CHAPTER FOUR

"Yes!" Mr Fred and Lisa shouted instinctively. He signaled to Lisa for a high-five and when she clapped his hand, he reached out to Mr Kim who answered him with a firm look.

Meanwhile, the crowd had tore into a rapturous applause when the winner was announced.

The staff of Vechron were on their feet too, rejoicing and cheering their CEO on.

"Congratulations man!" Mr Fred clapped his shoulder and urged him forward.

He stood up and walked regally towards the stage and after shaking hands with Mr Kim Tyler, he took the award and walked to the microphone to give his speech.

"Thank you so much everyone! This is my first time of winning this particular award and I feel very honoured to be deemed fit for this award. I promise to keep working hard to make a great name for Apexium and Co." He bowed to the crowd and walked out of the stage.

"The next award is the Long Service Award. This award this year, will be presented to our employees who have worked with the company from the beginning of its operation to as early as twenty years back."

The crowd gave a warm applause.

"This is to show our gratitude to our employees for their unending support towards the company. Because of our time, I would like to call on two of our guest speakers, Mr Kai Smith and Mrs Emily Flynn, who are top industry experts, to assist me in presenting the awards."

They were welcomed to stage with the loud applause of the people present in the hall.

"We will start with our twenty years recipients. Mr Walter King, the CEO of Jumatech, Mr Lee Felix, the accountant of Jumatech, Mrs Silver Blake, the COO of Jumatech, Miss Feona Azi, the chief accountant of Vechron, Mr Houston Brown, the CFO of Vechron, Miss Caroline Davidson, the CMO of Neuronix and Mr Sage Blackwood, the CEO of AquaVita. A round of applause for them as they come forward to receive their awards!" Mr Kim Tyler encouraged.

"They have been with us for as long as twenty to twenty nine years."

"Accountant Azi and CFO Brown have worked for twenty years? I thought today is our sixth year anniversary?" Lisa asked Mr Fred as the awardees stepped out to receive their award.

"They worked with our parent company before joining us. This should be Accountant Azi's twentieth year and CFO Brown's twenty fifth year." He explained.

Lisa was surprised. If their accountant had worked that long, then she was definitely in her early forties. Their CFO's look was understandable but their accountant looked far too young for her age.

"Our next awardees are the thirty years recipients. Those that have stayed with us for thirty to thirty nine years. Time will not permit us to call all your names so please step forward once all your categories are mentioned. The awardees are staff members of these four subsidiary companies; V Arts, Spectratech, TeaTopia and CandiCot. In the order of which I have named them, let the Executives, Management, Administrative staff, Human Resource team, Sales and Marketing, Finance and Accounting and Operations team step forward to receive their respective awards. In addition to this, the creative team of V Arts should come out as well.

Let's keep clapping for, Mr Marlowe Liam, CEO of V Arts, Mrs Rowan Ava, CEO of Spectratech, Mr Murphy Miller, CEO of TeaTopia and Mrs Brook Amy, CEO of CandiCot and their staff as they collect their awards!"

After they had all returned to their seats, Mr Kim Tyler spoke into the microphone again.

"And our last set of awardees for the Long Service Awards are the forty years recipients! Let the Executive officers, Management team, Administrative officers, Operations team, Human Resource team, Sales and Marketing, Finance and Accounting, IT and Technology and the Customer Service team of Apexium and Co. with the exception of the Customer Representative team, move towards the stage to receive their awards!"

There was a standing ovation in the hall.

"Mrs Remi Anderson, our Chief Marketing Officer, Mr Derek Malone, our Chief Financial Officer, Mr Logan Moore, our Chief Technology Officer and Mr Lucas Wilson our Chief Operational Officer together with the other categories of staff members I have just mentioned have contributed a great deal to Apexium and Co."

He continued amidst the cheers.

"All our four Executive officers present today, including myself are the founding members of Apexium and Co. They have been with the company through thick and thin and are the driving force of this great entity. The little we can do for them today is to gladden their hearts with our cheers, applause and jubilations!"

When they had all received their awards, Mr Tyler continued.

