The phone conversation

DAY 15

Patrick did not leave for work early, as he had promised. He bide his time until his mother dressed and left. Before she and her driver left, he ensured her bodyguards had arrived.

Even though Sara argued she had enough food at home, he urged her to pack some food and snacks for her and his grandma.

After bidding the woman farewell, Phina returned inside the house, giving the mother and son some alone time.

Patrick entered the house a few minutes later. Sitting in the living room, he asked Sara to bring his suitcase. He took out his phone and started tapping on it.

"Today is Monday. Aren't you going to the office?" inquired Phina.

It was really out of the ordinary. On a typical workday, he was lounging in the living room. Also, it was his first day of work. She is aware that his work is his greatest priority. His friend brought it up as well.

He answered, glancing up at her. "I'm going. Why?"

She answered, her thoughts visible, "Nothing. But it's already past time that you used to leave for work. I thought you would be in a hurry to leave."

He glanced at her, and Phina did not try to avert her gaze.

He answered and returned to his phone, saying, "I have some things to do. I will be leaving in probably an hour or less." Still, Phina nodded.

Though unsure why, he explained himself to Phina, which seemed weird. However, he ignored the emotion and carried on with his task.

His phone beeped with a message that reminded him of something. He raised his head from his phone.

Phina sits across from him, grinning as she watches something on her phone. He's seeing that a lot on her. She never stops grinning. What annoyed me was that she never gave him that kind of smile.

He shakes his head, dismissing the idea. He had no idea why he was considering such a thing. If she grins that way at the world instead of at him, it doesn't matter to him.

He is indifferent. It is not necessary for him. To himself, he said.

He named her name, "Phina." She paused the video she was viewing, most likely by pressing a button on her phone, as she gazed up at him.

"Yes," was her response.

He pulled a credit card from his work bag and handed it to her, saying, "Take." She took the card from him after glancing at it, but he said before she could inquire as to what it was about, "That's my other credit card. You should make another hair. We might be going out early this week."

Phina's eyes fluttered. "You say?"

He said, "What you heard." Phina could already sense his annoyance building.

"But I just..." was the last thing she said.

She wanted to clarify that she made the hair two weeks ago. She was forced to grow new hair at a time when it was still ideal.

She retracts the sentence, though.

"All right." She gave a nod. "But you don't have to give me your credit card. I have money to make my hair."

"I've given you. You have no choice but to accept it. It's not like I said you can't make your hair. And also remember the kind of people that I associate with." He said.

She resisted the impulse to roll her eyes and remained silent.

He picked up his phone, "You can get anything you want with the card. The password is 2052." "I'm leaving."

She nodded and replied, "OK."

She then observed him leave the house.

Phina shakes her head in shock after turning the card in her palm. She finds it unbelievable that he is giving her one of his multiple credit cards.

Who the hell hands up his credit card to a woman? She pondered.

She let out a sigh. His account must be loaded with cash. He likely needs more things to buy with his money.

She tucked it into her jeans pocket and returned her attention to her phone. When she realized she would have to cut her hair, she sighed. She detested that, among other things, in the world. She was losing her hair.

As long as she wasn't the one touching the hair, she would much rather sit for hours making it. However, losing it makes it her issue. She's going to have to handle the hair.

She silently grumbled that Patrick was requesting that she give up the hair she had grown just two weeks prior. She barely wears hair accessories for a fortnight. Her long-term carrying ability is well-established. First, she hates losing her hair; second, she lacks the weekly funds to spend on hair; and third, she spends a significant sum of money on hair products that prevent her hair from falling out. Furthermore, she hates wigs.

Now that they have spent significant money making the first hair, Mr. Billionaire wants her to make another. The costly hair salon that Mrs Bankole had brought her to, along with the hair extension, will be forfeited.

Well. She released her breath.

This guy needs to be taught how to manage his money by someone. To herself, she said.

*******

She repeatedly thanked Sara for helping her remove the hair extensions. Her friend Mia, who typically assists her in taking out her hair at home, was the one in question. Samuel occasionally must be coerced into removing the hair extensions when Mia is absent.

She informed her closest friend, Avery, over the phone that she would visit her sister's hair salon the next day to get her hair done. She also asked her father to send her some cash, which he did without question.

*******

Patrick shut the file he was holding and hit the intercom button.

"Susan, I'm done signing the file. Call the advertising team to come and take it."

"Alright, sir."

He inquired, "Is Henry not in the office?"

Susan answered, "He is. I have seen him twice today, Sir."

He concluded the call by saying, "Check if he's still in office."

Half a minute had passed since lunchtime, and neither Henry nor Alan had arrived to compel him to leave his office. Even still, Alan was happy that Henry didn't come to bother him with his work, even if he wasn't in the office. But it was very out of the ordinary. Henry is unaffected by his missing meal, even though he gave them an assignment. Anything that fits in his mouth, he can consume. He doesn't make jokes about his tummy.

He hit the button to answer his secretary when the intercom buzzed on the table.

The voice on the intercom was Susan, coming to life. "Sir, he is still in office."

"All right, thanks," he murmured, getting up from his chair.

After taking out his wallet and tucking it into his coat pocket, he grabbed his phone and left the office.

