Chapter 3 - His Refusal

Mr. John smiled and replied, “My daughter studied Business Administration at the University of Nigeria.”

“That is fine. Have her submit her CV to us once she returns home. I am certain we have vacancies for fresh graduates like her. I will be expecting her response.”

“Father!” Liam cut in sharply, his frown deepening.

“You cannot simply arrange a match with her like that,” Liam said. His father smiled at him.

“I know, son. I am only trying to compensate Mr. John Patrick for his loyalty and dedication over the past twenty years,” Mr. Taiye responded, while Mr. John offered Liam a faint smile and bowed slightly before taking his leave.

“I will be on my way now, sir. Thank you, and congratulations once again, Liam.”

Liam nodded as Mr. John departed. He walked with his father toward the front of the meeting hall, near the exit door, and said, “I did not like what you just did, Father. There are many other ways to compensate Mr. John without involving me.”

“What do you mean, son? Mr. John has been a devoted employee. You may not understand these matters yet because you are new here, but it is all right. Besides, he said it depends on whether his daughter agrees. She might not even accept to work with us, so there is no need for you to worry about what was said,” Mr. Taiye replied, turning to leave the hall.

“I hope she does not. Women are not of interest to me at the moment.”

“Liam!” Mr. Taiye stopped and stared at his son, shaking his head.

“Do not say that in your mother’s hearing. Someday you will find a good wife, but that is beside the point. Let us focus on business and forget what was just said.”

“Okay, Father,” Liam sighed. He watched his father exit the meeting hall, leaving him alone until his personal assistant walked back in.

“What should I do now, boss?” Brown asked, standing before him.

“Prepare the car. I will be returning home for today. Official duties begin tomorrow.”

“Okay, boss.” Brown left the hall on the second floor and went downstairs to instruct Liam’s driver.

“Israel, get the car ready. The boss is about to leave,” Brown said. Israel nodded.

The Benson Group was a five-storey, multi-million-dollar company with a large staff.

Liam stepped out of the elevator and walked toward the car park, where several employees stood beside their vehicles, chatting. It was a free day, as his father had given them the previous day off to attend the introduction of the new CEO.

Liam sat in the back seat while Israel started the engine and drove him home to the Benson residential villa.

Liam stepped out of the car and walked straight into the living room downstairs. His mother was not there; she was in the kitchen cooking, even though they employed many maids and servants. Mrs. Juliet still preferred preparing meals herself, especially their local dishes.

A maid came out to welcome Liam upon hearing the car arrive. She bowed and greeted him courteously, “Welcome back, Master Liam.”

Liam nodded and looked away as he made his way to the kitchen to find his mother.

The aroma of the meal she was preparing filled the entire living room. She was making the popular egusi soup garnished with beef and fresh fish.

“Good afternoon, Mother,” Liam greeted her as he entered the kitchen. The two maids assisting swiftly bowed their heads lower. “Welcome back, Master Liam.”

“Thank you,” Liam replied while his mother washed her hands at the sink, dried them with a short kitchen towel, and walked over to give him a warm hug.

“Welcome home, son. How was your day at the office?” Mrs. Juliet asked.

“Fine, Mother. Has Father not arrived home yet?” Liam asked in return.

“No, son. He is probably with his friends. You know he is happy you finally returned and assumed the position of CEO.”

“I know that, Mother,” Liam replied with a faint smile as he stepped out of the kitchen first. His mother instructed the cook on what to do next, as the meal was almost ready.

“Nora, just keep an eye on it so it does not burn. Once it is ready, serve it immediately,” Mrs. Juliet instructed the maid.

“Okay, ma’am,” Nora replied. She was the head cook and in charge of all the household staff.

Mrs. Juliet then walked out to join her son, who was seated on the long couch, stretching his long legs. She was dressed in her usual long brown gown and removed her kitchen apron, handing it to a maid who followed her out.

“Here, take this to the laundry room and wash it.”

“Okay, ma’am.” The maid collected the apron and left. Mrs. Juliet walked over and sat on the couch opposite Liam.

“Mother, why do you insist on cooking when you have maids and cooks at your service?” Liam asked as he watched her settle.

“I know that, son, but cooking is a form of exercise, and I enjoy it. I cannot leave everything to the staff, or I might become lazy and unwell. I already retired from the nursing home this year, before you returned.”

“Hmm,” Liam hummed.

“It is all right, Mother. As long as you are not stressed by it, I have no objection,” he replied.

“Not at all, son. Tell me, how did the event go?”

“Fine, Mother. It was a simple meeting with the new staff, but I did not like how some of the young female employees were dressed,” Liam stated, his face twisting in irritation.

“What do you mean, son? Were they not wearing clothes? How else did you expect them to dress?” Mrs. Juliet asked, her eyes wide with confusion.

“Decently, Mother. That is how a corporate worker should dress to the office—decently, not trying to seduce anyone at work,” Liam stated.

“Oh, Liam!” Mrs. Juliet gave a faint smile.

“They are young women, probably searching for a husband. You cannot expect them to dress like married women, covering everything. Besides, some might want you to notice them.”

“No, Mother! That is not something I will allow. Tomorrow I will issue a new dress code through Brown. Any female staff—new or old—who cannot comply will be expected to resign.”

“Liam! You must not do that. You have only just assumed the position of CEO. You cannot be harsh to your workers and colleagues simply because you are their superior,” Mrs. Juliet frowned.

“I am sorry, Mother, but that is how I want them to dress from tomorrow. I will have them inspected at the gate before they are allowed into the company. I have already prepared the dress code, and Brown will circulate the information tomorrow.” Liam stood up. Mrs. Juliet was left speechless.

“Liam!” she finally called after him, and he stopped.

“I am sorry, Mother, but if Father interferes with this, then I will have to resign from the company. One must maintain focus, and I refuse to be tempted by any of my female staff.”

“Very well, son. If that is how you want it, I only hope there will be no backlash against the company’s growth.”

“Not at all, Mother,” Liam finally smiled, seeing that his mother had accepted his decision.

“I will go upstairs now and freshen up. The aroma of the soup is inviting. Let me freshen up first and come back down to join you for dinner.”

“Okay, son. I will be expecting you.”

Mrs. Juliet watched as her son climbed the stairs in the living room and made his way to the second floor of their duplex.

Even though her husband could afford a multimillion-dollar mansion, she still preferred staying in the Benson Villa, as it preserved many of her cherished memories.

Mrs. Juliet sighed as she stood up to prepare the dining table with the maids. Just then, her husband arrived home with another friend, Mr. Tunji Martin. She greeted them as they walked into the living room and met her heading toward the dining room.

“Welcome, darling!” Mrs. Juliet walked back to greet her husband. Even at sixty-eight, she never failed to call him “honey.”

“Wow, the aroma of the soup is inviting,” Mr. Taiye said to his wife, and she smiled.

“Where is Liam? Has he not returned yet?” Mr. Taiye asked.

“He is back. He went upstairs to freshen up,” Mrs. Juliet replied.

“Okay. Meet my friend Tunji. We have a small business discussion, but it can wait. Tunji will be joining us for dinner.”

“Okay, darling. Welcome sir,” Mrs. Juliet smiled at Mr. Tunji.

“Well done, ma’am,” he responded.