Episode 5. Lady K's Fashion School

"Yes, I am that disappointed," Samenffa affirmed.

("Disappointed?") Valentina repeated, her fists pounced on the table in bitterness as anger rose up her chest.("You came into the country two days ago but I found out yesterday night and when I came to your house, your butler had the temerity to tell me that you weren't in. Who does that to their mother, Samenffa?")

"I am taking away your veto power, " Samenffa fired the gun, completely ignoring his mother's berating.

("What?!") Valentina's hazel eyes popped. Her heart drummed unsteadily.

"When I was away, you had the leverage to save this company but you just sat there and watched Isabella do as she pleased. Not just you but everyone in that room contributed to the downfall of this company! Samenffa shouted. The anger seeped through his voice like a current of water striking a rock and echoed in the graveyard silent boardroom.

"I am taking away all your voting rights! You no longer have a say in what goes on in this business. You all hold seats of power but do nothing, absolutely nothing! "

Samenffa paused as he felt his heart race hick up. He momentarily looked away from the camera to take a few deep soothing breaths.

"I won't let you all ruin my father's hard work and neither will I let you leech off it. You are all going to work as hard or harder than I plan to, the meaningless positions you hold will be changed to something more beneficial, I won't do this alone…I can't." The last word came out as a whisper.

Everyone in the room except for Queen held important positions but they all came to work only when necessary. Alexander for example was the head of human resources but he lost one-third of the staff during the crisis.

He solicited Samenffa to set him in that position on the counts that he was the people's person yet he couldn't stop them from quitting. An act that would cost the company more money to rehire.

("If this will save our company, Sam, do as you wish,") Valentina said and smiled weakly.("But can you come home for dinner? I want to see you.") She looked at the rest around the table. They didn't speak but their warm gazes told they concurred with her. ("We all want to see you.")

Samenffa's lips huddled in a thin line, his brows lifted and fell into narrowing. "This is a business meeting, mother, such trivial issues can be discussed later but since you have brought it up, I must inform you that I have plans for tonight."

Valentina took the hint and gleamed, her one-sided dimple puckered for the first time today. ("Then I will be expecting you tomorrow night.")

Samenffa didn't answer back, he blinked once, indirectly considering it. "As I said before, everyone is going to be involved in the recreation of our family glory even you, Queen."

Hearing her name made the daydreaming teenager who was staring at herself through her phone camera come back to her senses. ("Me? I didn't go to business school, what can I do?") She shrugged.

"You didn't go to business school but you claim to be a model. " Samenffa gritted his teeth. "Your role is simple but complex, you are going to Lady K modeling school because you are going to be the face of our come-back collection."

("No…") Queen shrieked. She briskly turned to her mother who always supports her.("Mum, you won't let him do that to me right? That school is for savages , they treat people like animals!")

Anyone who knew anything about fashion and modeling knew about Lady K's charm school for models. It was a place agents use to threaten their models into working hard. It was every model's nightmare. The school was run like a boot camp, with no phones, no internet, and no connection with the outside world.

Lady K would always say she could make a model out of anyone in a month and till date , no one could call her bluff. Her school had produced countless worldwide pageant winners, souring from Miss. World to Mr. Universe.

Looking away, Queen murmured, ("I knew you never loved me but this is too far.")

The sound system of the room was futuristic, Samenffa could hear everything. He felt a little sad to hear his sister's assumption about him but he couldn't continue to indulge her, she would never grow that way and how long does he have to live?

"It is final, Queen, I am not asking for your consent, you leave in two days, " Samenffa declared.

The meeting lasted for hours. Samenffa used the time in reallocating positions. They weren't pleased but they also didn't have an option.

The long hours took their toll on Samenffa's spine. He rose to his feet and tried to stretch his back but ended up losing balance and pushing down a few meaningless artworks off the table.

The iPad in Grace's hand fell on the floor as she screamed, "Samenffa!"

"I am fine, I am fine. "He dismissively waved. Grace helped him sit although he kept disputing. "I rose too quickly, it was probably my blood sugar that dropped , get me something sweet."

Grace stumbled, her forehead crinkled, and worry clouded her reasoning.

"Go…" Samenffa shooed her. "I don't want to faint."

Grace squirreled to the fridge adjacent to Samenffa's table. As she took out his medication she looked back and found Samenffa rubbing his tempo with a suffering look. She increased her pace.

"Drink this. "She provided Samenffa a glass of coke-cola. Then gave him some pills and waited for him to finish gulping them down before taking away the tray.

"I think you should rest. "She suggested although she knew the answer.

"Only if you accept to address the employees on my behalf." Samenffa smiled.

Grace froze. She slowly rose and placed the document that fell on the table. "Ar—are you sure you want me to do that? Wha-what about your family?"

Samenffa slung heavily. "Don't tell me you were not paying attention in the meeting, they have no say in the decision-making process of this company anymore."

Grace beamed then chuckled. A teardrop rolled halfway down her cheek before it got wiped away. She nodded as her dentition was revealed. "Yes, I can address them!" She hugged Samenffa but quickly withdrew. "Sorry, sorry boss."