The laptop in front of Susan had her face fixed on it. She quickly typed some text into the computer. He would occasionally stand in admiration of her quick typing.

He said, "Susan, won't you go for lunch?"

She smiled a little, looking up from what she was typing.

"I will eat my lunch here. Everyone is busy because of the contract we are about to work on. Even Henry is still in office." She responded. Patrick could tell she was trying not to smile. She is also aware of Henry's non-joking nature over his meal. He surmised that she might have overlooked the comic who often stops by to notify them that lunch is ready.

He was compelled to smile.

"Yes. Don't worry; we will have the contract. Our work will be the best marketing strategy. Have your lunch. You have been extra busy since Alex took his leave. Don't overwork yourself. We will win," he replied with assurance.

She smiled at him. She had faith in him. That must have been a valid reason for him to say it. However, he was right. She must not exert herself too much, she pondered.

She adopted the demeanor of a secretary, "OK, sir."

Patrick gives a head-shake. He then turned to head for the elevator.

Patrick entered the room as Henry directed his secretary while typing on his PC. It seemed surprising to his secretary to see him. She gave him a curt greeting and fulfilled her boss's directive.

Patrick responded, "Hmm. Looking so serious," and sat across from him.

With a look of surprise on his face, Henry looked up.

Patrick laughed as he said, "Am I seeing double? Or have I begun to hallucinate because of hunger?"

He said, "Maybe. What are you doing?"

Henry said, "I'm fine." He then took up a folder and started looking at something within.

Patrick made fun of his friend, saying, "You look serious. I hope all is well. Lunch is almost over, you know."

With a grimace, Henry glanced up at him.

"Patrick, are you mad? Who ask you to remind me?"

Patrick laughs. "I'm your boss, remember?"

"Wicked boss."

"Henry. I'm going to fire you."

"Fire my ass. Patrick, leave me be."

"Why?! Don't you know when you usually come to disturb me? Please stand up, let's go. Alan will be back very soon." Patrick responded.

"I have to finish this work. We need this project to be approved in Japan. Do you know how much money is in this? And our company will be able to partner with Japanese investors."

"Yeah, I know. I know how important that is to anyone else. But I can assure you that we will have the government's approval. I met one Mr Sun. He is a respectable and prestigious man in the country. He knows people. And he has heard about us."

Leaning back in his chair, Henry put down his work and listened to his friend.

He seemed proud and amused at the same time. "And you didn't tell us that. As you discussed at the meeting this morning, someone will think we will lose. So how do you meet this man?" he asked.

"We will discuss that over lunch. Let's go before you faint in my company," stated Patrick.

With a grimace, he got up.

"Hope we are having extra minutes for lunch?" He inquired. "I am famished."

Henry didn't object, and Patrick grinned. "That is just like you. And yes, we are having extra time, but we are eating in the company cafeteria," he replied. He figured he was starving.

Henry straightened his tie when his phone vibrated on his table.

He looked at their friend's message and stated, "Alan is already in the cafeteria."

They left the office after saying, "Common, let's not keep him waiting."

When they arrived in the cafeteria, they saw Alan chatting on the phone. A broad smile was fixed on his face. Alan sat beside Patrick, who patted him softly on the shoulder before sitting opposite him.

He told the other guy on the phone, "They are here now."

Alan gave Patrick the phone and said, "Here." "It's Charles."

Patrick overheard Alan question Henry, "Why are you guys just coming for lunch?" before Henry answered the phone.

A female employee of the cafeteria approached their table. They were aware that, unlike the other employees, Patrick and his friends do not come to buy meals. They also don't make any money. Every week, Patrick takes care of the bill.

And it pertains to their usage of the office cafeteria.

The woman gave them a seductive smile and said, "Long time, Mr. Henry and Mr. Alan."

The two men laughed and answered, "Don't mind us. Work has been hectic."

She said, "What can I offer you guys?"

They all said together, "Our usual."

She gave them a smile and a nod, then turned to bring their food.

Patrick continued her phone conversation.

"..... Have you told Henry? ..... So you guys had planned it behind me ..... I'm not angry. But it is a working day ..... Why don't you guys make it over the weekend? Don't Ricky me ..... You understand this ..... Fine ..... I agree with this because of you. No problem, friend..... Tomorrow ....." He chuckled. "So they told you about that, too? ..... Don't be angry. I've been busy lately ..... I'm sorry, OK? ..... Thanks ..... OK then. I will bring her along ..... Till tomorrow then ..... Say hi to Daddy for me. It's been a long since I saw him ..... Alright then. Bye." And he ended the conversation. He returned the phone to Alan, who had already begun to chew his meal.

Henry broke his mouth to chew his food, saying, "He told you about tomorrow's outing, right?"

"Yes. It would help if you guys had put that thing on a weekend or Friday. I'm agreeing to this because of Charles."

Alan responded, "That's the main reason." Both men chuckled.

Patrick gives a headshake. They knew he wouldn't consent if Charles hadn't persuaded him to.

Henry questioned, "What about Phil?"

Patrick answered, and they nodded, "He already knows about it. Charles called him before he called you. I will call him when I get home, too."