Chapter One Hundred and Fifty Four

Fiona has put the old folks to work at the very beginning.

After the opening display by the children and students of the school, the old folks started their own competition.

The opening is grand, Matt decided. I am happy Thompson made us add something like this to it.

I mean look at all the esteemed judges who are well accomplished in their fields’ faces.

They look like they couldn’t get enough of us.

The school had suggested an open field for the first day of competition because the old folks would be engaging in exercises and running laps.

The old folks are up, Matt said to her and Fiona rushed to the viewing place so she could watch them.

All her staff and gym instructors had been put to work in that area. In fact, she had so much manpower that all she needed to do was oversee the whole thing alone.

They will be fine, she heard Cassie say behind her. I can’t help it, she said to her sister who has come to stand behind her.

Mis Kent was just able to walk with those legs of hers a few weeks ago, Fiona pointed out.

I know, but she wanted to do it and you’ve confirmed that she could if she didn’t put too much strain on it.

She has also been working twice than she used to, which has greatly improved that leg.

But… Fiona protested. Now you will enjoy your big day sis or I will have Ahn come back here to help you with it.

No, please Fiona said immediately, making her laugh.

They watched as they lined up on the field with sticks in their hands.

They are doing a pass, Cassie noted.

Yes, I told Carson to make sure they don’t over-exert themselves, so he suggested the relay to me.

Great, Carson has always been diligent in his work, I think his presence at the gym helped you a lot.

Yes, it does, so did Daisy’s presence and Matt and your Thompson she added, making her giggle.

“What are they doing?” Fiona laughed at something one of the folks did.

Enjoying themselves, Cassie said looking at the man who was trying to strike a pose for a picture like a young man but was failing miserably.

Now the audience is in an uproar of laughter and some are throwing a fit over it.

You know that Nathan has always been jovial.

I do, Fiona said, finally relaxing her shoulders.

When the cue was called Fiona felt her heart leap at the idea but the scene before her was so hilarious that all her worries flew out the window.

They all seem to be running like they are toddlers Cassie chuckled at the thought.

They ran in zig-zag patterns until they made each pass and finally, the line Miss Kent was reached and Fiona saw with surprise how improved her legs were.

At the final whistle, the group Miss Kent won the race.

The old folks did so many competitions from juggling to singing and playing macho men and beauty pageants until it was dusk.

In between each competition, Fiona made them include music and dance and a mini play to show the next as Thompson suggested.

They had plays, jokes and laughter that even the judge's sides began to ache.

Ahn watched with admiration the program.

Fiona made everything perfect yet entertaining and fun. As the Chancellor of the school, he was impressed with the extent the students had put in the effort to do this.

He watched Fiona who now stood beside the winners take photos with them.

He watched as she slowly made her way to where he stood to shake his hand in respect to the chair he sat on.

Being the Chancellor, he couldn’t follow his desire to stand where the sponsors were but that was also a blessing in disguise because Fiona would be working very closely with him.

What started as a simple dare has now become something he couldn’t let go of.

While Fiona made her way to him, he received a call.

Is she well settled, he said in a clipped tone making Fiona frown. She had never seen him so stiff or trying to avoid her eyes.

His face looked cold as he spoke to the receiver.

I don’t want her screwing things up just for her pride, he said to the receiver.

Make sure she receives the memo else I will make her see sense myself, he threatened making Fiona flinch at the low threat.

After the call ended Fiona approached him, she felt her hand shake at what she just witnessed. This was the first time he would act this way in front of her which was baffling and surprising.

But then she termed it as “bosse’s syndrome”.

Trouble? She asked in a careful tone but Ahn gave her a full-blown smile instead.

And stood next to her for a picture with her.

Even if she wasn’t going to be his, he could have that as a memory, he thought.

Nothing for you to trouble yourself about, he gave her a tentative smile while the photographer took a candid.

Are we doing the meeting for tomorrow? Yes, she answered him with a smile of her own.

But I need to let him know, I will be staying late before I go back so he wouldn’t have to worry, she said without going into the details.

Okay, he nodded then watched her as she went to greet the sponsors of the show.

****

Fiona watched as Maxwell narrowed his eyes a bit before schooling his features, she could tell her conversation with Ahn was the reason why he had a sour face.

This is more massive than I envisioned, Thomson praised her. Congratulations Fi, he beamed at her making her beam in return.

Thompson has gradually become the brother she never had.

Congratulations little girl Jamie wished you with a small smile and to you too nominal father.

Hello buddy! Turner shook her hand in happiness.

Hey buddy yourself dude she greeted in the same vigor.

When she got to Max, he tugged her to him and hugged her.

He took a whiff of her fragrance in and sighed, I will pluck his eyes out one of these days he sighed then kissed her cheeks making her fluster.

This man! Fiona thought.

I thought we should be discreet, she whispered.

No way, he claimed not after seeing your brilliance today, I am proud of you baby, he whispered in a low tone.

Thank you, she said, fighting back tears. Now if you will let me go, we need to take pictures with the rest and I am staying in the middle she said before he could make a suggestion.

Alright, I give up, he said.

When are you done, I will wait for you, he said.

I don’t know yet if I have a meeting with Ahn and Matt after this whole thing.

So it's either Ahn drops…. She was saying when Max kissed her on the lips to shut her up.