Beef

The next morning as the sun rose, students were seen in their classes, chattering. Diva was among them as she sat with Hailey, indulging herself in a conversation.

' Ok, what happened?. How did it go? Come on, gist me. Did they give that moron some lashes of the cane? '.

Diva laughed and shook her head as she wanted to tell Hailey that the moron, Emma, had a name. ' Do they give lashes? '. She asked instead, surprised by the kind of discipline students could be given as only servants in her kingdom were given such discipline.

' Yes, they do. This is Nigeria after all. Just that some parents don't like their children to be flogged so before such children are admitted they get to sign a document with the principal and drop some bundles of cash. If not, no one would be ready to hear you. This Is the school of the rich and everyone is rich '.

' Oh, it is almost like those eras where the rich oppress the poor '.

' Well, but not really. Everyone is rich here. Well, some parents like my parents and possibly, like yours believe that a few lashes wouldn't be bad to put their children on the right path. So, they did not sign such documents or rather ask after them '. She paused and then snapped her fingers as if receiving a light bulb. ' Perhaps, that was what Emma's parents did, they signed the document, and dropped some bundles, not only for the principal but before every staff in this school and that is why he acts recklessly because such children are always known to be rebellious '.

Diva laughed lightly at what Hailey said, amused at how her friend would always find a way to bring Emma to their discussion. Her beef with him was a long one. And to her father not signing such documents, she was sure he was not even aware of it as he was not the one that did the findings and registration. When he does know, he would give all the staff a bag of money, but she was not going to tell him. She wanted to feel how it is to be lashed, besides she was meant to blend in. And since Hailey too would be getting her lashes if she misbehaves, then she was not alone in this.

Away from where they sat, Emma's eyes fell on Diva amid her friend and from where he sat he could hear the hushed voices of the two friends but hers was what he paid attention to more. And he did wait for her to continue till he concluded she was not of a boisterous type. A listener and less a speaker.

The teacher entered and the lectures began.

**

In the office, Roland and Tim were seen standing before Chairman Conrad. In one hand was a paper document and in the other hand was a magnifyer. He didn't need it but to lessen the doubts around him, he asked the butler or tightly said, his brother-in-law to get him one as he went to the mall the previous day.

The Amethyst gem had the power to rejuvenate and the people in his kingdom reached a very old age before they got blind or weak.

' Sir, the meeting you scheduled for 12 pm would start in five minutes. They can't start sir without you '. The Secretary announced the moment she got the permission to enter the office. Though he was given the opportunity to change her, he preferred her staying, his PA, Malcolm still had some other businesses to handle.

' I will be there in soon '. He said to her and turned to Director Roland and AG Tim ' You guys should get going, I am coming '. They both bowed and left.

As they left, Malcolm drew near. ' Save all these documents in the system. I want soft copies of these hard ones for future use '. Chairman Conrad instructed and left him to do his job.