CHAPTER 10 - The Job Offer III

"Welcome daddy!!" Joyce and Esther chorused together as they hugged their father.

"Hmm, gosh you girls are growing up too fast. If I wasn't as strong as superman, hugging you both like this would have been bad for my health" James joked as he lifted his daughters up in a tight embrace.

"So, is that why they call you captain Nigeria dad?" Esther asked smiling.

"Of course, do you think I would have lasted this long if I wasn't?" James said with a proud look on his face.

"We are proud of you dad" Joyce added.

"Thank you, and as a gift and reward for your successful examinations, I have enlisted you both as new recruits into the army, no questions asked" James said with a serious look on his face.

"....."

"....."

"..."

There was an immediate silence as the three ladies stared at James with shock on their faces.

"Just joking" James later said as he saw the drastic change in their expressions.

"But you girls should seriously consider my offer of making the Nigeria Defense Academy (NDA) your first choice of advanced study when you graduate from high school"

"Er.....we'll think about it dad" Joyce said with an awkward smile in her face as she felt her beating heart calming down.

Wheeeew!

That was a close one. For a moment there, she actually thought her father was serious.

*Sigh* James knew his daughters were not really interested in becoming soldiers or anything related to it. They were like their mother, very decisive and sure of what they want.

He knew that he would never be able to change their minds except by force, which was not necessary because they were both making him proud in their area of expertise.

It's just that, James was a man who believed in 'the way of the sword'. Just as it was with his father and it is with him, so hoped it will be with his offspring.

The world would never be a harmonious paradise. So sometimes or occasionally, there would be need to use force to settle some life threatening disputes that may arise.

This was his philosophy and legacy and he hoped to pass it down to his children. Unfortunately, the one person who would have been suitable to take the mantle was his first and only son, Tisane, but that idiot didn't even know his left from his right, not to talk of fighting for his family and country.

James sighed when thinking about his son and could feel his mood dropping.

"Honey, is everything alright?" Elizabeth questioned when she noticed the change in countenance of her husband.

"Of course" James stated immediately when he noticed all three ladies staring at him.

Clearing his throat, he looked towards his wife.

"Woman, bring me my food"

As they settled together on the dining table, James glanced at his two daughters as they dished out his food.

'I wish they were boys'

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"Do you know he even said that he needed to replenish the energy he lost during the night, so I should leave him alone to sleep?" Tunde narrated enthusiastically.

"Really?" the guys listening chorused.

"So cool"

Bayo could only laugh, shaking his head as the other guys whistled and cooed.

"No wonder she wanted to throw him a birthday party" one of the boys said in realization.

"Yeah, they have been into each other for a long time"

"Oh, speak of the devil!" Ibrahim exclaimed.

Immediately, everyone's head turned to one location to see someone yawning and stretching his arms as he walked into the parlor.

Tisane froze when he saw all the guys staring at him.

"Uh....hey guys. Good morning, I guess" he said awkwardly.

-------------------------------

"Tisane you ape, how can you be so insensitive to our feelings?!" Tunde blurted out as Tisane sat on the couch.

"Yeah Tisane, come on don't leave us in suspense here. What did you do to get melvina's approval? Ibrahim asked with a deep stare.

"Uh....." Tisane felt speechless as he watched the group of eyes fixed on him.

"Guys enough of the interrogation okay?" Bayo intervened.

"If any of you wants to have that kind of valuable information, then you just have to pay up with a 100 grand each"

"..." everyone fell silent due to the straight forward statement from Bayo.

"Well, since no one is ready to pay up" Bayo rubbed his palms together.

"Then I guess this gathering is adjourned"

After that he walked towards Tisane.

"Tisane, you have a minute?"

Bayo gestured towards the front door as he walked away.

Tisane glanced around and noticed that the other guys had dumbfounded looks on their faces.

'Wheeeeew, finally a breathing space' he sighed in relief as he stood up to follow Bayo's retreating figure.

"Thanks for the save" Tisane said as he approached Bayo whom was standing by the swimming pool.

