Surprise

When Patrick's secretary called to notify him that Mr. Wallace was visiting, he instructed her to let him in.

The older man came in as the door opened. He appeared anxious. Patrick was able to detect it.

He said, "Please sit, sir."

He took a seat across from Patrick and nodded. He appeared to be in significant discomfort. Patrick decided to move quickly.

It's not like he enjoys wasting time anymore.

"Sir, I called to tell you you won't work for me for a month."

"What? Mr Patrick, please don't do this to me. Sir, don't relieve me of my duties." He pleaded.

Even though he knows his daughter would receive an incredible salary, he still needs the job. There were planned uses for the money she would get after the transaction.

"Mr. Wallace, I'm not sacking you. Let's assume it is leave. You will be taking a leave for a month. I can't let you be my driver when your daughter is... acting as my girlfriend. My mother will tell the resemblance when she sees both of you. So it's just for a month that the deal will be on."

"Are you sure, sir?"

"Yes," he said. "And also, I will pay your salary in full at the end of the month. Is that OK, sir?"

The man remarked, "But sir, I won't be working. It's not right."

"It won't change my agreement with your daughter. And you and her are doing a different job for me. And I will pay for it. If not for her, you will be at work now, so let's assume you are at work. I will pay your salary for this month."

"Thank you, sir. Thank you very much, and I am grateful."

He remarked carelessly, "It's nothing."

With a nod, the man got to his feet. "Here is the key to the car you gave me to bring to work."

To avoid worrying about transportation costs, the man gave him the key to his SUV, which he would use to drive himself to work.

"I don't need it, sir. You can take it. It is yours."

"What? But, sir?"

"Mr. Wallace. I'm serious. You can take it. You know I have more than that; what do you think I need the SUV for?" He said. The chats were starting to get boring for him already.

The man said, "But sir, you've done more than enough for me." He was about to burst into tears.

Despite his internal moan, Patrick answered. He smiled formally and said, "It's OK, sir. I want to go back to work."

Mr. Wallace left the office after giving him another thank you and nodding. When he was gone, Patrick sighed. He was feeling uncomfortable. It was the longest he had ever spoken to his driver, Mr. Wallace.

**************

Patrick answered the phone and mumbled something before hanging up after lunch with two men dressed in suits later that day.

Laughing, the shorter of the two continued, "Ricky. Ricky. CEO of Ricky Empire. Ricky Hotel & Suite."

They both sat down across from Patrick.

"What do you guys want? I'm busy."

The second one answered, "No, bring that one here, oh Ricky. We are heading for lunch."

He turned to them and picked up a file he needed to sign, saying, "Look, Alan, I don't have time for lunch. You can go; I will give you extra time if you want."

Patrick scowled at him as the first one grabbed it away from him.

He addressed the first one, saying, "Henry, my file."

Aside from Philip, Henry and Alan were his closest friends. He employs them both. They attended the same institution, so he invited them over after he bought the business. As the company's head accountant and one of its investors, Henry had stock in the industry.

"Patrick, let's go eat. Man can not do without food."

"Today is Monday. We will go tomorrow."

"No today. We are going today. Susan can handle the work here till you get back." Alan replied.

"I can't leave her to do all the work. Alex is not here. He is on leave. And I have a lot of documents to sign." He told them this.

"She can go with us then. The office will be fine, Ricky. You have thousands of workers. What could go wrong in just an hour." Henry replied.

"And I know you've not eaten this morning? You will kill yourself. Please, let's go." Alan replied.

Patrick addressed Alan, saying, "You know nothing more than food." He smiled. "But we aren't taking more than an hour."

They both said, "Fine. It's OK."

"And..."

They rolled their eyes and exclaimed, "And what again, Patrick?"

"I am not going to a restaurant that had those... slut."

He noticed their naughty smiles. He let out a grunt. He's unsure, trying to understand why they're limited to thinking about what's in front of and behind a woman.

"Do you agree or not?"

Henry questioned, "What will be the fun in it, Patrick?" "Those ladies are the main thing."

He took up another file and remarked, "You both can go alone."

"Fine, fine."

Alan grumbled, "You win. Let's go. Are you sure that you are not gay?"

"Yes, oh. If not for Lily, I would have thought the same thing." Henry replied.

Patrick got to his feet and stated, "I'm here, you know?"

They laughed. They all left the office after that.

************

Alan stated, "Patrick, that girl is looking at you, almost ogling," to Patrick, who was occupied eating.

They had seen a woman seated a little distance away from them wearing a complete wig and a lot of makeup. Before heading to her table, she had stopped by to greet them. Since entering the restaurant, her attention had been chiefly fixed on Patrick.

"It's true, oh Ricky. The lady is gorgeous."

Patrick said, "You don't know the definition of gorgeous," without showing emotion.

"What?" they questioned.

Patrick sneered, "Who told you she is pretty? Makeup is the magic on her. She is cheap."

"Patrick, you and your poisonous tongue. Is it just that, lady, that you're always complaining about them?

"You've never paid a woman a kind compliment. Are you gay? Henry uttered those words.

Everyone looked at him as he said, "No, I have a girlfriend."

"Seriously."

Are you joking with us?"

"On what day did you find love? You don't have to lie to us," Henry remarked in a frustrated tone.

"Phina is her name. Compared to all those cheap ladies, she is prettier."

"Oh yeah!" They both let out a cry.

"Patrick likes a female. Who is the fortunate woman? Henry questioned in shock.

"Why am I not praising her? Patrick declared, "She is my girlfriend."

They started asking questions, to which he responded to some while ignoring others.

"My sister requested that I invite you guys to our dinner on Wednesday night. Phil would be there with his spouse. Thus, you all need to attend. And you, Ricky, please bring your stunning partner."

Alright," Patrick replied.

Just like he wants to use Phina to get his mother off his back, he will use this occasion to push his friends off his back regarding his love life.

Phina waited for Patrick to return, but he arrived much later than expected. Though tempted, she refrained from going downstairs to meet Sara and find out when he usually returned.

Still, she waited. It was customary for her to stay with her father. As she waited for her, she watched another series.

After watching two episodes, she checked the clock, which was nine-fifteen. Does he take this long all the time? He even left early.

As she descended the stairs to get downstairs, she noticed Sara approaching the door, leading her to believe Patrick had returned.

She watched him proceed to the dining room, giving his luggage to Sara and undoing his tie. She went back to her room to sleep because he had returned and had not stopped to inquire about her.