Chapter Nineteen

 “She did what? “ It was Eva more infuriated this time. Well, she’s just a servant and doesn’t have a say in the family affairs of the people she serves unless permitted to do so.

Albert summoned them off to their duties. The maids entered the kitchen all burning in rage. 

“What was that earlier?” Sarah was the first to speak. No one else spoke. They all stomped off to their separate ways, dark lines visible on their faces.

…

…

“The moment I saw that Valerie girl, I knew she was a wolf. “ Mira said to Sofia and Lady Lily.

Lady Lily burst out in laughter seeing Mira’s crumpled face. She imagined all that happened and felt it was funny.

Sofia and Mira exchanged glances when Lady Lily laughed loudly.

“It isn’t funny is it?” Sofia questioned Lady Lily.

But she waved off the question still holding her hand over her mouth.

The trio kept on discussing what may occur in the future.

“This is becoming more interesting,” Sofia said.

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

WILLIAMS kept thinking of the future of the company. He decided to call on Smith for help. He instructed his assistant, Festus on what to do and so they sent words to the Smiths.

Williams couldn’t wait for the response. He needed to get back to his feet and strive for the company’s growth.

SMITHS RESIDENCE.

“So he is appealing that we help him?” Smith asked Andy.

“Yes, Master.” 

He sneered while thinking about it. Smith tore the letter and gestured for Andy to leave.

“One day went….”

“ Two days went….”

“Three days went…..”

Williams was already drained off by then, he then summoned Festus.

“Are you sure the letter got to them?”

“ Yes, Master.”

“ Then why hasn’t he replied?” He had already turned red in anger after the whole incident. “Send another letter and propose a meeting.”

Festus bowed in respect and left to do as instructed.

SMITHS RESIDENCE.

Albert thought deeply about the recent happenings in his father’s house. He was beginning to feel weird having Valerie with them. He saw the desperation in those eyes when Valerie called him ‘Love’. He knew she had purposely done that before his father and the whole thought made him boil in rage. He didn’t love Valerie as a partner but as a sister and that is why he felt like throwing up when he heard those kinds of words from Valerie. She still needed to keep a distance from him. 

.... 

....

Daddy, I want to offer you a leg massage.” Valerie pleaded with Smith.

“Oh no. I can’t let you do that.” Smith answered.

“But I can Dad.” 

Valerie persisted till Smith gave in. She got a bowl and a clean white towel, also a soothing oil and started the massage. While Smith lay on the bed, Valerie cleaned his leg and applied oil to it, massaging it as well.

“She’ll make a good wife and mother.” He said inwardly, smiling to himself.

“Get me my phone.”  Valerie stood up and got the phone on top of the drawer. Smith made a quick call that made Valerie extremely excited.

Within a few minutes, a knock was heard on the door followed by an “A come in” order.

The door flicked open and Albert came in. He closed the door behind him but was shocked to behold the site in the room.

“What’s going on here?” He enquired with furrowed eyebrows.

“Come and sit down Son.”  Smith gestured for him to sit down on any of the sofas in the room.

“I’m sitting.”

“Good evening Love.” Valerie greeted without looking at Albert.

“How are you?” Came next out of Albert’s lips. He was lost for words and felt Valerie was going the extra mile in the matter.

“I called you to discuss an important issue with you. And I want us to conclude now on it because it’s taking effect soon.”

Albert listened keenly to his Dad and said nothing.

“You spoke about the need to have a Vice President in the corporation.” Valerie’s ears widened immediately she heard about the business. Albert looked quizzically at his father because he was about to discuss something private in front of Valerie but Smith ignored it and continued.

“I’ve searched and found the right person.”

Albert breathed in heavily as it was a relief at last.

“That’s good to hear Dad. I was also looking for the perfect candidate for this post. So, who is this lucky person?”

“Valerie” Smith answered. Both Albert and Valerie went dumbstruck. Eyes widened, lips apart staring intently at Smith.

“And why are both of you looking at me like that?”

“Dad. You’re not serious are you?”

“Of course I am. A person who can care for her family starting from her father-in-law can also take care of her followers at work.”

