THE CONFESSIONS OF A CEO INCOGNITUS

CHAPTER TWO

Naomi and Esther were teenagers when they had that conversation with their father. Soon after that, about a year later, their mother died in a car accident. They were seventeen and admitted into the university. They were going far away from home, so their father thought it was time to have that talk with them. He knew they were going to face a new world without him, and that his work as a father would be tested. He was confident he had done his best to bring his girls up in the fear of God and the love of people. So, he expected nothing less than success.

Now seven years later, both girls had graduated from school, with Naomi becoming an investment banker and Esther a software developer. Their father was proud of how they had turned out and hoped for a better future for his girls. On their father’s sixtieth birthday, they paid him a visit, and he used that as an opportunity to evaluate and encourage his girls on their life’s journey.

Naomi was in a stable relationship with a man who was an investment banker like her. Their relationship was two years gone and they were hoping to be married soon. Esther’s story was different. She had been in a relationship that went south, and wasn’t considering getting into another one for a while. “Was it that bad that you are bent on not trying again?” her father asked her. “It was bad enough to make me lose focus and my peace. That was too much for me to bear.” Naomi interjected, “Papa, Esther is just making excuses. The man was successful, kind and wanted the best for Esther.” Angrily, Esther responded, “He wanted to control me. By the way, he wasn’t more successful than me. He was just a fraction of thousands ahead of me in pay cheque and wanted me to abandon everything and do as he says. He was just controlling. I have my peace now and I am not selling it.”

As Naomi made to speak again, their father hushed her. “Leave her alone Naomi. She knows what’s right for her. Your sister does not share the same force as you. Let her take it slowly.” Reaching out to her sister and holding her hands, Naomi apologized to her. “Forgive me Esther. I didn’t mean to push too hard. I thought he was a good man, and such men are hard to find. There are losers everywhere.” “It’s okay Naomi,” Esther said, “when the time is right, the right man will show.”

Later that night when everyone was back in their rooms, their father told Naomi he wanted to speak with her. Sitting out in the porch, he asked her, “So, tell me about this guy that Esther broke up with. You say he is a catch. I want to know more.” Though surprised that her father chose to speak with her on the matter instead of Esther, Naomi told her father what she knew about him, and how she believed Esther made a mistake breaking up with him. “So, let me get this right, he was quick in climbing up the ladder of success at his firm and was always willing to spoil Esther with money. Is that all?” he asked.

Confused and feeling like she was being probed, Naomi responded, “Papa, I don’t know what else to tell you. I mean, aren’t those the important traits of a good man?” Taking a sip of his hot cocoa and staring into the starry night, he asked her, “Who taught you that?” Defiantly she responded, “You Papa! You taught me so! Have you forgotten already?” Nodding his head in disagreement, he said, “Criminals have money, and they spoil their partners too. I’ll remind you what papa taught you; be with a man who’s made money. But don’t be with a man just because he’s made money.

Not everyone who’s made money can keep it. And not everyone who can keep money can keep a woman. Yes, money is important in keeping a woman. But it will take more than money to keep a woman.” Defiantly, Naomi got up from her seat and stepped away from her father. “Well, I’ve never seen a woman walk away from her man because he’s rich.”

Walking up to her, he responded, “It means you have not been paying attention to the world. Seven out of ten wealthy marriages will go down the drain. Money is good, but it is not the binding factor for quality relationships. Sweetheart, I didn’t call you to argue. I wanted to know if there was something you were missing and then help correct it. Tell me, what is your attraction to James, your boyfriend?”

Pausing a while and then smiling, she replied, “we share so much in common, and he always wants to know if there was anything he could do to help me improve myself.” “So, money wasn’t the first attraction?” he asked. “I saw the money, but I wanted more.” she said. “Thank God, your head is in the right place. And that’s exactly what your sister wants. She wants more than money. You need to support, and not criticize her, okay?” Embracing her father, Naomi agreed to do as he advised.