by Kiru Taye
The last time he’d been here, he’d worked for the company as an employee. A long time ago. How things had changed in only a matter of years.
The waiting area sat empty bar the pretty, dark-skinned receptionist currently distracted with her mobile phone. Raising her head, she stowed the item away and gave him a welcoming smile. He could’ve been the first person to walk in here all day, judging from her pleased expression.
“Good afternoon, sir. How can I help you?” she greeted, sitting up straight.
He leaned his arms on the high desk, returned the smile. “My name is Henry Coker. I’m here for a meeting with Chief Rawlins.”
“Sure, Mr. Coker. Chief is expecting you. Please take the lift to the fifth floor. His secretary will meet you in the lobby.”
He read the name on her white plastic employee ID card hanging on a blue sash around her neck. “Thank you, Busola.”
“You’re welcome, sir.” Her eyes sparkled with surprise and pleasure at the mention of her name and her lips widened.
He believed in treating everyone hospitably regardless of their station. One could never predict the future. His life stood as a prime example.
With a nod, he headed for the lift, pressed the button, and stepped into the empty box after it arrived. He took a quick, uninterrupted ride up to the top floor where a smartly dressed woman in a red top, black pencil skirt, and black high heels met him in the foyer. She looked to be in her early thirties.
“Welcome, Mr. Coker. I’m Simi. Chief is waiting in his office.” Her smiling lips matched the colour of her top.
“It’s nice to meet you, Simi. Lead the way.” He maintained the pleasant expression he’d given the receptionist.
She lowered her dark lashes coyly before sashaying down the corridor, her curvy hips swaying. He followed her as his body kicked to life and he suppressed his libido. He'd been celibate for too long.
The office building that used to be busy and full of employees now seemed deserted, the workspaces abandoned, and the amount of accumulating dust showed that no one had used the desks for weeks.
At a panel with the peeling plaque that read Managing Director, she knocked once and then turned the handle.
The door opened into an office covered in dark wood. It was dated and reminded him of an old movie set. Chief Rawlins sat behind a huge mahogany desk.
He strode towards the man.
“Chief, it’s good to see you,” he said in a light tone as he extended his hand.
“Henry, thank you for coming to see me,” Chief said as he took his hand in a firm shake.
“Well, when the boss invites an ordinary barrow boy like me up to his office, I have no choice but to answer the request.” His voice rang with humour.
Chief gave a laugh. “We both know that you’re not a barrow boy anymore, and I’m not your boss.” He waved at the chair. “Sit down.”
Henry lowered his body into the seat. “Well, no matter. It’s always important to give respect where respect is due.”
“And I appreciate it, which is why I wanted us to have this chat as a one-on-one without anyone else’s involvement for now.” Chief paused. “Can I get you a drink?”
“No. I don’t drink when conducting business. But I’m happy to have one once we’ve concluded our discussion.”
“That’s a good idea.” His gaze darted around the room and his hands fluttered before he leaned his elbows on the desk. “I need your help.”
Henry knew what was coming, but he wouldn’t save the old man the trouble. He’d been monitoring Rawlins Constructions for years. A business that had once been synonymous with construction at its height had started declining due to mismanagement, embezzlement, and corruption. Six months ago, one of its tower blocks had collapsed, killing residents and destroying homes and properties.
The building had been constructed on marsh land with a poor foundation, substandard materials, and in wrong quantities. Apparently, city planning officials had been bribed to obtain the appropriate license and certificates—an investigation had found that out after the accident. The insurance would’ve normally paid but due to the irregularities, the cover had been voided.
Now, the end was near for the business Chief Rawlins had set up, and the only reason he would call Henry to his office would be to ask for his help in rescuing the firm. Chief and the company were facing both criminal and civil lawsuits. The shares had dropped so much that the whole thing was worth nothing to any investor.
Henry leaned forward, mirroring Chief’s pose.
“Tell me how I can help,” he said, pretending he had no clue what the man wanted.
“I presume you know the situation already with the collapse of Greco Mansions. Because of the legal action in place, all my assets have been frozen, as well as the company assets. The business is running with shell staff. I’ve had to send people home until further notice. My lawyers assure me that we’ll win the lawsuit, but in the meantime, investors are getting rid of their stock, which has made the value plummet.”
He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed his sweaty forehead. “I have to think about the families of the men and women who have worked here for years. I have to think about my family.”
“How would you like me to help?” Henry asked in a grave voice.
“You’ve worked for Rawlins. You know this is a good company. Unfortunately, there were a few managers who have been embezzling funds. I found out who they are and dealt with them. I don’t want this company to go down the drain. This is where you come in. I need you to buy Rawlins Construction.”
Henry puffed out a heavy sigh. He pulled his brows together and tapped the table with his fingertips.
“This is a bad time to think about selling the business, Chief. Your stocks are worth nothing in the open market,” he said quietly.
The corners of Chief’s mouth tightened. “I know that, which is why I’m talking to you privately. You know that this company is worth a lot more than what anyone else would value it. Our reputation and contacts alone are worth a lot.”
“I’m sorry to say, Chief, but the reputation of Rawlins collapsed along with Greco Mansions. And your contacts won’t want to be linked with a company being sued for fraud as well as criminal negligence and corporate manslaughter.” He deliberately kept his tone matter of fact, but his words were the nails in the coffin.
