At the Benson Group conference hall, Mr. Taiye Jackson, a 68-year-old man, sits in the front seat, where he was having a meeting with his boards of members working under him from his other companies, which are all registered under his name.
He spoke to his personal assistant softly in his ear like a whisper, "Introduce the new head to them now."
They sat in the meeting hall waiting to meet with the newly appointed CEO, whose name had been announced, but no staff had seen him.
As Mr. Taiye Jackson was the former CEO while his late father, Mr. Benjamin Jackson, was the first to establish the Benson Group of companies, which means Benjamin and Sons Group of Companies.
The staff members sat in the conference hall waiting to witness the new handling of company ownership by Mr. Taiye's only son, Liam Jackson.
Liam was rumored to be cold and unfulfilling, and the workers knew that once he resumed as the new CEO of Benson Group, they would be dealt with.
Some of them had heard Liam was arrogant, mean, and also unappreciative. Nevertheless, he was hardworking and had a private business in the states. Before his father announced his retirement to him and asked him to return home to his country and take over the company.
Liam first refused and didn't want to return to his country. He didn't seem to find anything interesting, except for his mother, who was a God-fearing Christian mother. She dressed modestly and didn't skip attending church service to pray for him and his father, as he was her only child.
Liam was meant to understand that his mother went through many crises at the beginning of her marriage with his father. As his paternal grandfather had refused Taiye from marrying Juliet. Because she came from a poor background.
However, Mr. Taiye truly loved Juliet, even though other young women were frolicking with him in the past, trying to seduce him, and calling his mother barren.
Mr. Taiye insisted and married only Mrs. Juliet without having any other extramarital affairs.
He stuck by his wife and stood by her, even though his family refused, stating she couldn't give him another child, after 10 years of Liam's birth.
Liam knew his mother had many miscarriages because she worried about his father leaving her. She lost all those babies she had carried in her womb, except for him, as he just turned 30 years old. His mother was 60 years old, while his father was 68 years old.
Liam loved his parents. Nevertheless, his father tricked him into coming back home by lying to him. His father claimed he was sick and arranged for a fake doctor who called Liam and told him of his father's ill health, asking him to return home from the states.
Liam was taken aback when he returned and saw his father healthily moving around and even attending business class meetings.
Liam was furious that his father had tricked him and refused to allow him to return back to the states.
******
In the Benson Group headquarters, as they have the oil manufacturing, gas plants, steel production, and production of basic amenities. Their company is globally recognized.
Liam was in a private room on the second floor, adjusting his necktie and cufflinks. He wore a black tuxedo and black shoes. His father had spoken to him about introducing him to their different boards of members and partners managing their businesses.
Liam sighed and picked up his black suit to wear. Just then, his assistant, Brown Anderson, who his father had first assigned to him on his first day of joining the company, knocked on the door, and he responded, "Come in."
"Boss, it is time for the introduction to begin," Brown informed.
Liam nodded as he finished adjusting his appearance. He stepped out of the room and went into the hall. The spokesperson announced to the staff sitting in the large meeting hall, "Welcome, Master Liam Jackson, the New CEO of Benson Groups of Companies Limited."
Liam walked on stage, and the hall went on a round of applause for him as he stepped out and climbed on the podium. His father was sitting at the front seat, while his father's assistant, Mr. Silas Greystone, handed him over the microphone to give out a few speeches to their staff.
"Thank you all for acknowledging our invitation and being a witness to my resume as the new CEO of Benson Group. I will like us to continue with our integrity and work really hard to continue building this company into a much brighter recognition of transparency and guaranteed products. Thank you all once more for being a part of my new journey. Thank you," Liam said, handing the microphone back to Mr. Silas Greystone, who was the spokesperson.
Liam then stepped down from the podium, and the round of applause increased as he walked to take his seat. Some of the top staff stood up to shake hands with him.
As Liam approached to sit on the front seat made available for him, he shook hands with them before sitting. They returned back to their seats, while his father, Mr. Taiye Jackson, smiled and stood up to give out his own speech, before the final speech from Silas.
"Thank you all for honoring my invitation and being a witness to this new beginning, with our new CEO, who is none other than my only son, Master Liam Jackson. I appreciate all our past workers, who have been working really hard to uplift our company's name and create a sense of transparency that we are one of the best production companies. And I will like you all, both old and new workers and those in retirement, to respect and work amicably with our new CEO and to follow whatever decision he implies for our company to grow globally. As you can all see his global and just returned back from the United States to be with us. Thank you all once again, and Silas. I give it to you now to close the meeting for today," Mr. Taiye said, handing back the microphone to Silas.
