15 CHAPTER FOURTEEN: THE MEAL

Melissa's phone vibrated. She intentionally put it on vibration so as not to hear it ring because she was intending to go to work late. The phone kept vibrating that she had to pick it. She didn't even check the caller before she said hello with a sleepy voice.

"Melissa are you there?"

The voice she heard drove her sleep away. She looked quickly at the wall clock, it was still early morning 5:12am to be precise.

"Can you hear me my dear?"

"Yes sir I can" she bowed as if she could see him.

It was very rare for Mayfield to call her, talk more of calling at this hour of the day. His voice wasn't raising any alarm but she was not still balanced.

"I'm sorry to disturb you" he apologized.

"No problem sir" she said and cleared her sleepy voice.

She kept wondering why the !an called her this early morning.

"I need you to do something for me. Hope you don't mind?"

"No I don't sir" she replied not thinking twice if what he wanted to say was something she couldn't do.

"Won't it be too tasking if I ask you to book me a meal this morning?"

Melissa got a shock. She looked for who to share the shock with but she saw none because she was alone in her room. Then she got no choice but to share it with the space in her room.

"A meal?" She repeated slowly, trying to confirm if she heard right.

"Yes a meal" he replied.

She was really disturbed because how can Mayfield ask her to cook with all the turns of professional chef that works for him, he decided to ask her to cook. Something definitely wasn't right.

Mayfield on the other hand was patiently waiting for her to recover. He didn't blame her for getting flabbergasted because he could understand that a normal person will surely react that way.

"No problem sir".

She knows that she doesn't have a choice than to accept no matter the reason behind his request. She also knew that it would be impolitic of her to ask him the reason he wanted a meal from her.

Even Mayfield wasn't ready to tell though he knew she was dying to know.

"What do you want me to prepare sir?"

"Since my request is out of the blue with a short notice, I wouldn't want you stressed" he pauses.

"Sir it doesn't matter just tell me what to cook" she said rapidly.

"Just cook me anything you have available" he said .

"Alright sir" she smiled even though the man wasn't seeing her. "Am I to bring it to your place when I'm done?"

"No don't bother. Just give me call when you are done, I'll send Brown to come pick it".

"OK sir".

"Thanks and I'm so sorry for the stress".

Not a stress sir" she bowed unconsciously again.

"Alright then bye" the line went off.

Melissa was overwhelmed at Mayfield's request. She wondered what prompt such errand. She gave many excuses for reason why his chefs were not available. But they were all filmsy excuse. She even thought it to the extent of Drew's involvement but she quickly shook the thought away knowing Drew will never agree to such thing.

She tried not to be negative. She quickly headed to get her sisters. To Somaria's first knowing she is easier to wake. She just hijacked port Somaria from her bed without telling her anything, heading to Tyndall's room.

"Big sis, why wake me up this hour" she asked in a sleepy voice , gave a big yawn and tried to return to sleep.

Melissa pulled her up. "I heard something few minutes ago and I'm in so much shock.

"Heard something? Where?" Somaria whose eyes was a bit clearer asked in bewilder.

She seems confused because no one lives in the building except them.

Tyndall was still dozing while while Somaria sat on her bed looking at her sister with sleepy eyes.

"Mr Kmetko called me to cook him a meal" she said.

"Mr Kmetko?" Somaria asked like she never heard the name before.

"Yes Drew's dad".

At that, Tyndall who was trying to get back to sleep balanced into a sitting position while Somaria widen her eyes.

"What did you just say?" Tyndall asked thinking she misses some of the words she said.

"I said Drew's gather told me to prepare him a meal" she repeated stressing every words.

"What!" The two ladies exclaimed.

"When was that?" Tyndall asked flabbergasted.

"Few minutes ago. Not up to five minutes".

The ladies hinged their mouth open and looked at the hanging wall clock.

"I was just as amazed as you are. It is really a baffle" she said showing the baffling look.

"Why would he ask such thing of you?" Somaria asked.

"Don't have an idea".

"With all the country's chef at his beck and calls, he still asked you yo cook for him. I'm not totally fine about this" Tyndall said shaking her head slowly.

