else but it was his duty to remove everyone's plate after eating. So he sat down and placed his interest on his father. Yes, he carried his father's charming looks but he had his mother's facial features. So he looked like both of them. He was handsome but not as handsome as his elder brother, Alexis. John respected Alexis very much and viewed him as an elder bro and friend. Alexis didn't bother and made him feel belonged.
Soon, everybody finished eating and the table was cleared. Everybody was set to go to their various destinations. Jerry was to follow Henry out to the company then to B city. Penny followed her mother to the company while Alexis took John to his small studio. Alexis was interested in photography. He had no business whatsoever to do with his father's business. He took model pictures for his parents. He was a perfect photographer and people rushed to see him. The family had all planned to make John the youngest CEO of the Just Brand company but he was not aware of it. They viewed him as the perfect candidate but they were waiting for the right time.
...
In the studio, Alexis handed John 5 spoilt cameras to fix. John accepted with a smile and sat to work while Alexis went on arranging and cleaning his studio. The name of his business studio was, "Look Good Photography studio." He was well patronized and taught John how to use the camera. John also liked photography but he viewed it as a hobby. Soon enough, a couple came in with a bag filled with clothes to take pictures. Patty's daughter, Bryn was his make-up artist. She came immediately when the couple's entered. She was dressed in navy blue jean and an orange top. There was a neck bluetooth earphone on her neck and her hair was packed up in a ponytail. Bryn was John's crush but Bryn viewed him more as a brother. She was very beautiful and had curves. She greeted Alexis, "hi big brother Alex," she didn't see John yet.
"Yup, Bryn," he answered, "what's up?"
"I'm fine," she said and hanged her short bag on a nail in the wall. She then saw John who was engrossed in fixing the cameras. She liked John but treated him as a brother. She came close to him and nudged his shoulder while sitting on the bench with him, "hey there brother John," she greeted.
"Hey," John said and smiled when he saw Bryn, "what's up?"
"I'm good," she told him and blushed. John smiled hard.
"Bryn," Alexis called and she left John to attend to him.
The lady wanted make-up for her pre-wedding shoot. Bryn set to work immediately while Alexis called Penelope to come over and help the couple with their wears.
......
In B city, Jerry went round the mall and liked it. He fell in love with it and spoke with the owner of the mall. Henry was also impressed with the designs and they both settled the owner. The mall had various spaces and Henry told Jerry that he was to decide which rooms he will use for each products. The mall had eight open spaces (rooms).
"Thank you," Jerry told Henry and hugged him. Henry hugged him back and they both went home.
........
2 weeks later, Jerry got an apartment in D complex Estate in WB Arena area, B city. It was 20 miles away from the newly formed mall. He arranged his home and pulled out his phone. On seeing the face on his screensaver, Jerry felt sad. He blamed himself. If not for him, Juanita might be alive and also approaching old age. He bit his lips and tried calling Alexis but his phone was switched off. Then he called Patty to come over to B city with her siblings.
.....
It was on a weekend, the 4 siblings went over to B city. Henry had given the 4 of them a pass to go help Jerry fix the mall. Alexis was the driver. John also anticipated secretly to see his father. He had seen how Jenny treated Jerry and felt moved to have a bond with this man who had been absent and had missed his fatherly role.
Bryn had taken permission from Patty and her father and they both approved for her to go over with her siblings. The drive to B city was filled with excitement. Penny and Bryn sat at the back while the two boys sat at the front and took turns driving. They left F city by 4pm and arrived B city by 7. On arrival, Jerry was waiting for them outside his home. They were touched and ran to hug him before removing their things from the car.
Jerry made dinner for them and they all ate to their heart content. John thanked him sincerely and Jerry felt warm. They all went to bed by 9pm as they were exhausted.