Silas accepted it and read out some new briefing about the new products and prices. After that, he closed the meeting with his ending speech while the workers stood up and exited the meeting hall, after the meeting with their new CEO ended.
Liam remained in the meeting hall with his father after the number of guests and staff reduced, remaining just a few and discussing. He stood up and walked up to meet his father, whom he saw was discussing with his friend, Mr. John Patrick.
"Father, I want to have a word with you," Liam told his father, so he could round up his conversation with Mr. John Patrick, who works as one of their top managing accountants and is very trusted with their company funds.
"Okay, son, I will be with you shortly," Mr. Taiye responded, while Mr. John turned to face Liam and said, "Oh, Master Liam, congratulations on your new position as our CEO," Mr. John smiled faintly.
"Thank you, sir; it was an honor meeting you too and working here with you all," Liam replied.
"You can always count on us, Liam. Your father is my boss and a very good friend too, and I am so happy to see you taking over his position as the new CEO. I know you will lead us well to much better growth than your father and grandfather ever did," Mr. John said.
"Thank you, sir," Liam smiled faintly, as he loves praise words from his friends, colleagues, and even elders, as that motivated him to work really hard.
"You're welcome, Master Liam. Mr. Taiye, I am leaving now. My daughter will be very upset with me for not showing up today at her school graduation, even after she has called me to come with her mother to the venue," Mr. John said, as he faced Mr. Taiye.
"You know I cannot miss your son being introduced to us as the new CEO, so I asked her mother and her elder brother to attend the event on my behalf, and she will be very annoyed with me on that," Mr. John told Mr. Taiye, and Mr. Taiye responded sadly, "Oh, I am so sorry about that, Mr. John. I hope she understands."
"Yes, boss, she will," Mr. John replied, offering a faint smile, wanting to leave.
Mr. Taiye then spoke. "How about I make up for that and have her introduce to my son, and maybe extend our family friendship to marriage? I'm sure she will be happy about that."
Liam frowned from where he stood as he stood beside his father, waiting for his father to be through with his conversation with Mr. John Patrick. But Mr. John quickly rejected it. "Oh, thank you, Boss, but that's if only my daughter will accept."
Mr. John knows how stubborn his daughter is, and he doesn't want her to cause any problems between him and his boss. But Mr. Taiye quickly asked, "Why won't she accept? Liam is handsome, and every lady wants him. What did she study again at the university?"
Liam's frown deepened as he stared from his father to Mr. John. Women weren't of his interest, and Liam doesn't like how his father is trying to court him with a lady he hasn't even met, and doubts he will like just because his father is friends with her father.
Mr. John smiled and replied, "My daughter studied business administration at the University of Nigeria.""That's fine. You should submit her CV to us once she's at home. I am sure we have more vacancies for new bees like her. I will be expecting to see her," Mr. Taiye replied."Father!" Liam quickly cut his father's speech off as his frowns deepened."You cannot just court me with her yet," Liam said, and his father smiled at him and replied, "I know, my son. I am only just trying to compensate Mr. John Patrick for his good will and commitment to working with us for twenty years plus."Mr. John smiled as he bowed a little to leave. "I will be taking my leave now, boss. Thank you and congratulations once again, Liam," he said, excusing himself away from them.Liam sighed after hearing Mr. John's last word. He walked with his father to the front of the meeting hall while they stood near the exit door, and he spoke, "Father, I don't like all you just did right now. There are many other wa
Anita goes back home with her parents, who arrived at her school to witness her final graduation ceremony.Her mother is very happy, but her father keeps his usual non-smiling face, as he drives them home.He's proud of her, that Anita didn't allow her beauty to sink into her brain and deter her from becoming successful in life. But he's still confused as to why she's the prettiest of all his daughters.Even though his wife didn't give him a son, Mr. Joshua isn't bothering about that, as their custom permits a woman to inherit all her father's property. Even though she's already married to another man. Nevertheless, he still wonders if Anita's truly his child.Mr. Joshua sighs, driving them towards their home. As the university is closer to their beautiful home in the city.Arriving home, Mr. Joshua drove his car into their simple compound and parks it. The house is just a beautiful bungalow, consisting of 4 bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, five toilets with bathrooms.Well, Mr. Josh
