The minister knew the president as a man of his words and if he said a thing, he was going to fulfill it to the latter. And thinking about his personal achievement being the day he was appointed as minister in his regime; this would forever be the best thing that has ever happened in his life.
And he wasn’t going to let the president down this time; he would go out of his way to approach me and access the loan.
Ever since Mr. President gave him seven days to seal up the loan, he had known nothing than worse nightmares. Seven days in bold letters hung in his heart and each day that passed by left debris of fear in his veins. He couldn’t afford to be impeached all because of his flaws and his inability to stand my audacity.
The worse of it was the guilt that banged his heart each time he thought about approaching me to seal the loan. Not only was he proud but the ridicule and dishonor that would accompany my guts. It was he that gossiped me and looked down on me. In fact if he would have his way, he would advise the president against borrowing the loan from me. The flaws of Thomas had deprived him a lot and right now I was the last and only option for the loan.
On a fated day, the minister drove down to the Saint Don Group to seal up the loan. Before now, he had checked the calendar and noticed he had three days to go, else he would be waving good bye to the ministerial office.
“No! I just have to swallow my pride and approach Mike Don,” a voice in him sounded and he kept shrugging as he drove quietly to my office.
Already he had started experiencing the president’s wrath after he withdrew his security and aide form him. If the president could do that it then meant that his sack wasn’t far-fetched anymore.
Once he drove into my compound and alighted from the Ferrari, he dragged a trouble brow upon seeing the hostile-looking security that manned the entrance to the elevator.
His heart thudded with fear and uncertainty. These hostile looking securities weren’t at the entry the other time he visited with the president.
What could be happening, he thought.
A voice spoke in his mind; what are those bulls up to now. I wouldn’t want to be embarrassed by horrible looking men who are not quantifiable with my shoes.
The minister had a whistling breath as he advanced gently. His stomach churned as he got closer. His frown was fire-on-a burner as got to their sides now and stood helplessly before them for a check,
“May we know you, sir?” one of the securities demanded without any interest to return the compliment when the minister greeted him. He opened his colossal palms to demand for his ID card.
The minister snorted, grinned and would have to compromise his decision not to protest, “Excuse me, is it that you don’t know who I am? Do I still need an official introduction, huh?” his face spoilt with a huge frown.
“With all due respect, sir we are obeying our boss, Mike Don and he has mandated us to do the needful check before anybody goes in, Irrespective of who you are…”
“Yes, the commands of Mike Don are as rich as he is,” another of the security sounded, “Whether you be Hercules or the underworld lord, Mike Don has instructed us to check before you gain entrance into his company…”
“The minister shrugged, dug into his breast pocket and pulled out a sizable ID card which he handed over to them.
“Uh-oh, honorable minister, you are welcome to the Saint Don Group,” the security sounded amidst slight shrugging and swift eye contact with his party of security, “Um…”
The security was yet speaking when the minster interrupted him, “Are you satisfied now? So could you allow me get into the elevator? I have been sent by the president of Rio Hondo to meet with Mike Don.” He sounded yet further, “I am on official visit, please.”
The security gave a nod in disapproval, “Not yet, honorable minister. There is a change of policy for visitors who are interested in meeting with Mike Don. Although it is trivial yet it is necessary.”
Promptly the minister interposed, “What policy do you speak of now. The only policy I know of is the visitors form and tag for all visitors,”
Another of the security sounded sonorously, “Exactly what we are insinuating, honorable minister. The world richest man has mandated that hence forth every visitor must show his bank account balance before seeing him.”
“What the hell!” the minister exclaimed through widened gaze and gaping jaw, “Are you kidding me or what?”
Another of my security sounded in reprisal, “Come on, honorable minister do you think we are here for fun, huh? The new policy states that visitors with less than ten million dollars in their bank account shouldn’t be granted entry. Isn’t it a very simple policy? Our boss is a very lenient mogul.”
The minister exclaimed, “Ten million dollars!” his voice inarguably shrieked and thundered within his chest as he stared gaping at them.
“Yes, ten million dollars,” my security retorted and smiled reservedly, “Come on be fast about it. That is supposed to be a chicken feed to you as an honorable minister…”
“What arrant nonsense!” the minister let loosed and shot his brimstone face at them, “Since when did statement of account become a yardstick for worthy visitors that must see your boss?”
“Excuse me, I beg your pardon,” one of my securities sounded, “Do you realize the personality of the man you want to see, huh? Do you know who Mike Don is? The policy is simple. He made the policy just to know those that are worthy to see him so can we see your account balance or are you unworthy to see him?”