"There is someone I would like to specially recognise today. She has also journeyed with us for the forty three years this great organisation has been standing. She is no other but the person of Mrs Sharon Kimberley! The head cleaner! She is indeed a perfectionist and has not failed to prove herself worthy of her position in Apexium and CO. Please come forward to receive your award Mrs Kimberley!" He prompted.

The 63-years-old lady was beaming with smiles as she ran forward to receive her award. After giving her speech, Mr Tyler continued again.

"The next award is the Legacy Award, to recognise the employee who has played a significant role in shaping the company's history and culture. Recently, there was a groundbreaking innovation that gained the attention of many, both locally and internationally and we were even recognised by the president of our great nation. This achievement that brought the name of our company alongside Vechron to a more wider spotlight was made possible by Mr Kim Tyler's honorary PA, who goes by the name, Mr Fred Perry!"

A deafening roar of excitement swept through the crowd.

"Wow!" Lisa clapped energetically.

"Congratulations, pal." Mr Kim smiled at him as he cheered him on too.

"I am sure most of you had no idea who the brainbox behind that mind blowing innovation was. He is Mr Fred Perry a living legend. Please come forward quickly to receive your award, Mr Perry!"

"Wow!" Mr Fred spoke into the microphone breathily after, receiving his award. "This is my first award since my journey with this company. Sincerely speaking, I never really expected any award today but I am glad I received one."

He delivered the last line with a humorous tone earning a smattering of laughter from the crowd.

"I want to specifically thank my CEO, Mr Kim, for giving me the opportunity to voice out my ideas which turned into a miracle for the company. I want to also thank my father, our father, the founder and CEO of Apexium and Co. for standing by me and showing his full support towards the project and I would like to let everyone of you here know that this award means so much to me."

He concluded with a bow as usual and stepped down from the stage.

"The next award, which is the Customer Service Award for the employee who have provided exceptional customer service and ensured consumer satisfaction goes to Miss Leyla Jakes from the Customer Representative team of Apexium and Co."

The crowd clapped heartily as she stepped forward to receive her award and give her speech.

After her, Mr Kim Tyler awarded numerous outstanding employees from the various subsidiary companies and equally from the parent company, Apexium and Co.

At the end of the award presentation, Mr Kim was the highest award holder with six different awards, Mr Fred bagged two awards while Vechron was the third highest award holding company of the day with four different awards, the Innovation Award, Community Service Award, Youngest Subsidiary Award and Special Contribution Award.

The host spearheaded the cutting of the anniversary cake, and after that, some subsidiary companies unveiled and launched their new products to mark the anniversary.

The vote of thanks were issued by some distinguished guests speakers, and the wife of the CEO of Apexium and Co. who goes by the name Mrs Kim Laurencia. The host also added a thing or two before handing over to Mr Kim Tyler for the final remark.

"Dylan!" Miss Tayla waved and hurried towards his table immediately the event was over."

"Follow me!" Mr Kim ordered Mr Fred and Lisa. Swiftly, they weaved through the crowd and almost immediately they were out of the hall, leaving Tayla to continue looking for them in vain.

Mr Fred quickly tapped on the button that led to the ground floor immediately they stepped into the elevator.

"Won't we stay a little? Dylan, I didn't even get the chance to eat the anniversary cake yet." Mr Fred whined.

"Is it cake you want? I will get one for you."

"Can't you have a little empathy for me? At least you should let me mingle with one or two people inside. I need to hear some congratulatory words."

"You would listen to them tomorrow and get tired of hearing the praises."

Meanwhile, Lisa was very happy with Mr Kim. She had also been thinking of a way to escape their accountant and seeing the way they literally hurried out of the hall, there was no way she could ever meet up with them.

"It's not only for me. Secretary Kim here is new, it would do her a lot of good if she gets acquainted with some people in there." Mr Fred protested.

"I don't think Secretary Kim is bothered with it." He replied. "Am I right?" He asked her.

"You're very right sir! I have no problem with leaving now at all." She replied immediately.

"You should have taken my side." Mr Fred rebuked her quietly.

"You advised me to get on his good side." Lisa whispered back.

"Run!" Mr Kim announced and bolted out of the elevator immediately it landed at the ground floor.