"Likewise I" Somaria joined. "Do you think Drew is aware of this?" She asked Melissa who was Pacing.

Melissa stopped. "Nah" she gave a wave raising her nose. "He will never agree to it" she said with an assuring look.

"Even if he knows and disagree, his father might still go ahead not caring about his opinion" Tyndall asserted.

"Whether he know or not, he sure will never heard it from me. You two knows what that implies" she said looking firmly at them.

Tyndall understood vividly that she is the one that has that statement that look more of warning because of her closeness to Drew.

"My lips are sealed" she said moving he finger from one edge of her lips to the other as if she is zipping a zippers.

Somaria only gave a nod. "What did he ask you to cook?"

Melissa gave a twisted lips. "He said anything I have available".

"Whoa" Tyndall said softly.

"The issue there is that I don't even know what to cook. I'm confused here" she said and sighed.

"It will be hard to pick a meal for him. One he is an old man. Two he is rich and we all know that by default the rich are very choosy especially when it comes to food. You really have to think well so he won't have bad impression on your cooking skills" Tyndall advised.

"I thought that too" Melissa agreed.

"You two is acting as if you are going on contest. It si not a contest. The man who called you on impromptu won't be expecting a super great meal. You've not made him a meal or live with him for you to know his likes and dislikes. So stop getting yourself worked up. Just go for common meals" Somaria chided gently.

Melissa released a relieved breath.

"That's really true. If you try to make something spicy, he might not be a fan of spice. Rice should be one of the most common meal. Then we can add other things" Tyndall suggested.

"Ok, let's get started before we run out of time.

* * * * *

"I heard you haven't been to the office since two weeks" Mayfield questioned.

"I've got something to deal with at the hospital" he replied reading a mail from his system.

"What went wrong?" He asked with concern knowing his son won't spend lot of time there if it is not really serious.

"Nothing so alarming" he replied casually.

"Just tell me" he said stubbornly.

He knew Drew wasn't interested in telling him but since he want to know he commanded him to tell.

"The power supply system got tampered with and it affected some instruments" he said with a nonchalant voice without looking away from his system.

"And you just said it is not alarming?" He said near shouting. "What if fire broke out?" He asked in fear.

"Fire can't just break out because the way the place is programmed, it is secured from fire out break" he said .

What he didn't tell his father was that it almost killed five patients especially the one on life support. He had to work all through the week the rescue and stabilize them. Thank God they didn't die.

It was whe the hospital was at early stage that he had to work his body kplike he did this past week. He couldn't even take a proper rest. He was so tired to the brim but he had to check on some work before he takes a rest.

"Who told you that? If not for God" he snapped.

"I agree dad" he exhaled.

"Who tampered with the power?"

"We couldn't detect that. Some said it was the voltage that flowed in the hospital. Some said it should be one of the men in charge. Since the CCTV didn't give us anything usual, we let it go but we are being more vigilant now" he explained.

"Please be" he said. "Hope it didn't affect much?" He asked with concern.

"Not it didn't" he lied. "Just some gadget" he said casually.

"Aren't your instruments so expensive?"

"Yes they are but we've gat no choice".

"Did you get them fixed?" Drew nods. "I didn't even get to know about such thing. How come? Even the news didn't carry it?" He said like he was angry.

"Because I restricted them from doing so"

Drew knew letting out the information will cause him a huge blow. So he strictly warn everyone and the reporters about the news. He told them that they would have him to deal with if he hears any news about it so everyone was restrained.

"You worry too much dad".

Although he was multitasking, he could see his father's frown and he smiled.

"What happened is a thing to worry about" he said frankly.

"No dad. It is not" he disagreed. "I solved everything without your panics, so let it be" he said.

At first when he was alerted about the incidence, he really panicked. He was not at rest until he saved these life. He worked restlessly.

"Would you love to take a break for few months?" Mayfield asked.

Drew raised his brows cynically looking at him. "Why?"

"Because the work load is too much on you" he replied with a fatherly pity.

"There is no work load on me. If not for unforeseen circumstances, I don't see stress in it. I have lot of people working for me and they are doing their job beautifully. So don't disturb yourself on nothing" he said plainly.

"I don't want you to over work yourself" he said.

