“But… how are you going to do that?” Celestine asked, his voice a blend of apprehension and despair. “We don’t even know the venue for the night, let alone have the right connections to make it a mask party.”Archer sighed softly, the plate of food in front of him gradually lessening as he dug in bit by bit. “Why are you worried about the venue? We will just ask Lebanon.” He replied.“I don’t want to deal with snakes anymore,” Celestine objected, “How can you still want to work with him?”Archer turned to him, his eyes glinted with mischief. “You cannot run away from everything that threatens you, Celestine.” Master Woods had not prepared him enough for the mission he gave him, but he was quick to learn how it really worked outside here. “That kind of behavior is called cowardice.”Celestine furrowed his brows in confusion, his eyes carried freckles of his concern.“It is not cowardice to stop trusting and being good to people who...”“Celestine, what are you ranting about? Your eyes
Tangie strode purposefully towards the conference room, her heels echoing against the marble as if determined to halt the world around her.Uncle Bernard stood by the doorway, his tall frame leaning against the glass door. As the clinking sound of Tangie’s heels neared, her feminine yet possessive scent of jasmine and sandalwood filled the air, preceding her entrance like an enchanting aura.Uncle Bernard’s gaze softened as he watched her approach, a mixture of admiration and hope clouded his eyes.Finally, Tangie and Mr Mathew stopped before him, their gazes met in a brief moment of understanding.“Do you want to talk about that dream of yours, Uncle Bernard?” Tangie asked, a small smile graced on her lips. Tangie always had great admiration for her Uncle Bernard, he was the first person in the Sullivan’s family to ever stand up to Lord Sullivan. Well, not for long, because sooner than expected, he was crippled by his father’s vices and dragged back on his knees.“Oh, I’m too old fo
Tangie stepped into the conference hall, about to take a seat she never thought she’d sit on. As she took smart resolute steps towards the Head of the mahogany table, she unconsciously glanced at the Auditor seat she used to occupy and it seemed so far from the Head she just sat in. The room went hushed with silence, anticipation filled the air as she settled in, and of course, she could vividly feel her father holding his breath, nervous about his twenty-four year old daughter taking heading over fifty employees, including him.But he was wrong, Tangie was a changed person now. Something in her had shifted. Perhaps, she was too slow to accept the fact that she wasn’t married to an ordinary man.Now, she realized being brave and courageous was the only way to be his wife and carry his child.Tangie released a soft sigh, her gaze flicking around the room, reading the expressions on each their faces.“From my previous seat at that side of the table, I could barely see anyone’s face. B
Strategy, a reason people could be good to you. Archer J. Williams smiled softly, his eyes sparkling with something Mr Adejobi could not quite understand.Across from him sat Mr Adejobi, a mam whose presence exuded knowledge and serenity. As they played GO, the ancient board game of strategy, each person waiting for the other to make a first move, President Williams sighed softly, the board before him leading to dead ends only."Will you give up?" Mr Adejobi asked, his face filled with sincere concern that Archer didn't know if he was asking about the game or about the night tomorrow.One thing he did know was, it didn’t matter which one, his answer would be the same."No, I must not." He replied, his eyes flashed with resolve as he made an unbelievable counter move on the board.Mr Adejobi shifted in his chair, surprised that he found a way out"Youre a remarkable player," Mr Adejobi chimed, his face beaming with pride, even though he lost."I used to play with your father, he'd le
92Mr Adejobi exhaled a deep and long breath. His features pensive, yet filled with concern. After what seemed like an eternity, he decided. "The best I can do is support you, son. You're clearly determined."Archer nodded slightly, his resolve hardening with each passing moment. "Thank you, Mr Adejobi. Stay safe until tomorrow."As they prepared to part ways, Mr Adejobi reached into his pocket, withdrawing a copy of an old picture. "This might not mean much, but I hold it dear."Reaching for Archer's hand, he placed it in his hand. "That is a picture of me and your father and you..."As Archer feasted his eyes on the picture, a fuzzy feeling of warmth coursed through him."I look so young," he muttered to himself.Mr Adejobi nodded in agreement. "You were such a happy child, just like James."You never told me why my middle name is James," Archer chimed, suddenly shaking of his daze."You are James, son." Mr Adejobi replied.Archer raised his brows with a questioning look. "But my
Seven Hours Before DinnerThe meeting with the staff and new executives of Sullivan's Distribution company had ended after the President of the company, Tangie Williams charged them to action.Enthusiastic about the changes and progress they were about to make as a team, they went to work almost immediately."I have never seen them like this," Mr Mathew commented as began their own unintended meeting. Uncle Bernard after a while of excitement became somber and pensive.Tangie observing his solemn behavior turned and asked with concern, "Is everything alright, Uncle Bernard?" Mr Mathew joined in, "Are you alright? You've been quiet."Uncle Bernard sighed softly, turning to meet their gazes. "Being excited for change is not enough," he explained, "As a consultant of the company, what strategic advice can I give if asked?"Tangie and Mr Mathew nodded agreeably. It wasn't enough to be enthusiastic about change, although it was a good start, they needed more than just excitement to get
Not to be rude, aggressive, or vengeful but Archer was right. Eva's Pharmaceutical Company was on the verge of bankruptcy."Could you take some time to think about it first?" Eva asked, her eyes dulled with sadness."There is nothing to think about. You're in debt because your investors made zero to little earnings from investing in your company." Archer spoke firmly. "What would I look like buying a company that defrauded people of their money.""Fraud?!" Eva exclaimed, stunned by the word.Tangie and Celestine exchanged glances as the dining table slowly turned tense."Yes, Fraud," Archer bellowed, "Your apparent ignorance of this fact is even more appalling. The investor-investment policy demands a profit for any investment made to your company. Failure to fulfill such demands only means that you did not keep to your own side of the contract. You could be sued to court. My wife will not buy your woes."The room fell silent as Archer's words lingered in the air. Eva, defeated by Arc
Celestine watched Archer leave the dining room, exchanging a slight nod with Mariah. As Archer disappeared into the hallway, Mariah let out a soft sigh. “They need to spend some time together.” “Archer already has too much in his plate.” Celestine replied, “the man has no time to spend.”Mariah gazed blankly into the space, her eyes distanced from the present, “I understand,” she sighed softly, “What about you?” Celestine’s brows furrowed as he glanced at his sister. “What?”“What is keeping you from finding someone too? Is it work?”Celestine chuckled nervously, “Why are you suddenly bringing that up? I don’t see you in anyone’s arms,” Celestine quipped, standing to his feet. “Let’s do the dishes, while you wait for him?” Mariah replied, equally rising up.Celestine nodded in agreement as he began to collect the dishes.Slowly, the room shifted into a slightly tensed silence filled with unspoken words. Unable to bear the silence anymore, Celestine rinsed his hands and pivoted to