The three adults could not help laughing. Frank was right. His dad did not concern himself with such petite things, but his mom. So, he quickly corrected Francisca.
“Okay. I will plead with my mom to pay the school fees.”
“If that is what you want, ask her to get ready and come with us.”
The excited Francisca did as was asked instantly. Before ten minutes, Hope was out of her house, and dressed in her uniform just like the twins. Then, her parents came out to thank the Good Samaritan who came to their rescue. Meanwhile, her mother supported her father, who insisted on meeting the Angel, who God had sent his way. However, her father did not recognize Ahmed because he was wearing a face mask, but Ahmed was able to recognize him. He was the nuisance that he beat up with his boys on Friday when he tried to cause chaos at the school gate. His orderly, who also recognized him, gave him an askance look.
“Let's go,” he ordered, and took his seat in the car while the orderly covered the car trunk after dropping Hope's luggage. And they took off.
“Thank you very much,” her parents managed to say, and waved at the moving vehicle.
“We are stopping at the Live Chicken spots again,” he told the driver.
“I got it, boss,” the driver responded. After a few minutes' drive, they got to the live chicken spot, and bought a full live chicken for her, and she was elated. She was always eating out of Francisca's own whenever she returned to school with one, that day, she had a full chicken to herself.
“Thank you so much, sir.”
“Thank you, Mr. Nura,” the twins appreciated. At that point, Hope was already calm, and Ahmed decided to interrogate her with a friendly tone, “How old are you Hope?”
“I'm sixteen years old.”
“How many siblings do you have?”
“Four.”
“What number are you?”
“First.”
“I see. What's the problem with your father?”
“He had an accident.”
“Oh dear. So sorry. When?”
“On Friday when he was coming to pick me.”
“ Oh! That is serious. Who picked you up then?”
“After the accident, he went to the hospital, so my mom came to pick me.”
“I see. How is his car? I hope the damage was not much?”
“He does not have a car. It was his client's car.”
“Oh! Is your father a car dealer?”
“No Sir. He is an automobile technician.”
Now, Ahmed had to stop the interview because she was a minor. He would not want to be accused of taking advantage of a minor to extract family secrets. All the same, he had heard enough, and he was able to understand that the vehicle in question on that very day he beat him up was not his but for a client. The so-called bodyguards must have been his friends or apprentices.
Nevertheless, they got to the school by 9:20 am.
“How did her father get her admitted to such an expensive school?” Ahmed mumbled. He got to find out that the only school fees that her father ever paid were her initial fees, and had owed the school thereafter. He had deceived the school with expensive cars, which made the authority to believe that he would clear the bill someday.
Nevertheless, Ahmed settled all her outstanding school fees, and gave her some pocket-money. They returned to the Federal Capital Territory at about 11 am.
At the Industrial Complex
On their way back, Ahmed decided to check the internet news. He was a bit relaxed now that the children were settled in school. To his surprise, the Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group and the Graceland Academy were trending on social media. He saw Dora's beautiful pictures, the cake, and the merriment. Dora was too beautiful that she could be mistaken for a single lady.
'Boss may not be happy with this,' he murmured. As soon as he arrived, he reported himself to the General Manager and narrated all that happened on the way and how the school fees were paid. He did not disclose the circumstances that caused Hope's father's ill health.
“Thank you, Ahmed, for your help. You represented me very well. No child is permitted to drop out of school.”
“I'm happy that you like it, boss.”
“It is ok. I will transfer your refund soon, or do you want to collect it from the General Manager's Wife?”
They both laughed, and Ahmed added, “Or from the General Manager's daughter.”
Thereafter, Ahmed left for the Vice Chairman's office.
He met him busy with the stock market news. He was following up on the impact that the Independent Anniversary Celebration had on the share when Ahmed got in.
“Good day, boss.”
“Good day, Ahmed. How was your trip to Keffi?”
“My trip was fine, boss. I saw Madam's picture on the internet.”
“Yes. I saw it too. What about it?” He asked, and gave him a searching look for any useful information.
“I feel we should beef up security around her. Such exposure could lead to attention from the good, the bad and the ugly.”
Now, Ken was scared because he had not given it a thought. Likewise, he quickly dialed his wife's number.
(The number you dialed is switched off.)
At that point, Ken was scarier, and his mind wandered here and there. He called the driver's number. It rang but he did not pick. Then, he called his wife again and it was the same result. Now, Ahmed noticed his uneasiness and tried to calm him down, “There is no cause for alarm yet. She must have switched off her phone due to incessant calls.”
“I think you are right.”
The time was 11:43 am. Ahmed tried to change their discussion to some other issues to help him relax. They usually speak with each other from 11:55 am to noon. That had been their practice since they got married. He had to wait until that time before he would conclude that there might because for alarm. All the same, he wished to have Ahmed around him. So, he decided to engage him with the footage from the secret camera in Richard's office.
“Take a look at the video that I just sent to you.”
“Okay boss.”
Now, Ahmed turned on his phone and flipped to his video. He tapped the latest post and watched. Furthermore, he furrowed his brow when he listened to all their conversations before the lady walked in and what took place after she got into the office. He looked at the Vice Chairman, who was also looking at him searchingly, before he turned his eyes to his phone again and continued watching the video. When the video ended, he turned to the Vice Chairman and declared, “These miscreants are too tiny to be a thorn in the flesh for the organization.”
The Vice Chairman wanted to hear his opinion about the whole thing. He would rather not tell him know the conclusion of the meeting he had with the Chairman and the Chief Security Officer.
“Boss,” he called out.
“Yes.”
“This matter is becoming messy. I'm beginning to suspect that the relationship between the General Manager and these people had exceeded a reasonable limit. He may not be as innocent as we thought. Yesterday at the f…”
Just as he was about to narrate the incident of the woman and the twins the previous day, the Vice Chairman's handset rang. Just as he had expected, it was his wife. Ahmed stopped and watched him pick the call.
“Excuse me, please. It is my wife,” he remarked.
Now, Ahmed's face brightened up too, like the Vice Chairman who finally heaved a sigh of relief.
“Hello Dora.”
“Good day, Ken”
“How are you? I called earlier, but your phone was switched off. I hope there is no problem?”
He did not intend to bother her with the posts about her on the internet, lest he makes her uncomfortable, but wanted it to come from her.
“Oh! So sorry. I was not expecting your call. I was being distracted by too many calls that I could not concentrate on my work. My office gave me a surprise reception that hit the internet. Ha ha ha.”
“Wow! Why are you laughing? What kind of reception? Did you win any award?” Ken asked, and laughed too, but Dora laughed the more.