"....I'll have to reject your offer"

She had no intentions of waiting for a response, as she took off on the bicycle, leaving everyone flabergasted. Julius was too stunned to say a word of reply. He stood there quietly, staring at the epitome of beauty, as she rode far away on his bicycle. The mockers around him were also surprised to see that someone, anyone could see value in the old bicycle.

Julius shook his head vigorously, seemingly trying to convince himself that he wasn't dreaming. "Who in this world was that, and where did she appear from?" He thought to himself. He waited patiently for the girl to return, as minutes rolled by quickly.

Later on, a beautiful car pulled over right in front of him, and the young lady who had left on his bicycle came down from the car, alongside another, who looked a bit younger, but more extroverted. "I hope you wouldn't mind coming along with us to meet my dad?" The younger lady said, as she pointed towards the car.

"I'm not sure about that. I need to hurry home now". Julius said as he turned his attention to the young lady who had left with his bicycle. "Where is it"? He asked.

"I'm sorry, but I never got your name earlier" The lady didn't answer his question. Instead, she asked of his name. Julius hesitated a bit, as he looked at his watch. "I'm Julius Dumoski, and I need to go home now." He replied.

"I apologize for taking your bicycle away like that. It's just that I couldn't help showing it to my dad. He has requested to see you. Would you be kind to come along? He wouldn't take much of your time. I assure you".

Once again, Julius checked the time, before deciding to go along with the ladies. "I have to get my bicycle back, so I don't really have a choice". He thought, as he opened the front passenger door of the car and got in. The ladies also got into the back and the driver made a turn around before heading back in the direction they had come from earlier.

The residence of Joseph Memphis Carter was not too big. However, it had an elegance that suggests he had eyes for good things. He was a construction engineer and an architect, who was posted by his company to this town to come and champion the construction of the company's new project.

The gate of the residence opened slowly, as the car continued into the residence. Before long, the car came to a stop.

The house was simple with lush green flora at strategic locations in the compound, which made it look like a beautiful painting hanging on the wall of an art gallery. One could hear the singing of birds on the trees and a carefully cultured garden could be seen in a circular space in front of the building.

A water fountain flowed calmly in the middle of the garden, that gives a serene feeling of peace and tranquility to the atmosphere.

Julius got out of the car and waited for the ladies to lead the way.

"My dad is in his workshop. Let's go". The younger of the ladies said, as she started walking in a particular direction.

Julius followed hastily, and they soon arrived before a garage, which has a lot of construction equipments scattered around.

"Hello! young lad. I'm Joseph Carter. I'm sure you have met my daughters, Helen and Katrina. A man said, as he emerged from within the workshop. Julius nodded as he bowed politely in response.

"I was excited to see your bicycle, and I couldn't help but ask to meet you. My sincere apologies for disrupting your schedule". Once again, Julius only nodded in response, as the man continued.

"That bicycle is a rare find for me, and it sparks up some glorious memories that I wouldn't like to forget in a hurry. I could pay a good sum of money for it". Joseph said, as he reached for his wallet. "I wouuld pay you three thousand dollars for the bicycle, and you are free to come around anytime to ride, as well as to learn some things from me.

Julius' eyes lit up as he heard the offer. He thought of the many things he could achieve with such an amount of money.

Not only can he buy a new bicycle from the money, he can also afford to cater for many of the other needs in his family. He was also sure that the mockery in school would stop.

"So, what do you say"? Joseph asked, as he brought out the money bills, probably in a bid to entise the young boy before him. "I'll have my driver drop you at home to guarantee your safe..."

"I'm sorry, but I would have to reject your offer" Before Joseph could finish his sentence, Julius cuts in.