"Why exactly are we running?" Mr Fred asked.

"Tayla is sharper than you think. She should be in one of the elevators by now." He replied.

"I can't believe we are literally running because of just one lady!" Mr Fred huffed.

"I can't believe it either!" He replied.

They were in front of their car in the parking lot. Mr Fred pressed the button on the key fob to unlock the door and they all jumped into the vehicle maintaining the positions they were in, when they had first arrived.

"So that was the reason you asked me to take the awards to the car before we closed! So you could be able to escape from Tayla?" Mr Fred gasped for breath as he turned to look at Mr Kim.

"They would have been too heavy to run with." Mr Kim smiled, panting heavily too.

Lisa was equally out of breath. They were all labouring to breath, as they needed to be stable before they hit the road, Mr Fred especially.

Lisa felt the urge to look out of the window and immediately she did, she caught sight of their accountant stepping out of the lobby.

"Miss Tayla! She's over there!" Lisa pointed towards the lobby.

There was no time to think, she needed to act fast, so also with Mr Fred. Without even looking at the direction to which she pointed, he started the car and drove off with full speed.

"Your father will eat us alive tomorrow for leaving the anniversary so early." Mr Fred sighed.

"We didn't leave early. We waited till the programme was over. Besides, staying any longer would mean having dinner at his house. Would you have preferred that?"

"Definitely not!"

"You should be thanking me for saving you instead." Mr Kim smiled.

"Thank you!" He replied genuinely. "You promised to get me a cake remember?"

"Where can we find a cake around here?"

"I know of a place. But we'll also go out for a drink." Mr Fred suggested.

"Cake and alcohol?" Mr Kim asked.

"We'll give it a try." He smiled. "You should also come with us Secretary Kim. It's still part of our anniversary celebration. It's not too late now, what's the time?" He looked at his wristwatch. "6:16pm. We still have a long way to go."

He drove for a few minutes and pulled up in front of the building they were to have their drinks.

It wasn't a place they regularly visited but it was the only place they went to, if they decided to drink out.

They were quite familiar with the owner, so he always made the private lounge available for them anytime they come to drink.

Immediately they stepped into the building, the owner noticed them, welcomed them and walked them into the private lounge.

"You'll have to get the cake for us, Secretary Lisa." Mr Fred said to her, after they settled down.

"You can drive right?"

"Yes sir."

"Ok." He wrote down the address on a piece of a paper. "It's not far from here." He gave the car keys to her. "It's a five minutes drive from here. Get a chocolate cake."

"Get a strawberry cake. I don't want anything chocolate today." Mr Kim handed his card to her.

"Ok. Give me the paper I wrote the address on let me write down his pin." He returned it to her after he put the pin down.

"Come back quickly. We'll order the drinks before you get back." He waved her off.

"Ok sir." She nodded and set out to buy the cake.

As she stepped out of the lounge, she smiled to herself. She had a one-time opportunity in her hands, one that so many people would give up anything for.

She quickly made her way to where the car was parked and pressed the button on the key fob to unlock the car.

Slipping behind the wheel of the expensive car before her, she was enveloped in an aura of luxury and refinement. The soft, supple leather cradled her body, while the subtle scent of premium materials wafted through the air.

The feeling was different from the first two times she had been in the car. Earlier in the day when they had set for the anniversary, she was not in her right state of mind, same as their drive to the bar where they were to have their drinks.

Moreover, she was not in the driver's seat those two times she rode in the car but this time it hit her differently, in a tremendous way.

"So this is what it feels like to drive an expensive car." She smiled inwardly and glanced at the address Mr Fred had written down.

As she gripped the wheel, the weight of the car's prestige settled upon her, a mix of excitement and trepidation. Every detail, from the precision-crafted dashboard to the subtle hum of the engine, whispered 'exclusivity' and 'sophistication'.

She felt a thrill of pride and privilege, knowing she was commanding a machine that was the epitome of automotive excellence. Yet, there was also a hint of pressure to live up to the car's lofty reputation, to drive with the poise and finesse that such a masterpiece deserves.

