chapter three

Chapter three

The family sat at dinner and talked about the day as they had gone bowling. Zeke's phone beeped. He read the message and his face dropped.

"Babe, what is the matter?" Lucy asked noticing the dip in her husband's mood.

Zeke let out a big sigh. "I just got laid off from work." Zeke didn't know how to feel exactly. People got sad when they got sacked or laid off from work right? But in his case he was having mixed feelings. He felt happy that he wouldn't have to go for long trips anymore. He had enough money to buy a good house and he could find a job somewhere in LA. But on the other hand he was sad because it was normal to be after losing one's job. Zeke had less income than Lucy but the matter had never brought any form of disputes between them but he couldn't just sit around doing nothing. He had to find a job pronto.

"You don't have to worry babe I can pay the bills until you find something to do." Lucy said to her husband.

Zeke gave his wife a small smile. He loved how selfless and thoughtful she was. She was always ready to do anything to help regardless of who was what.

Regan knew all along that this was going to happen when he asked them to stay with him. He had noticed the way Lucy always came home when her husband was out so he decided to keep his keep the spot that Evandor had kept for him.

"I'll ask that you stay here for the mean time I'm sure I'll work something out by week-end." Regan said before wishing them goodnight and made his way to in his room, he sent a text to Maxwell to send in word to GCC that we would visit the next day. If he wasn't going to take the job then he would give it to his brother in-law.

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . … .. ..

Gennadios cosmetics company stood proud and tall in-front of Regan and Maxwell Gibbs. Regan kept his back so straight that Maxwell thought that the two were competing for who was prouder. Its massive glass walls and towering height were daunting and in large Italian, "Gennadios cosmetic company" was written and placed just above the big rotating doors. When they stepped in they were led to Claus's office. The deal between Aaron and Gennadios stated that as Claus was the head of the marketing department, Regan would be given a job under him.

When the duo stepped into the office, Regan and Claus made eye contact and Claus blurted out. "Regan Leroy?" he blinked as if he had seen a phantom. He knew right from the time his father, Evandor, had made things clear to him about the two companies that Regan wouldn't take the job.

"Won't you offer me a handshake at least?" Regan asked with a small smile.

Regan and Claus weren't exactly friends. The relationship they had was based on work and the two were in each other's good graces, Regan having the higher advantage.

"How have you been?" Claus asked unsurely. "I heard about the loss, my condolences."

"You don't have to Claus." Regan said making himself comfortable on a chair. Then whole time Maxwell didn't speak a word. "I have come here for my supposed spot."

"You're really taking the job?" Claus asked in a surprised tone.

"Not really, I have someone for the spot."

"You'll have to meet my father. I think he's in, my secretary will show you the way." He said placing a call to his secretary through the intercom.

The secretary came in shortly and led Regan and Maxwell to the senior Gennadios's office. Maxwell noticed that the moment Regan stepped out the office, his stoic expression was back in place. One the way to the elevator, a woman stepped out and brashly shoved Regan in a bid to pass through.

"Watch where you're going, dweebs." She spat as she left angrily without looking back.

Regan stopped in his tracks and turned around to see the woman who had disrespected him. Maxwell raised a questioning brow at his boss. "Let her be." Regan said and his hand mindlessly reached out to play with his mother's Tanzanite ring.

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Zeke was full of gratitude when Regan had told him what he did at GCC.

"You really don't have to mention it. You're my best friend's husband. It's the least I could do." He smiled at his sister.

"Reggie you flatter me." Lucy said with an equal smile. She turned to Zeke. "I'll start looking for a house while you focus on your work. I'm sure I'll find something in a month's time."

Zeke gave his wife a questioning look to which she explained, "There's no need staying in California anymore. You'll be working at GCC now. Plus I never liked the place anyway. It's too far from home."

"There's no need for the rush. The Leroy mansion has enough rooms to go round. I'll also help with the hunt."

Lucy looked at her brother with love-filled eyes. "Thanks Reggie."

He kissed Lucy on the cheek. "Goodnight Lu. You too, Zeke." He passed a nod to Zeke

"Goodnight."