"Yeah, no problem" Bayo smiled.

"For a moment there, I thought they were going to eat me alive"

"Haha, don't blame them, you just had your way with a girl such as Melvina. So they were just curious how you did it"

"Uh..." Tisane had an uncertain look on his face.

"What?" Bayo noticed his dilemma.

"I have something to confess to you" Tisane said quietly.

"What is it?"

"I don't know how the rumor got out but Melvina and I didn't really...." Tisane seemed to have difficulty in finishing his sentence.

"You didn't what?" Bayo's stare intensified.

"We...didn't really...hook up" Tisane glanced around as he whispered.

Bayo's eyes widened.

"What?! So you guys di----"

Bayo's outburst was cut off when Tisane covered his mouth nervously.

"Will you keep your voice down man!" Tisane scolded as he glanced around.

Releasing his mouth from Tisane's nervous grip, Bayo stared at Tisane astonishingly.

"So you guys didn't really have s*x?" Bayo lowered his voice as he interrogated.

Tisane shook his head.

"Then how did everyone come to the conclusion that you and Melvina hooked up?"

"I don't know" Tisane said in exasperation.

"As much as I would love to be tagged with the notion of being the first guy to take her virginity, it pains me that it is just a lie and one that would come around and bite me in the ass when she finds out"

"You mean Melvina?"

"Yeah"

Tisane rubbed his temple as he developed another splitting headache. This is the second time he would be having a headache in one day.

"Hehe.....haha"

Tisane's ears perked up to the sound of chuckles which became a low laughter.

Bayo could be seen covering his mouth and closing his eyes tight shut while his body shook slightly.

Tisane stared at Bayo intently.

"Bayo what's so funny?"

"Erm..." Bayo cleared his throat while he wiped some droplets of tears from the edge of his eyes.

"Dude, am sorry but it would have been quite nice to be there when Melvina decides to ask you how you both f*cked without her knowing about it"

"Eh?" Tisane had a strange expression on his face.

"I was the one that spread the rumor"

"What?!" Tisane felt like he had swallowed a frog.

"Hold up bro, I was just curious as to how much hype and admiration you would receive if everyone thought that you ac---"

"But I didn't!" Tisane felt like kicking Bayo into the swimming pool.

"Yeah but this is your chance" Bayo spoke mysteriously.

"What are you talking about?"

"Dude do you know how many guys have been gunning for Melvina all this while?"

Bayo stared at Tisane straight in the eyes.

"If anyone could successfully win her heart, it would be a jackpot beyond his wildest dreams"

"What do you mean?"

"You don't really know who Melvina is do you?" Bayo asked leaning closer.

"...." Tisane stared clueless.

"Do you know the chairman of the African Conglomerate Company (ACCOM)"

"You mean Mr Tola Aliko"

"Yep" Bayo nodded.

"What about him?"

"Well we just happen to find out that his youngest granddaughter is our own dear goddess Melvina"

"Wait what?!" Tisane's eyes widened.

Tisane felt his heart racing madly.

"So you mean all this while..." Tisane's voice trailed off.

"Yep you got that right" Bayo seemed to read Tisane's mind.

"She is the heartbreak queen that every crazy rich guy has been clamoring over"

"...." Tisane felt his world spinning.

"And I know a secret that no one knows"

Bayo spoke excitedly as he stared at Tisane deeply.

"You and only you Tisane are the person that Melvina seems to be fond of. Gosh I've heard how she talks about you and this party is also an evidence"

"So.....yo--you're saying that I can win her heart?" Tisane spoke timidly.

"Yes, but not like this" Bayo stated.

"First of all, you need to upgrade your class and living conditions before you can be able to place yourself among the big dogs"

"How do I do that?"

"Remember the offer I gave you?"

"The employment into your dad's company?"

"Yes, our company is one of the top companies working for ACCOM, so if you want to solidify your chance of becoming Melvina's boyfriend then you need to show your skill and devotion to her grandfather"

Bayo stared at Tisane intently as his eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"So, what do you say bro?"