Denise laughed softly as they entwined their index fingers, a symbol of a pinky promise. Then, Olivia walked to his couch and sat beside him, feeling uneasy. The nightmare she went through by sleeping with a man before their marriage was still fresh in her memory. Denise looked at her and asked.
“What are your plans for our honey moon? Where and how long?”
She smiled and said.
“Let it come as a wedding surprise from you. Any plan you make will be all right by me.”
“Wow! You are putting me on the spot.”
Olivia smiled and remarked.
“I trust your judgment. I know you can come up with something nice.”
Now, she saw some semblance between him and Louis for the first time and considered it as an act of God. Then, she crawled to his side of the couch and rested her head on his thighs before he looked up to his face. Denise looked into her eyes and announced.
“I'm planning sixty days of honeymoon. Can you withstand it?”
She sat up and cupped his face with her hands before she gave him a passionate kiss and assured him.
“Yes. With your love, I can withstand it.”
However, they knew that they had to stop. Denise stopped her from kissing him further and explained.
“I intend to make our first night an extraordinary one. Let us take it easy. Okay?”
She nodded and stood up, Denise stood up too and picked the garment bag while Olivia picked the shoe bags and followed him. He turned before he got to the door and gave her a parting kiss.
“I love you.”
“I love you the more.”
At The Suite in Cairo, Egypt.
After the team members took their seats, Louis took his seat too.
“Eric, lead us in the Grace before the meal.”
Louis ordered. The team members bent their heads, including him, and Eric led them in the Grace. At the end, they chorused
“Amen.”
They ate their food joyously while discussing the day's event. He noticed that he was happy being in the midst of them as a team member rather than as the boss. He watched them chat freely with him and among themselves. After the meal, they got off the table and took their seats on the couches. Mr. Bailey did the same. Then, Eric broached the subject diplomatically.
“The boss, we appreciate the treat. But we have something bothering us, and we wish you can come to our rescue.”
The other team members gave Eric a quizzical look before resting their eyes on the boss.
Louis was taken aback.
'Could the dinner be a front to ask him for a favor? That's too bad.'
He thought. But he obliged without any expression on his face.
“What is that thing that is troubling you, and how may we help you?”
Eric hit the hammer on the nail and let out immediately.
“We noticed that you are dispirited since we arrived.”
Another male staff member complimented Eric.
“Yes, boss. We feel we should find out if there is any way we can be of assistance.”
Mr. Bailey smiled and explained.
“I'm sorry if I caused you worries by been withdrawn. Thank you for your concern. I'm elated to have you as my staff members.”
“You are welcome, boss.”
They muttered with gloomy faces while the boss continued, “As for being troubled, there is no point hiding that fact from you, since you have noticed. Yes, I'm troubled, but there is nothing any of you can do to be of assistance. I promise, the matter would be resolved on its own soon.”
“It is all right, boss. I'm glad to know that you can handle the situation.”
“Yes, I can. All I need from you is to ensure that you cover my back at work. Don't allow my absence to affect our work.”
“We will do our best, Boss. We will also remember you in our secret prayers.”
“Thank you so much.”
“We will be on our way, boss.”
“It is OK. Thank you so much for your concern.”
They left the suite and Louis called the room service to come and clear the parlor. Afterward, he sat back to watch the television and avoided going to bed. He discovered that he had emaciated so much and had been making the people around him sad.
'What will be, will be. One day, Olivia will come back to me with our baby.'
He concluded and began to check on the kind of gaming facilities in the hotel that he can engage himself in to keep his head afloat. He had been an indoor man all his life, today, he had to find a hobby that would make him happy. Likewise, he dressed up and walked around the hotel. To his excitement, there were many activities going and everyone seemed to be happy. He gave Eric a call.
“Hello boss. Is there anything you want me to do for you?”
“Eric, nothing for now. I just want to inform you that I am at the Gaming Center of the hotel. Inform the other team members. You can join me if you wish.”
“That is good. We are joining you.”
After a few minutes, the team members joined him, and they walked around to discover the kind of games that they could fit in. Now, they got to the football court and discovered that there was a match going on, and the players were also visitors who came for the exhibition like them too. And some faces were familiar. They had met them at the Exhibition Arena.
“Wow! We have been missing. We can come here after the exhibition each day.”
Mr. Louis, informed.
“Yes, boss.”
They made inquiries on how to participate, and they got the information that they needed. The next day, Louis asked them to order for the sports kits they required, and he paid. After the day's work, they joined others at the Gaming Center and had a good time. They had dinner together before he retired to his suite, delighted. Afterward, he spoke with his family members while Tony and Fred, his domestic staff members, called to check on him.
“Hello, Fred, good to hear from you.”
“Wow!”
Fred exclaimed. Mr. Louis, who was surprised with such exclamation and familiarity, asked.
“What happened, Fred?”
“I am so happy to hear from you. You sound thrilled.”
Louis was rendered speechless.
'So I have rubbed my problem on many people.'
He thought. All the same, he encouraged Fred.
“Yes, I am happy once again. Thank you for your concern.”
“You are welcome, boss. We just called to hear from you. Bye for now.”
“That is nice of you. Later.”
The next day, he got to the Exhibition Arena full of hope. He had never been involved in the exhibition for the past few days that they had been there and was not familiar with many things. He adjusted and covered many business deals which the staff members were unable to cover since they arrived.