Chapter One

The conference room of the Paradise Cures Hospital was a bee-hive of activity . Dignitaries from diverse backgrounds intermingled freely , sharing pleasantries and drinks . It was not only an auspicious occasion , but also a historic day in the history of the subjects of South End as Grace ,their daughter , had demystified the age-old chauvinism not only to become the first ever woman to venture into the hitherto male-exclusive territory of medicine , but had also gone ahead to discover the unique drug . Today , her company was officially launching the miracle drug after winning the Research Development Award from the Academy of Sciences and a greenlight from the World Health Organization .

At thirty-seven , Grace's person could be described as fantabulously gorgeous , almost angelic . Being neither too short nor too tall , her curvaceous figure could only be contrasted with her brilliant brains . She was aptly described in many circles as ' beauty with brains ' . 

Accompanied by her childhood friend and co-inventor , Alex ,she gracefully moved around the hall welcoming and shaking hands with the many dignitaries that had graced the occasion . From the way the two moved , many people could be forgiven for taking them for a couple . However , though either of them harboured fond feelings , she had often considered Alex as that good , trustworthy friend who would always be there for you whatever the circumstances . They had come a long , long way from nursery School to high school , from college to being workmates . She owed much of her success to his encouragement and honest criticism . She was like that brother she never had . On the other hand , he had always taken her to be an excellent friend who would sacrifice her life for him . His parents had teased him about what an incredible couple they could make from since they were teenagers . Though they kept hoping , they seemed to have been proven wrong as years went by .

" Oh my !" Shouted Suzie from a group of six ladies and gentlemen as they reached them . " You look gorgeous in that dress , and even more majestic walking beside Mr . Handsome !" Suzie was an old friend of theirs from high school . Now married with two kids , She had never tired of matching them .

" Good gracious ! You are cutier too , and in a fantabulous company of handsomeness itself ," she returned the compliment as they shook hands ." Am really honoured by your presence , guys ."

" You are one hell of a lucky girl ," continued Suzie . " Seems like everything you put your fingers into turns magical , except one ," she mischievously eyed Alex . They burst into giggles . " Anyway , meet our collegemates , Muna and Christine , and their ...No ,let them introduce themselves . Of course , am sure you two already know , Fred , my lovely husband ."

" It has been a long time since we met last ," started Muna . " A lot has changed since then , but am really happy for you . This here is Bob , a very intimate friend of mine . I seem not to have enough of him , so I asked him along ." Grace was inwardly surprised because the last she had heard about her friend was that she had wed one of the sons of a Mafia leader . She would have to ask her later in private .

" Hi , Rose ," saluted Bob . " I have heard a lot about you , and it's my pleasure to have finally met you in flesh ." 

" Hi too . Am grateful that Muna had the foresight to bring you along ," responded Mary .

" The world is such a small village , but too easy for friends to totally disconnect ," Christine continued with the introductions . " I wouldn't believe it when I saw your invitation . I had thought you had deleted me from your memory bank altogether . Plus , my long business trips out of the country could't help . Am really delighted to reconnect . Joash here is my sweet love ," she concluded , fondly patting him .

" Hi , Mary ," enjoined Joash . " She couldn't stop talking about you since she received that card . She threatened me with hellfire if I coincidentally planned to be away on this particular date . It is of great pleasure to realize that you are that special person one couldn't afford being absent ."

" Am flattered ! Did she say that she and I couldn't get along well in college , or that I hated her when she travelled out of the country for her further studies without informing me ?" Grace enthused .

" That's another side of her I have learnt today . She is such an amiable little thing that I can't imagine her not getting along with anybody ," responded Joash , feigning shock .

" I concur with you on that . You must be a very keen observer ," agreed Grace . " Now , since all of you seem to know me , albeit theoretically , let me introduce my partner . Alex and I have come a long way since baby class . Not only is he my childhood friend , but he is also my business partner."

" Are you sure that is all between you two ?" Intervened Suzie . " Guys , don't you think there might be something more than meets the eye ?"

" Well ," started Alex before Grace could respond " it's presumptuous to charge a book by its cover . Rose happens to be a very good friend of mine and business partner . However , I couldn't blame you for thinking otherwise because , in my humble opinion , no reasonable man could resist having such a sweet soul for a life partner ," he enthused , staring directly into Grace's eyes . She blushed , conflicting emotions coursing through her body for the first time since she had known Alex . It was the very first time that he had complimented her towards that direction . Realizing that the others were staring at her , she mustered enough energy and said :

" Ladies and gentlemen , you must excuse us for there are a couple of other people to welcome . We would sure catch up later ." She tugged Alex along .

