CHAPTER TWO

Six months later, George  and Irene ran out of St Augustine school with best of results laughing and hugging each other, “it was indeed worth the effort,” said George .

Irene sighed happily, “We made it.” They were so happy and excited about their results and Irene couldn’t wait to tell her mother as she reached for her phone immediately and dialed hedr number, shouting, “mom I made it with the best results,”immediately the call connected.

“I knew you would,” Elizabeth said with happiness clear in her voice. “So, when are you coming home?” She asked after her moment of her happiness.

“Mom, are you crying?”

“No dear,” she sniffed, “I’m just happy. I really wish your dad was here to see you.”

Irene felt the ache in her heart, “I wish so too, mom.”

“I know, but don’t worry, you have me here and we would always make him proud.”

“Yes, mom,” she smiled.

“So when are you coming home?”

“Don't know yet,” she bit her lower lip, “actually, I’m thinking about settling here,” she glanced at George , it was their arrangements and they hope to work in New York.

“But why?” Elizabeth asked, she was a little disappointed and it was clear in her voice. She has always wanted her daughter to be closed to her so she could keep an eye on her.

“Can we talk about this later mom?” Irene asked, sensing her disappointment. “I really have to go now.”

Elizabeth sighed, “fine then, call me when you are free.”

“Sure mom, love you.”

Elizabeth chuckled despite her anger, “love you too my darling.”

Irene smiled and when the call disconnected, she turned to George and he winked at her just as Jude approached them.

“You guys up for a little fun this evening, maybe to club or drink to stupor?” Jude asked with a wink.

George chuckled and Irene answered, “sure, I am in.”

“We deserve that, aren’t easy graduating in this school,” Jude added and they all laughed and walked out of the school.

***

At hometown bar and Restaurant, George and Jude sat with drinks in their hands as they waited patiently for Irene arrival. “So you have made up your mind marrying her once you get the job at Louis hospital?” Jude asked, bringing his tumbler to his lips.

George bit his lower lip and nodded, “yeah man, I have been dreaming of it.” 

Jude chuckled and play-punched him, “dude, I’m happy for you. That’s a great decision man. You know what?  Let's toast to that,” he raised his tumbler and George reached to clink his to it.

“Toast to what?” Asked a singsong voice and they froze, while Jude smiled awkwardly, George choked on his drink.

“Toast to love,” he replied still coughing, when he finally got himself in check, he cleared his throat and stood up to held her hands. “I love you so much my darling and congratulations to us for making our professional course, we are going to make it big this time,” he winked.

Irene  smiled and took a sit just as George sat back down, “is that right?” She glanced at Jude.

“Of course,” he replied.

“Okay then, so where is your own loved one?” She raised an eyebrow, “she didn't make it?” when Jude sighed, she added, “Itold you she didn't love you, she is supposed to be rejoicing withyou today but where is she?”

Jude shrugged, “I think she is still on her way, she promised me she would be here.” 

Irene sighed, “for your sake Jude, I hope she is true, you deserve better and I will always say that.”

Jude smiled genuinely, “I know you care about me,” he grinned as Irene rolled her eyes.

George phone’s ringtone disrupted the moment, “excuse me,” he said, kissing Irene on the cheeks as she stood up. He walked outside of the club to be able to shut down the noise and answered the call, “hello?”

“Is this George Richardson?” A voice asked.

“Yes and who are you?” George asked warily.

“I am Amanda, the manager of Louis hospital. I believed you submitted your application with us last month?”

George could feel his heart thumping really loud in his chest, “yes, yes I did ma’am,” his voice changed to professional immediately.

“Good, I called to let you know that you have an interview with us this Thursday by ten am, do be sure to attend.”

“Yes ma’am, I will be there, thank you.” When the call dropped, George looked up at the sky, he felt like jumping and screaming at the same time, he couldn’t believe this, he wasn’y expecting them to call for him so soon but they did. Right now, all that is remaining is for him to ace the interview and he could finally get his dream job. Gush, how happy is he? With a big smile on his face, he walked back into the club and kissed Irene on the lips this time.

“Okay, what just happened?” She asked when he let her go.

“Just great news,” he replied, taking his seat and finishing his drink in one go. He was so damn happy and he was greatly looking forward to Thursday.

***

Thursday finally came and George couldn’t sit at a place as he paced around the waiting room in Louis hospital. The doors before him finally opened and a black haired man with intelligent black eyes stood and stared at him, “Mr. Richardson?” he asked.

“Yes, I am,” George answered.

“I’m John Kimberly and I am the public relations officer. I believe you are here for the interview?”

“That’s very correct sir.”