Scene 5: Aftermath - Battles Within and Without.Mrs. Tonia smiled faintly at Anita, and Anita stepped aside so Glory could pass with the tray of soup. Anita entered the kitchen, not speaking to her mother, but her face held a sorrow that Mrs. Tonia understood all too well."Anita," Mrs. Tonia called softly."What is it, Mom?" Anita asked, walking to her side."I want you to know that your father really does love you, like the rest of your siblings. He isn't against your success," Mrs. Tonia said, holding Anita's hand."Hmph," Anita sighed. "I know, Mom, but I don't care. If Dad likes me, fine; if he doesn't, fine. I'll always see him as my father, and that's all.""Anita..." Mrs. Tonia started."Mom, where's the fufu?!" Flora interrupted, stepping into the kitchen. She glanced at Anita and walked to the kitchen cabinet. "Mom, why are you holding her hands and talking to her? Are you begging her for something?" Flora asked, crossing her arms."No, Flora, I'm just giving Anita some advi
Scene 6: Tensions and a Troubling Call.Mrs. Tonia didn't respond after Flora left the room. She sighed and sat beside Anita on the bed as Favour and Esther exited. "You shouldn't be harsh with your sister. Arguing wasn't necessary.""I know, Mom, but they disrespect me too much. They're getting out of hand," Anita replied."It's okay. I understand, but don't change because of them. Keep being my sweet, calm daughter," Mrs. Tonia advised."Okay, Mom," Anita sighed, staring at her mother.Glory walked up to sit on the bed. "I've got to go join your father. Glory, pack your bags and come join Anita here," Mrs. Tonia said."Okay, Mom," Glory replied, heading to the room she shared with Lisa. Flora was already there, arranging her clothes into the wardrobe, but she didn't say a word to Glory, who stepped in and carried her box of clothes out.Lisa sighed as she returned from the kitchen and found Flora in the room she previously shared with Glory. She didn't ask any questions. She also did
Scene 7: Dress Code Chaos at Benson Group & Family Concern at Home.Anita couldn't say anything after her mother walked back to their room. She sighed and glanced at Flora, who seemed worried, before walking back to sit on the couch."What do you think is the problem?" Esther asked Flora, but Flora shook her head. "I don't know, but I'm worried it's something serious."They sat waiting for their father or mother to emerge and tell them what was wrong.Anita sighed and went to her room. She didn't know what the problem was, but she suspected her mother would tell them, even if her father didn't want to. She'd noticed her father was already dressed for work before whatever news he received shook him. She prayed silently, "Please, don't let it be that my father has lost his job."Anita shook her head, feeling that her father's earlier outburst echoed in her mind, related to his work. She sat on her bed and started to type her application to the Benson Group – the one she'd intended to sen
Scene 8: First Impressions and Lunchtime Longing.Liam walked into his office and settled into his executive chair, swiveling it to survey his surroundings. A smile played on his lips as he rolled up his sleeves, ready to begin his workday. He leaned forward, switched on his computer, and waited for it to boot up so he could review the company's records.Liam ticked off the seconds as he waited. A knock sounded at the door. "Come in," he called.Margret entered, holding a file, and smiled faintly. She kept her gaze lowered, stopping in front of his desk."Yes… remind me of your name again?" Liam asked, looking up at her pretty, light-skinned face."Margret Jonathan," she said, her smile unwavering."Okay, Miss Margret, what can I do for you?" Liam asked, and she stepped closer."Sir, Mr. John Patrick brought this file this morning and asked me to give it to you," Margret said, meeting his gaze."Okay, just leave it there." Liam pointed to an empty space on his desk. Margret placed the
Scene 9: The New Dress Code - Benson Group."Hello, boss," Margret immediately answered the office line."Come to my office right away," Liam responded.Margret gulped and quickly stood up, dropping the phone. She saw Bambam smiling at her, ready to attend to the client in front of her.Some clients also came to Margret's desk, but she directed them to staff working on the third floor. She knew the new boss didn't like to be kept waiting.Margret walked to Liam's office door, knocked gently, and heard his cold response, "Come in."Margret gulped again as she opened the door and walked into his office."What took you so long to respond to my call?" Liam asked, still typing, his fingers flying across the keyboard."I'm sorry, boss, I was late returning from lunch," Margret replied.Liam paused typing and looked up. "Do you want to be fired?" he asked."No, boss," Margret nervously responded. She couldn't lose her job. It was one of the highest-paying jobs she could get, and the work wasn
