The police officers dropped their guns immediately, while the guards who stood in front of Cyril dispersed as they paved the way for Cyril to pass.
"Dad!" Cyril exclaimed, quickening his pace towards the figure.
Kenneth walked slowly towards Cyril and hugged him wholeheartedly.
"You didn't tell me you were coming!" Cyril exclaimed, surprised.
"I know, right? I had to come, especially after my son unexpectedly changed the PBP date. I needed to check if he was okay," Kenneth said, smiling as he hugged Cyril for the second time.
"Oh My!!!! My son is so handsome! I missed you!!" Kenneth said as he held Cyril's shoulders and stared at him in amusement, "Are you going somewhere?"
Cyril nodded, "I have to be at the furniture company for inspection."
Cass paused on the steps, her gaze fixed on Cyril with admiration.
"Now?" Kenneth inquired.
"Yes," Cyril replied.
"Okay son," Kenneth said as he let go of Cyril's shoulders and patted him lightly on the back.
Cyril made his way down to his car, and although Cass bowed, he seemed not to notice her at all.
As Kenneth made his way into the White House, Cass joined him.
"Are you and Cyril getting along well?" Kenneth inquired.
"Not really..... He is….." Cass was about to explain but was interrupted by Kenneth.
"Or have you chosen not to get along with him?" Kenneth inquired.
"Actually, Cyril and I haven't spoken privately since I came back. I'm just trying to give him space for now, because…..his schedule seems kinda tighter than normal, maybe because the PBP is drawing nearer and faster than expected, and he has really been busy with work, the companies, meetings, appointments and others, so I will just let him be till after the PBP, I don't want to be a burden to him," Cass explained.
"An additional burden, you mean? He's already carrying so much,"
Kenneth said with a smile as they entered the garden.
All the gardeners, busy preparing the field for the PBP, bowed in unison to Kenneth and Cass.
Cass mustered a smile for a few moments before her frown returned.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Kenneth inquired, gazing at Cass with a look of concern in his eyes.
"I'm trying my best to stay put even though I miss him" Cass said.
Kenneth chuckled, "You sure know how to keep it in." "So, Uncle Ken….." Cass called.
"Hmm" Kenneth answered as he took a sip of the fruit juice that a kitchen dealer had offered to both him and Cass.
Cass removed her own glass of juice from the tray before asking, "How long do you plan on staying?"
The kitchen dealer bowed and walked away.
"Long as my son wants me to stay" Kenneth answered as he smiled.
Kenneth was an average height, healthy, happy man but brutal in anger.
That is why Cyril never took him lightly.
To Cyril, Kenneth was his father figure and would forever be.
Whoever messed with Kenneth, messed with Cyril.
Cyril was known to be quite antisocial and distant.
Anyone seeking to gain his favor or needing something from him would have to go through Kenneth.
Fortunately, through Kenneth, they could obtain whatever they desired from Cyril.
Kenneth's son, Stanley, was born on the same day and at the same time as Cyril, albeit from different mothers, and he resides in Florida.
Stanley, much like Cyril, is a business magnate, although he is not involved in politics.
Kenneth stood in front of Cass, waiting for her to speak as he sipped his juice.
His hair was neatly tied into a bun, featuring long, silky black strands interspersed with white, similar to Cyril's.
He also sported a mustache and a long beard peppered with white, complemented by a square jaw, expressive eyes, and a resolute mouth.
He wore a long striped robe and sandals, he sipped his juice again and asked Cass:
"Talk! I'm listening,"
"Well, the thing is....." Cass was cut short when Solomon, Kenneth's personal assistant and bodyguard came running into the garden with Kenneth's cellphone.
"Excuse me for the interruption, Sir, but there is an urgent call for you," Solomon stated, bowing respectfully.
Kenneth collected the phone from Solomon and handed the glass of juice to him as he walked out of the garden with Solomon tailing from behind, leaving Cass standing alone in the garden.
❤️🧡💛💙💜💚
Cyril sat at the back of the car while Bobby sat in front of the car with the driver.
Cyril sighed as he stared out the window, and Bobby noticed him from the rearview mirror.
"Your Excellency, you look tired. Would you like us to turn back and cancel all appointments today?" Bobby asked.
"How is she?" Cyril said as he turned from the window to the front.
"She will be discharged today, Your Excellency", Bobby answered.
"The doctor mentioned contaminated food... What kind of food is provided to the workers?" Cyril inquired.
"The kitchen dealers clarified that the food prepared for the workers differs from that provided to the Presidential store," Bobby stated.
"Any reason why?"
Bobby kept mute, because during his investigation, he had found out that, when fresh food supplies were being sent to the presidential store, the old food supplies that had been replaced with the new ones were being transferred to be cooked for the workers, which some of the food supplies, seems to be small, some dried and some spoilt but at this point, he felt scared to tell The President about it because he knew, he would fire all the kitchen staffs including, all the kitchen dealers, stewards, stewardesses, all the cooks, and servers not caring who was involved or not.
"Your Excellency…." Bobby began to stutter.
"Have you noticed that when you stutter, you tend to tell a very big lie?" Cyril said to Bobby.
Bobby's face drained color as Cyril looked at him sternly, through the rearview mirror.
Bobby bowed immediately; "I was wrong, Your Excellency, please forgive me," Bobby said.
"I will only say this once: fresh food supplies that are being sent to the store should also be sent to the cottage, while the dried spoilt foods should be taken out, healthy food should be given to the workers," Cyril said.
Bobby bowed and replied; "Yes, Your Excellency"
The President's convoy packed in front of the company.
The car door was opened for Cyril, and armed forces along with bodyguards emerged to escort him inside.
The media gathered outside the company, eager to approach Cyril and capture photos of him in his attire.
Cyril entered safely, although some reporters succeeded in snapping a few photos of him.
He examined the newly crafted furniture, made some adjustments, and signed off on them for exhibition and sale.
One hour later, they were back in the convoy.
Cyril was exhausted as he sighed and looked out the windshield of the car.
Then he said quietly to Bobby;
"Transfer all the workers in the cottage to the White Change Room, and get all of them prepared!"
"Yes, Your Excellency", Bobby bowed.