The Missing Truth 8

He got up too and watched her walking away.  

“Thank you for coming.”

“It is my pleasure.”

Collins who had been waiting for her at the foyer got up at once and followed her. 

Tim was happy with the arrangements and wished to see the old man's face. To his delight, he walked into the parlor to update him on their meeting.

“Old Man, do you wish to see me?” He asked pretending not to know that Ella was around.

“Yes. The dietician came.”

“Oh, that is good. How was your meeting?”

“Our meeting went well. She recommended some herbs for me. She also recommended that I drink plenty of water.”

“I see. What are the names of the herbs? I can ask Frank to get them.”

The old man pouted and took the blame, “I should have written them down.”

“No. She should have written them down for you. Is that how she would take care of her patient?” He asked angrily and the old man was despondent.

He allowed his anger to quell before pleading on her behalf.

“Don't be hard on her. She promised to give the list to one Bright and he will tell her what next to do.”

“That is manageable. But she should be smart.”

“She is. I think she missed it because this is her first day.”

“It is all right. Let's see how it goes.”

The old man cheered up and appreciated him, “Thank you for your understanding.” 

“You are welcome.”

At The Auxiliary Armory PLC

Collins took Ella to the canteen and parked the bus at the car park afterward.

“How did it go, Ella?” The Supervisor asked.

“It went well, Sgt. Courtney. The old man is truly emaciated.”

“I see. Who is he, if I may ask?”

“I don't know but I suspect that he is one of the soldiers' gardeners.”

“Okay. Kindly do a good job.”

“I will. Let me see the Secretary and inform him of the herbs and the other things he needs to buy for him.”

“It is all right.”

At The President's Office

Ella has been ubiquitous since she returned and Laura believed that she was deliberate. When she walked into the lobby to inform Collins that she was ready for the trip, she was upset. Now, she was there again and headed to the elevator without sparing her and Barbara a glance.

“Pervert. Whatever your relationship with Bright will be exposed very soon,” she glared at her and mumbled.

“Is he still the secretary? What happened to his car yesterday? Why did he join the bus? Confused human being,” she concluded within her.

The elevator gates opened and Ella walked in unaware of the hate look. She got to the President's office and Bright was surprised to see her.

“Are you back, Ella?” He asked joyously.

“Yes, Secretary. I came back a while ago.”

“So soon? How is the patient?”

“He is emaciated and needs herbs that induce sleep and stimulate appetite. I also recommend fruits and vegetables.”

“I see. When can you get them?”

“I will get them anytime you want me to do that.”

“It is all right. Thank you for everything.”

“You are welcome.”

George was listening to them in rapt attention. He was happy with her zeal for the work and waited for her to leave. Thereafter, Bright walked in and updated him with her visit to the house.

“Ask the canteen Supervisor to provide all that she required. She will start the administration tomorrow,” he advised Bright.

“I got it, Boss,” he said and walked back to his desk.

Instantly, he called the Supervisor and instructed him on what to do. Before Ella got back to the canteen, Sgt. Courtney was waiting for her. He ensured that she got everything that she listed that evening in readiness for tomorrow.

At Tim's House

George returned from work and his father was high-spirited. After the greetings, he observed him and noticed that he was truly emaciated just like Ella pointed out. Due to his previous look, they were satisfied with his rate of recovery and never knew that he could be better.

“The dietician was here today,” he happily volunteered.

Without interest, he responded, “I see.”

He waited for him to ask how it went but he did not and concluded that Tim had informed him that she was not smart. 

To defend her, he spoke further, “She will do well if we are patient with her.”

“Yes. She has bought all that she needed for your therapy.”

The old man was happy to hear that and asked, “How did you know? She promised to inform one Bright to get them.”

“Bright is my secretary and does not know that you are my father. Keep our relationship away from them. Okay?”

“Yes. Your Boss advised me to do so. I will be careful.”

“That's good.”

Now, George had changed to a casual wear. He picked up his phone and said, “I want to see my boss.”

“It is all right.”

As soon as he left, he changed his clothes too, and joined the janitor in the garden.

Tim was chatting with the Second in Command concerning the visit of the miners when George walked in and sat down. After the chatting, he faced him and studied his countenance. As usual, he was calm.

“Thank you, Boss, for advising me to invite the managers to the anniversary,” he stated with glee.

Tim smiled and asked, “Are they happy with it?”

“Happiness is an understatement. They loved it and rated me a considerate leader.”

“That is good to hear. Sometimes I wonder how you cope with them.”

