CHAPTER FORTY: PATHETIC FEELINGS

George and Sheila had almost spent their two weeks honeymoon holiday and it was so enjoyable to both of them. Although George was a bit busy with work but, he created time for his wife. They went sight seeing, shopping, clubbing and hiking to mention but few. They used to come back to the hotel exhausted and wiuld make love throughout the night.

They were about going for shopping that morning after George had had a talk with the executive officers of the hotel about his observations on their services to customers, also, they should priotise the needs of the big and regular customers.

George was putting on a blue Calvin Klein T shirt on a black jeans while Sheila was putting on a red round neck of the same designer on a blue jeans trousers. Both of them were looking simple but expensive. They went out hand in hand out of the hotel and the workers looked at them with admiration for their love.

Three hours later, they were back with lots of gifts for their parents, grandparent and friends. They both secretly bought gifts for each other.

Laying on the bed after lunch, George was busy playing with Sheila's hair while she was playing game on her phone. 'Ella.' George called her name gently.

'Hmm.' She responded not taking her eyes away from the game.

'We would cut short our honeymoon.' He stopped touching her hair to look at her to see her reaction. Sheila stopped the game and looked up at him. 'Why bunny.'

'Business honey.'

'But we have just two or three days more?' She asked in disappointment.

'But I told you I would be working.'

'Yes which you keep on doing while on honeymoon. So why are you cutting it short?'

'There is this big project we have in Vitoria and Stuart would be going there for presentation.'

'And so?'

'I want to be there to give him support.'

'Why you and not Gary, Bernard or Felix?'

'It's just a second thought that he would be there with just his PA and no one to give him a back up.'

'Is this the first time he would be doing such?'

'No, he has done so many times.'

'Don't you have confidence in him that he would perform well?'

'No. Far from it. If you're looking for the best presenter amongst us, it's Stuart. I just have this feeling that he would need one of us.'

'Have you spoken to him about it?'

'No I just want to surprise him.'

'So when are we leaving?'

'I've sent to my pilot and by now he would be landing.'

'What?! And you never thought of informing me earlier?'

'I'm sorry honey. It was just an impromptu decision.' He said looking sorry. 'I'm sorry for the inconvenience Ella.'

'It's okay, you've made your decision and who am I to object?' She said quietly as she stood up from the bed.

'Honey where are you going?'

'To pack of course.' She turned to look at him blankly.

'You're upset honey, I'm sorry.'

'I'm not only upset but disappointed. We are married George Allan Isaac.' She showed him the ring finger. 'You're no more a bachelor who makes decisions irrationally not caring who his decision affects. I allowed you to work during our honeymoon without complaining and this?' She expressed with her hand.

'I'm sorry honey I know I have done you wrong please forgive me. You know, this marriage is new to me and I'm yet to get used to discuss with someone about my thought. Let me call the pilot to take the plane back.'

'That will not be necessary since he's already here. So when do we leave?'

'We have four hours to ourselves.'

'But that'll be in the evening.'

'Yes, if we take off by seven thirty, we would be at Vitoria by five in the morning and that would give us time to get prepared without getting there late.'

'What time is the presentation?'

'Nine in the morning.'

'Then we better start packing.'

He stood up to hold her from the back resting his head on her shoulder, he whispered to her. 'I know you're not happy with me but I'll make it up to you.'

'You had better not make a promise you can not keep.'

'I promise you honey, I'll make it up to you.' He said kissing her neck.

'Hmm Georgy.' She moaned.

He turned her round to face him. 'Are you sure we can pack now? We can leave and tell the manager to forward our luggages home.'

'Why? We are here and....' He kissed her deeply not allowing her to finish her statement.

'We would only take the few we would need and this would afford you see how beautiful Vitoria city is.' He said after the kiss.

'You're so naughty bunny boy.' She said seductively as she wrapped her arms round his neck.

'Yes I am naughty mummy, please discipline me.' He said against her lips as he gently pushed her towards the bed.

Stuart's PA had set up the projector with the help of the secretary to the Chief Executive Officer of the company Stuart would be presenting to.

An hour later, everyone was in the company's conference room with the exception of the chairman and CEO.

Stuart for the first time feeling alone in the world, not that his confidence diminished but the feeling would not just go and his spirit was a bit down. He felt a hand on his shoulder and wondered who could have been so familiar with him at this place to show such closeness. He looked up and he couldn't express how happy he was to see George.

'Oh Georgy boy, you came?' He asked with excitement.

'Yes Stu. I just had this uneasy feeling that you needed someone around you.'

'You got it right my friend.' Stuart muttered. 'And you cut short your honeymoon?'

'Hmm not really.'

' George, you're the best and thank you.'

'Anything for you buddy.'

'Where is Sheila?'

'In the hotel. In fact I got a guide from our hotel to take her round the city. We would join her later.'

'That's alright. Why not take the seat beside me while we wait for the chairman and the CEO.'

'Are they not behind time?' He looked at his wrist watch as he took his seat. 'Oh they still have two minutes to join us.'

'So how was the honeymoon?'

'We are still on our honeymoon, we only change place.'

'You're so fortunate to have someone like Sheila. She is a rare gem.'

'You can say that again.' George responded patting his friend on the shoulder.