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Regan found it hard to get a shut-eye as the scene of the scene from earlier in the day kept replaying in his head and unbeknownst to him, he absent-mindedly played with the ring on his fourth finger. He let out a resigned sigh and opened his laptop.

..........

Lucy and Maxwell sat in the home office with Regan who had called for a meeting with them. "I've found a way to expand the resort." He said tapping his fountain pen on the grey marble table top.

"Okay, what's it about?" Lucy asked.

Regan poured himself a glass of red wine that sat on the table.

Maxwell, being the dutiful and loyal right hand man, took out his tablet to take notes.

Regan played his lean fingers over the rim of the glass cup before taking a gulp "I'm not sure yet. I've not been to the Resort in a while. I have to be there and make rounds to see how the departments will work in harmony with the upgrade I have in mind."

"So what do we do?" Lucy asked with a hint of excitement in her voice.

"Maxwell I need you to tell Arielle to schedule a meeting with all the head of departments."

"Yes sir."

"Lu, I need a report from all the departments on the newest recruits."

"Okay. Is that all?"

"That's all. You can leave."

Lucy stayed back to go through the receipts that Arielle had sent the previous day and Maxwell stood up to leave when Regan called him back.

"I need you to inform the tech department to prepare a new website. After the meeting, I'll give them details on content." And with a brief nod Maxwell left the office.

One week later and Regan sat in the conference room at the Resort with the head of departments not before making his said rounds especially at the kitchen.

The dropped the report Lucy had given him on the conference table. "Good morning everyone." He greeted not apologizing for being late. "I know some of you have not seen me in a while that's because my sister has been running things around here. I won't say she's not trying but the returns are not up to my want." He paused for effect. "And with that said, a few changes will be made."

There was an outburst of whisper and most of them had a look of unease on their faces.

"You don't have to panic. No one will lose their job." He said to their relief. "I'd like to ask if any of your subordinates have firm grounding with their traditional food and how to cook them?"

Another outburst of murmurs broke into the lavish conference room.

Regan tapped his pen on his thin lips and arched a dark thatch of brow. Irritated, he spoke, "I like to believe that everyone here has a bit of diplomacy and I expect you all to answer my questions as such."

The room went dead quiet before a lady spoke, "sir, um… I have a person in my department." She leaned in closer, show-casing her full cleavage. She fluttered her eyelashes so much that Regan thought she had gotten something into them. His brows only shot up further. "I think she makes great Taiwan food and –"

"I rather you take out whatever it is you got in your eyes." He deadpanned, giving her a once-over.

She blushed as his eyes swept over her lazily, she thought it was seductive. Regan was so good-looking and who wouldn't want to be his slut?

"What is your name?" He asked and watched her turn into the shade of ketchup.

"My name is Agnes, sir." She responded and put down her gaze coyly.

"Agnes, I don't recall calling anyone here for a pitch. Did i? I asked a simple question and I expect a simple answer and not some guess work." Regan said flatly'

Agnes was beyond embarrassed. He shoulders slouched and she hung her head and played with her wrist band.

Another woman spoke, "Sir," Her African accent was thick and she seemed unfazed for whatever aura her boss was oozing of. "I'm Amara, head of the house keeping department." She paused to look around the table at her co-workers. She squared her shoulders and spoke undauntedly, "I think I speak for all of us when I say we need time to find and deliver the people you are looking for."

The room went quietly. The people seated at the table were bewildered. Amara had just asked the boss to postpone the work at hand. Though the man before them hadn't presided over any meeting in the Resort before, they were sure he was less tolerant than the late Leroys.

"Your reason please." Regan said calmly to the astonishment of everyone and he put on a sly smirk and that enough to drive Agnes crazy.

"Around here, we have some ethics. We mind our work and lack the time to have long conversations let alone ask questions about who cooks what and what not." She replied coolly. She looked at her boss's impassive face and continued. "A week's time should do for us to go out for lunch or dinner and get to know ourselves better. That way we'll find the people you are looking for."

Regan nodded his head. "Any further suggestions?" He asked while drilling a hole into the heads of his workers. He took the silence for no and said, "We will go with Amara's idea then. This meeting is over. Get back to me in a week. You may leave."