“Thank you, wifey, for adding a color to the occasion,” Callum appreciated his wife when he saw the souvenirs.
“You are welcome, hubby. Thank you for setting the ball rolling.”
That day, the cows for the elders were ready. In all, they were set.
In the City
Since the time the General Manager got the news about Bruno and his wife, he was disturbed, and was tempted to give Bruno a call to discuss it, but he reconsidered. At noon, they left for the airport with the staff bus. Surprisingly, Susan looked happy and more beautiful than when she was with her husband.
“What is happening?” He murmured. They arrived at the airport after one hour and met Richard, Barry Frank and other drivers, who were on standby to pick the guests.
“Welcome. I hope that your trip was not stressful.”
“Not at all.”
“Shall we?” Barry announced. They got into the vehicles and left for the hotel.
“Mr. Silas, will it be appropriate if I visit the GMD's wife? She may need my assistance,” Susan requested after their arrival. Now, her request pleased Silas because it was in consonance with the excuse he gave to the General Manager. To strengthen his claim before him, he proposed, “It is all right. I advise that you take permission from the General Manager. As you can see, he leads the delegates.” Now, Susan was frightened. She had not related with him since she joined the organization nine months ago. Approaching him with a personal matter for the first time may not be ideal.
“I would rather forget about it rather than bore him with a trivial issue like this. Besides, he may not grant my request.”
“You will offend Mrs. Owen, and you will be accountable for it because you did not make any attempt.” Silas pointed out and walked away, leaving her to her judgement. Then, she took the boldness to approach the General Manager, who had settled down in his suite.
At the General Manager's Suite
“Hold on,” Tony announced when he heard the doorbell. He peered through the security peephole in the stile and rail wood door, and was surprised to see Susan. Then, he put himself together and opened the door.
“Hello, Mrs. Angus, what brings you?” He asked and stood aside to give her the chance to walk in if she wished.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Benedict. I apologize if I disturbed your peace.”
“Definitely not. You can come in.”
“Thank you, Mr. Benedict,” she appreciated, and walked into the parlor.
“Kindly take your seat,”
She took her seat on the single couch while the General Manager sat on the dining chair and waited for her to speak.
“I wish to visit the GMD's wife if you permit me. She may need my assistance.”
“That's thoughtful of you. How do you intend to go and when will you be back?”
“I intend to leave with the driver. As for when I will come back, it depends on…”
“Ensure that you return this evening,” Tony interrupted. “As you can see, I dropped my secretary just to make way for you to come.”
Now, he was already up and heading to the door, and Susan stood up too, and he opened the door for her.
“You can leave now, to enable you to return on time.”
“I'm grateful for the permission.”
“Don't mention. Kindly notify me once you are back.”
“I will do that, Sir,” she responded cheerfully and walked out. Tony shut the door and walked back to his room. To his discomposure, he could not take his mind off her, especially her transformed look.
At the Village
All arrangements were at the concluding stage. The caterer and her team had arrived and set her mobile kitchen at Uncle Emma's compound, and mama and the children had to take a break. The maid was as happy as the bird who sings before dawn. At 4 PM, the palm wine dealers began to deliver their jerrycans of wine, and Emma was euphoric. Just as he promised, he paid them as they delivered, and before one hour, he had a total of one hundred and twenty jerrycans of wine. Although, the ten liters jerrycans would not be enough and he expected more. Meanwhile, he was on the lookout for the dealer, who threatened him with the rain and his refusal to supply the wine. Soon, he arrived with his supply. He had mobilized some truck pushers to aid in the delivery.
“Mr. Aaron, I greet you,” he greeted when he got into the compound. Emma scrunched up my nose in victory when he saw him.
“I greet you. How many jerrycans did you bring?” Emma asked.
“I brought seventy.” The dealer responded with a plain face. Emma was elated with his obedience. Then, he inquired, “I guess I will pay for only twenty because…”
“Don't bother. The excess is my support for the burial. We will all die someday, and it is only the living who would cover our backs.” The dealer pointed out, and continued with the offloading of the jerrycans from the truck. Now, Emma, who had prepared to laugh at him, was touched, and he appreciated, “Thank you for your support. I will never forget this in a hurry.”
“You are welcome, Mr. Aaron.”
Since Silas was aware that Susan had gone to see the General Manager for permission to visit the village, he asked the team to wait for her. After a few minutes, she joined them and they left.
“Wow! Susan, I'm glad you made it,” Sarah greeted when she received her in the village.
“I'm delighted to be here, Mrs. Owens. It was just by a stroke of luck.”
“You are right. Your name was not on the list that Tony sent previously.”
“That is correct. He had to drop his secretary because of me.”
“That is a massive sacrifice. So, you will serve as his secretary for the moment.”
“I would not mind, provided I was able to make it. Now, that I'm here, can I be of any assistance?”