Chapter 6

  <<<< Xi Group of Companies>>>>

Rowan was sitting in his office, addressing his father's employees.

One of the employees, the company's head of financial unit, raised her hands.

"Go ahead Annette, make your contributions snappy." He instructed her and leaned back in his chair.

"Thank you sir. I'd like to point out that we made some good profit in the last four years; however, the company's net expenditures are toppling over the profit per season. I would suggest that some unnecessary frivolities be cut down on."

Rowan bit his lower lip. He knew where her conversation was headed and he was definitely going to address it.

"What are the components of this net expenditure? Can you give me a run down?"

"I can mail you the comprehensive list of all that the company has funded for the past four years."

"Send me that mail before midday, Annette. I would like to address the situation immediately."

Annette nodded and thanked him.

"You can all get back to work, there is a lot to do," Rowan instructed.

His employees began to disperse one after the other.

Mr Kenny, his hotel manager, stayed behind.

"I would like to have a word with you sir."

"Go ahead, Mr. Kenny," Rowan said, trying to listen with rapt attention.

"The hotel is in need of extra hands, cleaners, and supervisors. We have prepared an advertisement to be put out in the dailies and on the television and radio. But, we had not had the time to let you know while you were away. So, may we proceed?"

"Go ahead, Mr. Kenny. You are the manager of that aspect of our company and you have the sole responsibility of making sure that things go as they ought to. From now henceforth, whatever decision you need to make, go ahead and make it without necessarily getting my permission."

"Alright Boss," Mr Kenny cheered him and thanked him for his time. Then he excused himself and left the office.

Rowan was left alone.

He tried reading through the paper work that was stacked before him. Then a mail dropped into his inbox from Annette.

He opened the email and his eyes were widened with bewilderment.

Net Expenditure for between 2023 and 2027, July:

Transportation - $2,456,400

Salaries & Allowances - $40,678,300

The Xi Family upkeep- $30, 723 000

Office items. -$237 000

Taxes. - $16 420 794

Office maintenance and bills- $25 000 000

Mabel's monthly allowance - $480 000

Mabel's vacations and leisure/miscellaneous. - $ 3 807 450.

"What nonsense!" Rowan yelled and slammed the laptop shut. He was fuming.

"How can she be so extravagant, running down my father's company to this point? By the way, she does not work for me!"

He picked up the office phone and made a call to Annette.

In a few seconds, Annette was tapping at the door.

"Come in!" He called out aggressively and she pushed open the door and stepped in.

"What is this nonsense you sent to me?"

Annette was panicking.

"The net expenditure sir," she replied almost in a whisper. She was fiddling with her biro, trying to maintain composure in his intimidating presence.

"Who has been authorising these allowances that were given to Mabel? How could you be so foolish, Annette?"

Annette put down her face. She knew better than to argue with Rowan or try to make defences while he was speaking. She had to wait for his rantings to end first.

"Do you realise that she has been running down? By the way, she never even bothered to call me while I was away, nor did she bother to check up on me now that I am back. She even denied knowing me yesterday when I bumped into her at a club. She may be a wh*re whom I mistakenly took in and now, she has spent my father's money extravagantly as if she worked for it."

He was furious and his eyes were blazing red.

"I am sorry sir," Annette pleaded. "The instruction you gave to us before your trip was that we should make her comfortable. You issued cheques for her upkeep and when that was exhausted, your brother Wilson was contacted when reaching you was difficult and he agreed that we should go ahead and sign her to the payroll since she is your guest."

"So, Wilson took these decisions without me?" He asked with fury etched on his face.

Annette nodded.

"Well, I know just what to do. The thief is leaving my villa at this instant. Go and ask my secretary to put a call through to Anna, my head housekeeper, and they should inform Mabel or whatever she is called that I do not want to meet her upon my return."

Annette nodded and started to leave the office. Rowan called her back and she turned around.

"And do not think that your carelessness would not cost you anything. I will make deductions from your salary for the next six months, to cover up for the excess allowances you wrote off for Mabel."

"Please sir…" Annette tried to plead.

"Do not bother begging me," Rowan stalled her. "It is either these deductions or you tender your resignation letter."

Annette swallowed hard and nodded. Then she turned around and left the office with a gloomy face.

*********************************************

<<<<Xi Villa

Mabel was trying to put on her best dress to go out with her friends. She managed to dodge Rowan again in the morning and she was trying to figure out how she would keep up with the trend.

"Does he really know what Amanda looks like," she thought to herself. "Did he see her face well enough that night to know that I am not her?"

She was anxious about being caught and considered an imposter.

She wanted to leave by herself before that happened, yet she had already become too attached to all the beautiful things she was enjoying in the Xi Villa. The extravagant lifestyle, the luxurious rides, the beautiful house, the monthly allowance and the exotic trips.

"How can I give up all of these?" She asked herself again, damping her face with the last touch of powder and bronzer.

A gentle knock came on her door and a voice she recognised as Anna's called out to her.

"Ma'am Mabel, please open up. I have a message from Mr. Rowan for you."

Her heart leaped with joy as she rushed to the door, wondering with excitement what this message from Rowan would be.

 She quickly unlocked the door, her face filled with smiles.

Anna's gaze seemed indifferent and unfriendly.

Mabel began to feel panicky as a result of Anna's expression.

"Miss Mabel, I just received a call from Mr. Rowan's secretary, she stated that Mr. Rowan has asked you to leave the villa immediately and that he does not want to meet you upon his return to the villa this evening.

Colour flushed from Mabel's face and she exclaimed; "what!" with so much energy, almost fainting on her mattress.