RAY'S POV
"Call your cousin and ask him to come,"
That wasn't a request. That was an order, and I know very well what to do with an order and what happens if one is not executed. I just hope my cousin won't give me a hard time. I have to be at the board meeting as early as 7am. That will be ending by 9. Then I have a meeting with a business partner which will probably last for hours, depending on our understanding. But, George… he's the black sheep of the family and I would not want him to be the reason the old man scolds me. I always end up being at the receiving end of grandfather's anger. Perhaps, that is why I always want everything to be perfect.
I immediately dialled Mabel. She's my personal assistant, and she's good at what she does. Professional much..
"Good morning Mr. Grant!"
Hearing her voice and how twisted her good morning sounded, I knew she was teasing. Aside from being my P.A, Mabel is my go to person. She can be considered as my best friend. But I do not always let it show, that I care about our friendship. Acts like that would give the old man a reason to call me weak, seeing that he is always on my tail. Tail, cause I feel like the old man's dog sometimes. Someone he can use at will.
"I need you to do me a favour," I said without even replying her good morning. But that's something she should be used to by now. A quiet pause from her end was my cue to carry on.
"I might need you to hold down Miss Lewis for a while," it's the only thing I could say to her. I was hoping she'd understand and won't protest.
"I thought we agreed I would have the day off? It's my birthday mate," Mabel said. She sounded pissed. To think I forgot her birthday even though she had reminder me before leaving the office last night. I sucked in a deep breath before letting go.
"I will make it up to you after the meeting. Just help me out. I need to pull this deal with the Lewis," I said to her hoping she would oblige. I will really make it up to her if she does oblige.
"I am not going to ask what happened, but no problem. I do hope you keep your promise," she said before hanging up. I felt relieved that she oblige. I can trust Mabel alone to pull this deal in my absent. But I will surely make it. I just have to be prepared in case George decides to be stubborn. Still, I hope I don't have to go through the stress of picking George up myself and bringing him to the mansion.
I walked into the bathroom, a soothing bath in the jacuzzi would have been preferable, but this is no time for relaxation. I got under the shower knowing fully well that by the time I'm done, my suit would be ready. Just as it should, everything I needed was already on stand by. I sent the maids away cause I hate being dressed by them. Some are perverts, and I hate physical contact with random people.
I apply lotion on my body cause a man need not to care less about his skin. I put on my pants, sleeves and suit, knot my tie and there I was, almost ready for the meeting. I picked up my phone and sent George a text. If he does not arrive the mansion before the board meeting ends, then I'll be left with no choice but to go to his apartment. Fuck I'll have to go to his apartment!
I left the mansion after combing my hair and fitting my watch to my wrist. Ben drove me to the company. Ben is my driver and he does his job well enough for the pay he gets. But he is the old man's man. So I barely trust him much.
"Go fetch Mabel by 8:30," I said to Ben after I got out of the car.
"Sir what about you?" he asked. Rather than answering, I just turned away and walked into the company's building. I was not about to tell him I'd be late to the meeting with our supposed business partner, or, that I might have to go to George's apartment. For all I know, George has been discreet in trying to keep the old man from knowing where he lives. I won't be the one that leads him there.
I sensed Ben left immediately after I entered the building. He would probably go wait for Mabel, or do whatever that suits him best. I pull out my phone from my pocket and sent a text to my personal driver to bring my Audi R8 v10 2024 model. I'd be using that to get to George's place if he fails to reach the mansion in 2 hours.
The board meeting was boring with so much statistics. I felt heaviness in my head and could barely concentrate. All I could think about was striking that business deal with Miss Lewis, while all the board of directors could do is look for a loophole to drag me down. They must hate it that I'm the acting chairman, and fear I might end up being the CEO after the old man. Perhaps it is my uncle's wife who is steering the trouble. I left the board meeting immediately it got to 9:30am. Worse was the fact that I already missed several calls from the old man. That's enough to let me know that George was yet to reach the mansion.
I got into the elevator and made for the bottom floor leading to the underground parking lot. It would be better to leave from there. I got there and saw Carlo standing right next to my baby. The Audi is my favourite car. Perhaps because it came from Aunty Bess on my 30th birthday.
"You may leave," I said to Carlo grabbing the key fob from his hand. He let me have it without question, like he knew what to do after that. But that was because he actually knows what to do. He is not the old man's man who is trying to spy on me. He is just Carlo my personal driver who I can trust to an extent.