Chief’s eyes narrowed before he forced a smile. “Fine. Perhaps our worth is down the drain, but I was hoping to appeal to your sense of loyalty. I picked you up from the gutter and gave you a job. You wouldn’t be the man you are today if I didn’t give you a chance.”
Henry’s hands clenched around the arms of the chair. He sucked in a shallow breath and released it, holding himself back from saying that he would’ve made it even if the man in front of him hadn’t offered him a labourer’s job many years ago.
But he didn’t want to rile the man. He still had an ace up his sleeve that he would play when he was ready.
“Yes, sir. I appreciate the opportunities you offered me. I learned the tools of the construction business from Rawlins.”
He’d worked damn hard and gone from labourer to foreman in a short space of time. It had taken his sweat and determination and sometimes his blood, considering some of the injuries he’d incurred.
After his degree program, he’d worked even harder setting up his firm. He’d found suppliers happy to give him the materials without the inflated prices. He’d found dedicated workers—young men like him struggling to survive in Nigeria hit by the aftermath of successive unstable governments and a rough economy. Gradually, he’d built up a thriving business and workforce, undercutting Rawlins Constructions for the contracts and winning more and more bids.
And the key to their success was that they delivered, which made the clients recommend them again and again.
“So, will you help me?” Chief asked, his desperation now evident in his feverish eyes and twitchy fingers.
Closing his eyes for a
moment, Henry sighed. Such a shame to see a man of Chief's calibre brought to his knees. For sure, he would insure himself from making the same mistakes the old man had made.
Still, it didn't stop his heart from pounding with anticipation at the opportunity presented to him. One of the things that drove his successes constituted of his ability to capitalise on openings like this one.
“I’m happy to help your business. I will take on your creditors and pay off your debt. The business itself, I will buy for a token sum, and absorb your operations into mine.”
Chief slumped into his chair and closed his eyes. For a moment, Henry worried he had fallen ill until he saw the steady rise and fall of his chest. A slow smile appeared on the old man’s face as he opened his eyes.
“Thank you,” Chief said.
Henry held himself steady, but he didn’t smile in return. “Don’t thank me yet. I want something in return for helping you.”
The old man shrugged. “Sure. I realise nothing goes for nothing. So if it’s something I can give you, then sure, you can have it.”
It was Henry’s turn to smile. “It’s definitely something you can give me. The question is if she’ll come to me willingly.”
“She?” Chief scratched his cheek before rubbing his chin. “I don’t understand.”
Henry sat back in the chair, ready to show his ace card. He’d waited years for this. He placed his elbows on the arms of the chair and brought the tips of his fingers together to form a steeple. He held the man’s gaze, making sure he wouldn’t mistake his words.
“I want your daughter, Gloria, in return for me helping you.”
The man still appeared confused.
“Gloria?” Then a smile returned to his face. “Oh, I get it. You want to marry my daughter.”
He shrugged. Marriage wasn’t exactly the thing he had in mind. Revenge was top of his list. Especially since the woman in question had once told him he wasn’t good enough for her.
“No, Chief. I don’t want to marry your daughter. A happily ever after will never work between the two of us as your daughter seems to dislike me so very much. She once said to me that she wouldn’t marry me if I were the last man on Earth. And you didn’t exactly approve of her being in a relationship with me, either.”
The man’s head reared back as if Henry had struck him. His mouth opened and closed like a fish, but he said nothing.
“So you see, marriage is kind of out of the question,” Henry continued. “And considering her track record, it’s not a good idea, anyway. How long did her last marriage last? Three months? Six?”
Chief seemed to go white, and he dropped his gaze. He tugged the collar of his lace buba and more sweat beaded his forehead.
“Yes, my daughter has had disastrous relationships recently. But what has that got to do with any of this? What exactly do you want from her?”
“As I said already, I want her. Whatever amount I use in paying off your creditors will constitute the amount of the bride price for Gloria. She will live with me and to all intents and purposes, she will be my wife. But any day she decides to leave me, which she is free to do anytime, I'll be obliged to call back the amount I paid your creditors. Everything you own will belong to me. There'll be no legal documents listing her as my wife, but there will be documents outlining the exact amount you owe me.”
“What? You’re buying my daughter?” Chief Rawlins looked like he was about to have a heart attack.
Henry stood up and walked around the desk as he reached out. The man pushed him away and glared at him.
“I asked you a question.” He banged on his desk with his fist. “Are you offering to buy my daughter in exchange for helping my business?”
“Yes.” He didn’t return to his chair. Instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets in a relaxed pose. “I’ll give you time to think it over and convince your daughter it’s the right thing. But we both know your creditors won’t wait for long. Have a nice day, Chief.”
He knew exactly how long some of those creditors would last because they were businesses linked to him.
Henry turned around and walked out of the old man’s office. He’d made his move. The next one was Gloria’s. And he couldn’t wait.
Click to continue reading Bound to Ransom
About the author
Kiru is the award winning author of His Treasure. She writes sensual and passionate multicultural romance stories set mostly in Africa. When she's not writing you can find her either immersed in a good book or catching up with friends and family. She currently lives in the South of England with her husband and three children.
Connect with her or sign up to receive free books and giveaways at her website:
http://www.kirutaye.com