Zion dragged a frown and a grin before staring exclusively at Melissa, “Can I have a moment with you, Melissa?”
At the time Fanny become to busy with his wine. He gulped and poured afresh simultaneously and Zion wished Lisa Bake could do same to herself, rather than poke nose into his affair.
The Fanny’s keep no secret. Whatever you say to one, you have said to all,” that was the voice of Lisa Bake who was busy stroking Melissa’s auburn hair now, and gazing upon the hair as though she was talking to it.
Zion’s expression hardened. His hands by his side were trembling now. His sorry gaze was on Melissa and a million questions stood in his eyes; they queried Melissa over her intention, whether she would obey her granny or him.
All the while Melissa’s gaze had been on her palms and as soon as she raised it, she intoned, “Granny please a minute. I will be right back,” she stood up and cast an inspective gaze at her father.
Fanny Luis groaned his jaw and threw his gaze to the wall as he caught sight of Zion and Melissa walk hand-in hand. A lot paced in his head and one of such was the wreck that would be on his reputation if Rio Hondo should realize Melissa was married to the son of a cheap gardener.
Lisa Bake murmured, “The son of gardener lied to the Fanny’s. He outsmarted us. He knew he wasn’t the true heir to the Saint Don Group and he made us believe the beginning and the end of Saint Don group lies in his hand. I won’t sit here and watch Melissa continue with him.”
Fanny’s lips curled. His crimson face seemed to be listening to Lisa Bake but his mind bordered much around Brian Patrick and his current status, “Brian can go to hell. I will consult Saint Don himself. As much as I know Saint Don is the world richest man and not that smelling delivery boy. I am going to break words with Saint Don and reclaim the contract. That contract will be a major breakthrough in the Fanny Group , else we are going bankrupt…”
His thought snapped when Lisa Bake intoned, “What do you intend doing now a low life gardener of a father-in-law has crept into the Fanny?”
Fanny was nonplaused at the moment. He wished he could allow Melissa continue the marriage with Zion on sufferance . But his reputation was at stake and with the current bankruptcy that was about hitting his empire, he couldn’t avoid a his father-in-law. Throwing a flashback on what they did to me , he only pretentiously fought off regret.
“There is no room for a lowlife gardener in the Fanny’s . What would be his contribution now we are facing bankruptcy. . . I don’t want to have a father-in-law whose financial hole would be my responsibility to fill up, “All of a sudden, his face was so suffused with redness that Lisa Bake thought Fanny had become sick over the loss of having Brian Patrick as a son-in law.”
She only had to say, “Do you think we still have a place in the heart of the Saint Don Group. That rich delivery boy just rubbed on our face and tore up the contract paper, and not forget the marriage proposed to our trash girl, Clara. How are we sure , he hasn’t dainted our image in the heart of Saint Don?
Fanny snorted exhaustibly, “He is only an heir and not the final say .Saint Don is still alive. It was he that granted me the contract before the rich delivery boy retrieved it. I will pay Saint Don an official visit. I promise you this saga will end at a round table discussion full of wine and spirit.’’ Lisa Bake gave a toothy smile stood up and trudged to Fanny Luis, ’”Nice one dear I trust your audacity, and I know only few men, Brian Patrick inclusive can stand your audacity. Recall our plans still remain. We are going to retain the contract, work so hard until you become the world richest man.’’
Fanny gave a near chinless nod, “of course Fanny. Saint don has been the world richest man . It is time to pass on the baton to me and not any Brian Patrick. I know his kind, the rich delivery boy will become spendthrift and waste all that Saint Don suffered to acquire. Soon he will go bankrupt and return to the dustbin where he belongs,” Fanny groaned.
“An amateur in business. What does he know ?” Lisa Bake sighed and threw her gaze to the window once she caught sight of Zion and Melissa discussing outside. Our lawyer should be preparing the divorce papers now. What do you think?”
Fanny smiled to hide the fear that etched his face. It was fear for Brian Patrick and not Zion. He gave repeated confirmatory nod to her question.
Lisa Bake drifted to the window to feed her eyes.
***
Each time Zion Don dared to grab Melissa ‘s arm she would pull away . He only realized Melissa had made up her mind to divorce him not over his current t status as the son of a gardener but for his intention to work for Brian Patrick as his personal assistant.
“You have no shame , Zion. Can you listen to yourself? I can’t marry a dependent man. There are many jobs out there. Must you work for Brian Patrick? It is embarrassing to me and my family. You were once at the top before him and because you fall short of glory; he wants to employ you now. Trust me he is doing that to get back at me. Don’t make him look too supreme.”
Zion interposed, “No Melissa, the salary is good. If I must rise again I must work for him. Swallow your pride let’s take the offer.”
“Then you leave me with no option than to divorce you, Zion,” she said.
Zion stood gaping at Melissa as she returned to the villa.