“I will. Thank you for your concern, aunty. I appreciate.”
“It is all right.”
Now, George was a bit relieved from his emotional stress. “If only mom would stop disturbing me with the issue of choosing a wife for me, and allow me to worry about losing Rose, and develop enough love for Sophia, my problem would have been minimal,” he pointed out. Then, he braced up, and began to prepare for the management meeting. When he got stuck, he would call on his father for clarification. Before the meeting, he walked to the General Manager's Office for harmonization of their agenda. However, the GM saw that as a great honor for coming to his office instead of sending for him.
“Thank you, AGMD. I'm honored to have you,” the General Manager appreciated.
“Think nothing about it, GM. I am well guided with your input,” he responded.
When it was time for the management meeting, with the call from his aunt, and the General Manager by his side, he had a successful meeting. His father, who monitored the meeting, was pleased with him. Afterward, he got a call from his father, and he expressed his satisfaction over the success of the meeting.
“Thank you, dad, for the compliment. I will do better than this next time.”
“I like that. Keep it up.”
Before 4 PM, Rose had called on him severally, and sent messages to encourage him on his little beginning, as a transporter. To his disturbance, Sophia had not called. She would never call unless he called on her.
“Hello, George,” she greeted after she picked his call.
“How are you, Sophia?”
“I'm fine, and you?”
“I'm good. What will your evening be like?”
“Nothing much. I will probably go out for swimming.”
“It's okay. I will close late. I will meet you at the club.”
“It is all right. See you then.”
She hung up at once, and he looked at his phone, and mumbled, “Wouldn't she have said, 'I love you' before cutting the call?”
He fought back his tears, and continued with his work.
At the Swimming Pool
After his father's trip, he had parked his bucket of bolts in the garage. His movement did not warrant such a car, so he drove his official car, and moved with his security team. He got to the club with his casual wear and face mask. Then, he sat on one of the chairs, and ordered for a bottle of water, while waiting for Sophia. Soon, she joined him. After the greetings, she stated, “Your mom does not love me. Am I right?”
Now, George tried to change the topic, “I don’t know when the heavy traffic in the Federal Capital Territory will ease off.”
Now, Sophia, who would not be deceived, raised her voice, and demanded, “Don’t try to avoid my question, answer me.”
Now, George was embarrassed. He looked out to see if eyes were on them, before he pleaded, “Kindly bring your voice down. As you can see, we are in public.”
“That does not answer my question,” she thundered. Now, George was uncomfortable. He scratched his head, and asked, “What was the question again?”
“Does your mother approve of our relationship or not?”
“Listen to me, I’m an adult, I am entitled to choose whoever I wish to marry whether my mother loves her or not.”
Now, Sophia calmed down, and asked, “I know, but what’s my offense? Have I done anything to hurt her?”
“Never mind, you know that a mother will always want the best for her son. You will get to understand her better. What is important is, will you marry me?”
Likewise, Sophia grinned from ear to ear and declared, “You already know the answer to that. I will marry you.”
“Thank you. That makes the two of us.”
At the Residential Area
Since the issue of the imposition of a girl on George came up, he had been aloof, and it affected Benson. He missed his cheerfulness and jokes. That Saturday morning, was not different. Mrs. Owens noticed it, and looked at George. She smiled inwardly, before she made clear, “I can’t remember you saying good morning to me this morning, George.”
“Good morning, mommy,” he greeted curtly. Mrs. Owens, scanned him, and pointed out, “That was Rude. Why are you behaving strangely these days? Anyway, I am going to bring the girl I told you about. I will be back in an hour. For your information, she would spend some days with us so that the two of you will …”
She stopped when she noticed that he was absent-minded. “You are not looking at me, George. All the same, see you later. Richard,” she called out.
“Yes, Mrs. Owens.”
“Are you set?”
“Yes, ma'am.”
One Hour Later
After Mrs. Owens left, George resolved to hide in his room. He did not have anywhere to go to that morning; otherwise, he would have left the house. Going to the gym was out of the question because he feared that he may run into Rose.
“If not that I wouldn't want to run into Rose, I would have visited the gym and stayed there until night,” he told himself. Meanwhile, after an hour, he heard the sound of the car, and his heart sank into his stomach. Howbeit, he walked to his window, and stood at a vantage position so that he could see his mother and the guest, and without been seen. He was open-mouthed when he saw a familiar face pushing her suitcase in another direction, and his mother corrected, “This way, please.”
“Okay, mom,” she said, and they walked into the parlor. Then, Mrs. Owen greeted, “Welcome to my humble home.”
“Your home is so beautiful,” Rose remarked.
“Thank you, very much, kindly make yourself comfortable, I will be right back,” she offered, and signalled her to a couch.
“All right, mom.”
Now, Sarah walked to George’s room, and saw him uncomfortable. Then she inquired at once, “Why are you so worked up? Anyway, for your information, she is around.” Subsequently, she turned and left. She walked back to the parlor, and instructed, “Kindly come with me. I would like to show you your room. Like I said. Feel at home. Is that okay?”
“I got you, mom.”
She walked in the front while Rose followed. Soon, they were in a room.
GEORGE’S ROOM
When Benson heard the driver driving in, he got out of his room to give George some solidarity support. He was shocked when he got to his room. Then, he faced George, and stated, “What happened to you, bros? You look like a ghost.”
Benson was right. George almost collapsed when he saw his mother and Rose. She was elegant with her beautiful smile and pushing her trolley bag. The very one he helped her to carry the day, he gave her a ride to the train station. Then, Benson asked further, “Are you disturbed because of that lady that mommy promised to bring?”
At that point, George was battling with the nervous feelings in his stomach, and not interested in his annoying brother's question. To pester his life the more, he declared, “Don't let that bother you, big brother. I have mapped out my way to handle her.”
Now, his declaration caught George's attention, and he glared at him. Nevertheless, Benson misinterpreted the look, and boasted on, “If she comes, I will ensure that I make things difficult for her. I mean that her life would be miserable, and she would go back to where she is coming from”
At that point, the infuriated George stared dagger at him, and he could feel the rage in his heart. To be on a safe side, he asked, “Big Bros, why are you looking at me like that?” In solidarity with him, he raised his game, “Ok if she comes I will blow her, kick her and ensure that she would willingly refuse to marry you. Is that okay with you?”
Now, George felt that it was time to nip his youthful exuberance in the bud, and he flared up, “Refuses to marry me? Now, leave my room,” he ordered. Likewise, the befuddled Benson, who could not think of his offense, asked, “Me?”
At that moment, George may be forced to vent his anger on him, so he commanded, “I say leave my room at once,” and pointed at the door.
Subsequently, Mrs. Owens called out from his room, “Benson.”
Now, Benson cast a questioning look at his frustrated big brother, before he answered, “Yes, mommy.”
“Kindly come.”.