They saw the Cabinet Secretaries for Science and Technology , and Health and Environmental Sanitation chatting in a corner table . They advanced towards them .

" Welcome , gentlemen ," she said . " Am really honoured by your presence ."

" Pleasure is all ours ," responded Kein , cabinet secretary for Science and Technology . " I wouldn't miss this auspicious occasion ."

" The uniqueness of this launch and all that pertains to it couldn't afford my absence ," stated Pato , cabinet secretary for Health and Environmental Sanitation . " Besides , your growing fame is always of interest ."

" Am really humbled by your nice sentiments . Feel at home and in case you need anything ,just ask . We are about to begin soon ."

They continued walking and sharing pleasantries with many other dignitaries who had arrived untill they reached her father , Mr . Andrew . He was having some bitter exchange with a group of three people .

" What are you doing here ?" Andrew was asking the elderly man in the group . 

" Take it easy , Andrew ," responded the man ." This is business . Am not envious of your daughter's accomplishments as to miss this occasion ."

" Since when did the king of the jungle start dinning with the rats ?" Andrew retorted . " Nothing good would ever come from your association . What are you scheming by coming here ?"

" My dear old friend , can't we put away our personal differences to celebrate our children's success ? You wouldn't wish for our family conflicts to be transmitted into the next generation , would you ? Let the young generation decide , for our time is up ."

" Here you are ,Dad !" She decided to interrupt after overhearing their exchange . " And who are these good friends of yours ?"

" Thank heavens !" Interjected the old man . " You have come at the right time to save us from your old man's displeasure . Am Caleb , a businessman of no mean repute . This here is Jack , my eldest son . He is running our Genetic Engineering and Organ Transplant facility . And this is Jan , our Chief of Security . Though , we weren't invited , it would be unfair for two neighbouudring families not to celebrate each other's successes . Moreover , am sure my son here would wish to discuss business with you ."

" Everyone is welcome . However , you must excuse us for not being able to send the invitations in time . Perhaps , your card got mixed up somewhere ..."

" No , it didn't ," intervened Andrew . " It was not even printed because I didn't want to ."

" That was selfish of you . Nevertheless , we are here now . My dear , why can't you show Jack around while I catch up with your father ?" He asked Grace .

" It would be my pleasure ," responded Grace as they walked off . After a few paces , Alex excused himself .

" Why don't you proceed while I attend to other matters ?" He asked Grace .

" No problem . We will meet in the office in a minute for further preparations ."

" Excuse my preying , you didn't introduce your friend ," observed Jack as they walked along the corridor .

" Am terribly sorry , but we barely had time as your father and mine looked as if they were about to cause an explosion of the year . Name is Alex , my good friend and partner ." 

" Are you always that ambiguous with your answers ? I mean , 'partner' could mean a lot of things."

" You must be the first one to say that of me ," she said , laughing slightly . " Would 'business partner' remove the ambiguity ?"

" Better . Seems you two have come a long way to be partners in such a beautiful venture ."

" You can say that again . We have known each other since we were kids growing in the same neighborhood . And fate behaved in such a way that we went through same schools and colleges . Enough of me , other than how your father described you , what else are you ?"

" The old man has it when it comes to heaping praises . Born in a family about three kilometres away from here , I wasn't luck to familiarize myself with this neighborhood because I was sent to boarding schools as soon as I learnt to say 'Papa' , mostly out of the country . Specialized in Genetic Engineering that am trying to put into good use in the facility stated by the old man ."

" You must have a rich background to not only afford boarding school , but also in foreign territory . Some of us weren't that privileged ."

" Well , the end justifies the means . Now , look where you are . You are worthy fortunes ," he said looking directly into her eyes as they paused on the door to her office . " Well , I have a business proposal that you can't resist . Would you mind discussing it further at a more convenient time ?"

" I will consult and give you a call ," she responded as he gave her his card .

" I can swear that it's as irresistible as you . Don't dally your response , please ," he said , kissing her hand . He strolled away , leaving her standing at the door . She was still staring at his retreating back when Alex opened the door and peeked into the corridor . Some jealousy crept into his being on realizing the focus of her stare .

He cleared his throat and said , " your stare implies that you didn't have enough of him , right ?"

" Stop teasing ! You make me feel that you are jealous ," she enthused.

" Sorry , just thought I was minding my business ."

" Have I become your business now?"

" I don't know about that , but am sure you are part of my business . Talking of which , we are ready for the launch ." 

She stretched her hand to him and they walked together into the hall.