Cecilia Udom drove into the Lewins estate. She nodded to the song blaring from her car speaker as she navigated her way to the ever beautiful and well kept home of Bennet Lewin. Once she drove into the parking lot, she came down and was met by the housekeeper, who led her to the rooftop where Bennet sat, waiting for her.
"Good afternoon Mr. Lewin." She greeted as she cleared the last stairs, increasing her stride, she walked up to her Boss.
Bennet Lewin turned back and saw her walking towards him. He nodded and continued examining the newspaper with him, his legs crossed, showing off the rim of his well tailored suit. He leaned into the wooven cane arm chair, releasing his weight on the sturdy furniture.
"Good afternoon Cecilia. How are you?" He greeted.
Cecilia, now in front of her boss smiled heartily. "I'm very fine sir." She replied.
"Please sit." He said pointing at the twin wooven arm chair opposite him. She sat down, placing her thigh together. Her blue pant suit giving her the serious and dedicated worker look, and she placed the four black files she had with her on the table between them. "What can we offer you Cecilia." He asked.
"Oh no, I'm fine Sir. Thank you so much." She replied. With her answer, the housekeeper bowed and left the roof top.
Bennet took a sip from his glass of fruit juice, before lifting up his head to face her. "It's been a while. How is my company holding up?"
"Very well sir." She replied. "We've been having lots of art lovers visit the gallery."
"And sales?"
"Sales have been good sir." She replied. "Like I told Mr. Hank, we went ahead with the campaign for couples that love arts...."
"You went ahead?" Bennet cut in.
"You gave the approval sir. We got an approval from Mr. Hank. So we went ahead with the campaign." She corrected herself immediately.
"And?"
"We recorded about 40% increase in revenue and 25% increase in sales." She told him.
"And the sale of big tickets?"
"Big tickets are still selling out sir. They are sold by the thorough vetting procedure."
Bennet nodded. It was high time he resumed work at his main company. He has mourned his wife for almost two years, avoiding the world, shutting himself away from all the drama and chaos. But he believed the time was right to get out there and get more work done. And to do that, he started by reaching out to the managers of his small firms and having sit-in conversations with them. "Were you able to find people good enough to handle our marketing section efficiently?"
Ceci paused for a moment, we did an interview nine days ago sir." She started.
"Go ahead Cecilia, I want to hear it."
"Okay, the world today seem to have shifted a bit. The society has navigated towards the digital sphere. Everything can now be done and achieved on social media. So, I thought the post should be given to someone smart, well-calculated, dedicated and also social media savvy. After the interview, I picked out four people that might be good for the post. I have their files right here, with me, I figured you might want to take a look." She said.
"Might be good for the job, you say. If you are not so sure of your top choices, why bring them to me. You did the interview, so you should know. Now, are these people good for the post?" Bennet asked, staring at her.
Cecilia nodded. "Yes sir, they are capable. I've analysed their thought process and relatable traits and also did some background check on each of them. They are clean and reliable sir. But we need just two."
Bennet dropped his newspaper on the table. He stretched out his hands and she handed the files to him. He opened the first one, taking in the aspirants facial appearance via his passport. He flipped through his file, taking time to note the important details. He closed back the file and dropped it on the other side of the table. Picking up the second one, he went through it and dropped it as well, same with the third one. Getting to the last one, he scanned through the file carefully and after a while, he looked up at Cecilia. "She has a child?"
She nodded.
"And a husband?"
"No sir. She's a single mother. But she assured me that her daughter wouldn't be a problem. She have people at home that can care for her while she work."
"A daughter..... If it won't affect her in any way at work, then give her the post. She is quite qualified for it, and it seems like she need it more than the others. She has a daughter to cater for." He said, handing the folder to Cecilia.
"What about the second person sir?"
"You can choose from the lot. I don't find any of them interesting." He replied.
They were immediately interrupted by the housekeeper and Isabella, Bennet's daughter. The little girl literally ran up the stairs to the rooftop throwing tantrums. "I want to go to the park Dad." Isabella said to her father.
"Good afternoon Isabella." Bennet greeted her cheerfully.
Little Isabella sighed. "Good afternoon Daddy." She said regrettably.
"Hello Isabella." Cecilia waved at her with a heart melting smile that unfortunately had no effect on the little one.
"And who might you be?" Isabella said to her.
"Oh, I... I work for your Dad." Ceci replied in the sweetest voice she could put out.
"So, why are you in our home. Does this look like my father's office. Can't you all just leave us alone." Isabella screamed.
"Have some manners Isabella! Will you. Now, apologize." Bennet chided.
"Never!" Isabella yelled and ran down the stairs leaving her father and his visitor.
"I'm so sorry sir." The housekeeper apologized and ran after Isabella, who by now, was heading to the fields, warning them not to disturb her.
Bennet turned to Cecilia with an apologetic look. "I apologize on her behalf, she's been like that for a while now. It's a phase, she will get through it in no time."
"I understand sir." She replied, looking worried as well.
One would have thought that Bennet's absence from work would help sort out their father and daughter relationship, but it didn't. Isabella remained difficult to deal with, refusing to let anybody in. Although Bennet wasn't really trying as much. But one can't deny that there were days he did try.
"Maybe she needs a nanny sir, or someone that can relate to her feelings. Someone that can handle kids with tough temper." Cecilia blurted out before she could stop herself.
"Cecilia,"
"Yes sir." She answered in a shaky voice.
"I don't remember asking for your opinion. Don't you ever refer to my daughter as a tough tempered child. Infact, don't ever discuss my family. Alright?"
"Yes sir, I'm sorry sir." She replied.
Bennet sighed and picked up his newspaper. "Get the new employees to start work by Monday. I believe we are done here." He said, opening up the newspaper with him.
"Definitely sir. Thank you so much for your time. I'll be on my way now." She said, and hurriedly picked up the black files she came with. Quickly she left for the garage and made her way home.