Chapter 13

Jordan's POV

I hate Mondays sometimes because to me is one of the busiest days of the week... I always have so much to do...series of meetings, business and contracts lined up waiting to be executed. One of the things about this business of real estate is if you ain't up to the task to take up the challenges and you aren't able to compete with other contractors your competitors might take advantage of that...Marcia Holdings has always been a very big firm right from when my dad was the CEO before he passed. After we went public, we have grown so rapidly that our shares alone are one of the best in the country. At least I'm very much aware that we control over 45% of the real estate and contracts around the city... So is that big? When I took over the business after my dad passed about two years back, it was a big deal for me. Since none of my brothers showed interest in the business, I had to take over the task and carry the burden alone.

I woke up around 6:30 AM as I always do, I remember that Jaxon didn't come home early last night, so I went to check on him in his room. When I knocked, the door was opened, I went inside... It was almost 7 AM and he still looked like someone that was run over by a truck. I covered him up properly and went to the kitchen to make some coffee. A few minutes later my phone ranged, it was Mr. Jone. Head of human resources...

"Good morning sir," he said

"Good morning Mr. Jone"

"Sir, I called to inform you that we have selected a few IT students from Saint Nort University to facilitate the routing and networking of the branch office in Broadway"

"Okay, thats good. How many are there?" I asked

"Four students Sir"

"Okay, if you think they are competent enough to take over the duty, that is fine"

"Okay sir"

I hung up the call, finished my coffee, and went back to my room to get ready for work.

It was already passed 8 AM when I walked inside the office premises. Mrs. Cynthia, the office receptionist was already seated at her desk...

"Good morning sir" she greeted

"Good morning Cynthia... Please cancel any appointments I have by 1 PM. I'm expecting an important client, the minister for works and housing for an important meeting okay..."

"Okay sir"

As I walked through the hallway that lead to the elevator connected to the 8 floors I noticed that most of the employees seem very busy and everywhere was very quiet... I was surprised though because that particular section of the office used to be very noisy sometimes... I guess maybe it was because of my presence... Sometimes I felt awkward when I saw the fear on people's faces when they saw me, especially around the office premises...though I dont like it sometimes but at the same time, the fear has made me the most respected CEO in the country. I wasn't ready to lose my father's legacy.

"Sir, we need to go through the proposal that I will present before the board this afternoon..." My project manager Mr. Sam, ran after me immediately after I go out of the elevator...

"Okay, but first I need to see the financial manager then I will call for you..." I said

"Okay, sir"

After I had the meeting with the financial manager, I signed and approved the budget which was to be used in the construction of the Statehouse secretariate at the capital...

Then called in the project manager to oversee the workflow of the ongoing project to ensure we were still running on the budget and also maintaining the time stipulated for the project to finish.

"Sir, this is a copy of the proposal I will present to the board this afternoon," Mr. Sam said...

I looked at the copy of the proposal he gave me...though I was impressed with the margin there, I still need to study it a bit to be sure ...

"Okay, just leave a copy here and I will go through it before the 4:00 PM meeting"

"Okay, sir"

When the project manager was walking out of my office, my new personal assistant Miss. Alex came in...

"Sir, the minister just called, he said he had an appointment scheduled for 1:00 PM with you but he will come before 1 PM..."

"What time did he say he will be coming...?"

"In an hour's time Sir..."

"Okay, no problem... Just clear all the appointments I have within that period... I wouldn't want to receive any phone calls or visitors during that period okay..."

"Okay sir" she left

Last month we submitted a proposal to the ministry of lands and urban development to build 35 different apartments for government workers working in the state capital... The project will be a very big milestone for the company and I wouldn't want anything to happen to it... The minister had already promised me that my company will be awarded the contract, with just a few signings remaining...

I was going through the copy of the ministerial proposal when Mom called me...

"Hello mom"

"Son, I'm sending Kaira over to the office to take your measurements..."

"My measurement? Why?"