"If I take a break, who want to replace me?"

He knew what his father would say but he still looked at him for answer.

"I will" he said proudly, knowing the meaning of the look his son was giving him.

"Look at this old man. Who do you want to make trouble for?" He chuckled.

"What's wrong with this boy? Who was keeping the company going before you took charge few years back?"

"I don't think you know what you are trying to do. You don't know how old you are for this job".

"I'm not in anyway old" he argued.

"Oh" he giggled. "I travel at least twice a month. Tell me how you want to cope with that?"

He qaa looking at the man who was trying to prove point in mockery.

"You are doubting me. Let's try it first" he boasted.

"Not you and I" he shook his head giving him you don't know what you are saying look. "I don't think you know how many divisions the foundation has now. They are triple when you left them, talk more of the countries they are in. Who do you want to create trouble for. Just stay where you are and enjoy your old age"

Mayfield frowned and Drew laughed at him.

"If you can do all and still control your hospital, the foundation won't be a big deal for me" he said cussed.

"Had it been it is my hospital you want to oversee,I will have granted your request with full support but the foundation? No way" he shook his head.

"What do I know about your hospital that I want to go oversee?" He hissed.

"I have professionals working for me that if I don't step into the office for a year, there won't be issues. They only alert me if there are extreme cases. So you can just go there to see if thy are effective in their job and more hospitable as they ought to" he replies.

"Hey boy! I'm not that old" he said sternly.

"Is it because you are looking at young me, that gave you the thinking that you are not old. Don't forget if not for your late marriage, I should be your grandchild".

"Isn't that the reason I'm persistent on you getting married and stop all these too much focus on work like I did?"

"Dad don't worry I won't be like you" he smiled warmly.

"Just don't get yourself killed with stress" he frowned.

"Dad I'm getting more than enough rest so what's the bother all about?" He said in disdain.

"Shut up and tell me the reason you fired your chef" he said firmly changing the subject.

"He came to you already" he said plainly. All his smiles varnished quickly.

"Since you've decided to be withholding all important news from me, I somehow heard"

"He came or I heard, won't I listen to the words with my ears?" He said sharply.

"It was intentional to withhold it from you. I don't want you to plead on his behaif".

He knew his father won't relent until he forgives the man and that didn't make him happy.

"That's your business" he hissed. "All I'm concerned with is the reason you fired the man who's been working for you for over a decade just like that" he said firmly.

"Dad that man doesn't deserve the annoyance you are venting on me. He really deserves what I gave him" he said dryly.

"Explain".

"On three occasions has this man left my house without informing me claiming he told his fellow staff as if they are his employer" although he was angry, he didn't raise his voice.

"I know and I really scolded him for immediately he came to me" he said with a serious look.

"It is not as if I do demur anytime he wants to take permission. This last time was even worse. He went for two solid weeks. Can you imagine that" he blurts out.

"The reason he left was really critical though but he sis wrong".

"Don't give me that dad" he frowned. "Is that the reason he underestimated me?"

"He is sincerely sorry. He won't repeat such again. I've really spoke with him. Just forgive son. You know he has a lot of mouths to feed" he gave a pleading look.

"This is exactly what I'm saying. Your soft spot for this man is just too much dad" he said still wearing his frown.

"Forgive him. I'm vouching for him that he won't do that again" he said ignoring his words.

"Dad I don't have time for that now. Let him take a break and when I have time I'll think about it" he said insouciantly.

"But what will you be eating since your system is very choosy?"

Mayfield would never recover fully from the stress he passed through getting him that chef, when his nanny died which is as a result of old age. Before this current one, Drew will land at the hospital after tasting anyone else's meal. Mayfield already gave up and he turned to a chef himself when he found this man asking for a job. He was actually Mayfield's house keeper but one day, he made Drew a meal out of ignorance. He didn't know about Drew's internal illness, he just did it since Mayfield was running late and the poor boy was feeling hungry. The boy ate the food and went to sleep without been affected and when Mayfield got to know, he was glad and made him his permanent chef.

"Can't I cook?" He asked with pride.

