CHAPTER 3

Scene 3: First Days and Dress Codes.

Mr. John smiled and replied, "My daughter studied business administration at the University of Nigeria."

"That's excellent. Please submit her CV when she's home. I'm sure we have vacancies for new bees like her. I'll look forward to seeing it," Mr. Taiye replied.

"Father!" Liam quickly cut him off, his frown deepening. "You can't just set me up like that."

His father smiled. "I know, son. I was simply trying to compensate Mr. John Patrick for his dedication to the company over the past twenty years."

Mr. John bowed slightly as he prepared to leave. "I'll take my leave now, boss. Thank you and congratulations again, Liam," he said, excusing himself.

Liam sighed. He walked with his father to the front of the meeting hall, where they stood near the exit door. "Father, I don't appreciate what you just did. There are other ways to compensate Mr. John Patrick, not at my expense."

"What do you mean, Liam? John has been a committed worker here. You wouldn't understand since you're new, but that's alright. Besides, he said 'if' his daughter agreed. She might not even want to work with us, so you needn't worry," 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. "Don't say that to your mother. Someday you'll find a good wife, but that's beside the point. Let's focus on business and forget about all this."

"Okay, father," Liam agreed, watching his father exit the meeting hall, leaving him alone. His assistant, Brown, walked back in to meet him after his father had left.

"What now, boss?" Brown asked, standing in front of Liam.

"Prepare the car. I'm going home for the day. All official duties start tomorrow," Liam said.

"Okay, boss," Brown replied, leaving to inform Liam's personal driver, Israel, to prepare the car.

"Israel, get the car ready. The boss is leaving," Brown said.

"Okay," Israel replied, waiting for Liam to come out. He stood watching the Benson Group, a 5-story building bustling with staff.

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Liam stepped out of the elevator and walked towards his car in the driveway. Some workers stood outside, discussing how it was essentially a day off since Liam's father had given them a break the previous day to witness his installation as the new CEO.

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

Arriving at the estate, Israel parked, and Liam got out and walked towards the mansion. He entered the living room of the one-story duplex.

His mother was not in the living room but in the kitchen, cooking, even though they had maids. Mrs. Juliet Jackson preferred cooking, especially their local African dishes.

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

"Thank you," Liam replied, barely glancing at her as he headed into the kitchen. The aroma of the food she was preparing filled the entire living room.

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

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

"Thank you," Liam replied. His mother washed her hands in the kitchen sink and dried them with her small kitchen towel before giving him a warm hug.

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

"Fine, mother. Hasn't my father arrived home yet?" Liam asked.

"No, son, he's probably with his friends. You know he's happy you finally returned home and are now resuming as the new CEO."

"I know that, Mom," Liam smiled faintly. He stepped out of the kitchen while his mother instructed the cook, "Watch it so it doesn't burn. Once it's ready, serve it right away."

"Okay, Ma'am," Nora responded; she was the cook and head of all the maids and servants in the house.

Finally, Mrs. Juliet walked out of the kitchen to meet her son, who sat on the long couch in the living room, stretching his legs. She wore a brown gown and removed her apron, handing it to a maid who stepped out beside her.

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

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

"Mom, why are you stressing yourself with cooking when you have maids and cooks at your service?" Liam asked, watching her.

"I know that, my son, but you know cooking is part of exercise, and I enjoy it. I can't leave all the work to them. I might end up becoming lazy and sick, and I have retired from the nursing home this year before you returned," she said.

"Hmm," Liam hummed. "It's okay, mother, as long as you're not stressed. I'm okay with that."

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

"Fine, mother. It was just a simple meeting of the new staff, but I didn't like how some of the female staff dressed," Liam said, his face twisting in irritation.

"What do you mean, son? Weren't they wearing clothes, or what did you expect?" Mrs. Juliet asked, confused.

"Decently, Mother! That's how a female staff member should dress for the office. Decently, not trying to seduce anyone," he replied. His mother gasped.

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

"No, Mother! I won't allow it. Tomorrow I'll give Brown a new dress code order, and any new and old staff that can't follow it can leave," Liam stated, his face twisting.

"Liam! You can't do that. You just resumed as CEO, and you can't be harsh to your workers just because you're the boss," Mrs. Juliet frowned.

"I'm sorry, Mom, but that's how I want them to dress from tomorrow on. I'll have them inspected at the gate before they're allowed in, and I've already prepared the dress code. Brown will tell them tomorrow." Liam stood up from the couch, leaving Mrs. Juliet dumbfounded.

"Liam," she called, and he stopped.

"I'm sorry, Mom, but if my father interferes, I'll resign. I must stay focused, and I won't be distracted by any of my female staff," he added.

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

"Not at all, Mother," Liam smiled, seeing that she had agreed. "I'm going upstairs to freshen up. The aroma of the soup is inviting; let me get cleaned up first and come back down for dinner."

"Okay, son, I'll be expecting you," Mrs. Juliet replied, watching him climb the stairs.

Their house was a standard duplex. Even though her husband had the money to purchase a multi-million-dollar mansion, Mrs. Juliet still preferred living in the Benson Villa, as it held many memories for her.

She sighed and stood up to prepare the dining table with the maids. Her husband arrived home with another friend, Mr. Tunji Martin, and she walked back to welcome them.

They walked into the living room and met her.

"Welcome, honey," she said as she hugged her husband. Even though he was 68, she always called him that.

"Wow, the aroma of the soup is inviting," Mr. Taiye praised his wife, kissing her cheek affectionately. "Where's Liam? Isn't he back yet?"

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

"Okay, meet my friend Tunji Martin; we have a little business discussion, but that will wait until after dinner. Tunji is joining us for dinner," Mr. Taiye told her.

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

"Thank you," she replied.