Chapter Two

Benson stirred the cup close to him in the kitchen. The tardy movement of his hand around the cup made Mirabel worried.

"Since when did it start" she asked him with deep concern

"Yesterday or there about " he twisted the hair on his head and relaxed on the chair

"And you refused to take any medicine when you know you're not alright" Mirabel fired at him

"I know I'm not sick" Benson replied

"So what's wrong with you"she stood with arms akimbo.

"Nothing's wrong with me" he replied and Mirabel stared around like a scientist looking for a theory to prove what she discovered.

"Is it what they said yesterday?" she suddenly spoke up.

"Who?"

"Our senior man and woman"

"I don't get you" Benson pretended.

"Alright" she paused and continued.

"Let me rephrase" she tapped her chest and drew a chair close by. The chair made a noise

"That sound reminds me of Grandpa's old clock that would wake everyone up when it's twelve at night."

Mirabel smiled.

"It's usual sound made..." Benson didn't finish his statement as Mirabel interrupted him.

"Let Grandpa's clock be of history. Let's face reality now."

Benson muttered something different.

"You're not fine because Mom and Dad said you've refused to introduce a girl who you'll get married to and bare a child for you. Preferably a son" she paused and looked at Benson who had an expressionless face.

"You're not saying anything" she said in order to break the eerie silence between them.

"What do you want me to say?" Benson probed

"Say something"

"Like?"

"Excuse me?" Mirabel blurted out in discouragement.

Benson sighed.

"They're..." he paused to hold back the anger that was generating in him.

"They're forcing me to get married. Should I just walk on the street and start kneeling in front of anything I see in a skirt?"

Mirabel smiled. She remembered this part of her brother who could describe anybody with the general idea behind their sex.

"I have to look closely. Especially because of this old man's sake" he pointed to the potriat of his dad directly opposite the Kitchen. He continued

"If I go out there and get someone that would cause problems to him and the company it would cause issues and his wife will be the first to ignite the fire"

"And why are you laughing" he suddenly asked Mirabel as she guffawed.

"You're calling Dad that old man and Mom his wife"she said between gulps.

"No no no no no no sis, It's not a laughing matter."

"I know, I know" she said seriously and resumed another round of laughter while Benson kept an expressionless face.

"Dearie I understand your point. You can't just go out and place a ring on a lady's finger in order to have a heir for the company. But we know you're not getting younger, you need to do something so ....." Benson cut her off

"What do you want me to do? I'll get married when I find someone period !" he banged the desk and the cup fell. Thank God it was a plastic cup.

Mirabel sighed

"Alright, just calm down" she patted his shoulder and continued.

"You know Williams right?" she asked him

"Who's Williams?"

"Williams is my husband friend I was talking about the other day" she explained.

"The one who you said is gifted in business right?"

Mirabel nodded in approval.

"So how does he concern what we're discussing?" he asked in utmost confusion

"Be calm man" she rubbed her chest vertically.

"Williams has a P.A. Her name is Uju. She's calm, beauti..."

"So why are you advertising her to me?" Benson cut her off again.

"For the last time Ben don't cut me off again" Mirabel instructed him and continued

"As I was saying, she's calm,light skinned, beautiful and slender. She has a very nice attitude you will love. So you can check her out." she concluded and sat upright.

"So you expect me to just go and look for her, disgracing myself just because of a wife right?" Benson said

"No Benson you can employ another means" Mirabel suggested

"Like what?" he asked her

"Disguise" she said

"Disguise?"

"Yes a disguise will help you know who she truly is" Mirabel said and Benson thought for a while before saying

"How?"

"There are different ways. You know you're kind of known around so first we can work on your facial outlook" suggested Mirabel.

"Okay but how will I go about everything?" Benson asked looking interested.

Mirabel drank a cup of water before explaining

"You'll go there asking for the job of a file carrier because with this job you'll have time to relate with her more often and know everything about her. Then you'll make sure everyone has Pity on you due to your haggard dressing, unshaven hair and beards. Then you'll cook a story you'll serve everyone. Tell them you're from a poor home and as time goes on you'll know the best and next step to take" she concluded.

Benson kept nodding until he had a triumphant smile on his lips.

"How did you make this up?" he asked her aloud and she told him to calm down.

"I and you're in-law put it together" she said laughing.

"Wow!" he exclaimed.

"You owe me one" she said laughing.

"There's no time to waste, it's high time we swung into action" Benson said excitedly

"Yeah it is" Mirabel said and they both laughed.

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Uju sat on the chair typing on her desk while she whistled some musical notes. She'll visit her pastor today and tell him the latest news about the church building in Accra that was just inugurated. Of course he loved such news.She continued whistling as she typed. It was like the higher she whistled, the faster she typed. With all this serenity a young man walked in. He was not much older than Uju from the look on his face.

"Good afternoon ma'am" he greeted

"Afternoon. Please have your seat" she replied and he obliged.

"What can we do for you" she asked as she continues typing.

" I want to see your boss"the man replied agitated.

Uju stared at him. She had surely not seen this one before now.

"Do you have an appointment?" she asked him and he shook his head to mean no.

"You can't see him then" she sounded firm. The man looked lost.

"Ma'am I'm here to apply for a job" he said

"Okay can I have your c.v" Uju said and he gave her the c.v.

"What's your name?" she asked

"Benson" he replied.

"I guess you'll have to see the boss but let me give him a call" she said and picked up the office phone to call him.