Chapter 3 - His Decision

Mr. John Patrick smiled, "Oh, my daughter 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. I will be expecting her response."

"Father!" Liam quickly cut his father's speech short, his frown deepening. "You cannot just court me with her yet..."

"I know, Liam. 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, and Mr. John smiled faintly as he bowed slightly, preparing to leave.

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

Liam nodded as he heard Mr. John's last words. He walked with his father back to the front of the meeting hall, standing near the exit door.

"Dad, I don't like what you just did. There are many other ways to compensate Mr. John, not at my own detriment," Liam said.

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

"Father... I hope she doesn't. Women aren't of my interest," Liam said.

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

"Okay, father!" Liam sighed and watched his father exit the meeting hall, leaving only him in the hall. His personal assistant walked back into the meeting hall to meet him immediately after his father, left.

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

"Prepare the car. I will be going back home for today. Official duties start tomorrow," Liam replied.

"Okay, boss!" Brown left the meeting hall on the second floor and walked downstairs to inform Liam's personal driver, Israel to prepare the car.

"Israel, get the car ready; the boss is about to leave," Brown informed Israel on the ground floor, and he nodded. The Benson Group was a five-story, multi-million dollar company with many staff and workers.

Liam stepped out of the elevator and walked towards the car park. Some of their workers stood beside their cars, discussing. It was a free day, so not much work was available to be carried out, as Mr. Taiye had given them the break the previous day to witness his son's inauguration as the new CEO.

Liam sat in the back seat, while Israel started the car engine and drove them home to the magnificent Benson Crib house.

Liam stepped down from the car and walked straight into the living room downstairs. His mother wasn't in the living room; she was in the kitchen cooking. Even though they had many maids and servants working for them, Mrs. Juliet Jackson still preferred to do the cooking herself, as she preferred preparing their local dishes.

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

"Thank you," Liam nodded and looked away from her as he made his way to the kitchen to find his mother. The aroma of the food she was making had filled the whole living room; she was preparing the popular Egusi soup garnished with beef and fresh fish.

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

"Thank you," Liam muttered to them, and his mom washed her hands in the kitchen sink, drying them with her small kitchen towel. She walked up to him and gave him a warm hug.

"How was your work today at the office?" Mrs. Juliet asked.

"Fine, Mother. Hasn't Father arrived home yet?" Liam asked in return.

"No, son. Probably he's with his friends. You know he's happy you finally returned and resumed the position as the new CEO."

"I know that, Mom," Liam smiled faintly as 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 a watch on it so it won't get burnt. Once it's ready, serve it right away," Mrs. Juliet instructed.

"Okay, Ma'am," Nora responded, as she was the cook and head of the maids and servants in their home.

Mrs. Juliet stepped out to meet her son as he sat on the long couch, stretching his long legs. She was dressed as usual in her long gown, and she removed her kitchen apron, handing it over to a maid who stepped out after her.

"Take this to the laundry room."

"Okay, ma'am." The maid collected the apron and left, while Mrs. Juliet walked up to sit on the opposite couch.

"Mom, why are you stressing so much on cooking when you have maids and cooks at your service?" Liam asked as he watched his mother sit.

"I know that, son, but you know cooking is a form of exercise, and I enjoy cooking too. I cannot leave all the work to the maids and cook; I might end up becoming lazy and sick, as I already retired this year from the nursing home before you returned."

"Hmm," Liam hummed.

"It's okay, Mother, so long as you're not stressed with it, I'm okay with that."

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

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

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

"Decent, Mother. That's how a corporate worker is supposed to dress for office work. Decent, not trying to seduce anyone at work."

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

"No, Mother! That's not something I will allow. Tomorrow I will give a new dress code order to Brown, and any new or old staff who cannot follow suit is expected to quit."

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

"I'm sorry, Mom. But that's how I will like them to dress starting tomorrow. I will have them inspected at the gate before they're allowed into the office. I have already prepared the dress code, and Brown will give out the information to them tomorrow," Liam said as he stood up.

"Liam!" Mrs. Juliet was dumbfounded.

"Sorry, Mom. If Dad interjects in this, then I will have to resign from the company. One must keep his or her focus, and I wouldn't like to be tempted by any of my staff."

"Okay, my son, if that's how you want it, I just hope there wouldn't be any backlash to the company's already existing growth."

"Not at all, Mother," Liam smiled, seeing his mom already agree. "I will have to go up now and freshen up. The aroma of the soup is inviting; let me freshen up and come back downstairs to join you for dinner."

"Okay, my son, I will be expecting you."

Mrs. Juliet watched as her son took the stairs in the living room and walked up to the second floor.

Their house was a standard duplex. Even though her husband had the money to purchase a multimillion-dollar mansion, she still preferred they stay in the Benson Villa, as it kept many of her past memories alive.

Mrs. Juliet 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. She greeted them as they walked into the living room and met her walking towards the dining room.

"Welcome, Honey!" Mrs. Juliet walked back to welcome her husband. Even though he was 68 years old, she didn't fail to call him "honey."

"Wow, the aroma of the soup is inviting," Mr. Taiye said to his wife, and she smiled. "Where's Liam? Isn't he back yet?" he asked his wife.

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

"Okay, meet my friend Tunji. We had a little business discussion, but that will wait. Tunji will be joining us for dinner," Mr. Taiye informed her.

"Okay, honey." Mrs. Juliet smiled at Mr. Tunji, and he greeted her.

"Well done, Ma."

"Welcome," she responded.