With grandpa resting in his bedroom, Diana, Michael, Clara and Steven sat in the living room, eating part of the food grandpa had made.
'I can't believe you would start seeing another woman already, when the ink on our divorce paper has not dried up yet.'
Michael munched on the food that he was eating. He didn't say anything
'Didn't you hear what she said? Can't you answer her question?'
'I didn't hear a question there.' Michael said. 'It was only an accusation.'
'Oh, mister smart ass. You are now playing the semantics game with us, aren't you.'
Michael felt a surge of anger rise to his throat. He felt like expressing himself in front of them but kept his cool. They were on the dining table, sitting a little far off from him.
'I am not playing any games with you. I am only stating the obvious.' Then he turned to Clara. 'I gave you my all. I only wanted you to be comfortable but you ended things with us abruptly. I begged but you wouldn't listen to my pleas. So why are you vexed that Steven saw with another woman?'
'Shut up you. Who gave you the audacity to talk to her in that manner, after all we have done for you? We gave you a roof over your head and food to fill your stomach. My daughter can throw you away anytime he likes but you must show her respect by keeping to yourself.'
Steven looked at Michael like he was ready to eat him up. Diana continued speaking. 'Our family has done you well. The last thing you should do is bring dishonor to our family.' Steven stood up from where he sat and walked toward Michael. As he was walking he was saying. 'The fool is even eating from our table.' he raised his hands to hit Michael, who had positioned himself for a fight.
'Hold it right there.'
It was Grandpa Robert. Everyone stood up. clara went up quickly to help him walk as he walked down the stairs. 'I domt need your help. I can walk by myself.' Grandpa didn't allow clara touch him. He didn't like to be pitied or looked after like a baby, which is why he likes to live on his own.
'I want you and Michael to resolve your differences and be together as man and wife. That is my wish today.'
Grandpa had walked to a chair and sat with some difficulty.
'Dad is not possible.' Diana said.
'Why?' grandpa asked.
'They cannot be together. He doesn't deserve our family anymore.' Steven responded, sitting nonchalantly on his chair. He hadn't stood up when grandpa was climbing down the stairs.
'Grandpa, it was nice coming here. I want to leave now. Thank you for having me and the food was delicious. I enjoyed it.'
'Why are you leaving?'
Grandpa didn't know whether to be leave or beg Michael not to leave. He wanted to tell him something.
'I really need to leave. I really wish I can stay for longer.'
Michael picked up his phone which has slipped out of his pocket. Luckily, Clara and her family had not seen it; else they would have forced him to give it to them for them to see.
'Will you come back to see me?
'I will, if I have the time.'
Michael stepped out of the room. The sunshine was shining brightly, and he put on his eyeglasses and flagged down a taxi.
Clara was glad that Michael was gone. That way, she could announce what she had in mind: her plan to merge with the richest family in beaumont city. She didn't know how to go about it, but she was hoping steven might find a way, like he always does. He knows all the thugs and backstreet boys who were friends to the servants and drivers of these rich people.
Isabella was walking out of her apartment when she got a call from micahel to join him for dinner at his hotel.
'You dint have anything, even a job. How can you ask em to dinner? How can you pay?'
'I insist.' Michael said. He is grateful for he help he has gotten from Isabella so far and for opening the door to one of her father's hotels in the city for him to live in.
'If it is to thank me, you can do it some other way.' Isabella said.
'I want to thank you like this. At least allow me cook for you. I am a good cook, you know.'
Isabella laughed. She had never anyone care for her like this except her father. After laughing, she felt a kind of affection for Michael and decided to help him no matter what. She was going to ask her father to offer him a position in his company so he can have some earning.
Clara had just announced to her family that she wants to go after the richest family in the city and get a contract from them, since the contract with Liam didn't go through. Thinking about it, she thinks it will help her get her revenge on Liam for letting her down.
'But how can it happen? We need someone on the inside.' Diana said.