With each smooth, precise gear shift, the car seemed to whisper promises of arrival at her destination in style and sophistication.

As she glided along, the road unfolded before her like a gentle stream, inviting her to indulge in the sheer pleasure of the journey. The car's advanced technology and intuitive handling made every maneuver feel effortless, as if the vehicle was an extension of her own desires.

With each second, her anticipation increased, and the excitement of arrival grew. As she approached the cake shop, the sense of pride and accomplishment swelled, knowing she had arrived in a vehicle that exudes success and prestige.

But as expected, the drive was just five minutes long. The brief, shining moment of luxury driving was extinguished all too soon, leaving Lisa with a lingering sense of disappointment.

She stepped down from the car and walked into the shop with her head held high, as she savoured the looks of surprise and respect from the people around her.

As soon as she entered, she made her way to the counter, but the queue was so long that she had to wait for almost thirty minutes for the customers before her to make their orders.

When it was her turn, she placed her order, and in about five minutes, her strawberry cake was carefully wrapped and handed to her. She paid for the cake using Mr. Kim's card and stylishly made her way back to the car to relish the last five minutes of her luxurious and comfortable drive.

"Secretary Lisa!" Mr Fred noticed her from the doorway. "Where have you been? We got tired of waiting so we started without you."

"There were so many customers before me." She explained and placed the cake on the table.

"Your card sir." She passed the card to Mr Kim.

"Take!" Mr Fred handed her a small knife. They had already asked the owner of the lounge for the knife before her arrival. "Cut the cake please." He burped.

They had been drinking since Lisa left, so she was a little surprised that they were not fully drunk yet. She unwrapped the cake and cut it into smaller portions.

After another thirty minutes of drinking and eating and chatting away, Mr Fred and Mr Kim were totally drunk.

"You know," Mr Fred slurred, "you should seriously consider getting married, Dylan."

"What!"

"If he had a wife by now, his father would not have asked me to find a partner today." Mr Fred complained to Lisa.

"If I had a wife by now, my father would have made life miserable for you till you get married too." Mr Kim spoke in a slurred protest.

"Still, find a wife Dylan! Now your father would start setting up blind dates for me as well."

"I would get married after you find a wife for yourself. That's what I told my father."

Mr Fred stared at him with a shocked expression. "Why do you keep making things hard for me?" He grabbed a bottle of beer to hit him, but ended up wasting the content of the open bottle on himself.

"Mr Fred! Calm down!" Lisa appeased as she carefully removed the bottle from his hand.

"You!" He pointed at Mr Kim. "Do you know that I wake up everyday to text messages from your father, reminding me that we're both due for marriage?"

"He sends them to you too?" Mr Kim laughed. "I thought I was the only one receiving those texts."

"Thank God we didn't have dinner at his house. We wouldn't have slept today." Mr Fred laughed.

"The last time I visited home, can you imagine that he actually hit me with a mopstick for not bringing a woman home with me." They all laughed.

Mr Fred sighed in frustration and then turned to Lisa. "Hey! You're not drinking! You've just taken only one shot." He remarked.

"Someone needs to drive us home, that's why I can't afford to get drunk sir." She replied.

"Oh! I see what you did there!" Mr Kim teased. "You just want to be the person to drive the car don't you?" He gulped down the beer from the bottle in his hands. "It's okay!" He smiled. "As long as nothing happens to the car, you can drive it as much as you want." He approved.

"Wow!" Mr Fred clapped. "I forgot to tell you this." He turned to Lisa. "He's only kindhearted when he is drunk."

Lisa wasn't even paying attention. She was on cloud nine, playing the image of her, behind the wheels of that exotic car countlessly.

The two men bickered and drank and whined and embarassed themselves till it was a few minutes past eight when Mr Kim declared that he was tired.

They paid for their drink and Lisa was left with the burden of dragging both of them out of the lounge to their car.

After many trials and errors of putting them in the car and trying to get their home address, she finally managed to get them tucked in and drove them home.

One thing was certain to Lisa when she started the car. They were all going to regret this evening, Mr Kim especially.

She savoured a quiet, inner smile and whistled along with the music that blared from the speaker of the car.