Chapter Seven

At the conference room of Serf Oil and Gas Company, the phone call caused an uproar amongst the shareholders and directors sitting around the conference table.

"Is he a fool?"

"Is he not in this Country?"

"Even if he is not, is he in outer space where he does not have access to the internet or television?"

"This company is going down and he is who knows where doing what I don't know."

"How dare he hang up like that?" Several displeased voices resounded across the room.

"Forgive my interruption noble men, maybe he is in a situation that might have hindered him from answering the phone well. Allow me to put a call across to the head guard with him." The Chief Secretary to the CEO tried to calm them down.

"Good good, do that quickly, or else, we will take strict actions that may cause grave consequences." The director of company affairs speaks up.

"We agree, we agree..." Others acquiesced.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Everyone waited in abated silence and ears perked up to hear the conversation.

"Chief Secretary Sir," a deep gruff voice comes from the other side of the phone.

"CSO, are you currently with the CEO?" Chief Secretary asked.

"Yes Sir," CSO replied

"Good, now listen carefully to what I have to say." The Chief Secretary states. "There is an emergency at the company and I need you to get the message across to the CEO." He ordered.

"Pardon me, Sir, the CEO ordered that no one should disturb him and in his word, except fire is burning."

"Then this is the perfect example of a burning fire. Go tell him that." He says irritated. "Also, relay to him that the shareholders and directors of the company are awaiting his arrival at the company's conference room."

"Yes Sir. I will immediately do that." Turning around, the CSO ordered his men to stand watch after which he walked briskly towards the front door.

The ringing of the doorbell had the housemaid running to open the door.

"Take me to my boss." The CSO ordered.

"Right this way Sir." Knowing him as the guard to Mr. Serf who is presently enjoying lunch, the maid immediately took him to the dining room.

"Excuse me madam and Sir for the intrusion, the guard requested seeing you immediately." The maid hurriedly said before any of them could scold her.

"What kind of employees are these who won't allow me a moment of peace?" His voice dripped with annoyance while his fingers tapped the middle of his forehead. "Tell him to get out."

"Mr. Serf, just calm down and hear him out. For him to have left his post, then it might be of great importance." Your stepmother tried to calm him down.

"Fine then, I will oblige my in-law." With his face lit up with a smile, he gestures with a wave of his hands to let the guard in.

"You can go in sir." The maid turned to look outside the door and ushered the CSO in.

Walking in and directly to the pair fitted at the dining table, he bowed lowly, "Pardon my interruption Sir and Madam."

Still annoyed by the intrusion, Mr. Serf snapped at him, "it better be important or else, ..."

"I am sorry Sir." The CSO moved closer to him and whispered in his ear what has been asked of him to do.

With his face screwed tight in confusion as to how big of a problem it is to make all the shareholders and directors gather together, Mr. Serf stood up on his feet while trying to compose himself so as not to show his nervousness and anxiousness. This is because he is aware that even though he is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of the company, the shares of the other shareholders combined, are almost two times his number of shares.

"Mrs. Anthonio, I sincerely apologize for my abruptness in leaving. It has come to my notice that my attention is needed at the company, so I will like to excuse myself to be able to attend to the matter." He said.

"Alright, Mr. Serf but hope there is no problem?" Your stepmother asks.

"Ah, none at all, none at all. Just a huge deal that needs me to handle it in person." His random excuse dispelled the doubts of your stepmother as she smiles widely.

"Oh good, I won't delay you any longer. Just don't forget our discussion to move the date to her twentieth birthday that is coming up next week Wednesday. I am sure this will give her double excitement." She replies with glee upon hearing that he is about to close a huge deal which means more dowry (money) for her even though you are the one to be sold.

"True true, let's do just that." He replied.

From where you are perched on the stairway, you smirk, 'let's see what your expression and reply will be like when you know what exactly has befallen you.'

You tiptoed back to your room and await the shout that is sure to come.

"Shaira! Come down here this instant."

'Here it comes.' You think to yourself with a roll of your eyes.

You sprint downstairs and before you could stand steadily, you saw a hand coming towards your cheeks but secretly sidestepped its oncoming assault. Holding your cheeks with teary eyes with the pretense that she indeed hit you, you kneel to plead, "forgive me, mother, I am sorry for my wrongs."

"Keep shut you, evil child. I have told you never to call me mother again, I am not your wh*re of a mother." She yelled.

Keeping your tightened fist by your side, you breathe in and out silently as you try to calm the rage brewing inside of you. 'Ira be calm, at least you have shifted her attention from raining fists and feet on you.'

"Now get out of here, and do not let me see you for the rest of the day." She fumed.

Getting back to your feet, you made your way back to your room still full of anger. 'The time is yet to come for your punishment, I am piling it all up for you.'

Calming down finally, you picked up your phone to play some games before the evening comes rolling in, and you are to make dinner.