CHAPTE.3
1129 Words
Can we just concentrate on work please?" Grace asked firmly, standing at Akimbo and staring him in the face.
"Okay, I give up. Back to work it is ".
They both returned to the club to take orders and serve customers drinks.
As Mr. Clifford lay on his bed, lost in his thoughts. A knock reverberated
Through the silence. Startled, he turned to see his daughter, Grace, standing at the door, "Dad! How are you doing today?"
Her presence is a welcome disconnection to his seclusion. With a broad smile, he replied "I'm better, come in dear."
Grace walked straight to her dad and hugged him. " Good to hear you are better Dad. I don't like it when you are bedridden, I love it when you are agile". Grace confessed
"I know my child, everything will be alright soon. I am sure of that".
"You seemed lost in thoughts when I came into your room. I hope you are not thinking about what happened, Dad. "
" I will be alright, Grace. I was not thinking about anything per se, but I just felt Mr. Anthony should not go scot-free. I feel he knew exactly how he planned the investment packages. The temporal halting was too soon, and he is using the fact that he has more resources than I do to make me back out". He sighed.
"Dad! As hurtful as this sounds, remember you are not the only one involved, others are involved too. As true as this is, the subject can not be ignored. Can we please concentrate on your full recovery? The money we need will come, and the health issues will be conquered. Let's just believe their agreement to pay back 70% stands. But in the meantime, Dad, please take your medication. We will look for a way."
"I know…." he turned, took Grace's hand as he looked at her, "You are just a brilliant child and a blessing to me. Thank you".
Grace chuckled as she stared at him pitifully and gave him a tight hug, "Thank you, Dad, you are the best".
The door creaked open, revealing her mother's silhouette, "Grace, could you go arrange the dishes? Mrs Clifford asked.
Grace nodded, excused herself, and left the room for her mother to continue the conversation from where she stopped.
"Honey, how are you feeling? Umm! Have you taken your medication?"
"I'm better, get me the drugs please". He replied to his wife.
"I shouldn't be doing this at the moment, but the staff are complaining, especially those who are yet to receive their wages".
"Uhmmmm, we have to lay some off and keep those who want to stay. Our financial ability is nothing to write home about at the moment. The grapes are not producing well due to the lack of proper pruning". He shook his head in regret.
"Take it easy Honey, I will check the staff tomorrow and have a meeting with them and get back to you. In the meantime, please take your drugs and rest."
Grace began to have heart palpitations as her ear dropped to her parent's conversation. She immediately ran to the kitchen thinking about what to do," That son of a b*tch. I just hope things work well for my family."
She immediately recalled Mr. Donald asked her to call him. She hurriedly arranged the dishes on the kitchen rag and cupboard, then ran off to her room and shut the door. In her search for the complimentary card, she checked inside Jean's trousers pocket. She couldn't find it. It drowned on her that she must have kept it inside her handbag. She reached out and grabbed her bag and saw the complimentary card inside. As she dialed the number, she walked from one end of her room to the other. Finally, a male voice spoke from the other end.
"Hello, Donald on the line, who am I speaking with?"
Uhm, Hi Sir Donald, this is Grace, the server at the club you asked to call you,"
"Oh Grace… Okay. Where are you?"
" I am home". Grace answered, afraid.
"Can you visit me at the Strathallan, a double tree by the Hilton?"
"Okay Sir, what time?"
"6 pm, let me know when you arrive at the location.".
"Alright, I will." Grace responded, and the call ended""
"Uhhmmmm" Grace fell on her bed staring and contemplating what next to do. She quickly arrived at a decision which was to visit him and find out what he wanted.
Grace's phone beeped, and it was a call from Bryan,
"Hey, bad a*s b***h, what's up?" Bryan asked.
"I'm fine," Grace exhaled as she replied
"How is your Dad's health now? " He asked with so much concern.
"Dad is fine, there's so much improvement"
"That's good news to my ears," he confessed, "I have been worried about your family".
"Uhm…., I understand, thank you for this show of love Bryan. I didn't know you had a good heart. I am just confirming that now,"
"What! Are you okay? You must be a nutcase to think of me in that light.
"Hahahahaha.." Grace laughed hysterically, "Oh my, you are not serious Bryan."
Bryan eagerly asked, "So, tell me. Have you called the Baron? What has he said?"
"Who do you mean?" Grace asked, lost at the question.
"Mr Donald, I mean. You don't know he is a Baron? He is one of the richest men in town." Bryan disclosed
"How do you get all this information, Bryan?" Grace asked, curious for an answer.
"You and I are not the same people, I have my ears to the ground, I listen to get more information about most of our V.I. Ps in the nightclub."
"Oh…, that sounds like you nosing around prying into people's privacy like you are doing now." Grace accused Bryan.
"Come on Grace, that's harsh, why do you think so? I only care about you". He stated
"I am sorry, I was only joking. Do not take my words too seriously."
"It's fine". Bryan said, "So tell me."
"Well…, we just spoke a few minutes before your call came in, and….."
"And what Grace," Bryan interrupted.
"And he asked for me to see him, he said he had something he wanted to discuss with me."
"Then see him" Bryan insisted. "See him to know what he wants."
"Yeah, I will. I told him I would. How is Melissa? I haven't seen her for a while with you, hope you guys are good?" Grace quickly changed the topic.
"Yeah, we are. She traveled home to visit her parents and will be back next month."
"Oh.. that's nice. My regards to her when next she calls"
"Okay. Take care Grace"
"And you too, Bryan, thanks for calling".
- Writer
