HIDDEN

The hall was decorated beautifully with round tables. There was a lot to eat and drink.

“Cheers” Mrs Donalds and a group of women clicked their glasses while standing round a table.

“Gosh! There’s another of Sun James unknown works” A lady in her late forties wearing a brown coat with very dark hair spoke.

“Before he changed his drawing style, he stayed in the UK during his hiatus. I found a painting he’d gifted to someone who’s sponsored him”

“We have to edit and reprint the brochure” Mrs Donalds explained.

“What kind of painting is it?” Another lady wearing a red dress asked.

“It’s pretty obvious she’ll nab it at the auction. She’s a huge fan” another wearing a white dress said.

“I’ll have to see if first” the purple dressed lady said.

“Don’t pretend you’re not that interested. You’ll only write out a huge Cheque” the red dressed lady attacked.

“We don’t stand a chance against CHEEKERS chairman’s wife,” the white dressed lady teased, while the others chuckled.

“If we’re talking about the along of ash one has, no one can beat the Donalds. They make cash with cash” the purple dressed lady said, while chuckling but stopped when she saw the press weren’t laughing as well.

Mrs Donalds face has gone sour.

“Goodness! Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying private loans are bad. Isn’t it a system created for commoners who most need the money but can’t go anywhere else?” The people dressed last tried to explain while facing Mrs Donalds who tried to keep the smile on her face

“You oops say that out of us all, Camille’s family take the noblesse oblige seriously “ she went on.

“Anyway, I look forward to seeing the paintings later” the purple dresses lady said, facing Mrs Donalds .

They both chuckled wryly.

“Okay” Mrs Donalds replied dryly

*

*

Anna arrived at the gallery and while at the car pack, she tried to call Samuel but he still wasn’t picking up

“Why won’t he pick up?” she sighed, picked up the painting from the back of her car and went out of the car.

While walking, she dialed a number.

“Hello, H-terior secretaries office” they answered at the other end.

“Can I speak to Mr Badley Samuel? I can’t seem to reach him” she requested.

“He took the day off” a male voice replied.

“I’m sorry, but who’s this?” He went ahead to ask.

“He took the day off?” Anna asked, bewildered by the revelation.

She paused when she saw his car in the car pack.

“Hello!!” The male voice called out.

“I’m calling from home. I’m his wife” she responded.

“Oh! Hello, maam. Mr Badley said he has an importance event” the male voice now filled with excitement explained to her.

“He does and I forgot” Anna said while checking out the car to be sure it was really her husband’s.

“He said he has plans” she said while going to the back of the car.

There, she saw a white envelope. She picked it up ask on it read ‘LETTER OF RESIGNATION’.

“Ma’am. Mr Badley decided to resign. Well miss him loads. He resigned suddenly, and we had no time for a farewell dinner” the man told her.

“It’s fine. Thanks for caring. Bye” Anna disconnected immediately.

“He’ll resign?” Her face was filled with confusion and astonishment.

“Samuel what are you thinking?” She asked herself.

Just then, her phone started ringing. She placed the envelope in her pocket before picking up the phone.

“Hello, mother”

“Hi. Did you see your family?” Mrs Badley asked.

“Did you mention Samuel?”

“No. I don’t yet know what he wants” Anna told her.

“Why do you not know anything” Mrs Badley lashed out

“I know so clearly”

“You know clearly?” Anna questioned.

“Then do you know this?”

“What?” Mrs Badley stopped cleaning, her eyes popping out of their sockets.

“Samuel said he’d resign?”

“He never mentioned it to me. I don’t get why”

“Do you still not get it’s because of you?”

“Pardon??”

“Samuel said he needed to try harder. He wants to find a better job at your fathers company and being a dad soon to be acknowledged and accepted as a son-in-law”

“Why didn’t he mention that to me?”

“He said you’d only worry. He’s trying so hard on his own. Don’t you think you should help hom out, huh?” Mrs Badley yelled.

The call disconnected. Anna stopped asking, a sad look on her face. She took in deep breaths and went on. She raised her head to see she was in front of Donalds Gallery.

Flowers were outside and people walked about hurriedly. On the poster read;

‘THE DONALDS GALLERY CHARITY AUCTION’

*

*

“Some are complaining about your takeover of the savings bank” a reporter told Mr Donalds.

“What are they saying?” Mr Donalds asked subtly.

“Financial authorities permitted Donalds takeover of the savings bank because you agreed to liquidate your money lending subsidiaries. You left out Marin credit, a company that hands our loans with artworks as collateral” the reporter went on, while Mr Donalds had a smirk carefully placed on his lips.

“It was a simple oversight. We categorized Marin as an art-related venture. That’s why it wasn’t on the list” he explained, the smirk still there.

“Some say financial authorities knew and turned a blind eyes” the female reporter threw again.

“People love to gossip about growing companies” Mr Donalds sucked his teeth.

“Whether you get bogged down or break free and move ahead depends on the entrepreneur. We’re here to enjoy ourselves. We get to celebrate all the savings bank branches becoming part of Donalds “ he narrowed down smoothly.

“I thought that line was quite modern for Donalds taste. Did you take over a new marketing company too?” The reporter asked.

“Well…” Mr Donalds paused when he raised his head and saw Samuel approaching.

“ I can explain that” Samuel said, holding two glasses of wine.

“Here. You should have a drink too” Mr Donalds took one of the drinks and handed it over to the reporter, giving out a light chuckle.

Samuel’s expression fell.

Just then, Anna walked to them and wrapped her arms around Samuel’s.

With a smile on her face,

“Father!” She called.

“Hi, you made it” Mr Donalds exclaimed.

She simply gave a small nod, her smile still intact.

“Is this your daughter?” The reporter asked.

Mr Donalds nodded.

“And this is?” The reporter asked again, referring to Samuel.

“My husband” Anna answered.

“He came up with that copy ‘Donalds, a family under one roof’ “ Anna recited.

“ I see” the reporter simply said, a gentle glint in her eyes.

“You have a smart son-in-law” she turned to Mr Donalds and said.

“Well, he did a good job” Mr Donalds gritted and tapped Samuel gently on his arm.

Samuel smiled, bowing slightly. Anna smiled too, with a deep sigh of relief.

TBC