“Yes, Mr. Morris, after this meeting, we will go to their offices and install CCTV cameras. We need to get to the bottom of this?”
The Chief Security Officer pointed out, looking at Ahmed for his consent.
“You are right, CSO. We have to monitor their activities.”
“That is a good idea,” the Vice Chairman, and the Chairman nodded in agreement.
Then, the Vice Chairman requested, "Are we leaving anything about security unattended?”
“I don't think so, boss. I'm certain that the General Manager had informed the Commissioner of Police of the event. He must have deployed his men that would work that day to the stadium for a proper survey,” the Chief Security Officer hinted. Now, Ahmed, who was familiar with the Security System at the Presidency, added, “That has been taken care of. If the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be there, then the security would be taken care of by the Police.”
“It is all right. Thank you all for your time and contributions. I'm so proud of the Nigerian Team. You work with team spirit and I wish to advise you. Do not permit or encourage anything that would bring disunity among you.”
Mr. Morris, who was not aware that there was a big squabble between his three lieutenants, but Ken was simply playing it down, remarked. When the meeting came to an end, the chef served them with tea and thereafter, Ahmed and the CSO left for the Industrial Area while the Vice Chairman stayed behind. Then, Mr. Morris continued, “Jeffrey and I have ordered for special sports attires for all the children that would be participating in the Independent Anniversary Celebration.”
“Wow! That is good.”
“No. Based on what Ahmed just said, I doubt if that it is good because it would distinguish them from the other children, and may expose them to danger.”
Now, Ken, who was scarred due to the Chairman's opinion, pointed out.
“I suggest we do away with the special sports attires, and allow them to wear the general sports attires.”
“I think you have a point there. In that case, we should make them understand our reasons, or they may get hurt.”
“I will do that. I will also get the mask for them.”
“It's all right. Thank you once again for being proactive over Gabriel's entrapment. We will also not relent in countering any negative impact of the comments against us on the internet.”
“I have started that. Fredrick is also on it.”
“I like that.”
“I will take my leave if there is nothing more to talk about.”
“Nothing for now. If I remember anything, I will give you a call.”
“It is all right, Mr. Morris. Good night.”
“Good night.”
At Ken’s House
Ken got to his house and sought Jeff's opinion on the special sports attires, and he declared, “Dad, the idea of masking up is perfect. But there is no inscription on the special sports attires that indicates that we are staff's children.”
Now, Ken was speechless. Though he had not seen the special sports attires, but Jeff had a point.
“So, what are you saying?” he asked.
“What I am saying is that we would love to use them.”
He answered with finality than plea. At that stage of his life, he was becoming matured and independent, and Ken did not want anything that would disrupt that, so he allowed him to have his way on certain issues.
“It's all right. Do you wish to place an order for the mask, or should I do that?”
“Yes, dad, I will do that.”
Dora, who was listening to their conversation while preparing for the food she would supply the next day, was thrilled. Just a few weeks of being exposed to other people outside his family, he had matured greatly. She locked eyes with her husband, who was pleased too.
At the Industrial Area.
The security officers at the gate were relaxed. Usually, Saturdays do not attract much traffic flow apart from the CSO who shuttles between the Residential Area and the Industrial Area, they do not have much to do. That day was not an exception, despite the incident at the television station, which the underground security alert had taken care off. Now, the CSO had arrived with Ahmed, who was seated in the passenger's seat of his car. Most of the security officers do not know Ahmed because he was the company's secret security who trained and deployed security men. It was only the CSO who he trained and recommended for employment who knew him. As usual, he was masked up and on mufti.
Incidentally, when the gatekeeper opened the gate for them, Richard arrived, and parked his car behind them, followed by Robinson's car.
“Why are they here? Today is Saturday?” Ahmed wondered as he inquired from the CSO. Before he responded, Ahmed asked again, “Do they work today?”
"No. This is strange, too.”
Now, the CSO had withdrawn from them since the first time he watched the surveillance footage. He kept them at a very long distance. After all, they were not his bosses.
“Let me get down before you cross the gate. You can park, and continue with your work at their offices. I will join you later.”
“All right, boss.”
Then, Ahmed, who had desired to slap the lady presenter at the television station, but restrained himself, would not rest until his fist rested on the two scumbags. He had been thinking of how to give them his personal beating before any other measure that the management would take against them. Then, he got out of the car with his mask while the CSO moved and instructed the gatekeeper, who opened the gate for him.
“Lock the gate. Don't allow those two cars in.”
“It is all right, Sir,” the security guard who was perplexed responded. He looked at the CSO for any clue, but got none.
'These men own the Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group. What has happened?' He thought as soon as the CSO moved his car.
Now, Ahmed had obstructed the two cars. After the CSO drove into the complex, Richard, who was behind him, wanted to follow suit, but Ahmed stopped him and the security guard locked the gate. Likewise, Richard frowned his brows and looked at the supposed intruder, and asked with a hand demonstration.
“What is it?”
Ahmed responded with a hand demonstration too.
“Where are you going?”
Nevertheless, Robinson, who was watching from his car, was awestruck, and he cursed within him.
“Who could this fool be, for crying out loud?” He asked and got out of his car in anger. If only he knew that the fool was the person who would slap his face hard and not take him to the Company Medical Center. If only he knew that the fool was a die-hard mentee of the General Manager who he hurt.
Now, stopping their cars filled him with indignation. So, Robinson got out of his car, and walked up to Ahmed with resentment and blurted, “Why did you stop our cars?”
“I stopped your car because you are not permitted to go into the premises.”
“Why? By the way, who are you?”
Ahmed, who did not want to inform him that he was the person who would strip him of his dignity and put him off his high horse, replied, “Why? Because today is Saturday and you are supposed to be off-duty. As for who I am, it's none of your business.”
Now, Richard had gotten out of his car too, and walked up to them.
“What is the problem, Robinson?” He asked, and stood behind Robinson, who was close to Ahmed. However, Robinson's response earned him a military slap.
“Look at this idiot…”
(Slap) “Who is an idiot?” He asked.
Meanwhile, the few security officers on duty were bewildered because those were the big shots of the company who no one disrespects, let alone argues with them.
Above all, the unfamiliar man came with the CSO.
“Who has this kind of guts, please?” They asked each other. As a matter of fact, the respect the staff members accorded these arrogant men in the organization was nothing compared to the respect they accorded the Chairman. Robinson, who was astonished, mumbled to himself, “Who can do this?”
Then, he looked at Ahmed with killing intent in his eyes and charged at him.
“How dare…”
(Slap)