'It cannot work except you plan on sleeping with the head of the family.'
'Can't you help your sister with her plans knowing that it will favor you eventually?' Diana interrupted.
'I have to go. When you have sorted what to do with the plan, let me know.'
Clara watched with disgust as her brother walked out of the house holding his shirt in his hand. He knew that his brother was just feeding off her hard sweat, squandering the family money and sleeping with as many girls as he can but she can't discard him. She just didn't have the heart. Diana waved her son goodbye. Clara could see that Diana was proud of her son the way he was.
Isabella came to the hotel where Michael was staying around seven in the evening. It was busy as many visitors were coming in to lodge or enjoy the club and restaurant in the hotel compound. It was a popular hotel and one of the best. Isabella took the lift and when she got to his door, knocked and waited for a response. She could hear some music coming from inside. She smiled as the door of the apartment opened. Michael was wearing his apron and smiled brightly.
'You made it.' he said. They hugged and she came, while Michael closed the door behind her.
'The hotel seems to be busy tonight. I saw a lot of patrons coming in on my way here.'
Michael was taking her coat and the bottle of wine she brought. He hanged the coat and took the kitchen.
'Yea I saw them earlier when I went to get some stuff for dinner. I hope you didn't have too much trouble coming up here?'
Michale led the way for her to seat in the living room while he went to the adjoingn room to finish up what he was dping. From the kitchen they could hear and see each other.
'It wasn't any problem at all. Most of them were going to the restaurant, maybe later in the might they will come to this part of the hotel to lodge for the night.'
Michael nodded his head in affirmation.
'So how have you been finding your new accommodation?'
Isabella took the remote and was surfing through the channels on the TV. Michael was stiring the food and dishing into a large bowl. He cleaned his hands with a napkin and set the food on the dinning before joining Isabella at the living room.
'This has felt unreal. The apartment is beautiful. I am enjoying it here.'
Isabella smiled and nodded.
'I am glad you are enjoying it. How about the staff? Are they reporting on time?'
'Yes they are. But I thinking they are unnecessary as I can take care of the apartment and do things myself, you know.'
They both laughed.
'I know you can handle things but the staff is paid for the job. Allow them do their job.'
'Alright. Please give me a moment to take off this apron and join you.'
'No problem. Go do that.'
Michael rushed in and donned a green shirt. He wanted to leave a good impression. Isabella was watching something on CNN. The speakers were talking about the inflation rate on the prices of goods and services in the market.
Michael returned to the living room. He and Isabella discussed the cost of living crises and what the government should do. Isabella thought to herself, 'so he heals and is intelligent too. What a good combination.' She likes his use of words and the way he lays out his point carefully.
'Let us stop now. Enough of politics and talk. Let us go and have some food.'
Isabella laughed, dropped what she was holding on the table and walked with him to the table. The food was in bowls and plates sat in front of ach of the chairs, together with cutlery, the bottle of wine and glasses.
Michael drew back her chair for her and allowed her to sit. Then he went over to his side. Opening the bowl, he dished some food for her before dishing for himself. He was telling her about the food and the process it takes to make it. She looked interested and asked questions too. Then they started to eat. The view from the penthouse was breathtaking, covering most of the city. She asked him about his background and what he plans to do in the future. He asked her about her family history and what she wants to become in the near future. After the meal, they went back to the living room, after they had cleared the table.
'I wanted to give this to you.' She said, handing him some papers.
'What are they? They look very official.' Isabella laughed.
'They are your appointment letter and job description and a little description of how much you would be earning together with your entitlements. I spoke with my dad and he thinks you are the best fit to lead the new department. Congratulations ash.'
Michael was dumbfounded. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know if he should hug or shake her. He thought of doing both.
'I don't know what to say. Thank you.'
'You have proven yourself so far. This shouldn't come as a surprise.'
They laughed and hugged and talked for a while before Isabella left an hour later.
