Chapter 7

Clement, direct Lady Philips to the massage therapist. We've discussed and she craves for facial and Thai massage. Tell Job,  the masseur that the client who booked an apartment for microdermabrasion at 2pm might arrive soon. The medical history of Lady Philips has been compiled and cursorily checked , she's fit for the therapy she requested and its appropriate for her current health status. " Bambi Amah Solanke rattled off quickly, a headgear rested on her round face and chubby neck; her dress glittering with great splendour as the hem brushed the frame of the standing young man in blue T-shirt with Ronbi beautifully inscribed at its back. Bambi tilted her neck, beaming and revealing a set of white teeth at her clients as some garbingly stared like a lost peripatetic. She settled down, laughing while a clownish client cracked a joke.

            "Well, Mrs Solanke. You're doing a good job here. " A lady commended, her polished face glinting under the cascading chandellias. As the spa owner and manager, she couldn't be regarded as one who has less to do. She trudged to the reception desk urging the receptionist to comply with the orders of the spa therapist for the suggestion of appropriate therapy for clients available for appointments. She welcomed a new customer with her parting lips and roaming eyeballs, surveying the environment.

            "Aromatherapy? Yeah ma'am. It's the use of natural plant extracts as explained to you. You will meet the massage and facial therapist. Please, do settle down here while I work on having one attend to you. Victoria! Attend to madam and I'll be grateful if a good job is done, do inform me of any issue or disturbance and I'll ease the situation.    " Bambi urged, observing the swift motion of her workers with clients prancing behind them. She scourged the black box containing bottles and jar resting lazily on a shelf, silently prospecting.   

           "Spatulas - check. Tweezers - check. Astringent - check. Cleansing face cream - check ! " she read out with observation, biting her lower lip as she pondered on ordering for more goods from online stores at the moment.

           "Madam, Anthony logded a complaint about the malfunction of the facial steamer. He said he's extremely shocked for it worked perfectly yesternight before the closure of the spa. A customer has requested for body wrap and hot tub treatment also. " a young lady with tribal marks on cheeks complained, scratching her braids. She avoided eyes with her and like one being frightened by Bambi's face, she kept staring at her own shoes.

            "The facial steamer? Anthony should be aware of the one bought in weeks ago, it's kept safely in the store and you both should sort out arranging body wraps for the one who requested for it. I'll join you in a second. Tell Anthony to see me in a split second after attending to any client at hand." Bambi ordered, waving off the young lady as she walked up to one of her hair stylist who stood styling the Afro hair of a sitted aged lady who had applied a face scrub already with her face entirely painted white. Dyeing the entire hair to keep the white strands of hair from calling attention to itself, the young lady dabbed the black dye on the hair gently. Bambi coughed, giving corrections as the hair stylist flinched slightly, gaze still resting on the aged lady. Bambi cleaned her fingers with a brown towel kept on the handcart, she grabbed the dye and applied more - the hair stylist nodding in affirmation with her gaze on her boss.

          "Mum! " Tinu whispered. Bambi knew whose voice it was except if Jimi has finally reconsidered removing Yo from mum. She recalled the moment she strongly rebuked him when he sat her down, explaining the ethics of those living in the States like she has never travelled overseas before.

        "Brandy calls his mother, Stephanie! In the states, there's not much regard but here things are just too different. " she remembered his complaints and how he had cringed when she snapped back angrily at him, urging him to remember he was a Nigeria citizen.

            "Tinu love, Welcome darl, how has the day been ? " Bambi asked, encircling the sitted lady's hair with a large, white towel as she stepped further with her daughter.

           "Extremely great, mum. Can see there's quite much to do today. " Tinu guessed.

         "Exactly. Business, you know." Bambi laughed.

           "Business indeed! " Tinu laughed along with her mum's bustling voice, finally settling down on one of the empty hydraulic chairs.

          "And when is the business trip, omo mi."