Scene 10: Temisa's Dress Code Dilemma.Temisa was at her father's mansion. Their new home was a standard duplex on a government-owned estate, her father had bought this new house."Father, have you submitted my CV and application letter to the new boss?" Temisa asked, as her father stepped into the living room. She was sitting on the couch, filing her nails.Mr. John simply stared at his daughter. Instead of greeting him, she was lounging on the couch, filing her nails and firing questions at him as if he were her errand boy."Temisa, is it really that hard to welcome your father home?" Mr. John asked, dropping his briefcase on the center table and loosening his tie."I'm sorry, Father. Good evening, Father. Welcome home," Temisa said, finally dropping her leg from the couch and setting aside her nail file."Where's your mother?" Mr. John asked, and Temisa responded, "She went to the market to restock the kitchen.""And your elder brother?""Father! I'm not their keeper. I didn't ask w
Liam doesn't say anything as he stands watching the two friends reunite and forgive each other. They finally stand up, and Temisa walks over to see the twin babies in their little baby bed in the living room."Wow, they look so much like Liam, but my baby resembles me more than Alfred," Temisa says, while Anita only smiles at her."It's all good, girlfriend. I wish you both a happy married life, and I will be your bridesmaid on your wedding day," Temisa proposes, and Anita shakes her head."Flora already filled that position. You will only join the train.""Okay, dear. I have to be on my way now. You know I just darted out from the house as soon as Alfred told me about your babies and that you're here with Liam. Take good care of yourself, girlfriend, as you look slim," Temisa says, while Anita nods to her."I will. Let me escort you," Anita feels all the previous heaviness in her heart disappear, and she walks out of the mansion with Temisa.They walk to the garage where Temisa's car
Mrs. Tonia quickly greets Mrs. Juliet, "Good evening, ma'am.""Yes, welcome. Let's go in first," Mrs. Juliet ushers them into her living room. Just then, Mr. Taiye walks in too and sees the visitors, noticing Liam carefully carrying a baby in his arms. He recognizes the familiar lady as his son's secretary and immediately knows the babies are the result of the encounter they had in Liam's office."Good evening, Father," Liam happily greets his father. Mr. Taiye nods to all their greetings, while Anita nervously stares downward, feeling uncomfortable, remembering Mr. Taiye had warned her to stay clear of his son and never show her face in his company again."Mother, here are your grandkids," Liam walks over to meet his mother, who is sitting on the living room couch. He carefully places the baby boy in her arms, and Mrs. Juliet is still in shock as Liam never told her his secretary was pregnant or that he was bringing his babies home.Mr. Taiye is the most confused as he remembers he w
"Are you married?" Liam finally asks, sounding hurt. Anita shakes her head and replies, "No.""Then how come the babies?" Liam asks as he finally saunters over to meet her. He has missed her so much, and he doesn't look himself because of her."Anita," Liam finally approaches her, and she turns to face him, and he sees she's crying."I'm sorry," Anita cries, and Liam crosses the thin line between them and hugs her warmly."It's okay. I've missed you. I do love you," Liam comforts her in a hug, hoping whoever got her pregnant or married her doesn't step in and catch him hugging his wife.Anita wants to pull away from Liam as she inhales his cologne, realizing she's crying into his chest, but Liam hugs her tighter and raises her chin to face him."Don't you miss me?" he asks, and Anita sniffs."I do," she replies."And you don't want to kiss me or welcome me?"Anita finally raises her head properly and looks up at Liam's face.He looks sick too, so unlike him, and his beard is overgrown
Anita doesn't say anything as she watches her mother dress up in a green gown while she breastfeeds her little daughter, who sucks a lot, wanting to drain the remaining energy she has left."I have to go out now and buy everything we will need to eat tonight. There's no food in the kitchen, and I don't want to disturb Mama and her in-law.""Okay, Mom."Anita watches her mother walk out of the room. She carefully places her little girl down and walks to her phone to see all the text messages Liam sent to her. Her heartbeat increases as she unlocks her phone screen.She sees a lot of texts from him and love emojis and she smiles, staggering backward to sit on her bed to read his texts."What happened to you? Your mom said you got discharged from the hospital. Are you alright now? Not to worry, I will be coming down to your village to see you. But why did you shut us all out? I have really missed you. Honestly, I cannot stop thinking about the love we made, and I'm glad your mom finally
