Julia looked away. He had been trying to control himself from sleeping since he arrived at the office. If he closes his eyes, he seems to be seeing either Rita or his dead daughter.
It was a terrible State, for one to feel sleepy and yet afraid to sleep. He knows it definitely would show in his facial expression.
“I am fine dad” Julia replied, he sat beside his father and deliberately avoided eye contact with him.
He doesn’t know how to bring himself to tell him the experiences he has been having after Rita miscarried the pregnancy.
Cheng Li shook his head. “I am your father Julia and I have known you before you were ever able to pronounce your first word.
I have known you long before you started blabbing and I have learnt to understand you even though you were blabbing and unable to express yourself.
If you are fine, I wouldn’t have asked you such a question like I did. If you need help, talk to your father and let me know what is reducing you to something so thin…”
Julia didn’t say anything else in defense or pretense. His father was right, he shouldn’t keep things away from him, especially the one he observed and asked.
“Is it because of the baby you and Rita lost?” Cheng Li propped further. He hasn’t seen him so worried that it appears on his face like this. It could probably be as a result of what happened to him recently.
Julia nodded. “I haven’t been able to sleep in days. My doctor friend came over to help me with a pill. I fell asleep but I had nightmares.
When I woke up, I didn’t want to sleep again. I have been feeling sleepy all day but I am afraid of going to my lounge to sleep.
Perhaps that is what affected my mood and looks. But I hope to be fine with time. It’s a phase in my life and I will come out of it” Julia explained.
There was silence for a few minutes before Cheng Li said “Sometimes one doesn’t know the value of what he or she has until he loses it.
You don’t know the excitement of having a baby or the satisfaction of seeing your seed develop into a human and run around the house.
Now you learnt in a hard way. Julia everyone is disappointed at what you did. I have to cross your brother to minimize your misery, but I wasn’t happy that I did that.
Junxie only thinks about the good of every member of the family. But despite all that has happened, I haven’t written you off.
There is hope that if a tree is cut down but its root remains in the soil, with the nutrients from that soil and water it is extracting, that tree will blossom again.
I still love you and your mother also loves you. Be responsible, take advantage of the love of your family and become a man everyone admires and every woman desires.
I have almost given up on you Julia. But if you have a change of attitude, I will be glad, I will be a happy father my son…” Cheng Li declared.
Julia bowed his head, Lost in the words of his father. His father was right. He would change for the better. Enough of living in promiscuity.
Of all the women he has had, what profit has he made? He goes about sleeping around and has nothing to show for it.
It isn’t going to be easy, but he will make up his mind. He would have only one woman and that woman can only be Rita.
He would get her back and get married properly with her. If it’s not Rita, it couldn’t be someone else.
Seeing his son didn’t say anything, Cheng Li added “Find Rita and apologies to her. If you still love her, get back together and think of settling down in marriage.
If you do, you will find happiness again and that satisfaction that you seek, you will get in her. Just do the right thing my son and the right things will bring themselves to you…” Cheng Li advised.
When Cheng Li left the Li’s Group, he felt happy. He was able to have private talks with individuals of his sons.
It wasn’t something premeditated, but he just was compelled to do it. He hopes life smiles on his sons and grandsons.
He wished that his younger son would live a proper life and be the kind of son he wants him to become.
Julia was happy and relieved after his father left. He felt a burden was lifted off his shoulder. He had promised him that he would be good henceforth.
And that promise, he intends to stay true to it. He wants to be like Junxie in every sense.
Besides Theresa, he knew his brother hadn’t gotten involved with any other woman and he didn’t intend to.
It’s just him, Theresa and his sons. He is happy with his woman and they both love each other. That’s what he wants now.
But getting Rita to forgive him is something he is yet to achieve. But the chance would come but while he is waiting for the chance, he will stay true to her.
There was an hour left until the live streaming that Li’s Group was going to give. The vast compound of the Group was packed full with pressmen and presenters.
A stage has been mounted and everywhere was decorated. The President of Li’s Group was going to give a speech and declare to the public that they now produce textile both for exporting to other countries and for the home country.
Theresa and some other senior employees of the Group were seated in the front rows and Julia would be standing at Junxie’s right hand side as the vice president.
Few minutes later, the board of directors and shareholders were seated. The other employees were present too while Julia gave an opening speech.
Theresa hadn’t seen Junxie in two days. She Misses him already and looks forward to seeing him emerge to give his speech.
“I now welcome President Junxie Li of the Li’s Group …” Julia announced and Junxie started walking from a distance.
His bodyguards were in rows on both sides from where he started emerging from to the stage and he was passing in the middle of them. They each bowed as he approached them.
His face was expressionless and he wore the most expensive and latest designer suit. His hair was like it was parmed, shining and in its usual styled.
He wore a golden wristwatch whose cost could be enough to sustain some families in a year. His shoes were shining and a rare but expensive type.
Everyone began to clap as the President walked closer to the already prepared stage.
Theresa saw him and felt butterflies in her belly…