"For the Thanksgiving Son..."

I was even more confused now...

"Mom, this is not the right time... Can't it wait until I get home? Because I'm very busy right now...'

" She's already on her way," my mom said and hung up the call...

I was still thinking about what just happened now when my PA knocked and opened the door...

"Sir, the minister is here"

"Okay, let him in" I stood up and adjusted my tie...

"Good morning Minister" I stretched my hand for a warm handshake...

"Good morning Mr. Marcia"

"Please have a sit," I said

"Thank you"

As he sat down... I can notice from the way he was looking that something was wrong somewhere...

"Minister, I hope there is no problem because we were supposed to have a meeting by 1 PM to finalize the contract... I was surprised when my PA said that you are coming this early..."

"Well Mr, Marcia I decided to come by myself to explain things to you... About the contract, there is a new development..."

"A new development? What development Minister.? Because I thought we have concluded with the whole arrangement" I could feel a drop of sweat around my neck...

"Mr. Marcia, yes I thought so, but the perm Sec with the office of Audit reviewed the past contracts issued to mostly younger bachelors, and we noticed that they didn't do their job very well, rather they collected the funds and misused them. Perhaps this is a housing project, we need someone who has a family and understands the concept of being a family man..."

"Minister, I'm known for my diligence and professionalism. Talking about family, I have siblings too. Since my father passed, I have been the one handling the business..."

"I worked with your father when he was alive Mr. Marcia, but in this situation, there is nothing I can do. Thats what the board has decided. Because of the relationship I had with your father, thats why I decided to deliver this news myself to you..."

I could feel my whole body ragged with anger... After all the effort I put into this project this is how I will lose it all because I'm not a married man... This was an injustice of the highest order...

"You can't get in. The boss is in a meeting..."

"I don't care"

I could hear some shouting outside the office.

Kaira slammed the door open and bagged into my office...

"I'm sorry sir, I wanted to stop her but..." My Secretary said...

"Is okay, Kaira, please I'm in a meeting right now. You need to wait outside, will call you in when I'm through"

"Jordan, I have been waiting outside for the past 20 minutes, do you actually think that you are the only busy person here..? Just let me take your measurements then I will be on my way"

"Right now? Common can't you see I'm with someone or are you blind?" My temper was beginning to rage

"I will wait here Jordan"

She sat on the sofa by the window. I was sure I would have convinced the minister but after Kaira's rude behavior I wasn't sure if he would even listen to me.

"This must be your girlfriend...?" The minister commented and we both asked in unison, "what"

"I mean why do you say so," I asked

"Nobody would have the guts to badge into your office like this if that person ain't close to you...

I tried to fake a smile...

" well, she's actually my fiancee. We are bound to be married soon. Maybe in a few months..."

Kaira was surprised when I say this...

"What?" She screamed

I stood up immediately and walked to where she was seated...

"I am sorry to have caught you by surprise, I needed the minister to know. And about the measurement my love, I'm so sorry I kept you waiting..." I kissed her and walked back to my seat...

I can see the shock on her face...all this while, she neither moved nor talked. She was just staring at me in disguise I guessed.

"This is good news, Mr. Marcia. If you're getting married in a month, I guess there is no need for the board to take the contract from you... I will definitely let them know about this.

" Thank you, minister...I truly appreciate your help..."

Finally, it seems the crazy mud girl was my lucky charm after all, but the question is how was I to implement the lie???.

"She's very beautiful. Who would have thought that Jordan Marcia will settle down...?? The minister says

"Well,  I have always wanted to be a family man... Perhaps thats why you gave me the contract in the first place because you saw the potential.

"Very smart man...lemme get going... I trust you will do a very good job. And dont forget my invite to the wedding too..."

"Will keep that in mind sir" I said with a smile

He stood up and then I saw him off to the door.

When I got back my mind was still processing what had happened earlier...

How will I explain this to Kaira?? Will she agree to play along...?? God, I'm in a deep mess...