The new delegate.

George wondered how he was going to meet all the duties at The Big Blue. He was not that inept in this duty but it always sounds easier when another one was doing it. Hussain himself. The founder of The Big Blue. At his desk in Hussain's office , George could easily see the contrast of his office and this new one. It had comfy sofas and a 72 inch Samsung television set was mounted on the left wall of the office. It looked more of a living room than a business office . He had never taken the details of this office when Hussain would call him once in a while into this room. Now he couldn't imagine he's the one in the office himself. The one to oversee every activity in this company.

Unsure where to start, he pulled one of the drawers under the hard wood table and started going through the business papers. He tried to relate the information with what was in the computer. He could see the upcoming deliveries ,the exact information of the goods currently in the warehouse and which route and delivery every truck was working.Every bit of what entailed the management of this business was at his disposal.

After a couple of hours he decided to give himself a break. He moved from the armchair that he was working from and settled in one of the sofas that faced the television set. He switched it on to entertain himself before lunchtime. One of the channels was airing news and he was attracted by the news of a lady who was alleged to kill her ' claimed ' male lovers. The suspect was reported to have burned her victims with a concentrated acid after she learned that they played with her feelings. He wondered if such a thing could happen to him. Whether Angela would blurt out one day and pour an acid onto his face. He tried to think of the last time she ran mad at him. He could not find one incident except the day at Meflon Referral Hospital. That day is the reason why their relationship is currently heading into precarious grounds.

The next item of news shocked him. The voice of the head of security in the country was eloquent and audible enough. He was muttering and cursing vehemently for the failure of his crew to find the daughter of the Minister. His voice told his undeterred intention to find the culprits. A picture and details of the abducted woman was also displayed on the screen.

George did not want any more of it. He switched it of , cupped his chin in his left palm and wondered.He did not want to imagine that he was the leader of the so called culprits. A pang of fear further worsened when he realized that he was alone without a hand from Hussain. Should he be caught soon; he would have to die alone. He rose up to arrange the documents on the desk where he had been working.

As he sank into the armchair before the table, a loud knock disturbed him. Without a consent to get in, a young man had swung the door open. George was abashed. One could easily realize his mischief from the face at first glance and George certainly did. He wore a rather casual white T-shirt with a conspicuous artistic graffiti on the chest.He coupled it with a denim trouser that had a shade of a color between grey and black. His large safari boots made unnecessary stumping noise when he walked in further. He had a gait that would rival one of the drug peddlers on the street with a characteristic leaping style. His hair spoke it all. It was wound in short dreadlocks that saved from their neatness, would be more of a mad man who had his way from a rehabilitation center. George grimaced faintly as the vagabond looking man approached nearer.

His multicolored bangles made some funny and irritating noise as he dropped down in the opposite armchair without a permission from George. A mixture of anger and fear raged in George and he certainly felt threatened. "Hello Mr. George." the man started off as he simultaneously stretched his calloused fist to him as a sign of greetings. George hesitated for a while before clenching his fist to touch his. "Hello young man! Who are you?" George asked with great perturbation in his voice.

The young man smiled intimidatingly expressing silvery tooth gems all around his incisors. "I'm your new worker here. I was sent by the boss ; Hussain." The mischief was still evident on his face making it a daunting job to believe him. George did not like this demeanor. His agitation was rising more and more. He thought that this man was utterly playing pranks on him.

"I asked you who are you? Should I ask what is your name? " George bubbled. "Relax brother. It doesn't work that way." He paused for a moment and a touch of seriousness was now creeping on his face. " I'm Jerome! I have been working with Hussain for sometime and he sent me here."

George shrank at hearing that name. It rightly hit him that this man before him, was at all means responsible for protecting them from the law enforcers. Head downcast, George stayed silent as if he was suddenly switched off. Jerome looked at him quizzically for a couple of minutes then stretched his finger to tap his forehead."What's up man! What's wrong!"

"Oooh Nothing! And may I ask you where did you see me or should I put it like how do you know me?" George's voice morphed into a soft tone now.

"Hussain told me about you. And told me to come and take your post when he's away." Jerome rejoined.

" So you've been at Big Blue before?"

"No I have never." Jerome added laconically.

"That means you've never done this office work before?"

" Yes. You have rightly put it."

"So have you been working for Hussain. I mean where is your workplace?"

" Eh! it's not far from here . It's at the Blex towers on the second floor. Though Hussain always want it to be private." That rejoinder did not leave peace in George's heart. He remembered their secrets meetings at Blex towers. Room 15 on the seventh floor and an intricated business on the second floor still had Hussain in it. It really confused him whether there could be a whole bunch of activities rooted to the hand of Hussain at Blex towers. Or could it be that he even owned the whole building in secret?

As if he did not understand Jerome's motive to come at the Big Blue, he faltered " And... and... could you let me know what you used to do. How are you leaving the place?"

" I'm a technician. I studied my masters in information technology at Michigan university. So I have been working for Hussain as an IT personnel." Jerome explain. " But Hussain told me you would show me my duties". George did not get the last words. He was still ruminating around people with masters degrees and having studies in far countries like the US.

" You said mi.. Michigan university?"

George wondered while trying to hide his embarrassment. "Yes Michigan." Jerome confirmed.

George himself was educated no more than having a chance to taste the realm of university education. He just heard of people studying in the university with some ridiculous certifications like bachelor's degree and Masters. He had no more information about that. Miraculously he had landed this job and in due time he became the apple of Hussain's eye. He was one of the oldest employees at The Big Blue. Yes he was able to express himself well as well as interpret various business matters .He had been perfectly horned by Hussain to the point of being privileged to manage this company.

All that he could do.But the man in front of him was way ahead in terms of academic achievement and would be at a better position in managerial roles like this. He felt his authoritative embers cool down and finally being put of. As much as Hussain preferred him over other employees at the Big Blue, he felt that there existed a similar treatment or even more on Jerome's side.

" It's okay Mr Jerome. " He intoned at long last and continued, " May I show you around and perhaps introduce you officially to your duty and your office. "

" It's cool Mr George. My pleasure." Jerome interposed with his usual mischievous face coming back.As much as George felt that this is an able man in this job, he felt a real presentment in him about this young man. If it is not something sinister behind his life he did not know .If it was that Hussain uses him in another malicious way he still could not get it. The inner feel about him was as strong as the emotion he had when he first met Angela. Always an incontrollable concoction of feelings that he could not tell. But what was overt to him was that Jerome is a worker to question.