“Follow me,” John turned and went back into the room. George heaved a deep sigh before following him inside. He saw John sitting in the midst of three well dressed men. He let out a deep breath through the mouth, a bit nervous but also confident of himself.

“So you are going for internal surgical doctor?” A man on the right side of John asked.

“Yes, sir,” George answered.

“Why should we hire you?” Another man asked.

“Your company has a reputation for being a market leader. I know this, and that’s what the latest issue of Forbes says as well, I’ve heard that your company offers great benefits—full medical and dental, paid paternity leave, and a lot of bonuses. I’ll be honest, that’s a strong motivation. But that’s not all. There are so many renowned specialists working for you! I’d love to be surrounded by people I can learn from,” he answered, looking from one man to the other. “So, you seek the best internship candidates. Now, since you define success as where the willingness to learn and skill to make impactful decisions meet, I assure you I fall squarely into the definition. My high GPA testifies to my dedication to learning, and the real-life success of my student projects proves my skills and impact. I would love to use this internship opportunity to grow among experts such as yourselves, and contribute whatever I can to helping the company find optimal solutions to the current needs of people.”

“You did so well in analyzing the company before us, it will be our interest to see what you can offer to this company in the nearest future, let's see your credentials,” the third man requested.

George  handed it to him and they went through it and the man in the middle said to George , “Mr. George , we are pleased to work with you.” He stood up and shook him just like the rest of them did.

George couldn’t believe he got the job, he knew he has what it takes but it was still a surprise to him and after talking a few more medical stuff, he left the hospital with a date in mind on when he would start his internship as he joyfully went home.

***

Getting home, George  first called Irene to tell her the good news and she was so happy for him, “when are you starting?” she enquired.

“Monday, precisely,” he replied and bit his lip, “um…Irene, can I see you this weekend please?”

Irene accepted without a moment of hesitation and they hung the call. George put a call to his family telling them about the new Job and received a hearty congratulations from them. A smile played on his lips throughout the entire time the call lasted.

At the YOU AND ME shopping mall, George stood at the hallway waiting for Jude and also thinking on how to engage Irene and if she would accept. Lost in thoughts, he didn’t know when Jude stood beside him. “Hey man, what are you thinking standing here?”

George jumped and looked at him then shook his head, “nothing dude, just…” he sighed and glanced at him again, “you kept me waiting, what happened?” 

“Sorry, man was delayed with some issues,” he answered.

George shrugged and they left or the jewelries store. Getting there, they were amazed by the beautiful pieces and found it hard making a selection. Jude decided to ask for help and approached a beautiful woman who was having her own look around, “hi,” she looked at him and he smiled, “can you assist me in choosing a ring?” 

The smiled, tucking her red hair behind her hear, she nodded, “sure, what type of ring?”

George had approached them then and answered, “engagement.” 

“Wow,” the lady chuckled, “what a lucky lady,” she smiled seeing the blush on George cheeks, “sure, let’s get on with it.”

They walked around finding so many beautiful rings and finally, they settled on a silver ring made with Crystals. “I have a feeling Irene would like this,” George said, smiling. He knew Irene is a lover of crystal and silver jewelry and knew that was the right choice. John wanted to utter a word but after listening to George,  he became speechless. At the end, they appreciated the lady and left.

***

On Sunday morning, George woke up to make breakfast for Irene . It was a wonderful last night and he knew he won’t be forgetting it in a hurry. He made sandwich and fried potatoes along with a cup of coffee. Irene was still asleep when she felt a kiss on her forehead and a soft murmur of ‘good morning Angel.’ Sheyawned, stretched and then open her eyes to see the man of her dreams leaning on her. She smiled and he placed a chaste kiss on her lips, “I made you breakfast.”

She smiled and sat up, “wow, thank you honey,” then she looked at him, “but you know you didn’t have to.”

“Why shouldn't I for the woman of my dreams?”

Irene chuckled, “thanks you.” As she ate, she noticed a discomfort in her hair and reached to touch it. To her amazement, it was a slim silver engagement ring, she jumped off the bed and rushed to the sitting room in search of George. She saw words written in red roses  on the floor and it read: “Will you marry me?”

Her heart was thudding loud in her chest and she felt like if care was not taking, she would faint out of excitement and shock. She ran into the kitchen and saw words written in roses again on the kitchen cabinet: “And be the mother of my unborn kids?” She ran out again to the balcony to find a car parked with a bold note written on it: “I will treat you like a queen you are forever.”

