Nevertheless, without caring how she felt or whether Albert and others, who were still hanging around, heard it, she got into the car, and expressed dissatisfaction, “Do we owe you anything?” She grumbled aloud before she shut the door angrily. Arthur laughed heartily and aloud when he saw the letdown Erica, transfixed by the mortification on her face.
“What happened, dear,” Arthur asked.
“Can you imagine the disgusting question?” Nichole pointed out, before she gave him the details of Erica’s disgusting accusation.
“Disgusting!” Arthur remarked, and smiled broadly.
“So annoying,” she concurred. Arthur, who was delighted with her action, teased, “She walked up to you because she presumed that you are calm. If only she was aware that you are capable of sacking your colleagues, and leaving someone behind at the airport, she would have cautioned herself.”
Nichole laughed unrestrained, and thereafter, they left. Meanwhile, Tim left with his beloved cousins, Olivia and Denise.
The Peace Negotiation
Without the oath, Denise and Dr. Parker, had been in discussion on his proposed visit to Jalin. Nevertheless, he capitalized on the recent bomb blast and delayed his visit while gathering information from the Head of State.
“Dr. Parker, like I said, I would have loved to, but the war is my constraint.”
“Take my words, the war will not affect you in any way?”
“I see. What about the recent bomb blast, just a few minutes after our discussion?”
“I understand your fears. Kindly notify me if you would love to come?”
“I got it, Dr. Parker.”
Now, Denise had gathered enough information from the Head of State which aligned with the opinion of his young friend, and resolved to confide in Mr. Abel. He narrated his discoveries and concluded with, “From every indication, there is something he is not telling you about the war. Mr. Abel.”
”I got it, Mr. Bailey. He is responsible for the last bomb blast, am I right?”
“If not all,” Denise emphasized.
“It is all right. We will not release more funds to him, and let’s see how it goes.”
“The result is certain. He will keep throwing bombs here and there, and more people would be killed.”
“You are right. What do you suggest that we do?”
“I will come up with something.”
“It is okay, Mr. Bailey.”
After the call, Denise requested Jude to release a jingle that there would be a show in Jalin two weeks from that day. He also asked him to choose the countries National Square as the venue.
“I got it, boss,”
“Good. Send it to me before you release it.”
“All right, boss.”
The excited Jude had many questions to ask, but he trusted his boss’ judgment. In less than thirty minutes, he came up with a jingle, and sent it to Denise for approval. After corrections and adjustments here and there, Denise instructed, “Good job, Jude. I will tell you when to release it.”
“Okay, Boss.”
Denise sent the video to Mr. Abel, and he was perplexed about it. Then, he requested for clarification, “I’m at sea, Mr. Bailey. What is this for?”
“It is a bait, Mr. Abel. It is intended to distract the Head of State. Secondly, it will spur the youths to speak up, and we will get additional information from them.”
“That is a good one. Let see how it goes. You can also provide him a date of your proposed visit, and let me know.”
“It is all right.”
Furthermore, Denise asked Jude to release the jingle and paid many bloggers to give it wide publicity, and he did. After two hours, he chatted his seventeen-year-old friend up.
(Hello, my friend.)
To Denise's stress, he was not online. “I hope he is not dead?” he asked himself. Now his fear increased when he did not come online, and respond for two days. Meanwhile, while he awaited for his friend’s response, he was provoked to see the Head of State and avenge the death of his friend, so he contacted him.
“Hello Young Man. Have you decided on the date to visit my country?”
“Yes, Dr. Parker. I’m madly interested in the deal?”
“I got it. So, when do I expect you?”
“If you can guarantee that there would be no violence of any kind, Wednesday would be alright by me.”
“That is two days from today. Am I right?”
“Yes, Dr. Parker.”
“There is nothing to worry about. I am expecting you.”
“It is all right, Sir. If I may ask, I saw a jingle for an event in your country, which is a good one. Are you hoping that the war would cease before then?”
“That can’t be possible in a country at war. The organizers just signed their death warrants?”
“I see. See you then, Dr. Parker.”
Now, the embittered Denise informed Mr. Abel of his intention to visit the country on Wednesday.
“It is all right. I will get back to you right away,” Mr. Abel assured, and Denise walked to his father’s office. A look at him told his father that he was worried and demanded, “You are worried, son. What is the problem?”
Denise, who feared that his online friend was dead, narrated his experience and his intention to visit the country on Wednesday. Now, his father could not stop him, but he could ensure his safety.
“It is all right, son. You will go with our military aircraft.”
Denise gave his father a questioning look, and he continued, “We have not asked anything from the military after your grandfather’s death. Asking for a few day trip will not be too much.”
“I got is father. Thank you.”
Suddenly, he got a call from Murphy, and he informed him of his discussion with Dr. Parker.
“I informed him that I wish to visit Zingcord, and he insisted that I should differ it until further notice because the war is intense.”
Now, Arthur, who listened attentively to their discussion, pointed out, “He would not want Mr. Abel to visit and see things for himself?”
“You are right, father. I won’t be surprised if there would be another bomb blast today.”
“Certainly.”
“What do you advise that we do, father?”
“Invite Mr. Abel. The two of you will take off from here.”
“That is a brilliant idea, father. I will sell the idea to him, and wait for his response.”
“It is okay.”
Thereafter, Arthur contacted the military headquarters, and he got the approval for a combat aircraft. Meanwhile, Denise walked to his factory to take a final look at the explosive that he was working on, before he returned to his office. Then, he gave Mr. Abel a call, and he accepted to go with him.
“Thank you, Mr. Bailey, for being proactive. I will be in your country tomorrow with my Personal Assistant. Will that be acceptable to you?”
“Certainly. Anything that can foster peace in the world is welcomed by me. I will send my driver to pick you from the airport if I know your schedule.”
“It is all right. I will revert.”
After the call, Denise’s face beamed when he got a message from his friend.
(Thank you for checking on me, my friend.)
(Oh! My friend. How are you?)
(I’m not dead yet.)