Chapter Three - Fulfilment

Talia had brought up, a conversation about audictioning for a fashion show that had brought about arguments but you can't keep a girl from growing up. They agreed on the condition that Max would go with her, which she's not really happy about.

Mrs Sarah wakes up earlier than everyone else, it was a routine for her. Her normal wake up time is 5:00am, she stretched out her muscles, reached out for the clock and it was 5:30am, i must have overslept, she thought. Still trying to be fully awake, she turned to her other side trying to wake her husband for the morning prayers but he was still very much sound asleep, so she left him be, knelt beside her bed and said a silent prayer, rushed off to brush her teeth.

Mrs Sarah grew up in a Christian home, so morning prayers are must said, she most times woke up every one for the morning prayers and of course she'd be ready for Talia and Max's reactions but they were going to follow up anyways. Bless us today Max, she would say on a few occasions they gathered to pray. What did you expect sleepyhead Max to do? He'd murmured a few words and that's it, God save your soul, Mr Gilbert would utter.

Luckily for them that very day, Mrs Sarah was in no mood for that as she woke up late to her normal wake up time. She moved downstairs looking to make a quick break fast, she got to the sitting room and saw Max lying down on one of the couches, awww Max, he might have slept off when he got back yesterday, she thought.

She stared at him for a while and she smiled at how peaceful he was lying on the couch, unconscious of what was happening around him, she lowered herself and gave him a kiss on the forehead, tapped his shoulder a little to wake him.

Honey you are going to be late for class, come on now, she told him. Am not going to classes today mom, i don't have classes today, Max barely said, not knowing who or what was talking to him. Then get your equipments and head to your room, Mrs Sarah said while going to kitchen trying not to waste anymore time.

Max sluggishly dragged himself up to the room and fell on the bed but landed on Talia.

Awwsh Max, what are you doing? Get off me, Talia screamed. Max was now fully awoken by Talia's scream, he didn't know he walked right into Talia's room thinking it was his. Am sorry, Talia i didn't know i was in your room, Max apologized walking away quickly to his room.

It's already 5:45am, Mrs Sarah is almost done with preparing Fried eggs and plantain for breakfast. Good morning all, Mr Gilbert greeted, coming down from the stairs, fully prepared for work. Good morning honey, i see your fully prepared already, Mrs Sarah said while helping her husband with the brief case and sitting up the table for him to have his break fast.

Where are the kids? They are not up yet? Mr Gilbert inquired looking around to check if they were somewhere around, talia must be up by now i guess and Max isn't going for classes today, Mrs Sarah responded trying to focus on setting up the table.

Mr Gilbert started to eat his meal, he had a meeting by 8:00 that morning and he can't afford to be late. Punctuality is a daily routine for Mr Gilbert and Mrs Sarah knew, so she always mase sure his meals were ready on time. His earliness to work and devotion to work despite his position as a manager, has awarded him the best staff at Negros Shoes Cooperation over the previous years and also put the company's name on the map.

Just like Bronx, Mr Gilbert has memories in Negros Shoes Cooperation, why wouldn't he?. The business that was founded by Mr Edwards, his father's friend, their friendship brought the two families close even after his father's demise and close enough to get 10% of the company's shares. Mr Gilbert would sometimes would hear gossips about being treated specially because of the relationship between his father and Mr Edwards but time to time he'd prove that he deserved every damn thing he's getting.

I recommend we make shoes for people at the grassroot, i understand that the Negros are known for a high quality product but the poor people can't afford it, we have to make them feel they are also meant to be beautiful through what they wear. A journey to a thousand miles begins with just one step, and matter how you try to put it, everyone deserves something good, no matter how little, Mr Gilbert suggested at the board meeting that was held year ago.

The production of local and foreign shoes brought both international and local bodies to Negros, some doubted the possibility of Negros producing cheap shoes but other went and believed. Little things matters alot, Mr Gilbert would remember what his father do say to him.