Not sure she could handle it anymore, she screamed; “George I will,” with tears rolling down her cheeks. “Please come out now, I will marry you.” George now came out from where he was hiding with a smiling face and she jumped on him and kissed him passionately and said again, “I will marry you honey.” They had a long kiss and went back to bed.

On Monday morning, George prepared for work while Irene made breakfast for

them. She came inside and was looking worried and disturbed. George saw her mood and asked, “what is it?” 

“I just got a call, my interview this morning had been declined.”

George sighed, he walked up to her and hugged her, “don’t worry, you will find another one and when I settle in the hospital, I will try to find a space for you.”

Irene smiled and kissed him on the lips, then she arranged his collar, “I know you would.”

“I will do anything, as long as it makes you happy.”

“I know,” she stood on her tip toes and kissed him again, “have a nice day today.”

“I will, and you too. Don’t forget, we would be going to Chicago to meet our parents.”

“I know, it’s this weekend right?” He nodded and she smiled, “I will prepare for it.” George kissed her and they both left the room for the dining room where she had set their breakfast.

***

George and Irene stood in front of his family’s mansion on Saturday morning, Irene wowed, she knew George was came from w wealthy home but the kind of wealth she was looking at, “your dad is rich,” she ended up saying.

George just smiled and winked, “yea he is but I am going to be greater than him.”

Irene looked at him with a smile, wondering how long it will take him to grow bigger than his father. They had parked beside a Porsche and Irene has been impressed by that. They went into the house and Thomas and Erica Richardson met them in the living room. 

“Welcome home, Son,” Thomas said while Erica hugged her son and kissed him on the forehead, she had missed him so much.

“Oh dear, how I have missed you,” she chuckled.

“I missed you to mom,” George said, it was the first time he has been away from home for so long, he looked at his and then his mother before turning to Irene and grabbing her hand, he pulled her closer and turned to his parents, “Dad, mom, I want you to meet my fiancée, Irene Williams. Irene , meet my parents.”

Irene smiled shyly, “pleasure to meet you sir, ma’am.”

Erica smiled at her and Thomas stretched his hand and shook her, “nice to meet you my dear.”

Erica hugged her and whispered in her ear, “you are such a beautiful damsel,” which Irene responded to with a shy smile and a blush. The Richardson accepted and welcomed her into their family with a nice dinner. During the dinner, George had mentioned to his parents that they would leaving the next day to Irene’s place to see her mother. They had wanted them to stay a little bit longer but George had explained that he would be going to work on Tuesday, so they want to use this weekend to meet up with everyone and return to New York on Monday. Thomas and Erica looked at each other and smiled, remembering when they were at their stage. Despite their families wealth, they had insisted on making a name for themselves and they did. When they now inherited their family’s business, they had went up to well known billionaires. 

As the dinner went on, they talked about a lot of things andequally blessed the soon to be couple. And on Sunday morning, Irene and George left to see her mother.

Elizabeth was watering her garden when she heard her daughter’s voice calling out “mom, mom where are you?” She rushed to the front door immediately On seeing her, Irene rushed and hugged her, “mom, I have missed you,”

“I have missed you too dear,” Elizabeth said with joy. After their heartfelt greetings, she looked at the man with and asked, “who is this?” she asked, her eyes not leaving George.

Irene smiled and offered her hand to George which he took and she pulled him close, “Mom, this is George, my fiancé.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened in surprise and she looked from her daughter to George and then her daughter again, “the one you told me about on the phone?” Irene nodded excitedly and Elizabeth looked at Georgewith a smile, “it’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” George replied with a smile.

“Please come in.”  She offered, opening the door and going in first, then she turned to George, “make yourself at home, you are welcome. How are you?” 

“I am fine and you?” 

Elizabeth chuckled, “I’m great now I have seen my daughter.”

“Mom,” Irene chuckled.

“Please make yourself comfortable and what can I offer you?” Elizabeth.

“Water will fine ma’am,” he replied.

Elizabeth smiled, “alight then, but please, call me Elizabeth,” she left to bring him the water. When she returned, they chatted and from there, she came to know George parents and she accepted him wholeheartedly, also because she wants her daughter to marry into a rich home unlike her who married just for love as she always say. 

After their lengthy talk, she excused herself to make dinner, while Irene took George to her fathers’ study room to show him his pictures. She also told him how much she loved her father and missed him. After that, she showed her room to change and rest, then left to join her mom in the kitchen.

“Wow, such a handsome rich young man you got yourself, Irene ,” Elizabeth said when she saw her.

“I know mom, never knew he was rich until I got to his home,unlike Richard who is so full of himself,” she rolled her eyes. 

“Who is Richard?” Elizabeth asked.

“Never mind, there is no story to tell.”