The promise between us

Chapter 4

‎Aurex Technologies

‎Zayn's Pov

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‎i followed uche to the parking lot immediately, before she starts creating a scene this early,

‎Why will you stop me from entering inside you low lives, I will make sure I get you fired.

I started hearing her voice from the lift not again I groan clearly not in the mood to babysit or pamper a full grown woman this morning,

Amina why are you here I asked as I set out of the lift, she walks into the lobby wearing expensive sunglasses indoors and says,

‎"Do you know how embarrassing it is to be stopped at the entrance?"

It won't have been embarrassing if you have respected yourself I said,

Can you believe that this security won't let me in, she complained with an innocent face and a fake British accent, far different from the voice I was hearing while coming down,

‎Amina why are you here, be fast I have other things to attend to,

She moves closer about hugging my hand but stopped as I raise my hand,

You don't touch an unmarried man Amina it is Haram.

But you are my soon to be husband, she replied with a fake smile that I wonder if she ever looked at her face while doing it.

‎For the last Amina why are you here, I asked again not ready for any tantrums.

Why did you ask your PA to cancel the lunch she asked with a pout,

l'm busy Amina I said looking everywhere but her face and if that's is all I would like to head back to work I said the turn back.

Dad is expecting us for dinner tomorrow she said rising her voice,

my father should inform me if it important, I reply her before the lift close,

‎Arrange the car for the meeting I told my secretary as I enter my office to prepare for the meeting.

‎i stepped out of my car when I get to maikudi holdings. my father's blood and sweat, I walked towards the lobby, Good day sir they started greeting me but I response with a nod.

Alex rushed out of the elevator sweating and a bit shaken, this way sir he said clearly nervous, I followed him to the boardroom where all the shareholders were sitting and murmuring among their selves.

‎The boardroom fell silent as my father walked in, followed by the board secretary. "Good morning, everyone."

‎"Good morning, Chairman," the room echoed. Father took his seat at the head of the long table before adjusting his glasses. "Let's begin."

‎The company secretary stood. "Our first agenda is the proposed expansion of Maikudi Holdings into East Africa."

‎The projector came alive, displaying graphs and financial reports. "I'll be honest," Mr. Bello, one of the shareholders, began. "I think we're moving too quickly. The risks outweigh the rewards." Several people nodded.

‎Another shareholder cleared her throat.

‎"I agree. Our construction division has performed well locally. Why gamble with international expansion?" The room filled with quiet murmurs. Father looked toward me.

‎"Zayn."

‎I met his eyes. "What do you think?" Every conversation stopped. I closed the file in front of me. "I think both sides are right."

‎A few eyebrows lifted. "We should expand," I continued, "but not all at once." The room became quiet.

‎"If we invest heavily in three countries simultaneously, we'll stretch our resources." I stood and walked toward the screen. "My recommendation is to begin with one market. Test our operations. Build partnerships. Understand local regulations."

‎I changed the slide. "If the first phase succeeds, then we expand further."

‎Mr. Bello folded his arms.

‎"And if it fails?" "It becomes an expensive lesson." A few people exchanged confused looks.

‎I continued calmly. "But it will still be cheaper than failing in three countries at the same time."

Then someone laughed softly. Another shareholder nodded. "That actually makes sense."

‎Father leaned back in his chair, a faint smile crossing his face. "What about funding?" another director asked.

‎"We won't touch the emergency reserve," I replied. "We'll finance the first phase using retained profits and outside investors. That protects the company if market conditions change." The finance director quickly flipped through the report.

‎"He's right." "The numbers support it."

‎The room slowly shifted from disagreement to discussion.

‎Father looked around the table. "Shall we vote?" Hands rose one after another.

‎The proposal passed. As everyone gathered their documents, Mr. Bello stopped beside me. "I argued against your idea because I wanted to see whether you understood the risks."

‎He extended his hand. "You've earned my vote today."

‎I accepted the handshake. "Thank you, sir." From the corner of my eye, I noticed Father watching us. He didn't say anything. He simply smiled.

‎For a man like Suleiman Maikudi...

‎That smile meant more than a hundred compliments.

‎After the meeting I met dad in his office, he stretch his hands out for a handshake "You've learned to convince people without raising your voice." I smiled" I learned from watching you." daddy chuckled.

‎"No... you learnt from watching my mistake.

‎i will take my leave now dad I said I stand up. alright son.

‎sir uche call quietly as I stepped out of the office

‎yes? the university called..

the university?

yes sir and they say it urgent..

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