Chapter 3: The proposal

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 home. I am sure we have more vacancies for newbies like her. I will be expecting to see her," Mr. Taiye replied.

"Father!" Liam quickly interrupted his father, his frown deepening.

"You cannot just court me with her yet," Liam said. His father smiled at him and replied, "I know, son. I am only trying to compensate Mr. John Patrick for his goodwill and commitment to working with us for over twenty years."

Mr. John smiled as he bowed slightly to leave. "I will be taking my leave now, Boss. Thank you and congratulations once again, Liam," he said as he excused himself.

Liam sighed as he heard Mr. John's last words. He walked with his father to the front of the meeting hall, and as they stood near the exit door, he spoke, "Father, I don't like what you just did. There are many other ways to compensate Mr. John Patrick, not at my own detriment."

"What do you mean by that, Liam? Mr. John has been a committed worker here. I know you won't understand because you're new with us, but it's okay. Besides, he said if his daughter agreed. So she might not even consider working with us, and there's no need for you to panic about what was just said," Mr. Taiye replied, turning to leave the meeting hall.

Liam remarked, "I hope she doesn’t, father. Women aren’t my interest for now."

"Liam," Mr. Taiye paused and stared back at his son. He shook his head, saying, "You don't say that to your mother. Someday you'll find a good wife, but for now, let's focus on business and forget about what was just said."

"Okay, father," Liam agreed, watching his father exit the meeting hall, leaving only him inside. His assistant, Brown, walked back into the meeting hall to meet him immediately after his father left.

"Boss, what should I do now?" Brown asked, standing in front of Liam.

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

"Okay, Boss," Brown replied, exiting the meeting hall on the second floor. He went downstairs to inform Liam's personal driver, Israel, to prepare the car.

"Israel, get the car ready. The boss is about to leave now," Brown said.

"Okay," Israel replied, waiting for Liam to step out. He stood watching the Benson Group, a five-story building with many staff.

Liam stepped out of the elevator and walked toward his car in the driveway. Some workers stood outside discussing that it was a free day, with no work available to be carried out since Liam's father had given them the day off to witness him become the new CEO.

Liam hopped into his car, settling in the back seat, while Israel started the engine and drove home to the Benson villa.

Arriving at the mansion premises, Israel parked while Liam stepped out of the car and walked into the mansion. He entered the living room of the one-story duplex.

His mother wasn't in the living room but in the kitchen cooking. Despite having maids, Mrs. Juliet Jackson preferred cooking as she loved preparing their local African dishes.

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

"Thank you," Liam replied, staring away from her and making his way into the kitchen to find his mother. The aroma of the food she was preparing had filled the entire living room with its delicious scent.

Mrs. Juliet was preparing delicious Egusi soup garnished with beef and dried fish.

"Good afternoon, Mom," Liam greeted her as he entered the kitchen. The two maids assisting her immediately greeted him, "Welcome back, Master Liam."

"Thank you," Liam said, while his mother washed her hands in the kitchen sink and dried them with a short kitchen towel. She walked up to give him a warm hug.

"Welcome home, son. How was your day at the office?" She asked.

"It was fine, Mother. Hasn't my father arrived home?" Liam asked. His mother shook her head and replied, "No, son. He's probably with his friends. You know he's happy that you've finally returned home and taken up the position as the new CEO."

"I know that, Mom," Liam smiled and stepped out of the kitchen. His mother instructed the cook on what to do as her meal was almost ready.

"Just keep watch on it so it won't get burned. Once it is ready, serve it right out," Mrs. Juliet instructed a maid.

"Okay, ma'am," the maid responded. She was the cook, and headed all the maids in the mansion.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Juliet into the living room to meet her son, sitting on the long couch in the living room, and stretching his long legs. She wore a brown gown and removed her apron as she handed it over to a maid who stepped up to her.

"Here, take this to the laundry room and wash it," she said.

"Okay, ma'am." The maid collected the apron and left, while Mrs. Juliet walked up to sit across from Liam in the living room.

"Mom, why are you stressing about cooking when you have the cook at your service?" Liam asked, watching his mother sit across from him.

"I know that, my son, but you know cooking is a part of exercise, and I enjoy it too. I cannot leave all the work to the maids and cook alone. I might end up becoming lazy and sick. Likewise, I have already retired this year from the nursing home before you returned," she explained.

"It's okay, Mother. As long as you're not stressed about it, I'm okay with that," he said.

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

"It was fine, Mom. Just a simple meeting with the new staff, but I didn't like how some of the female staff dressed," Liam said, his face twisted in irritation.

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

"Decently, Mother! That's how female staff are supposed to dress for the office. Decent, not trying to seduce anyone at work," Liam said and his mother gasped.

"Oh, Liam! They're young female staff and probably searching for a husband. You don't expect them to dress like a married woman to work and covering everywhere. Besides, they might want you to admire one of them," she said.

"No, Mother! That's not something I will allow. Tomorrow I will give out a new dress code order to Brown. Any of the new female staff and old staff who cannot follow it are expected to quit," Liam said, his face twisted in irritation.

"Liam! You won't do just that. You have just resumed as the CEO, and you shouldn't be harsh to your colleagues at the office just because you're their new boss," Mrs. Juliet said, frowning.

"I'm sorry, Mom. But that's how I would like them to start dressing from tomorrow onwards. I will have them inspected at the gate before they're allowed into the company. "I have already prepared the dress code. Brown will give out the information to them tomorrow," Liam explained, standing up from the couch to return to his room above. 

Mrs. Juliet looked dumbfounded and finally called him, "Liam." He stopped and apologized, "I'm sorry, Mom, but if Dad interferes in this, then I will have to resign from the company. One must keep his or her focus, and avoid distraction. Likewise, I won't like to be tempted by my female staff."

"Alright, Liam. If that's how you want it. I just hope it won't affect the company's growth," Mrs. Juliet said.

"No, Mother," Liam smiled, seeing that she had agreed. "I will go upstairs and freshen up and come back to join you for dinner. The aroma of the soup is inviting; let me freshen up first."

"Okay, my son, I will be expecting you," Mrs. Juliet said, watching Liam took stairs and went to his room. She sighed and looked at the dinning room.

The house was a duplex. Although her husband owned it, Mrs. Juliet preferred living there in the Benson's Villa, as it kept many past memories alive.

She stood up from the couch and walked up to the dining table to serve dinner with the help of her maids. 

Her husband arrived home with a friend named Mr. Tunji Martin.

Mrs. Juliet walked ahead and welcomed them as they entered the living room and met her going to the dinner table.

"Welcome, honey," she said, hugging her husband. Although he was 68 years old, she didn't fail to call him "honey."

"Wow, the aroma of the soup is inviting me," Mr. Taiye praised his wife, and kissed her cheek affectionately.

"Thank you," she smiled.

"Where's Liam? Isn't he back yet?" Mr. Taiye asked, still hugging her.

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

"Okay. Meet my friend, Tunji Martin. We have a business discussion, but that can wait until after dinner. As Tunji will be joining us," Mr. Taiye informed her.

"Okay, honey. Welcome, sir." Mrs. Juliet smiled at Mr. Tunji, and he greeted her, "Well done, ma."