Lectures

The remainder of the week proceeded normally for Phina. She trained the women together. Amelia was a pleasure to work with; however, Taylor had a bothersome personality, and she didn't hesitate to show it. 

For the past five days, she hasn't spoken with Patrick. When she could no longer take the women's lectures on the sixth day, she called him and ended the pointless lesson. 

She called his work number, which he had texted about a week prior, and a female picked up the phone. 

The lovely voice on the phone said, "Hello, good morning. This is the office of the Ricky Empire. How can we help you?" 

"Good morning. Please, I want to speak with Mr. Patrick." 

"What's your name please?" 

She said, "Seraphina Wallace."

The woman said, "Alright. Hold on a second." Then, there was a sound like clinking. Subsequently, Patrick's grating voice rang forth. 

He asked angrily, "What is it, Phina? Why are you calling?" 

Is there anything this man can't do? Phina wondered. She was getting upset with him. She disliked being impolite, and she learned to be better than that from her father. 

She declared, "I'm done with the tutorial." 

Then he paused and continued, "Are you sure..." He hung up after saying, "OK, come to my house tomorrow by 7:45 am. Don't keep me waiting." 

How in the hell? With her jaws clinched, Phina spoke. What makes him treat her like garbage? The time doesn't bother her, but his behavior was inappropriate. He hung up the phone without saying goodbye. Insensitive. She pondered. 

She is not at all fond of him. She had thought that he would be somewhat amiable. She wonders how her father has managed to handle him over the years. He lacks a soul; he only has a face and a body. 

He lacks compassion. 

She began to regret taking the agreement after seeing his behavior. She pondered. 

**********

Because of her father, Phina reached his flat fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. The gateman gave her a big smile in greeting. Despite his accent, he was pleasant and gregarious. From the moment she met him, she had liked him. 

It was the same woman who came to open her door. She settled into her usual seat. Soft music was playing on the wall-mounted black, very wide-flat television.

Shortly after her arrival, Patrick emerged from another home area and joined the living room. 

He did not wear a regular suit. He wore shorts and an ash-colored basic polo shirt, with a white towel wrapped around his neck. 

After looking at her, he glanced at the TV. He then sat, and they went through their morning ritual, saying good morning to one another. 

His expression was that of boredom, as usual. Phina prayed he wouldn't take his wrath out on her, even if she wondered what could have enraged him so early in the morning. 

She was surprised when he said, "How was your training with Taylor?" His voice had a note of worry for the first time, which was also a little unexpected. 

Is it an excellent place to start? 

He nodded, and she said, "Good." "And boring." 

It was his turn to astonish her with a glance. He squinted at her, focusing his gaze narrowly. 

She shrugged. "I learned a few things, but it was boring. The women are boring." She clarified. The part where the so-called Taylor gets upset with her is missing. 

He rolled his eyes and said nothing in response to what she had just said. "My mom will be coming next weekend, and that is when you will start. It will look like a coincidence—you are coming on the same day." 

This guy has everything figured out. 

Well, I am done! 

He glanced at his phone when it beeped. The woman Phina had been seeing since she started coming over emerged from someplace in the house when he called Sara, his housekeeper. 

Without glancing at her, he ordered, "Go and open the door for the woman at the gate." 

And the woman followed her instructions. 

Phina detested the way Patrick looked at her from head to toe. When he does that, it makes her appear weak. 

He gestured with his head, saying, "You will need some skin treatment, a change of closet, and hair done." 

Her question was delivered with obvious irritation: "Do I need all that?" "I'm OK with the way I am." 

He yelled, "Well, I'm not." 

She could tell he was upset by how he looked at her. She came to understand that he dislikes being pushed around. She hesitated to say something that would have infuriated him further. It was not her intention to confront him. 

With a somewhat harsh and authoritarian tone, he stated, "You don't decide. You are to act as a wealthy businesslady. I'm sure Taylor taught you how to behave and talk like one." 

