Chapter 6 The Project

• Albert Jobs was seen siting on the black sofa in his living room. The day's tabloid hung in his hands and his eyes scanned through it through the thick lens of his glasses.
• He was a sixty two years old retired architect who had just handed his company to his son Rapheal, after deciding to pursue his political career.
• Before him was a large center table which contained a dark liquid and other many tabloids.
• The door open immediately, and walking into the room was his son Rapheal.
• Adjusting the collar of his grey suit, and nervous on what his father might have for him this time around, he stepped in gently, making sure the clucking sound of his shoes was all was heard.
• At the age of twenty nine, he was still very scared of his father and his might because he was still a strong force in his life.
• Moving towards where Mr Albert was seated, he bowed his head in reverence, and said, "you sent for me Father."
• His words bathed in fear and uncertainty.
• "Take a sit."
• Albert said sternly, not moving an inch or bathing an eyes.
• Albert was a very strict man and above all a stict father.
• Clearing his troat, he pulled off the glasses, his hands dropping the tabloid at the same time, and facing Rapheal, he said, "the Yurix made a call to me last night, saying they want to invest in our project."
• "Which project, father?"
• Rapheal cuts in immediately, pretending he didn't know the project his father was talking about, as his breathe was already cut in an alarm."
• "How many projects do we have at the moment, Raphael?" Albert roared, giving him a dark stare at the same time.
• Rapheal adjusted his butt, trying to ease off the tension.
• "You mean this current project?"
• He asked rhetorically, knowing fully well that his father would not give a reply to that.
• Looking up to meet his father, he met the darkest gaze from him, and his eyebrows had arched several shades darker that his black shirt.
• "No dad, we cant possibly take such offer. You know this wont do our reputation any good, you know this."
• Rapheal protested in fear.
• It was safe to say that Albert was the air he breathe, all his life he had worked dedicatedly to the CODs Ventures and eventually earned the trust of his father when he handed it over to him. But that was also another ticket he in getting back to piloting his life.
• "Who cares about about reputation at a moment like this when the company is sinking?"
• Albert asked, his tense tone evident that he was already loosing his patience.
• He hated it so much when Raphael countered his words, or questioned his orders, for what so ever reason.
• Rapheal shook his head in disbelief.
• This time he was wondering if his father had totally forgotten he had a political carrer and an election coming up.
• "Have you forgotten you have an election to contest for?"
• "Yes I do, infact the Yurix promised they wont invest under the brand name."
• He replied, a sinister smile spread across his chin.
• "Dont tell me you want to illegally collect money from these people dad?'
• Rapheal asked.
• He watched his father give out a wry smile without saying anything, and this sent shivers over his spine.
• "Now I'm worried I cant recognize you as the day goes by."
• "And I can't recognize you too, Raph!."
• His eyes widened in terror and plastering his dark gaze on Raphael he continued, "you cant be a weakling, Son! Not under my watch!"
• "But-"
• "No buts! Son."
• He plastered his gaze on the now motionless Rapheal scrutinizing his whole body.
• "What else do you want when they already promise to invest with another name?'
• "And you believed that?"
• Rpheal scoffed, his father was now sounding so unreasonable and he hated that.
• "Do you think a serious investor will fake a brand name for the sake of your reputation or is this a money laundering plan you're not telling me about?"
• Albert's face took a quick turn away from Raphael, and in terror he rose from his seat and walked to face the window area.
• "What do you think you know about business?"
• He roared,
• "And what do you think your reputation is worth to them dad?"
• Raphael countered, now he could feel his heart beat fast and his lungs begging for oxygen.
• He has never challenged his father like that before, even though he was already tired of his threats.
• Albert's was embrased with a shock.
• He wondered where the courage must have come from, shaking his head, he walked close to Raphael and scoffed.
• "Prepare for the meeting next week. They are flying all the way from chin for this meeting and I know you wont dare not be present."
• He declared and began to walk out of the living room area.
• Raphael was left alone for a moment to his thoughts, but the sudden cheer of Daniel jugged him back to reality.
• "Uncle Raph!- uncle Raph!"
• He sang as he jumped on his body.
• He rubbed his hands which were soiled with watermelon on the grey suit he was putting on.
• Daniel was just a three years old boy and Raphael's step brother.
• "Daniel!"
• Rapheal called and lifted him up immediately.
• "You didn't tell me you were visiting."
• Daniel's tender voice sounded as he placed the little piece he had on Rapheal's mouth.
• "Let's say I wanted to surprise little brother."
• "I missed you."
• He planted a soft kiss on the little boy and dropped him on the floor immediately he saw Sane.
• Sane was Daniel's mother and Raphael's stepmother.
• The witch which was endowed with so much beauty.
• "Huh-you came around?"
• She asked, displaying her normal pretense as if she was happy to see him.
• Rapheal didn't know what to say other than chuckle, while he stroked Daniel's hair.
• "How have you been Sane?"
• "Been good." She replied hastily and reaching forth for Rapheal's cheek for a peck. "It's good to see you again, Ralph."
• Raphael chuckled again, visibly fighting the urge to pull her away.
• No matter how much she pretended, he couldn't help but see the ugliness of the heart behind that face.
• Sane was just twenty eight, and he never ceased to wonder how a gold digger like her managed to get her greedy claws on his sixty two years old father.
• "How has work been?"
• She asked as soon as she pulled away from him.
• "Been good, I appreciate."
• "And the investment with the Yurix?"
• Rapheal's eyes wandered in terror.
• He knows Sane to be evil, but never in his life have he thought she would ever start mettling in the affairs of the company.
• "Wait, you advised him to do that?"
• Sane who had initially wanted to be an underground adviser rolled her eyes in discomfort.
• "You see, I have to put Daniel to bed."
• She said, leaving Raphael lost in thoughts.