The Tycoon's Collateral

CHAPTER TWO

MEETING THE COLLATERAL

The Benson compound is large and spacious, and the space between one building and another is like a football field. Lord Benson had traveled to places, and he was able to draft a good picture of his expectations for a home. The compound was designed with precious stones, and the garden, a little space crafted out for his relaxation, a place they widely call the “GREEN GARDEN” GREEN GARDEN is a calm environment where Lord Benson sits after the day's activities to rewind and to strategize for the businesses at hand. He was always alone in the cool shining light beaming shyly in and out of the garden. Opposite the garden is a clear artificial fountain flowing peacefully with a cool breeze soothing the ambiance of the garden. The swift sound of the whispering pines dancing to the rhythm of the wind, produced a sweet alluring sound, enough to put one to sleep. Lord Bensons house was the right definition of ‘paradise on earth’.

Excuse me, would you mind if I ask how many workers there are in this environment?

‘I mind the inner building, the cook comes and goes, after dinner each day, we have a Gardner, he, as well, comes and goes, the driver is always here, so am I. Madam, the work here is great, but we are happy doing it because our master pays us handsomely for each job done.

You are welcome Ma; I hope you enjoy your stay here. She concluded after she had led her into a room big enough to serve as a meeting hall.

Excuse me please ALICE…, am I right?

Yes, Alice ma, ok Brianna continued, this looks like the master bedroom, what exactly am I doing here?

Madam Brianna, Alice called out, lord Benson asked me to make here ready for you, and I can only act as I was instructed, ma. And please, I would want to go and continue my work as my master will soon be back. He frowns at a busy-looking environment, if you would excuse me, ma.

If you need anything, kindly press the bell button over there, and I will be here to attend to you, she said, pointing at the bell button close to the bed. Brianna was left with many unanswered questions. ‘Why was she being referred to as madam? Why is she occupying the master bedroom? As she thought of what life holds for her in High Valley, she ran her hands over the bed admiringly. Well, it is a beautiful space, she thought to herself" I hope my stay here will be a peaceful one. As she sat on the bed, she looked up to see the sun shining brightly, “will the sun greet me with a peg on my cheek each morning as they do in the Jones residence? Will the hummingbirds find it suitable to render their songs each morning? She thought of what might be going on in the Jones residence, will her absence be felt? Will Dad be making plans to bring her back as soon as he can? Or is life going on normally just as though nothing happened? As she was lost in deep thought, a figure stood behind her. She turned in amazement; ‘startled she exclaimed, huh!! How long have you been standing here?”

‘Long enough to notice you were absent-minded.’ He moved to a range, almost catching his breath and asked, “You must be the collateral my father got, he spoke of it earlier, and I was wondering how one would give out a daughter as payment for debt. How lazy will he be? It’s a shameful thing, isn't it?”

Brianna looked at him, words failing her, ‘I am not collateral, my father is anything but lazy, I am here just so I can buy him more time to fix up what is not right, it is not shameful to get a loan, every businessman does you hear me?’ She snapped defensively.

Smiling mischievously, he said, ‘I see, I am BRUNO, Bruno Benson. He stretched out his arms for a shake, I am BRIANNA, BRIANNA DERICK JONES’ she responded, ignoring his hands.

Retrieving his arms, he said, you are not family, ‘Do not feel so comfortable anyway, and you can't be one in a thousand years’. He concluded and walked out of the room, leaving Brianna wondering what had just transpired. ‘How can one be so mean and inconsiderate.’ Brianna heaved a sigh of relief as he walked away, he had stolen the peace of the atmosphere in his short minute with her. Should she stay under the same roof with his nasty attitude, one of them definitely might lose it. Possibly he is not in his best mood, but then who goes about venting his anger at others? Her first impression of him made it difficult for her to notice his masculinity and his alluring physique. Bruno was everything masculine and handsome, little wonder why he was the eye of ladies within and outside the company.

The light from the sky was fading off as the day gradually turned to night and the soft sound of the whispering pine was heard from the direction of the ‘green garden’ Brianna felt it was a good time to prepare dinner for the family, dressed in a beautiful light peach-colored gown its length barely touching her thighs, the neck curve of the dress gave way for a part of her cleavages to show, creating an amazing site. Her waist dangled inside the dress as she made her way down to the kitchen, the soft sound of her palms being heard as she stepped on the stairs like one who was keeping count of the number of steps taken.

‘Miss Brianna’, a voice called from the corner of the sitting room. She wasn’t expecting anyone but Bruno in the mansion, but his voice could not have been so cheerful considering their earlier encounter. She turned in the direction of the voice, it was Lord Benson, he had returned from his meeting and was flipping through the pages of the evening newspaper. ‘Do you need anything? He asked the housekeeper could help you run your errands if you needed any.

‘No sir, Brianna responded, I just wanted to check if there is any way I could help around the house, the kitchen, or anywhere’.