Mrs. Tonia pulls away from the mother-to-daughter hug and stares at Anita's face."It's okay, stop crying. Why did you run away, and who did you sleep with?" Mrs. Tonia questions as she walks to look at her grandkids.She stares at the two cute babies who are also awake and staring at her. She gasps in surprise as she isn't mistaken—the babies look so much like Liam, the CEO of Benson Group. She stares back at Anita, who’s also looking at her, and then back at the twin babies in their baby bed."Anita, who got you pregnant?" Mrs. Tonia asks again while Alice finally walks over to hold her hand."We can discuss this at home. Let it rest while we leave the hospital first."Mrs. Tonia sighs and looks from Alice to Anita and back to her grandbabies.They're so cute and fair, and now she knows why the CEO has kept on asking her about Anita.So he's the one that got her daughter pregnant and slept with Anita the very day he delayed her at work and made her return home late.Mrs. Tonia tries
Anita wakes up that evening with a light headache. She sits up in her bed and eats the dinner Alice brought for her from home."How are you feeling now? You need to breastfeed your babies and not starve them," Alice says. Anita finally looks at them as her eyes clear, and seeing one of them crying, Alice speaks to her."She's a girl, while the calm one here is a boy." Alice hands over the baby girl to Anita, who stares at her beautiful daughter's face.Her baby girl looks so much like Liam; even though she's very fair like her, her baby's short curly hair and round cute face resemble Liam so much. Anita's heart skips a beat as she keeps staring at her baby instead of breastfeeding her."Why are you still staring at her? Give her your breast milk" Alice finally yells at Anita, snapping her out of her daze. Anita opens up her shirt and breastfeeds her baby.The little girl in her arms stops crying after a while as she sucks on her breast. As if the second baby is aware, he resumes cryin
"I know," Liam replies and smiles back."But I still miss Anita and want to see her account," he says."Tell me the truth, boss. Do you just miss Anita, or are you in love with her and have a crush on her?" Temisa asks, and she sees Liam smile, which already answers her question."Just send me Anita's profile name. Let me search for her first.""Okay, I will," Temisa replies as she sits up properly."What about Alfred?" Liam finally asks her as he sees her sit up."He's not yet home. You know he runs the hotels and club too, cheating on me," Temisa pouts."He's not. He complains about you starving him," Liam tells her, and Temisa gasps."He said that? I know Alfred is so shameless," Temisa replies, and just then Alfred returns and walks into their room, as they both use one room together. Even though the room was his before she moved into his family house. His mother had insisted they must share a room together as a couple, and he clearly heard her call him a shameless man."Who are y
The line goes still for a while."Which sister are you talking about?" Barrister Jude asks."Oh, I just remembered I have her number, as her husband's case is with me. Mrs. Tonia, of course. Don't you know your sister again?" Mr. Collins questions."Oh, you mean her daughter is in the village? Which one?""I don't know her name yet, but she's white and very fair. She just gave birth to twins, making your sister a grandmother now.""Oh! You mean Anita?" Barrister Jude asks."Is that her name? Well, I don't know. I'm just seeing her for the first time now. Let me contact your sister then. I forgot I recently got her number due to her husband's case."Mr. Collins quickly ends the call, not giving Barrister Jude any more chances to question him. He cannot believe the silly man didn't want to help his in-law because of some past silly stories. He had to pity Mrs. Tonia and helped her case as he used to admire her when she hadn't married Mr. Joshua."Hello," Mr. Collins stands outside the h
Liam stares downward, not wanting to meet Mrs. Tonia's angry gaze, as he suspects she knows about the night he made love to Anita, but probably doesn't know who exactly slept with her.Was that why Anita left? What's really going on? he wonders."Actually, ma'am, I heard from her friend that she's going through a lot, and I don't know if I can help, but perhaps that will make her return.""Help with what? Just leave!" Mrs. Tonia shuts her door on Liam, not giving him a chance to speak.Did Anita's boss force himself on her? Mrs. Tonia wonders as she walks back to her parlor.Staring at the man, she sees him as a calm person with good moral upbringing, but is he the one that slept with her daughter and also bit and sucked on Anita's neck?If only Anita had told her the truth before she left, she wouldn't be rude to him, but she cannot help it. She behaves rudely because she misses her daughter so much.Liam leaves the building and walks back to his car.He knows her mother suspects him