          "This Friday mum! I'm excited though a bit pessimistic. You do know how defence of contract can be, especially when competent people are involved. And the most appaling information is that Elites company was chosen also. Mum, Linda's one competent lady! "

          "I know but you dear, are more competent and you know I vehemently despise pessimism and fear. She's just lucky, not a goddess or mermaid and your father support you both equally. I won't be glad to hear you say he glorifies or support her more. "

            "Well, dad has changed and I guess he's pleased with seeing me offer contributions to the development of the company. And the sum of fifty thousand dollars is involved in this pending contract with some official benefits which definitely will bring uplift to Ronbi. "

          "And I was informed too, Tinu. You need to remain swift and strong this moment. I do not embrace failure or disappointments and I'll be dishevelled to see you downcasted also. Remember how far we've come and how stupid it will be to give up at this moment. Remember how proud you've made I and your dad proud by finally having a voice! Well, Jack Robinson - my white friend;  I hear is one of those handling the proposals. I could speak with him and strike a deal together. Just that will do, Tinu. I'm sure the other companies are definitely making efforts too. No one can sit with crossed fingers, certainly. " Bambi assured.

             "Mum, you marvel me. Sometimes I wish I was the eldest and this fear of being sidelined by father at times all because of someone won't be there. "

           "And who says you're not the eldest?"

          "Oh mum! You're a clown. Forgotten Linda is one of us? "

         "Is she? Is she? " Bambi scorned , laughing and beckoning unto one of the therapists to move the spray machine to the needed unit.

         "Been long we chitchat to look into strategies."

         "You know, Tinu. I'll make it up to your. Heard from Jimi today?" Bambi questioned with raised brows.

         "Nope, he informed me last night that he will be recording a label at his friend's studio today. He didn't tell you? "

        "He did, now I remember. "

       "Mum, I've got bothers and worries. Much and it's really because I've got much to do. Office issues, working with the workers, attending business meetings. Just much, been long I and the girls meet up too. So I'm thinking of organizing a night party at Frittles Hotel. I want hot tub treatment to be available, mum. This Saturday I guess, after the defence. When it's awarded to me, to Ronbi." Tinu informed, beaming.

           

              "And that exactly is what I expect, the optimism. Sure, love. I and Anthony will work that out. "

        "Mum, I have a date tonight. I don't want trouble, Mark will be flustered if I decline us having this moment again. " Tinu rose, clasping her red bag.

          "Do tell him we need to talk. Won't stay for Gua sha, sugar scrub or salt glow? " Bambi said, raising her left brow.

          "Hmm. I'll! Mum, it's late already. I'd have opt for manicure and pedicure but I need to hurry now. I won't like to be held up in traffic. Love you mum and don't stress yourself much! " Tinu yelped, offering a thank you as she watched the security man open up the glass sliding door for her to step out.

        "The UV light towel warmer will be brought in by Phoebe in the next 2 hours. Place a call to the yoga master and lady in charge of fitness unit, I need to hear from her about the training being organized, Anthony. " Bambi ordered, facing a young man with brown spectacles rested beautifully on his nose and striped handkerchief encircling his neck. He nodded, dabbing off dirt from his shoes.

                 "I'll ma, That lady - Dorcas Johnson has called earlier today to inform us of the turn - out of the fitness programme. I apologize for failing to inform you."

                "I understand. " Bambi nodded, refusing to chastise.

               "Ma'am, a call." The receptionist called with a flustered face, keeping whatever she just heard to herself.

              "Oh.. Okay. Hello ma'am. You're sueing Ronbi Spa? A legal action. I explained to you but you refused to take heed. Remember you signed the form before the treatment was being done. Guess you've made up your mind then... Hello? " Bambi mumbled,  drumming her fingers on the reception desk with disdain.

               "Ma'am. Mrs Linus right? " Anthony questioned.

               "I need to make a call to my lawyer! " Bambi Amah Solanke declared!

Opemiplenty