“Ahhh, Daddy I need a stronger hand that can back me up when you’re no more the CEO, not this…”

“ You can do this right?” Smith questioned Valerie.

“I’m flabbergasted by this kind gesture of yours, Daddy. I promise not to disappoint you.” Facing Albert, “My Love I’ll try my best.”

“What a joke!” Albert stormed out of the room, leaving the duo to themselves.

He's not used to all these, so please don’t mind.”

“Daddy, I’m ok.”

Smith chuckled.

….

….

Albert paced up and down his room in anger. He kept on thinking about his father’s choice.

“How can my Dad make this kind of decision? Just within a few weeks, he had placed his trust in her.” Albert spoke in an angry tone.

“I think he wants to get you both very close. Moreover, what are you going to do about choosing between Valerie and Inheritance?” John asked him.

“She's not as she looks….”

“ I think you should forget about Sofia and focus on the inheritance”

Albert only shot him a deadly glare and kept quiet. John saw how hard making the decision was for Albert, he excused himself to allow Albert some private moments.

Smith invite his son the next day for a brief. They had a series of arguments especially concerning making Valerie the Vice President. 

Albert kept on reminding his Dad of the need for a person who understands the rules in business. But he gave in to his father's suggestions at last.

“When will you announce it to the board?”

“On Wednesday,” Albert replied half-heartedly.

“Prepare her for the job.” Smith finally told him.

BACK TO HIS ROOM.

Albert made a quick call to Eva. A few minutes later, Eva came in. Bows in respect as she greets;

“Good morning Young Master.” She said

“Good morning, how are you?”

“I'm fine Master.”

“I need to get Valerie some office wears, so I’ll be needing your assistance to execute that.”

“I'm at your command.”

Albert gave her further instructions before she left. 

Eva also informed Valerie of their proposed visit to the boutique.

Albert decided to call the manager of Jason Unique boutique. He was surprised to hear after the call that the boutique was closed some time ago. He called John to investigate and report back to him.

After a thorough investigation, John returned to Albert.

“What!” Albert was shocked to find someone from a very high class and she revenged herself.

“This is more confusing than anything else. I sent Mira and Lady Lily to the boutique, how then did it relate to Valerie?” He wondered deeply. He so much loved the brand clothes sold at the boutique and was on good terms with the manager.  So he decided to help him. That was all that happened. The company began to function as usual after Albert intervened.

The day for the shopping came. Eva kept waiting for Valerie to prepare herself after breakfast. It took her age to do. By the time she had appeared, Eva was already tired. Nevertheless, did she care to know the expression of the maid that was taking her shopping? All she uttered before heading for the car was, “Let’s go." then moved swiftly to the car.

Eva followed her to the car and they zoomed off to the boutique.

“Where exactly are we going? “ Valerie suddenly asked.

“To Jason Unique boutique. “ Eva replied.

“Ok,” Valerie said. She felt something was amiss. Seems she’d heard that name before. But where? “ She gave it extra thought and realization dawned on her.

“Did you just say, Jason Unique? “

“Yes Ma’am,” Eva replied now getting annoyed having to reply same questions over and over again.

“I heard it was closed down due to internal issues. “

“Yes Ma’am, But it had gotten back to its feet. “ Eva said not noticing the frown on Valerie’s face. 

“Reverse the car. “

“What?”

“Reverse the car immediately." The occupants of the car were shocked to hear that from Valerie. The driver had no choice but to reverse the car. He found a place by the side of the road and parked the car waiting for the next order.

“Ma’am, where do we go from here? “ Eva queried in frustration.

“Any other high-end boutique apart from Jasons,”  Valerie replied casually.

“But they’re  the best so far in town.”

“You don’t teach me what I already know. Did you just say they are the best? What do you know? I don’t even blame you. After, all you don’t change clothes like we the members of the high class.” Valerie lashed out rudely.

Valerie’s words hit Eva so hard that she went speechless throughout the drive to another boutique.

“Let’s see how it goes,” Eva muttered under her breath.

“Did you say something?” Valerie asked her.

She shooked her head in rejection and looked out of the window to avoid those sneering eyes.