The Unveiling Of The Rejected Son-in-law

THE PLAN

Stephanie came out of the kitchen with a bottle of cheap wine and two glass cups in her hands. She gave Jakes one of the cups, and held the other cup in her hand, as she poured some wine into each cup. 

"Let us toast to a new life," Stephanie said as she made her cup kiss Jakes's cup. Then the both of them drank from the wine in their cups.

"So tell me more about it. How did you get the job this time?" 

"Darling. I can't even explain it myself. All I know is that the interviewer assessed me, saw that I was qualified, and asked me to start work on Monday morning." 

Jakes was not ready to break the news about his family's fortune to Stephanie now, though he intended to tell her about it later. Her excitement could lead her into telling her family about it, as she may not find it so easy to keep such news secret. And he needed to tread carefully because of her family, asides from the fact that he also wanted it to be a surprise to her.  

"Wow! I'm the happiest right now. So what's the job like and what's the name of the company?"

"The Legends."

"What?! The Legends? I thought it was a new company you talked to me about. "The Legends" has existed for such a long time, and I heard that they are so selective in their recruitment process. So, you got a job with them? We are so lucky! So what's your position?" 

"I've been employed as the Company's account/ finance manager. You know I studied Accounting at the University." Jakes said.

Stephanie nodded in response.

"The pay is also very promising," said Jakes.

"Wow! I'm so happy that our sufferings will finally be over."

"Definitely!" Jakes replied as he moved close to hug Stephanie. 

***

It was Monday morning at "The Legends." Jakes walked into the office reception with Pa Drakes.

"Emily, meet your Boss. He's the General Manager of 'The Legends'. I know you haven't met him before." Pa Drakes said as he introduced Jakes to the Company Secretary.

"Wow! Nice to meet you, sir," Emily responded as she stood up from her sit in respect. 

Pa Drakes took Jakes upstairs to meet with the other staff of the company. Some of them were excited to see him, while some were not, even though those who were not excited tried to pretend like they were.

"Is he married?" Doris, one of the female staff asked another colleague, as she watched him from a distance. 

"I'm not sure. But he's really cute." Bianca replied.

"Even if he's married. I'll go for him. He's a big fish!" Doris said.

"Shhshhh... He could hear you," said Bianca.

"I don't mind if he does," Doris whispered.

Pa Drakes and Jakes walked down the large office corridor. In no time, they entered an elevator which took them up to the thirtieth floor. The Legends was such a big company with a large number of staff and offices. 

"This is your office, Jakes. No one has ever occupied this office since the death of your father. It has been left vacant. Even the acting Manager has never for once entered this office. Only one of the cleaners comes here to clean the office at least once a week, just to maintain it." Pa Drakes disclosed as he opened the door of a very large and spacious office. 

Everywhere looked dusty, but the chairs and upholstery looked very expensive. The office was occupied by five big sofas, and two centre tables with a glass flower vase resting on each of them. It also contained big shelves with books and files, a gigantic office table and chair, and a big television hanging on one side of the wall.  

Jakes was surprised to hear that the office had not been occupied for the past twenty-five years. "Thanks so much, Pa Drakes. Thank you." Jakes said looking very excited.

Pa Drakes called for one of the cleaners who came to clean the up place as the both of them stood outside and talked.  

***

Jakes got back home that evening and was about to eat dinner when he heard his phone ring. He looked at the screen to check who it was. It was Micheal Allison. He felt very reluctant to pick up the call. He knew that anytime Micheal called him, it was for trouble. Jakes knew he would cause more trouble for himself, if he didn't pick up the call quickly, so he picked it up. 

"Hello, idiot." Micheal sounded from the other end.

Jakes kept quiet, eager to hear what Michael had to say this time, so he ignored his insults.

"You think you can stop Stephanie from marrying Mr Cameron. Right? You must be joking because Stephanie has made up her mind to live a good life. She's not willing to continue to live with a pauper. So you are a loser! You have lost out on this one. If she remains married to you by this time tomorrow, I swear, I'll make your whole life miserable!" Micheal said as he hung up the phone.  

Micheal was bent on becoming the family's CEO, so he was determined to do anything. He knew that if Stephanie got married to Mr Cameron, it will augur well for the company, the family's fortune will be multiplied, and he will enjoy certain benefits due to their union. He also understood that he would become the family's CEO, if he won the contract put up by "The Legends." 

So, he was determined to make sure that at least one of these worked, if not both.

Mrs Allison had listened to Micheal's conversation with Jakes while he was on the phone. So she walked towards Michael. "That, was Jakes right? If Stephanie still proves stubborn on this issue, then we would have to take another step very quickly."

"What step is that?" Michael asked, with so much enthusiasm. 

"We may have to kidnap her, then we could force her to marry Mr Cameron. The company is in a mess right now. And we have to do something very fast to save the situation." Mrs Allison said.

Micheal clapped his hands and nodded. "That's a ni I agree with that, Mum."