Clara was sure that her plan would work when she walked into the Castle hotel. She wore a seductive dress and a charm around her neck. The charm was hanging just above her breast, so that it would draw the eye of anyone who came around to her eyes.
The porter at the door opened for her and stared for a long time as she waltzed in. the other people looked at her too, both staff and patrons. She walked majestically to the lift, glanced around for a bit before entering and shutting the door. She was going to the fourth floor.
The place was almost empty when she walked in. Liam was with Mr. Donald when she walked in. she walked straight to where they sat.
'Beautiful evening gentlemen.' She said and pulled a seat, dropped her bag on the table and sat down.
'Clara what are you doing?' Liam asked. 'Don't you know the person who is sitting here with us?'
'I know and that is exactly why I am here.' She pushed up her breasts and adjusted her hair, then said. 'I think you know we can be beneficial to each other. You know the poplar saying about rubbing each other's back. I am here to serve you in whatever way you want.'
'What are you doing Clara? I ask again, do you know who it is you are sitting before?' then turning to Mr. Donald, he said, 'I apologize for this show of shame. It is my fault that she is here acting in this manner.' Liam bowed many times as he spoke. Mr. Donald only raised his hands and lowered. Clara stood up and was moving close to Mr. Donald when Liam stooped her and pulled her away.
'Now stop this nonsense right now. Guards, take this woman away.' Clara was struggling with the men but they were more powerful than her. The two of them bundled her and took her to the lift, pressed the button for the ground floor and left her there.
Michael walked into his new office with a kind of fear, a fear of disappointing those who had out their faith in him. Isabella walked in, carrying a plant.
'Still taking the new office?'
Michael turned and smiled.
'I came to brings these to you. They are good luck plants and you can put them by the window.'
'Thank you so much. Hope these are not the kind of plants that require special care?'
'No, they don't require much care, just to water them in the morning and they are good.'
'Alright. Thank you once again.'
'Also, you should be at the briefing at ten. Your assistant was supposed to tell you but I yold her that I would do that since I am coming to see you.'
Isabella waved him a goodbye and walked away. it was nine thirty, that means, in thirty minutes time, he would have to be at the meeting.
When Michael stepped into the reception to talk to his assistant, he was shocked to find Diana sitting there. Diana was shocked as well. She saw his clean clothes which were high quality and the wristwatch too. Diana couldn't hide her resentment, so she stood up and shouted,
'you. What are you doing here? Why do you have to be everywhere I go? Have me and my family not done enough good for you?'
Michael was taken aback, including his assistant. He knew his former mother-in-law was a pain in the ass but this display going too far. Diana continued.
'I knew it. I knew you were behind my daughter's bad behavior the other night. I knew that you wanted to sabotage her, only to come here and take her place for whatever selfish reason you have. Haven't yiu dine enough damage to us?'
People had now gathered and were watching her display. Diana continued to shout and talk badly of Michael. Even when the guards came, he asked them to hold on.
'Guards, you should take this man away. He is not supposed to be here. He is a gold digger and will steal from your company.'
'Take her away.' Michael finally said. It was time for the Robert family to have a taste of their own medicine.
Michael went for the meeting stil bearing in mind what Diana had done to him. And so when Mr. Robert proposed the new building project of construction an ultra modern park in the city centre, Michael said,
'I have the perfect idea sir. We would open the bidding, allowing smaller companies to bid for it and therefore get the best qualified to carry on the project. In that way, we can help smaller companies grow and it is a way of being socially responsible for these businesses, as a big brother'.
The CEO, Mr. Donald, loved the idea and declared that the building will be overseen by Michaela's department, including the bidding and construction.
He said, 'I want you to take bids from every company who shows interest, so that we are sure everyone is given a fair chance.'
'Yes sir. Thank you sir' Michael responded. The CEO stood up, indicating that the meeting was over and everyone returned to their office. He imagined what the bidding process would look like, how many companies would fight over each other to give the best proposal. He knew that Roberts & co would bid too and he would be waiting for them.