Mpumi ran out of the room when her tears started building up in her eyes. She couldn’t contain her grief and definitely, wouldn’t let any of them see her cry. Dion saw that. He wanted to run after her but he still had to resolve the conflict between the children or else, they would be calling him non-stop and again.
Dion knew what was going on in her mind, that did not sit well with him. He wanted to talk to her. He knew he had to wrap things up with his little guys.
He managed to over-throw them, officially ending the fight, “I win! I always win!” he cheered.
“Oh, we’ll get you someday,” said Vincent.
“Sure. Yeah. Right. You will need years of training to beat me.”
“Well, I don’t care,” Dave said, “I will train so hard. So hard that I become stronger and defeat you someday.”
“I remember when I started,” Dion said. “I started small. I would
Dion and the children woke up and did not find Mpumi. While Dave and Vincent raced around the house looking for the rest of the things they forgot to pack up, Dion put the dishes back in the cupboards. He was having a tough time emotionally. He found the note Mpumi left on top of the micro-wave. She put their transport money next to it.……………………..Mpumi’s letter………………………..DionWith all my heart, I want to say thank you.The past seven months have been one of the most excruciating, yet fruitful time of my life. You think I have taught you love, but I think I learnt love through you. I have become the woman I am today because of you, Vincent, and Dave. My true wish is that you all continue to succeed from here on forth. Go conquer, and as you go know that you are always in my thoughts.
It was morning. The morning went as it would usually. The maids and the male servants had everything tidied and cleaned. Breakfast was done hours ago. Bowman was only walking around his home without much purpose. That was his wait for his flight back to the UK in afternoon.Bowman had a glass of water in his hand. He had just swallowed his tablets—tablets for back pains since the loss of his son. He was heading towards the living room when the front door opened—“Dad.”Bowman looked only to see a young man standing there, at the door. This man was skinny, pale, and tired. His eyes protruded, and the areas around them slotted in. His jaws and cheekbones pushed through his fleshless skin. His collar bones and ribs marked a defined outline around his chest.The young man had lost so much weight that his father stood in shock for a whole while. The glass slipped through Bowman’s hand and broke scattering its broken piece all over
The house was back to normal when the guests and relatives had left. Only aunt Gertrude stayed a little longer. She was joyful to have Dion back. She, Bowman, Dion and the kids gathered at the table. There was a big feast laid.“We are having an extended New Year’s Day meal,” Bowman had cheered. Dave struggled reaching the chair as it was too high. Dion had to lift him, and place him proper. Now, Dave was too short for the table.“I’ll get a pillow, sir,” Joseph rushed to the other room and returned with a pillow. He put it on the chair where Dave sat. Now Dave could reach the table. Dion saw that it was only the five of them at the table—himself, Bowman, Gertrude, Vincent and Dave. “Where did the others go?” He was referring to the staff.“To the kitchen, Dion.”That while, the staff stood peeking through the door. They wanted to see more of Dion. They were fascinated and curious of him. T
Soon enough, there were journalists and news reporters outside Dion’s big gates. It was on the outbreak of a new morning. They flashed lights, they screamed Dion’s name, they tried pushing their way in, they held out their microphones. Through all that, Dion was inside his house having his morning coffee.“I still don’t get how you say you’re full in the morning when you haven’t eaten a thing.”“Dad, drop it, already. I said I’m not hungry. My stomach feels bloated right now. I can’t see anything going past my mouth.”“Okay, okay.” Bowman had to stop trying to persuade his son to eat breakfast. He was only trying to get Dion to gain back his weight. It was time he changed topic now, “Hey, I bet everyone is waiting for you in the office,” Bowman chuckled.“I bet everyone is terrified actually. I wasn’t a good person the last time I was here. It only makes
Dion froze. He had been standing beside his father, with his head bowed. Bowman leaned on him and whispered, “Dion? You gotta say something.”Dion gently shook his head.“Dion,” another whisper from Bowman.“I don’t know what to say,” a whisper from Dion.“Say thank you.”Silence…Seeing the shift in the atmosphere, Bowman knew he had to say something to the crowd, “Jitters.” He laughed, “He’s been suffering jitters since he got back.” Going back to Dion, “You better start talking, man.”“Honestly, I don’t know what to say,” Dion finally spoke up. “It does feel good to be missed. And I must say, I can feel my confidence hit the sky, already.”The tension had loosened up. Not one in the crowd expected anything like that from Dion. They could all see that he was humbled, and shy. He stood next to hi
Dion and Liam where making amends and talking things out. It uncomfortable but necessary. Dion already apologized, now he waited to hear Liam’s response…Liam walked to the desk, to Dion, and he gently placed his hand on Dion’s shoulder. “For what it’s worth, I woke up every morning, went to your room hoping I’d see you there peacefully sleeping. My heart has been miserable. A part of me was lost without you, man.”Dion got up and embraced the man—they were hugging. Dion knew then that his apology was accepted. Much was spoken about. Liam had his stories to tell too. “…and then we found that you donated a large amount of money to the orphans. I must say, we were all shocked!”Dion laughed, “I wish it was from my heart then! Hey, tell me about Thandi. I haven’t seen her.”“Well, she was here for a few days, and then she left. I mean, with you gone there was nothing more left of us to do here.”“Give her a call later. Tell her I’m back. And that I’m not a jerk anymore.”“Are you kidding
Dion continued to excel at work. His father was already sending him potential business associates to cut deals with.Still, not one in the office had the best of Dion. Each person wondered and would only dream of having contact with Dion. Dion was a very scarce man in the office—it was like he was hiding himself from his staff. Bare in mind, he was their manager back in time when he was mean. And so, right now, he was probably too embarrassed to face them all again.Only his PA had the pleasure of interacting with him, often when she brought in coffee, meals, or just doing her job, and then she would leave his office to hers which was just next door. The other staff would hear the PA and Dion laughing some of the times, and they would admire that. The PA had become most adored in the office because of her association with the CEO—Dion.For the first time, she was starting to enjoy her job and all the attention it brought. For the first time she felt visible around the office. Her coll
The PA walked in after a shot knock, “Um, Mpumelelo Dladla has come in to start work, sir.”“Dladla?”“Yes, the intern who came highly recommended by the Durban ITSU branch. She interned there. She was brought in by the acting CEO of Metallics.”“Oh, yeah. Yeah. I remember.”“Should I bring her in?”This Mpumelelo Dladla was standing just outside the door, waiting on the PA to bring her in. This Mpumelelo Dladla had already heard the PA explain that the boss was uncomfortable with people walking into his office. Hence, this young lady stood patiently.“No, please, don’t let her in. Just tell her ‘Welcome’. And I hope that she becomes a valuable member to the company.”“You got it, sir!,” the PA closed the door and took the lady with herself, while sending Dion’s regards to her. “Okay, so, now you can walk further that way,