5. Change of Power

“That is good. Kindly go on,” the Head of State requested when he paused and he continued. 

“The enemies were no match for us and we chased after them. To my joy and Gen. McDonald's annoyance, none of them escaped. Although he showed delight, I never knew it was fake. Meanwhile, I and the other soldiers concentrated on reviving our wounded colleagues. Some were badly injured and died on the spot.”

“So sad!” Gen. Hill exclaimed and Tim continued.

“At that point, we had run out of drugs and needed to get the victims back to the city. On the road, I requested that we stop so that I could get some marine animals and ocean plants to revitalize our men. Gen. McDonald followed me and I did not suspect anything until he shot at me and I fell into the ocean.”

“Oh, my goodness! Did you suffer all these just to save your country and fellow soldiers?”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“That is true patriotism,” Gen. Hill stated and requested, “Kindly go on.”

“No. We will stop here today. He needs rest. The day had been a hectic one for him.”

“I got it, Your Excellency. Besides, he will resume his work tomorrow.”

“You are right. Take him to any of the new apartments. I would not have him wait for Sidney to vacate his apartment before he moves in.”

“It is all right, Your Excellency,” the Second in Command said. 

Tim looked at the Head of State and asked, “Will it be too much if I ask for a different car and driver? I don't want to inherit his domestic staff members.”

“That is good enough. Please yourself.”

“Thank you, your Excellency.”

“It is my pleasure. Kay, get a new orderly, chef, driver, and janitor for a start. He will sort out the rest when he resumes.”

“Consider it done, Your Excellency.”

At Tim's New Apartment

Laura's house where they had lived for only six months was a kitchen compared to his mansion. He got in and was impressed with the furnishings.

“Who was this originally meant for?” He asked Gen. Hill.

“His Excellency furnished it for his close Presidents of other nations. Don't bother. You won't be displaced when they come,” he teased and they laughed softly.

“I got it. What about the domestic staff members? I prefer males.”

“You need not worry. I will send for twelve Sergeants with different skills. They will work with you from now until dinner. You will choose the four that suit you. Alright?”

“I got it,” he responded and Gen. Hill sent for the twelve domestic staff members.

At Laura's House

Since Tim was dead, her parents stayed with her. Not because she was mourning him, but to chat happily and plan how to connect her father to her boss.

“Ella,” she called out and the twenty-five years old chef appeared.

“Yes, Mrs. Williams,” she answered. Laura was not pleased with the title and corrected her forthwith, “I assume you don't know that I have divorced Tim.”

“And widowed too,” her mother added unhesitatingly and she agreed with her, “Yes. I am widowed too. Stop addressing me as Mrs. Williams, but simply call me Miss Dickson. Okay?”

“I got it, Miss Dickson. You called me.”

“Yes, I did. I would like to have my dinner earlier. I have so much to do in the office tomorrow.”

“Consider it done, Miss Dickson.”

“It is all right.”

Afterward, the chef served a richly prepared meal and they ate like kings and queens as they rejoiced over the elimination of Tim. 

“Thank you, Mom and Dad for the meal.”

“You are welcome,” her parents responded and stood up to return to their apartment. “Good night, Laura," they greeted her one after the other, 

“Good night, Dad and Mom,” she responded and they took a step. Instantly, Laura's phone rang and they stopped precipitously.

“Who is that?” Her mother asked excitedly.

At Tim's New Apartment

Before the dozen domestic staff members arrived, Tim had hung his bag on the curtain rail. He welcomed them and asked the chefs to go to the kitchen and begin their work immediately. He asked the orderlies to stand in the foyer while the janitors did nothing because the house was neatly kept. Howbeit, one of them was wiser, he kept himself busy with the gardening work and he got the job.

“Let's check the garage,” he said to the remaining skilled drivers after he picked up the car keys.

“Okay, Boss,” they said and followed him.

“Wow!” They exclaimed when they saw the bulletproof car.

“This is a machine,” one of them, teased and they laughed at his joke. 

Tim opened the door and asked, “Who would drive me to the mall? I need some groceries.”

“I, Boss,” the two volunteered at the same time but one of them had a different opinion and he indicated, “I will drive you, Boss, if I can read through the manual first.”

Tim was pleased with him but concealed it. He showed worries and inquired, “Why do you need the manual? Ain't you a certified driver?”

The two giggled at his folly and mocked him, “He is an amateur.”

“I am a certified driver, Boss but each car has its unique features. I have not driven this before and I can't rely on my knowledge of the other cars.”

“That is interesting. Let's go to the house and look out for the manual,” he said and moved.

“Okay, Boss,” he answered and followed him. The other two followed him too. Likewise, they got to the foyer and met the three orderlies sitting on the balustrade. They greeted him again and he answered. 

After he walked into the house, one of the three blocked the three drivers and asked, “Did he send for you?”

Tim was attracted by the question, turned, and informed the Orderly, “Yes. Let this one in. I want to give him something.”

“Okay, Boss,” he responded and granted him access. He walked behind Tim and the others waited outside.

Before dinner, he had gotten the three domestic staff members to work with. As for the chefs, the three did very well, and he resolved to shuffle them weekly. They helped him to settle down by getting his toiletries and innerwear. Afterward, he read the manual of the car as well.

At Laura's House

She overlooked her mother's question and looked at her phone to see the caller. Instantly, a smile flicked over her face and she announced, “It is Gerald.”

He had been in school with Samuel his younger brother and they were busy with their lectures since morning. They went to the school cafeteria that evening for their dinner when they saw the news of Tim's death and were distraught. Instantly, Gerald called her for clarification.

She took a step and returned to the parlor. At that moment, her parents smiled too and followed her. When she was comfortably seated on the couch, she picked up the call and greeted him cheerfully, “Hello, Gerald.”

“Hello, Big sister,” he responded coldly and she was disturbed. Without a second thought, she turned on the loudspeaker of her phone so that her parents could hear their conversation.

“What is the matter with you, Gerald? You sound cold,” she indicated.

“Maybe they have run out of cash,” Madeline chipped in and Gerald spoke, “Yes, Big sister. I heard disturbing news about your husband over the news. Is it true that he is dead?”