CHAPTER NINETEEN
THE LOVE OF A FATHER
Michael stood looking at the tennis ball court. A tear fell from his eyes. He cleaned it off with the back of his hand.
"Michael?" Miss Hena called softly.
He turned and saw her. She was so small. He wanted to smile but he couldn't. He just stood there.
She quickly covered the distance between them and gave him a hug. Michael bent down a little and hugged her back.
After a while, she disengaged, and with her palms,, she cleaned off the tears on Michael's face.
"Darling, your father's so sorry. I'm very sure that by now he's breaking up with that woman. Can you forgive him, please?" She said with small teardrops on her face.
"I let my emotions..." He started to say but she interrupted him.
"No, Michael. It's better this way. You need to come in now. It's cold out here and you need to prepare for your meeting. It's almost time" she said, holding his hand as they both entered the house.
"Get another jet for me. I'm not ready to face Dad now" Michael said.
"I'll make the necessary arrangements immediately," she agreed with him without any arguments.
On entering, they stopped short in the hallway by the sitting room.
"I'm sorry, but can we stay apart for a while. My son does not approve of anything happening between us" they heard his father say to Director Vivian.
"Just because of this little thing that happened you are sending me out of your life, Alfred Watts. Because of your son?" Director Vivian said in a sarcastic tone.
"Of course, Director Vivian. Listen, that boy is my life. He is the only command on earth I can't disobey; I'm sorry, Vivian," he apologized again.
"So you're asking me to leave?" She asked.
Mr. Alfred nodded.
"Here's your car key. I can't drive you home. I have a meeting to attend with Michael very soon"
"Honestly, you can't do this to me, Alfred?" She said quietly.
"I have to," Mr. Alfred said, leading her out. When their footsteps faded away, Michael walked out with Miss Hena.
"Are you changing your mind?" She asked, looking at him.
"Dad loves me so much. I know" Michael looks at her. "But I want you to book a separate jet for me. Thanks, Miss Hena" he bowed slightly and walked to the stairs.
Mr. Alfred was shocked when he confirmed from Miss Hena that Michael had left with a separate jet. He wasn't expecting that the matter would be this serious. Before he left, he met Miss Hena.
"Michael?" He asked when he saw her arranging Michael's room. His room was always neat, especially because she was the one who ensured it. She always arranged it herself. She never let any of the housekeepers do that or even assist her.
She stood up to look at him.
"He's left already," she told him.
"His driver just called me. He even left with George instead" he let out a frustrated sigh. "Why is Michael doing this to me?!"
Miss Hena smiles,
"Michael's a baby now. You just have to do the needful. It works all the time" she said in a sing-song voice.
Mr. Alfred thought for a while before smiling at her.
"That's true. Thanks, Miss Hena. I'll see you later, mmm!" With that, he left the room.
****
When he got to the venue where they were to meet the investors, Michael didn't talk to him. Even when they were inside the board room. Michael only spoke business to him. At one point, he regretted training Michael to be this professional. Not mixing emotions with business. His expressions didn't even falter. He delivered his pitch perfectly and the investors were very impressed. They all cast their votes in favor of Michael. Mr. Alfred tried to gain access to Michael and whisper to him but Michael deliberately avoided him. Mr. George saw all that was happening but kept quiet. He could tell Mr. Alfred was tense and distracted during the meeting, and even now, he was standing beside him, watching as Michael greeted other men and women.
"Did something happen?" Mr. George asked almost in a whisper.
"Director Vivian" he replied and sighed.
George gave a half smile, "I guess it happened big this time"
"I'm shocked too. Why does he dislike her? He's never had any problems with them?" He looked at Michael, their eyes met because Michael also looked his way.
"He's looking at you," George said again.
"I know. Is everything ready?"
"Yes. I already texted you the location"
"How will you spend yours?" Alfred asked, still looking at Michael, who had turned his attention to another man.
"I'll go back to my hotel room. Milky Way needs my attention"
"Okay. Have a nice time with her. How old is she now?"
"I don't know. The vet just guessed it's two".
Mr. Alfred nods, "Okay. Send her my pleasant greetings. It's time to take that attention away from Michael. I need to speak with my son, please".
"Okay, CEO Alfred!" Mr. George bowed slightly before walking towards the men gathered around Michael.
It was past four in the evening, Michael sat on his bed in his hotel room. He was going through his phone. Michelle sent him a text. Kelvin and Sylvester too. He even saw Odelia's text. There were others, but he quickly tapped on Michelle's text. He typed a reply. As he was about to send the message to her, the door opened and someone walked in.
It was Alfred Watts. He quickly dropped the phone and stood up. Alfred Watts quickly walked up to him.
"Michael" he called quietly.
"Dad!" Michael replied looking at him.
Alfred Watts paused for a while before saying,
"I'm sorry, mine. I already broke up with her. I ask for your forgiveness. Can you please forgive me?" Alfred pleaded.
Michael covered the distance between them and hugged his father.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I'm sorry I shouted at you" Michael said.
Patting his back, Alfred said,
"It's fine, mine. I did you the wrong. Thanks for forgiving me," they disengage.
Alfred Watts looked at his son for a while and smiled,
"You did well today. But you tore my heart when you left in a separate jet"
"Dad!" Michael stretched the word.
"Okay, okay," leaning back, "What do you say, wanna go out on a date with me tonight? I already made reservations for a full hotel service just for you and me," he said softly.
Michael smiled, "I'm in, Dad. Give me some minutes, let me dress up properly".
"Okay," he paused to look at Michael. "I love you so much, Mine"
"I love you too, Dad," Michael said and hugged his father again, smiling widely.
****
At school, Odelia was in class when one of Raymond's boys walked up to her and whispered something to her. She got up and followed him to where Raymond was at the school field.
When she saw him, she paused before walking to where he sat. He was holding a paper.
When she came close, she asked,
"What is it?!"
"Her,e" he hands her the paper.
She reads through it but there was no emotion on her face or reaction.
"What? You're not saying anything" he was shocked instead.
"I know this already," Odelia said.
This made Raymond spring up to his feet.
"H...how did you know?" He stuttered.
Odelia paused for a while before talking,
"Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!" She hissed shaking her head. "You've always been a dumb kid ever since I know you. Most of us already know he's a Watts, but no one is saying anything, why?" She walks closer to him while pointing her index finger on his chest. "No one wants actions taken upon their family or company. So do yourself good and take a break from all these mischievous activities. Michael's not someone you can bully in the alley" she hissed again. She darts her eyes to the other boys.
"And hey! Don't you chipmunks have other better things to do?! There's a lot of things to study, so why don't you?!" She shouted at them.
Bowing in a disorderly manner, they ran out, leaving Raymond with Odelia.
"It's time for you to stop and grow up. We've all grown"
Raymond chuckles, "You haven't thought"
She eyed him. "That's personal. So be careful or your family's going down the drain"
Raymond looks at her, "You know something, don't you?"
She tuts again, walking out she said,
"I don't know anything"
Raymond stood there watching her until she took a turn that led back to their classroom.