“We are getting married tomorrow,” he smiled and informed her.
Nichole was astonished and asked him immediately, “Why? It was supposed to be on Thursday.”
“Yes. We have been working on the wrong date. We would have missed tomorrow if I had not gone to the registry today to find out.”
“Oh, my God! It is good that you went. What time, please?”
“The time is 9 AM. We are keeping it as low-key as possible. Do you remember?”
“It is okay. I will inform my parents later,” she made clear.
“Oh! I hope they won’t be offended.”
“They will be but our happiness matters a lot now.”
He was thrilled by the sacrifice and drew her closer. He cupped her face and asked her, “Do you mean to hurt your people because of me?”
She saw the guilt in his eyes and tried to reduce the burden on him, “You are also doing the same thing. After all, you didn’t inform your people.”
He was relieved and appreciated her, “Thank you for that. We will tell them that we needed only the children.”
“You got it. I love you, Hubby.”
“I love you too. Come what may, we will tie the knot tomorrow. I cannot wait to be your legal husband,” he hinted at her and dropped his necktie on the wardrobe.
“I feel the same way too. So that I will be free from the negative rumors from friends and colleagues.”
If only Nichole had known how scared he was about her friends, she would have kept her mouth shut.
“What rumors are you talking about?” He asked her ensuring that his tone did not betray him.
“Arthur had refused to remarry because of your presence in his life. Why not remarry so that he can be free to remarry, too? So many silly remarks.”
“Wow! That is repulsive.”
“Yes, and I find it difficult to respond to such jesting.”
“I understand how you feel back then. I will make it up to you. You will stand out among all other women, especially in the Bailey’s family.”
Nichole blushed and smiled before she responded, “Thank you, Hubby. I can’t wait. If you are through, can we go for lunch? I’m sure the chef should be ready for us now.”
“Yes, we can.”
Subsequently, Arthur put on his shirt, and they walked to the parlor. They had their food cheerfully while glancing at the local television.
“I saw this scene when I was coming back from the office,” Arthur informed her.
Now, Nichole became interested in the program and asked him, “What happened?”
“I do not know what happened. But whatever that happened caused a gridlock.”
“The reporters would let us know soon.”
Just as she predicted, the reporters provided the details of all that happened along the road.
(The city police averted what would have thrown the entire city into mourning. While the police and the media houses set out to appreciate the supposed volunteered security personnel at the Lonely Road, we discovered that they were hired killers who had been hired to kill a well-respected member of society. They were yet to disclose their sponsors, and the name of their victim had been kept secret for now. More updates on this as the investigation continues. Ernest Eden. Reporting.)
“Wow. That was a good one. You can imagine what would have happened if the police did not uncover that they were false security personnel,” Arthur said.
“The victim would have been killed and his family thrown into chaos.”
“You got it.”
They ate silently and glanced at the television from time to time. Afterward, they retired to their bedroom, not giving thought to Nichole’s phone, which was still off.
“We need to inform Louis and Freya of the change in the date,” Arthur made clear.
“You are right. What about Denise and his wife?”
“I have informed him. He will inform his wife.”
“It’s okay.”
At Seven Oaks – The Bailey International Conglomerates
Louis was in his office attending to the messages that his secretary had compiled for him, and he sent them to Eric. He arrived as quickly as possible and greeted, him, “Good morning, Boss. You sent for me.”
“Good morning Eric. Yes, I sent it to you. Kindly sit.”
“Thank you, Boss,” Eric appreciated him and took his seat.
Then, Louis went straight to the point, “Which of the clients said he would be visiting Seven Oaks, and what for.”
“Thank you, Boss. His name is Mr. Rex Edmonton. He was at the International Property Exhibition in Cairo and wished to check one of our properties.”
Louis smiled and demanded, “Where is he coming from?”
“He is coming from the United States of America and he sounded desperate.”
“I see. In your message with my secretary, you said he would be in town in two days.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Does it mean that he is in the country already?”
“Not yet, Boss. I spoke with him before he boarded his flight this morning. From the look of things, he would be in the office tomorrow morning.”
“It is all right. Good job, Eric.”
“It is my pleasure, Boss.”
“You can leave. Tell the secretary that I want to see her.”
“It is all right, Boss,” he said and got up.
He walked to the secretary’s office and informed her that Louis wished to see him. Before she could walk in, Louis got a call from Barr. Guidance. As he picked up his phone to speak, Cassandra pushed the door and walked in.
“You can excuse me. I will call you back when I am through with the call.”
“It is okay, Boss,” she answered and walked away.
“Hello, Barrister. How did it go?” he picked up the call and inquired.
“Hello, Mr. Bailey. Can you believe this? That rogue scaled the fence when he heard the Police siren.”
Louis chuckled and exclaimed, “What! That is funny.”
“Very funny.”
“What do we do?”
“I will take the petition to his business premises tomorrow and get him to collect and acknowledge the receipt.”
“It is okay. You can send it to his email as well.”
“I have done that.”
“That is good.”
“It is all right. I will keep you informed. Bye.”
“Thank you, Barrister. Bye.”
‘Jump the fence at the sound of the police siren. He must have a skeleton in his cupboard.’ Louis murmured.
As he was about to drop his phone and send for his secretary, his phone rang again. This time, it was from his father.
He picked up the call and greeted him warmly, “Hello, Father. I’m delighted to hear from you,”
“Hello, Louis. How are you?”
“I am good, Father. How is Mom?”
“Your mom is fine.”
“That is good to hear. And how are you getting ready for your marriage?”
“That is why I called you. There is a change in our plans. We are getting married tomorrow.”
“Ha! What happened? It was supposed to be on Thursday?”
“Yes, but we had been working with a wrong date.”
“It is okay. I will come over, but I am expecting a client from the United States of America tomorrow. I will see how I will work on my schedule.”
“It is all right. If it will not be convenient for you to come, please, don’t bother. Your sister and brother with their spouses are enough witnesses.”
“It is all right, Father, but I will try my best.”
“It is all right,” he said and the call ended.
Louis canceled the idea of being at the wedding forthrightly when he learned that Olivia would be present.