Chapter 3

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

"That's excellent. Please submit her CV when she's available. I'm sure we have several openings for new talents like her. I look forward to meeting her," Mr. Taiye replied.

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

"You can't simply arrange a courtship without my consent," Liam said. His father smiled and replied, "I know, son. I'm merely trying to show my appreciation to Mr. John Patrick for his dedication and commitment to our company for over twenty years."

Mr. John smiled and bowed slightly as he prepared to leave. "I'll take my leave now, boss. Thank you and congratulations again, Liam," he said, excusing himself.

Liam sighed as he heard Mr. John's parting words. He walked with his father towards the exit of the meeting hall, and once they were near the door, he said, "Father, I don't appreciate 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 dedicated employee. I understand you're new here, but it's fine. Besides, he said it depends on whether his daughter agrees. She might not even want to work with us, so there's no need to worry," Mr. Taiye replied, turning to leave the meeting hall.

Liam remarked, "I hope she doesn't, Father. Women aren't my priority right now."

"Liam," Mr. Taiye paused and looked back at his son. He shook his head, saying, "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 about what we just discussed."

"Okay, Father," Liam agreed, watching his father leave the meeting hall, leaving him alone. His assistant, Brown, returned to the meeting hall to meet him immediately after his father left.

"What are your orders, boss?" Brown asked, standing before Liam.

"Prepare the car. I'm going home for the day. All official duties will begin 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 emerge. He stood watching the Benson Group, a five-story building bustling with staff.

~~~

Liam stepped out of the elevator and walked towards his car in the driveway. Some workers stood outside discussing that it was a free day and no work was required, since Liam's father had given them the day off to celebrate his son's appointment as the new CEO.

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

Arriving at the residence, Israel parked the car, and Liam stepped out and walked into the mansion. He entered the living room of the one-story duplex.

His mother wasn't in the living room but in the kitchen, cooking. Despite having maids, Mrs. Juliet Jackson preferred cooking, as she enjoyed preparing their local African dishes.

A maid stepped out to welcome Liam as she heard the car arrive. She greeted him, "Welcome back, Master Liam."

"Thank you," Liam replied, looking away from her as he made his way into the kitchen to find his mother. The aroma of the food she was preparing filled the entire living room with its delicious scent.

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

"Good afternoon, Mom," Liam greeted his mother 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 short kitchen towel. She walked up to him and gave him a warm hug.

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

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

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

"Just keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn. Once it's ready, serve it immediately," Mrs. Juliet instructed a maid.

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

Finally, Mrs. Juliet walked out of the kitchen to meet her son, who was sitting on the long couch in the living room, stretching his legs. She wore a brown gown and removed her apron, handing it to a maid who stepped out next to her.

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

"Okay, Ma'am," the maid collected the apron and left, while Mrs. Juliet walked up to sit across from Liam.

"Mom, why are you stressing yourself so much with cooking when you have maids and cooks at your service?" Liam asked his mother, watching her sit across from him.

"I know that, my son, but you know cooking is a form of exercise, and I enjoy it. I can't leave all the work to the maids and cook alone. 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 about it. I'm fine with that."

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

"Fine, Mother. It was just a simple meeting with the new 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? Were they not wearing clothes, or what did you expect them to wear?" Mrs. Juliet asked, confused by her son's statement.

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

"Oh, Liam!" Mrs. Juliet had a faint smile on her face. "They're young female staff and probably looking for a husband. You don't expect them to dress like married women, covering everything up. Besides, they might want you to admire one of them," she added.

"No, Mother! That's not something I'll allow. Tomorrow, I'll issue a new dress code order to Brown, and any new or old female staff who can't follow it will be expected to resign," Liam stated, his face twisted in irritation.

"Liam! You can't do that. You just assumed the CEO position, and you can't be harsh to your workers and colleagues just because you're their boss," Mrs. Juliet frowned.

"I'm sorry, Mom, but that's how I want them to dress from tomorrow onwards. I'll have them inspected at the gate before they're allowed into the company, and I've already prepared the dress code. Brown will give them the information tomorrow," Liam stood up from the couch, while Mrs. Juliet was dumbfounded.

"Liam," she finally called him, and he stopped.

"I'm sorry, Mom, but if my father interferes with this, then I'll have to resign from the company. One must maintain focus, and I don't want to be distracted or tempted by any of my female staff," he 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 at his mother, seeing that she had agreed.

"I'll have to go upstairs now and freshen up. The aroma of the soup is inviting; let me freshen up first and come back downstairs to join you for dinner," Liam said.

"Okay, son, I'll be expecting you," Mrs. Juliet replied, watching her son climb the stairs in the living room to the second floor.

Their house is a standard duplex. Even though her husband has the funds to purchase a multi-million-dollar mansion, Mrs. Juliet still prefers them living in the Benson Villa, as it keeps many of her past memories alive.

She sighed as she stood up to prepare the dining table with the maids. Just then, her husband arrived home with another of his friends, Mr. Tunji Martin, and she walked back to welcome them.

They walked into the living room and met her.

"Welcome, honey," she said as she hugged her husband. Even though he's sixty-eight years old, she never failed to call him honey.

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

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

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

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

"Okay, honey, welcome, sir," Mrs. Juliet smiled at Mr. Tunji, and he greeted her, "Well done, Ma."

"Welcome," she said.