After enjoying the all that Africa had to offer, I remembered business. It was time to inspect the company.
I decided to drive myself to work. Not without much persuading. It wasn't me who was persuaded, I had to persuade the Alfred couple that I'll be save and explain how much of the traffic rules I remembered before I was allowed to go. Even with that I had to drive at the speed of a turtle. Mr Alfred had to inspect the car so thoroughly that one might think it was going through servicing.
I obedient my followed their instructions to the latter but had to reach the office one hour later. By then all the employees would have arrived and I will have to endure the enthusiasm of my employees. An advantage of being a foreigner is that, the people are so enthusiastic and friendly. Of course there are the hostile ones but only a few.
I adjusted my make-up and stepped out of the car. At the lobby, I was greeted by all the thousand employees, not with the usual enthusiasm but some sort of reverence as though i was some.... The scene looked quite... Familiar. Where was it? At Mo Jinsheng's house? No, those servants looked like they could bury me alive, definitely not. Then where? It most beautiful from my two years- blank memory.
"Good morning Miss Li, we are happy to see you."
Ehn, what kind of greeting is this?
"Good morning dear colleagues. It's been a while." I looked at every familiar and strange face. They brought back memories.
"Mrs. Wells is pregnant now" I walked towards her. Mrs. Wells was a young promising lady in those days. She got married a year after she joined me. We had started the business together with a few other people. It has been almost six years and they were still here.
"Fan Ming. Miss Kelvin, Mr. Alex, Mrs. Koko, Jin Li" I woved round the line up as I recognised my pioneering colleagues, everyone had a genuine smile on thier face.
"I missed you all"
"Miss always says that" Miss Kelvin, a young Indian born and raised here, the youngest among them stayed beside me. She was a sweet talker. So lovely that if you very had a row with her, you might end up apologizing first even if you were right. She just always had her way with her mouth.
"Everyone, I am glad to be back. I will not be staying for as long as before. Let's enjoy these few days of shared company and work hard. Cheers!"
"Cheers!" They all chorused. I was even more pleased.
The loud knock of heels against the marble floor doused the enthusiasm that was evident a few seconds ago. Whoever that was did not make the employees comfortable. Many looked with pleading eyes. They wanted to leave and stay at the same time. Only the few old staff earlier looked a little calm.
Curious, I turned and there she was, Li Ra, my cousin; Li Ru's younger sister. Just looking at her, the saying 'when the cat is away the mouse plays' played out. Li Ra must have been causing trouble.
"Ehn, if it is not the mighty Mrs. Mo gracing us with her presence. High minded people such not bend low to pluck the wildflowers anymore. This company is under my charge now"
"Says who?"
"Says my dad the sole heir to the Corporation. Didn't our daring lady Li Chaihong choose to leave?"
"I left but the Li Corporation is my parents sweat and blood. I'm not leaving it to anyone. Not especially your incompetent father who only knows how to cause trouble"
"What!" She made to slap me but she missed
"Consider your height when doing things like this."
I signalled for the employees to leave. It was a family matter which should not be a topic for gossip. I thought too much.
"No one moves until I say so. I'm the boss now"
"Li Ra, don't bite more that your rotten teeth can chew. I don't want to start picking teeth up from the floor"
"Me, me, me". Is she shocked? I haven't even started yet.
"Li Ra, go back to your father and ask him if my Ming Jewelleries has got anything to do with the Li family. I do have a possessiveness over my properties. Ask Desmond Mo how that when down with him."
"I am a daughter of the Li's as well as every other person. I have the right to this company which was built with Li money"
"How does one communicate with a no- brain person", I asked no one in particular. The word brainless sounds too nice to be used on her.
"Li Chaihong!" She's definitely speechless.
The Li sisters are both of the same kind. They were simpletons. Pampered simpletons.
"I have so much work to get to. Please, excuse yourself" I left her there.
For three hours, I was immense in so much work. Li Ra had messed up a whole lot in the two weeks she had been here. I was too nice.
"She's busy. Don't go in"
"I have the right to come here anytime"
There was no guessing who that was. Just when I was having some regret, they come right when I needed to vent.
Without looking up
"Zhao Dongmei, has your daughter now lover to face me?"
Li Ra comes in
"Oh, she came" I raised an eye brow.
"Just in time too. The police will be here in a few minutes."
"Wh..what for? My daughter is part of the family and has every right to this company!"
I smiled "a shrew like Miss Zhao who's the concubine to a man who can't stop cheating will always think that other people's things belong to her."
To Li Ra "since covetting is a thing of yours, why not be smart at least. If it had been a certain someone I know she would have done better."
Miss Kelvin comes in
"Miss Li, they are here."
"Okay. Miss Li Ra, for forging my signature and accepting contracts that can tarnish the image of Ming, the police is here for you."
Two coloured officer who have the features of mixed race came in
"Officers arrast her."
"Miss come with us"
"There no way I'm going. I'm a member of the Li family. I'm a foreigner. I have rights"
"Lest I forget, officers, she has no permit to stay in the country and work."
"Miss, I always advise silence. Do well to listen"
Zhao Dongmei was displaying like the shrew she was. They were both dragged out.