Chapter 3 – New rules

Mr. John smiled at Mr. Taiye. "Oh, she studied Business Administration at the University of Nigeria."

"That's fine then. Have her submit her CV to us once she's home. I'm sure we have more vacancies for newcomers like her. I'll be expecting her response."

"Father!" Liam quickly interrupted his father's speech, his frown deepening.

"You can't just pair me with her yet," Liam said, and his father smiled at him.

"I know, son. I'm only trying to compensate Mr. John Patrick for his goodwill and commitment in working with us for over twenty years," Mr. Taiye responded, while Mr. John smiled faintly at Liam and bowed slightly to leave.

"I'll be taking my leave now, boss. Thank you, and congratulations once again, Liam."

Liam nodded as he heard Mr. John's parting words. He walked with his father back to the front of the meeting hall, standing near the exit door. "I don't like what you just did, Father. There are many other ways to compensate Mr. John without involving me."

"What do you mean by that, son? Mr. John has been a committed worker. I know you won't understand this because you're new here, but it's okay. Besides, he said it's only if his daughter agrees. She might not even accept to work with us, so there's no need for you to worry about what I said." Mr. Taiye turned to leave the meeting hall, and Liam replied.

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

"Liam!" Mr. Taiye stopped and stared back at his son, shaking his head. "You don't say that where your mother can hear. Someday, you'll find a good wife, but that's beside the point. Let's focus on business and forget about what I just said."

"Okay, Father," Liam sighed. He watched his father exit the meeting hall, leaving him alone. His personal assistant walked back into the hall to meet him.

"What should I do now, boss?" Brown asked, standing in front of Liam.

"Prepare the car. I'll be going home for today; all official duties start tomorrow."

"Okay, boss!" Brown exited the meeting hall on the second floor and went downstairs to inform Liam's personal driver.

"Israel, get the car ready. The boss is about to leave," Brown told Israel on the ground floor, and Israel nodded.

The Benson Group was a five-story, multimillion-dollar company with a large staff. Liam stepped out of the elevator and walked toward the car park. Some workers were standing outside, discussing near their cars, as it was a free day with no major tasks—his father had given them the break to attend his introduction as the new CEO.

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

Liam stepped out of the car and walked straight into the living room downstairs. His mother wasn't there; she was in the kitchen cooking, even though they had several maids and servants. Mrs. Juliet Jackson preferred to cook herself, as she enjoyed preparing their local dishes.

A maid stepped out to welcome Liam after hearing the car arrive. She bowed and greeted him courteously, "Welcome back, Master Liam."

Liam nodded and looked away from her as he made his way toward the kitchen. The aroma of the food his mother was preparing filled the entire living room; she was making the popular egusi soup, garnished with beef and fresh fish.

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

"Thank you, " Liam replied to them while his mother washed her hands in the kitchen 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. Hasn't Father arrived home yet?" Liam asked in return, and she replied, "No, son. He's probably with his friends. You know he's happy you finally returned and resumed as the new CEO."

"I know that, Mom," Liam said with a faint smile. He stepped out of the kitchen first, while his mother instructed the cook on what to do, as her meal was almost done.

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

"Okay, ma'am," Nora responded. As the head cook and supervisor of the maids and servants in their home, Nora took charge, and Mrs. Juliet finally walked out to join her son.

Liam was sitting on the long couch, stretching his legs. His mother stepped out in her usual long brown gown and removed her kitchen apron, handing it to a maid who followed her.

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

"Okay, ma'am," the maid said, collecting the apron and leaving. Mrs. Juliet walked over and sat on the opposite couch across from Liam.

"Mom, why are you stressing yourself with cooking when you have maids and cooks at your service?" Liam asked, watching her sit.

"I know that, son, but cooking is part of my exercise, and I enjoy it. I can't leave all the work to the maids and cook; I might end up becoming lazy and unwell, especially since I've retired this year from the nursing home before you returned."

"Hmm," Liam hummed.

"It's okay, Mother. As long as you're not stressed by it, I'm fine with that," he replied.

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

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

"What do you mean by that, son? Weren't they wearing clothes, or how else did you expect them to dress?" Mrs. Juliet asked, her eyes wide with confusion.

"Decently, Mother. Decently! That's how corporate workers should dress for office. Not trying to seduce anyone at work."

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

"No, Mother! That's not something I'll allow. Tomorrow, I'll issue a new dress code order through Brown, and any female staff—new or old—who can't follow it will have to leave."

"Liam! You won't do that. You just started as CEO. 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. I'll have them inspected at the gate before they're allowed in, and I've already prepared the dress code. Brown will share the information tomorrow." Liam stood up, and Mrs. Juliet was dumbfounded.

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

"I'm sorry, Mom, but if Father interferes with this, then I'll have to resign from the company. One must stay focused, and I won't be tempted by any of my female staff."

"Okay, son. If that's how you want it, I just hope there won't be any backlash on the company's growth."

"Not at all, Mother," Liam smiled, seeing his mom agree. "I'll go upstairs now and freshen up. The aroma of the soup is inviting. Let me get ready and come back down for dinner."

"Okay, son. I'll be expecting you."

Mrs. Juliet watched as her son took the stairs in the living room and went up to the second floor of their standard duplex. Even though her husband could afford a multimillion-dollar mansion, she preferred the Benson Villa, as it kept many of her past memories alive.

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

"Welcome, honey!" Mrs. Juliet walked back to welcome her husband, even though he was 68 years old, she never failed to call him honey.

"Wow, the aroma of the soup is inviting," Mr. Taiye said to his wife, and she smiled at him.

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

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

"Okay. Meet my friend Tunji; we have a little business discussion, but that can wait, as Tunji will be joining us for dinner."

"Okay, honey." Turning to face Mr. Tunji, she smiled at him, and he greeted her, "Good evening, ma'am."

"Welcome, sir," she responded.