'Hello gentlemen, my name is Ryan John and I'm the Chief Executive Officer of Rydes Corporation. And this is Ryan John Senior my dad. He is the chairman.' George and Stuart stood up to greet the two men that just entered the conference room.

They did the introduction. 'Are you by any means related to George Allan Smith Isaac?' Ryan John senior asked.

'Yes he's my grandfather.'

'Mine o mine, he was my mentor way back when. Tough but kind.'

'You knew him well.' George said laughing with pride for his grandfather.

'If you're anything like him then your presentation is just for formality, this project is automatically yours.' Ryan John Snr assured him.

'Thank you Mr. John but we would want to have the project based mainly on merit so that you can give us reference in Vitoria.'

'What did I say? Apple does not fall far from its tree. You're definitely his grandson.' Ryan Snr said with laughter patting George's back. 'Gentlemen, let's have our seats as we listen to your presentation.' They all took their seats. Ryan and his son took the seats at the head of the table while George and Stuart took the opposite chairs close to the projector.

Stuart started the presentation and performed excellently. George kept on giving him a thumb up throughout the presentation.

Two hours later, Ryan John Snr could not hold his admiration. 'This young man is a genius! Now tell me, are you an employee with GIDEB International? Because I need you in my company.'

'No sir. In fact the D in the name of the company is Donald which is his surname. So he is a co-owner of the company.' George replied.

'You young men must be genius and I'm proud to be associated with you. Now, we would open room for questions. Tell me Donald, how do you plan for us to achieve our profit within one year?'

And so the questions started from different angles giving room for George to give his input. This lasted for another three hours before they called it a day with invitation to lunch. They agreed to go to the workshop the next day to inspect what Ryde Corporation had built for their operations.

The two of them sat at the back if the rented car for Stuart while his PA sat in front with the driver. They were on their way to one of George's hotels in Vitoria.

'Man, you got the man spellbound with the presentation over there. Trust you, you got him off his feet. It's obvious he was not expecting such after looking at our resumes.' George commended his friend.

'Professionalism is what played there. Do you know what it takes for five professionals in different but related aspects come together and form a company? Who ever that wants our services should not expect anything less than perfect.' Stuart boasted.

'We are the formidable team and we're going places!' They both kept on praising the team's abilities until they almost got to the hotel and George stopped the car.

'Can you please stop the car here?' George asked.

'Sure sir.' The driver replied.

George turned to Stuart. 'I want to check something over there Stuart, do you care to join me?' He said as he opened the car door.

'What are you looking for?' Stuart asked as he stepped in line with him.

'You looked worried in there Stuart and there was this feeling in me that you're not happy.'

Stuart sighed and put his hands in his pant's pockets. 'George, I think I like someone who doesn't even like me and I feel bad about it.'

'Whoa! Love matter? Who is she?'

'She is your wedding planner.'

'Anna?'

'Huh huh.'

'I thought you were just joking with her during our rehearsal?'

'I was actually teasing her but I discovered that I liked her. That day after you left for your honeymoon, I told her my mind but she said she had a boyfriend she had been living with for five years.'

'Then she's a wrong person for you. You can't just ruin the relationship she has built over years.'

'Why don't you allow me finish the whole story?'

'There's more to it? Please go on and I'm sorry to cut you short.'

'Later that day, I offered her a ride just to help and you know what I discovered? She doesn't have a boyfriend but a five year old son.'

'Wait, Anna referred to her son as her boyfriend?'

'You can just imagine.'

George started laughing. He laughed to the extent that he embarrassed Stuart with his laughter.

'George will you stop?' Stuart hissed when people had started looking at them.

'I'm sorry Stu, I can't help myself.' He laughed some more and was able to control himself.

'So what happened?'

'I introduced her to Jane and Blake when they asked of her as they were impressed with the reception entrance. She called me to invite me to dinner as an appreciation and I thought it would be the beginning of a friendship but to even stop her son from being friendly with me.'

'When did this happen?'

'Yesterday.'

'Then why are you in a bad mood?'

'The issue really pained me more than I expected. I don't know why it affects me this way. It's not as if we were in relationship or maybe she was the first woman to bluff me.'

'Stuart, if you really like her, don't give up.'

'George, I was hurt with her character yesterday.'

'Buddy, it's too early to feel hurt. To her, she has not known you to put her trust in you most especially, her son. Secondly, you don't know what transpired between her and the father of her child.' George explained.

'She said the guy rejected her son.'

'That's a line of caution for her. She would not trust men again so you can't blame her.'

'I've decided to write her off my memory.'

'Then you don't like her that much. If not you'll never give up.'

'I know what to do. I don't want any woman dictating the pace of relationship to me most especially the one I can't guarantee her feelings for me.'

'But how do you feel now?'

'I feel better after talking with you.'

'I'll leave you to continue with your duty while I give my wife my full attention for the remaining days of our honeymoon.'

'You'll gist me how much honeycomb honeymoon has.' Stuart teased him.

'Close your ears young boy, a married man is talking here.' George gave him his banter.

'I've not see Sheila for almost two weeks, let me buy you two dinner to thank her for releasing you to me.'

'That's will be lovely but a note of warning, don't engage my wife too much in conversation because I'm a jealous husband.' George joked.

'Noted boss.'