“They are pleasant people to work with.”

“No. You are a pleasant person to work with,” Tim corrected him and he was speechless.

He had been giving credit to them without considering himself. That was part of Tim's mentorship - to see himself as the wheel that is stirring the organization in the right direction and not otherwise.

“You don't love others without loving yourself,” Tim advised him.

“You are right, Boss. I will strengthen my leadership skills and they will be influenced to put in their best.”

“I like that.”

After some minutes' interval, George spoke, “The lawyer brought the hard copy of …”

He was interrupted when Tim's phone rang and he waited for him to pick up his call. He smiled broadly when he saw the caller and George was surprised.

“Gerald,” he announced and George was delighted.

He sat up and listened eagerly.

“Hello, Gerald. What's up?”

“Good evening, Brother-in-law. We are good. How are you?”

“I'm fine. How are your exams going?”

“It's going on well. I wish to inform you that we will write the last papers tomorrow.”

“Wow! That's interesting to hear.”

“Yes, Brother-in-law. We will be through by 2 PM.”

“That means you are coming home on Friday?”

George grimaced in dissatisfaction while Gerald was mute. Tim looked at George's face and smiled softly. When Gerald refused to talk, he called his attention.

“Gerald. Are you there?”

“Yes, Brother-in-law. We want to come home tomorrow,” he said with a pleading tone.

“I will be very busy tomorrow.”

“I can pick them,” George whispered but Tim waved at him to shut his mouth and he obeyed but Gerald heard it.

“Allow George to pick us up if you are busy.”

“George will be busy too,” he stated.

Now, Gerald had exhausted his plea and had to take action. To him, he must leave the academy the next day.

“It's okay, Brother-in-law. We will find our way,” he announced dismissively.

Tim understood what he meant and stopped pranking him.

“Hold on. I will be with you tomorrow,” he instructed and George smirked and looked at his defeated face.

“Wow! We will wait for you.”

“It is all right.”

After the call, he faced George and asked, “What were you saying about the …?”

George's phone rang and Tim stopped and looked at the phone. He furrowed his brow and looked at the caller.

“Gerald is calling me,” he announced joyously.

Tim shook his head and watched him as he hurriedly picked up the call.

“Gerald. How are you?”

“I'm good. How is work?”

“My work is good. How did your exam go?”

“It went well. Thank you for your concern.”

“That's good to hear.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“It is all right.”

He cut the call and looked at Tim who was on his device. He looked up as well and asked about the lawyer. George informed him about the hard copy.

“He waited for our reactions and got none.”

“Yes, Boss. He was disappointed to know that he was not in control.”

“Where is the letter?”

“It is with the lawyer.”

“That is good. We will respond in the coming week.”

“Okay, Boss.”

“Ask the Accountant to raise a check of two million pounds sterling in her favor.”

“Ha!” George shouted.

Tim laughed at his bewildered face and made clear, “It is just bait. We will let her know how much she owes us for using two unauthorized vehicles and using our staff members as her security guards, chef, and janitors. For occupying the company's property as a junior staff. For submitting an aptitude test that she did not write by herself. She will also compensate us for still occupying the property even after her demotion. She will compensate us for accusing our staff members falsely. Does she have any evidence that her father took a poisonous substance?”

“Even if her father took a poisonous substance, what is the evidence that the substance is from our staff.”

“You are right.”

“I am afraid that she may clear the check and go into hiding with the money.”

“It is not possible. The check cannot be cleared by the bank if the Accountant does not approve of it. He will instruct the bank in that regard.”

“I see. So, how much compensation are we expecting from her?”

“Only seven million pounds sterling,” he said cursorily as if he was talking about seven pounds sterling.

George was startled by the amount and focused on his calm comportment. 

To embolden him, he added, “I like your confidence in running the organization. I don't know if I would have done it better than this.”

Instantly, George swelled like a peacock with pride. He smiled lavishly and Tim was encouraged.

“Call your managers for a meeting tomorrow and discuss it with them.”

“Ha! They may have more points against her,” George pointed out.

“That is good for her. When an individual cooks for a community, the community will finish the food but if a community cooks for an individual, he or she will not finish it. (African Proverb) She has cooked for us and we have finished it. Now that we have cooked for her, she should finish it.”

“You are right, Boss. I will do all that you instructed me to do.”

“It is all right. What did your father say about Ella?”

“He was happy with her.”

“Yes. I berated her and he tried to defend her.”

“Oh! No wonder he pleaded that we should be patient with her.”

“That means he cares about her.”

“That is it.”