She reluctantly nodded. She detested being told what to do unless it was by her father, and she was also rather bossy. Still, she answered his query with a nod, displaying her humility. The woman threw her poverty in her face and gave her advice on how to behave proudly while simultaneously mentioning her wealthy relatives and clients.

"Do you think my family will believe everything if you look like this?" He inquired. He spoke in a way she couldn't understand while glancing at her hair and attire. 

Phina remained silent in response. She only sighed softly and averted her sad gaze. She detested being made aware of her lowly position. She was born that way; it was never her choice or fault. She had aspirations of improving herself. However, she kept her mouth shut and didn't say anything while Patrick continued to remind her of her lowly status. 

It wasn't her fault. She would say it was because she was poor. If she hadn't been impoverished or in need of money, she wouldn't have been in the situation where he had to shove his riches in her face. That's life. 

She angrily said, "You can do as you please without glancing at him." 

He ought to have found someone more like his so-called proud bitch, Taylor, if he detested people like her. She pondered. 

Her eyes started to well up with tears, but she refrained. 

He may have realized how hurtful his remarks could be, so he spoke softly. She didn't say anything and avoided glancing at him. "I'm sorry for snapping at you." 

Then the door opened, and Sara entered with the complete cosmetic appearance of an ordinary-looking woman. She looked lovely and was well-groomed. The woman outlived them both in age. When she saw Patrick, her smile was the widest. The so-called Patrick got up to give her a hug and a greeting. 

"Hey, Mr. Patrick, how are you doing? It's great to see you," she said, grinning broadly. She exuded genuine happiness and honor at seeing him. 

He said, "I'm good," flashing that almost too-frequent, businesslike smile that Phina knows isn't real but still manages to look that way. "And what about you, Mrs Anderson?" 

"Excellent," she answered. 

"Thank God. Thanks for accepting my invitation to come to the house."

Her natural response was, "It's always a pleasure." She then took a seat next to Phina. 

Patrick introduced the woman to Phina, saying, "That's the girl I told you about." 

And Phina wondered what he had disclosed about her to this attractive woman. She prayed he hadn't spoken poorly of her. With a faint grin, she nodded her welcome to the woman while thinking. 

"Good morning. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Mrs. Claire Anderson." 

"Seraphina Wallace." The woman remarked, reaching out her hand to shake hands, and she accepted. 

Phina concluded that the woman was friendlier than Taylor or whoever her name was. 

Patrick stated, "I want you to work your magic on her and her closet." 

She spoke firmly, "Don't worry, Mr. Ricky. I understand. You won't regret it when I'm done." 

She looked at Phina. Patrick grinned slightly and said, "She is a piece of work." 

Though Lola didn't understand what she was saying, she remained silent and observed the two of them. 

Patrick stated, "I want the best," with his customary air of authority. 

The woman grinned and spoke with assurance. "And you will get your wish. I promise you will love it when I'm done." She reassured him. 

He leaned back and said, "I can trust you, Mrs. Anderson. Just text me the cost." 

Phina worried about how much money they would spend on her for something she thought was unnecessary. If only he had let her be who she was. 

The woman grinned more broadly. After this, she knew a sizable amount would be placed into her account. She loved doing business in that manner. She enjoys working with individuals such as the attractive Mr. Patrick. She was among her most devoted clients. She also always enjoyed working with him. They helped her grow her business, which connected them and is very lucrative. 

That made the trip to his condo worthwhile. 

She said to Patrick, "Of course." She faced Phina. "I think we have a long day ahead of us." 

Phina nodded and got to her feet, saying, "Yes." The discourse that leaves her feeling like a rag doll is getting to her. 

With a charming smile, Mrs. Anderson said, "We will take our leave now, Mr. Ricky," she rose to her feet. 

Patrick stood up and nodded as well. He gave her another handshake and turned to face Phina. The two women left the mansion when he gave her a nod.