Chapter 3 – Father's Proposal

Mr. John smiled and replied, "My daughter studied business administration at the University of Nigeria."

"That's fine. You should submit her CV to us once she's home. I'm sure we have vacancies for newcomers like her. I'll be expecting to see her," Mr. Taiye replied.

"Father!" Liam quickly interrupted, his frown deepening.

"You cannot just pair me with her," Liam said. His father smiled and replied, "I know, my son. I'm only trying to compensate Mr. John Patrick for his goodwill and commitment to working with us for over twenty years."

Mr. John smiled as he bowed slightly to leave. "I'll be taking my leave now, boss. Thank you, and congratulations once again, Liam," he said as he excused himself.

Liam sighed at Mr. John's parting words. He walked with his father to the front of the meeting hall, and they stood near the exit door. "Father, I don't like what you just did. There are many other ways to compensate Mr. John Patrick without involving me."

"What do you mean, Liam? Mr. John has been a committed worker here. I know you won't understand because you're new here, but it's okay. Besides, he said if his daughter agrees. She might not even consider working with us, so there's no need to panic," Mr. Taiye replied, turning to leave the meeting hall.

Liam remarked, "I hope she doesn't, Father. Women aren't of interest to me right now."

"Liam," Mr. Taiye paused and looked back at his son. He shook his head. "Don't say that to your mother. Someday you'll find a good wife, but that's beside the point. Let's focus on business and forget what we've just discussed."

"Okay, Father," Liam agreed, watching his father exit the meeting hall. His assistant, Brown, walked back in immediately after his father left.

"What should I do now, boss?" Brown asked, standing before Liam.

"Prepare the car. I'm going home for today. All official duties start tomorrow," Liam said.

"Okay, boss," Brown replied, exiting the meeting hall on the second floor. He went downstairs to inform Liam's personal driver, Israel, to prepare the car.

"Israel, get the car ready. The boss is about to leave," Brown said.

"Okay," Israel replied, waiting for Liam to come out. He stood beside the car, watching the Benson Group building, a five-story structure with many staff members.

Liam stepped out of the elevator and walked toward his car in the driveway. Some workers stood outside discussing their free day, as Liam's father had given them the present day off to witness his son becoming the new CEO.

Liam got into his car, settling in the back seat, while Israel started the engine and drove to the Benson villa.

Arriving at the mansion, Israel parked while Liam got out and walked into the house. He entered the living room of the one-story duplex.

His mother wasn't in the living room but in the kitchen cooking. Even though they had maids, Mrs. Juliet Jackson preferred cooking, as she loved preparing their local African dishes.

A maid stepped out to welcome Liam when she heard the car arrive. "Welcome back, Master Liam."

"Thank you," Liam replied, looking away from her and making his way to the kitchen to find his mother. The aroma of her cooking had filled the entire living room with its delicious scent.

Mrs. Juliet was preparing Egusi soup garnished with beef and dried fish.

"Good afternoon, Mom," Liam greeted as he entered the kitchen. The two maids assisting his mother immediately greeted him, "Welcome back, Master Liam."

"Thank you," Liam replied, while his mother washed her hands in the kitchen sink and dried them with a small kitchen towel. She walked over to give him a warm hug.

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

"Fine, Mother. Hasn't Father arrived home?" Liam asked. His mother replied, "No, my son. Your father is probably with his friends. You know he's happy that you've finally returned home and resumed the position as CEO."

"I know, Mom," Liam smiled faintly. He stepped out of the kitchen while his mother instructed the cook on what to do, as the meal was almost ready.

"Just keep watch so it doesn't burn. Once it's ready, serve it right away," Mrs. Juliet instructed a maid.

"Okay, ma'am," Nora responded. She was the head cook and supervised all the maids and servants in their home.

Finally, Mrs. Juliet walked out of the kitchen to meet her son as he sat on the long couch in the living room, stretching his legs. She wore a brown dress and removed her apron, handing it to a maid who appeared beside her.

"Here, take this to the laundry room and wash it," she said.

"Okay, ma'am." The maid took the apron and left, while Mrs. Juliet sat across from Liam.

"Mom, why do you stress yourself cooking when you have maids and cooks at your service?" Liam asked.

"I know, my son, but cooking is exercise, and I enjoy it too. I can't leave all the work to the maids and cook. I might become lazy and sick, especially since I retired from the nursing home this year before you returned," she said.

"Hmm," Liam hummed. "It's okay, Mother. As long as you're not stressed, I'm fine with it."

"Not at all, Liam. Tell me, how did the event go?" she asked.

"Fine, Mother. It was just a simple meeting with the staff, but I didn't like how some of the female staff dressed," Liam stated, his face twisting in irritation.

"What do you mean, my son? Weren't they wearing clothes? How did you expect them to dress?" Mrs. Juliet asked, confused.

"Decently, Mother! That's how female staff should dress for the office. Decent, not trying to seduce anyone at work," Liam replied. His mother gasped.

"Oh, Liam!" Mrs. Juliet smiled faintly.

"They're young female staff, probably looking for husbands. You can't expect them to dress like married women, covering everything. Besides, they might want you to notice one of them," she added.

"No, Mother! I won't allow it. Tomorrow I'll give Brown a new dress code, and any staff who can't follow it should quit," Liam stated, his face showing irritation.

"Liam! You can't do that. You just became CEO. Don't be harsh to your workers just because you're their boss," Mrs. Juliet frowned.

"I'm sorry, Mom, but that's how I want them to dress from tomorrow onward. I'll have them inspected at the gate before they're allowed in. I've already prepared the dress code. Brown will inform them tomorrow," Liam stood up from the couch while Mrs. Juliet looked dumbfounded.

"Liam," she finally called. He stopped.

"I'm sorry, Mom, but if Father interferes, I'll resign. One must stay focused, and I won't be distracted or tempted by any female staff," Liam added.

"Alright. If that's what you want. I just hope it won't affect the company's growth," Mrs. Juliet replied.

"Not at all, Mother," Liam smiled, seeing his mother had agreed.

"I need to go upstairs and freshen up. The aroma of the soup is inviting. Let me freshen up and come back for dinner," Liam said.

"Okay, my son. I'll be waiting," Mrs. Juliet replied, watching her son climb the stairs to the second floor.

Their house was a standard duplex. Even though her husband could afford a new multimillion-dollar mansion, Mrs. Juliet preferred living in the Benson Villa, as it kept many past memories alive.

She sighed as she stood to prepare the dining table with the maids. Just then, her husband arrived home with his friend, Mr. Tunji Martin, and she went to welcome them. Just as they walked into the living room to meet her.

"Welcome, honey," she said as she hugged her husband. Even though he was 68 years old, she still called him honey.

"Wow, the aroma of the soup is inviting," Mr. Taiye praised his wife as he kissed her cheek affectionately.

"Where's Liam?" he asked. "Isn't he back yet?"

"He's back. He went up to freshen up," Mrs. Juliet replied.

"Okay. Meet my friend Tunji Martin. We have a little business to discuss, but that will wait until after dinner. Tunji will be joining us," Mr. Taiye informed her.

"Okay, honey. Welcome, sir." Mrs. Juliet smiled at Mr. Tunji.

"Thank you, ma'am," he greeted her.