Chapter 12

After Eric was done with the signing of documents and checking the school instrument and facilities their performing stage and his office, Jason was driving Eric back to his new home which is not far away from the school but his mind is still pinned on the girl he saw, he had this feeling that he had known her for a very long time "Jason..." He called "Yes boss" Jason responded "That... Girl... I met earlier she is a student in the school right?"

"Yes boss a none student can't enter the school just freely" Eric grasp remembering that Ashley also got admitted into the school "Why do you ask boss"

"I don't know but I got this familiar feeling about her that we have been together before" Jason scoffs "Maybe you've probably met her at one of your concerts in the S.K you have a lot of fans, or maybe she has probably asked for your autograph and that's where you've probably met, don't get yourself work up about her," Jason said, but Eric disagree "tomorrow check the school schedule if she is a singer she would be at the vocal class tomorrow"

"So you are going to meet her there?"

"Of course I am... I have to be sure I have met her before" Jason exhaled he knew he won't listen "Okay boss"

.....

Eric sat by the window side staring outside he loved the view of the huge estate Jason got for him from his window a gardener was smoothing the edges of the flowers and two maids were standing under the tree in the garden giggling about something, he inhales sharply and stare up to the sky drawing a sharp breath he wonders why he isn't happy yet after acquiring everything he ever dreams of, wealth, fame and other necessity of life he dated Kimberly thinking that the ragging pain in his chest will fade away but it won't unless he get into some intimate action with Kimberly "boss are you okay?" The middle-aged maid asks, Eric, jolted and turns to face her "What are you doing here," he asks "I have been calling you but you seem to be lost in deep thought are you alright?" Eric gazes down at the woman She looks the same age as his mother why will a middle-aged woman come to work here as a maid "Yes I am" He walks towards the bed and sit on the bed lowering his head and clutching unto his hair "are you alright boss?" She ask again, he rubbed his palm together and exhale "Are you depressed?" She asks, Eric raises his head and looks at her the lady smiles at him "It's fine am a mother too you can open up to me" She smiles "It's just..." He ran his finger through his hair "There's something I shouldn't have abandon years back but I did since then am filled with guilt, this guilt is killing me, and today I met someone who looks like she is heartbroken and confused" she smiles and take steps towards him "since you've met her you can just call her and make things work between you too"

"That's crazy I have a girlfriend already"

"I should ask if you are happy with her," she asked with a smile, Eric lowered his head she was right he wasn't happy with her, she is just a satisfying tool for him "I guess not" he responded barely in a whisper what is he doing he is opening up to a maid? "You see before my son passed I learned something that the biggest secret was always hidden in the heart if you are not happy with your girlfriend... Then you have to right to choose someone else... Just bring her close to you" Eric sarcasm "She won't even want to see me"

"if she doesn't want to see you and you want to be with her, use your influence even if it is the last thing you've ever done" she inhale sharply "If I had drawn my son close to me back then I wouldn't have lost him" she inhales sharply folding the handkerchief in her hand "your son is dead?" He ask "Yes he passed last year, that's why I applied for the maid job so I won't be lonely"

"am so sorry" she smile "No need to be sorry when it is my fault... So that's why I won't want you to miss this opportunity to bring her closer people with golden hearts are rare to see hard to earn but easy to lose" she smiles, Eric thinks about it for her while maybe she was right 'people with golden heart are rare to see hard to earn but easy to lose' Ashley has a golden heart she even wish he is happy even when he said he didn't want to see her again "so is there anything else you need master," she asked, Eric, sit up crossing his left leg on his right "can you do me a favor?" He said, "What sir?"

"Call me Eric " she laughs "That's not possible"

"It is... I have a mother exactly your age if am your son you will call me by my name won't you?" She giggles "Okay Eric" he smiles "What can I call you ma'am," he asked "Am Ann" she chuckles "Okay do I'll call you Lady Ann"

"just call Ann"

"Nah, that's disrespectful"

"it's not disrespectful, since I work for you"

"you aren't working as a maid here anymore, but I'll still pay your salary" Ann almost tear up "Thank you, Eric you have a golden heart" he smiles brightly "No thank you for showing me the way" he smiles "you can go I'll call you whenever I need your advice"

"Sure I will be here whenever you needed me" She smiles and leaves.

       There was a silence in the meeting room as though there is no one there, there were twelve people sited on the long meeting table six on each side and one sitting at the end there was two gap between Eric and the table and the intern with the school management, he was busy with his phone twirling pen with his right hand, they all threw glances at each other this was his second day here and he is already carrying a fearful aura but the female interns couldn't resist admiring him, his blonde hair was slick back with some strands flopped forward stopping below his brow thus it was curly, his brow was nicely carved, as his was looking downwards his long lashes could be seen, he was wearing a white shirt which the first two buttons of his shirt weren't hooked and there was visible tattoo on his neck which ran down to his chest a cross on his neck but the one on his chest could not be properly seen, soon he put down his phone and raise his head to look at the intern and the school management sited "any news?"  He said reclining backward on his seat, a woman in her forty from the school management stands up and speaks "The stage play exam we be on hold"

"Why?" He asks twirling his pen "The daughter of the minister is highly sick and won't be able to attend the exam" Eric smirk "Right that's how you do it here before right?"

"Yes" the woman answered boldly "she's fired" He turn to Jason, and the members flinch as they stare at each other bewildered "Jason prepare her termination letter immediately. We cannot tolerate incompetence and favoritism within our school." Jason, his P.A, nodded and promptly got up to carry out the task assigned to him. The rest of the members in the room exchanged anxious glances, sensing the tension in the air. As Jason left the room, Eric's gaze fell upon the woman who had just been fired. Her face was a mask of shock and disappointment. She had served the school for many years, and this sudden termination came as a devastating blow. Eric took a deep breath and decided to address the issue head-on. "Listen, everyone. I understand that this decision may seem harsh, but we have to stand by our principles and integrity," he began, his voice filled with a mix of sternness and concern. "We cannot allow nepotism and unfair practices to prevail in this institution. Our students deserve a fair and unbiased evaluation system."

The room fell silent as the weight of Eric's words sank in. It was clear that he was determined to uphold the values and standards of the school, even if it meant making difficult decisions. With a renewed sense of purpose, the members of the management team reflected on their own roles and responsibilities.

Eric continued, his tone softer now. "Let this incident remind us that we have a duty towards the education and growth of our students. We must ensure a level playing field for all, regardless of their familial or social backgrounds."

He looked around at each member, making eye contact with everyone. "We are a team, and it is our collective responsibility to maintain the integrity of this institution. Let us move forward with professionalism and transparency, always putting the best interests of our students first."

As the meeting concluded, the members left the room with a renewed sense of purpose. They knew that difficult decisions lay ahead, but they were committed to upholding the values of fairness and impartiality. The incident with the minister's daughter served as a wake-up call, a reminder that they had a responsibility to the students and the community they served, this makes them sigh in relief even though he is not as gentle as he was on TV he is wise and intelligent and it will help to straighten things up in the school.