"You are indeed a joke" he said with a stern disdainful look. "You that when you have a chef, you do forget to take your meals will now cool yourself meals? In the next two month you will remain nothing but skeleton" he said.

"That's not true. He's been gone for almost a week and I've been cooking myself" he boasted.

"How many times have you cooked?"

Mayfield shook his head when he couldn't reply him immediately.

"Just look at you. You can't even remember. I know fully well that you been taking junks all the while" he eyed him.

Drew just looked at his father smiling knowing trying to defend himself will just birth more talk.

Mayfield placed a food flask on his table. "I brought you this".

Drew looked at the flask and smiled. "You cooked !e food?" He smiled.

"No I didn't".

Drew expression changed quickly. Then who?"

Mayfield gave him a broad smile. "My new found wife".

"New found wife" he called astonished.

His father never for once mentioned that he want to go into a relationship. He himself times without numbers has he preauaded him to take a wife but he do refuse but his sudden announcement took him aback. Not because he wasn't happy but because it came out of the blue.

The look his father wore gave him a doubt. "Dad are you kidding me?" He gave a mocking look.

"No I'm not" he smiled like he was truely happy for himself.

"Dad are you trying to get into a relationship without letting me know" he frowned.

"No boy"

"Then why haven't I met her?"

"That's because I'm still processing it" he said curtly.

"You are still processin and you are already calling her wife" he gave him a skeptical look. "Who is she?"

"Don't be in such a hurry boy. You will meet her very very soon" he replied.

Drew hated suspense. He really wanted to know who that woman that caught his father is.

"I'm not eating something I don't know the source" he pushed the flask to his father.

Mayfield who knew this is exactly what he would do twisted his words. "Are you trying to say I brought you poison?" He asked in ire.

"Dad! You know I would never say that" he said smiling.

"Don't smile" he said bluntly.

"Dad must I eat this food?" He grumbled.

"Yes he snapped.

"Dad you know I have a bad stomach. Eating this might cause problem?" He said

Although that is the truth but of is not his problem at all. He is grown now and he could use pills to control it. He just didn't want to eat it because he didn't know who cooked it.

"That won't happen. Trust me" he assured.

"Since it is your new found wife that cooked it, shouldn't you be the one eating it?" He asked.

"No, she prepared it for you".

"I don't want" he declined.

"You must be kidding me" he blurted out. "You don't have a cook neither do you have time to cook and you still have the effrontery to refuse the food I took my old self to go get you? So that you will later come up with a stomach ulcer and be looking gaunt. I won't take that boy. I don't even want to care if the food is badly cooked or not. All I want is that you must eat of all whether you like it or not" he ranted.

"Nothing will happen to me".

"You should shut up and start eating" he said imperiously.

"I can't eat now, I'm busy" he said calmly.

"Do I look like I care? I'm going to wa5ch you finish this food because I know, once I leave, you will give the food out without even opening it" he disagreed.

"Dad I'll eat it" he said finally, knowing his father to be a cussed man.

"Not true" he declined.

"Dad I'm been sincere here. I'm too busy to eat. I will later" he pleaded.

"If not that I have a place I'm heading to, I would have stayed till you are dome with whatever you are doing and I'll watch you eat the food with my own eyes" he said blankly.

Drew snorted. "Where to?"

He was glad they could stop talking about the food.

"To a friend".

"Dad you've been stressing yoursel moving up and down. You should rest more" he said with a scolding voice.

"I'm not stressing myself and it is you that needs more of rest" he demurred.

"I'm still young".

"Thats your cup of tea" he hissed. "Drew if you want to try anything funny, just think of theoor lady that woke up very earlier in the morning to cook you this meal. Don't be unfair by giving this food out. I won't be happy at all" he assert firmly but with a calm look.

"Dad I'll eat it. I promise" he smiled.

"Make sure you empty the flask" he ordered.

"Dad, how can that be when I'm not a food god" he asked starring widely at the flask before him.

"And that doesn't mean you should eat two spoons and then claim you've eaten. Eat until you are filled".

"Alright dad".

"I'm coming back for the flask. Don't give it out. It belongs to the lady you'll soon love" he said smiling.

"Someone I'll soon love?" He chuckled.

"Yes".

"I concur".