FORSAKEN SON-IN-LAW

CHAPTER SIX

I couldn’t believe I was surviving. I have gone halfway into the meeting and everything was panning out better than I actually thought. Everyone seemed to be friendly to me and Joseph. Welcoming us like they have known us for years.

I looked around and there was no single person around that was my age nor Joseph’s. they all looked to be in their late thirties or above. And no matter how many times I told them not to address me with respect and just call me Justine, they carried on calling me sir – that my parents were too good to them all, hence the respect.

“It is an honor to finally see you, sir. The last time we saw you, you were around one year. If I’m not mistaken,” he spoke, and they all laughed.

I just looked at Joseph and he looked at me in a I told you so way. “Well, I couldn’t have been more delighted for me to be here. You all are nice people and I know why my parents trusted you to run the company in their absence,” I spoke.

Their laughter died down and the one that sat on Joseph’s left hand spoke, “we are happy to have you here with us. And now that you are here, we wanted to put Simon’s shares on debate. Like an auction or something.”

Well, this wasn’t something I was expecting on my first day, but at least it wasn’t as bad as I was thinking things might turn out.

“Well, if the person wants to sell the shares, I don’t see why not. Just tell me when and want time,” I spoke and sat comfortably on my chair. I couldn’t believe I was asked about a decision.

This is beautiful.

The all day went on as perfectly as me working up to find money from the tooth fairy. They showed me and Joseph around the company and told us more about the production of wine. My secretary – who used to be my father’s secretary gave me a few books that will help me to know more about wine.

She was just as sweet as the rest of the stuff members. But my brain being my brain, it was theorizing about the possibilities of some of them just pretending to be nice because they needed something from me.

That they didn’t want me and only tolerated me because they needed their jobs. I just banished the thoughts away and carried on about my day.

After a while we left the company and decided to pay my Arsenal a visit. I was just hoping they were just as sweet as the people at the wine company. One can only hope, after all.

“You crushed it and I told you. So did Roland,” he added hurriedly after Roland cleared his throat while driving. “They all seemed way too nice to be people. They must be programmed. Like robots,” he teased.

“Well, your parents made sure you get whatever you want. And they made sure the people surrounding you are just as nice as they were. You needn’t worry about a thing. All I want from you is just make sure you study to prove to them that you are indeed a Mpundu,” he said.

I just sighed as I saw myself making every one of my family proud. Mostly my parents. And I was going to make sure i do whatever it takes to make the company as successful as it could have been. It was already successful that at some point; I thought my efforts were going to be in vain.

“Told you they will see the pictures those people took of you went exiting the company,” Joseph spoke as he showed me the post on face book and that Maria was calling him.

I just smiled and looked away. My feelings were mixed for some reason, which I don’t even know. I was excited that she saw the post and now knows that what she did was bad. Then I felt sad and bad. Confused at some point. That the woman I loved and married only cared for material things and never really loved me. And now that she realizes I have money, she wants to be back?

And part of me just didn’t want to be mean to her. Part of me still loves her and wants to be in her embrace again. But that part I tried to avoid as soon as it pops up. I needed to focus on nothing but making my family proud and proving to all of them that they didn’t make a mistake welcoming me here.

I just heard okay from Joseph. Was I too lost in my thoughts that I didn’t even listen to what he was saying on the phone with Maria?

“She wanted to talk to you. Did you block her?” he looked at me, then at Roland for support.

“I had to. After what she did, I will never let her in again, and I fear I have lost interest in love,” I spoke as I calmed myself down.

Roland cleared his throat and spoke, “do you want me to prepare you divorce papers? I’m a part-time lawyer. Because of you parents, those bastards made me do things. Lots of things,” he smiled as he glanced at me.

This was the first time I heard him address my parents so casually. He was excited.

“That is good. But won’t be necessary at the time been. I’m still processing the whole thing. I will tell you when need arises,” I spoke – making sure I didn’t come out as rude or anything, but calm and collective.

I heard them talk in silence, but I didn’t pay attention and neither did I want to pay attention to them. Because we just arrived at our stop.

It was not that big of a place. But it was enough for a company that made things like watches, phones and thing that the world at large wouldn’t be ready to see yet.

Sighed and went out of the car.