Chapter Two
So many years had passed with Obinna as the king of Obowo. His four children were now university graduates. He felt so proud of how far his children had gone in life. He also felt proud of how he had ruled the kingdom just like his father did.
However, Obinna was bothered with the fact that if he let his children work in his company they would never be able to stand on their own.
Obinna had built a good company in Obowo. When he was made the king, he decided to build a very big company that would employ the young generation when the graduate from the university. There were workers from different states as well. But then, he didn’t want any of his children to depend on the family wealth. He wanted them to make money on their own, not depending on him.
Kevin was the only one that didn’t listen to his father about looking for a job in another company. Once he graduated, he found a position as the director of the Duke Corporation.
One evening Kevin went straight to his father’s office at the Royal palace. Since Kevin lived alone, he didn’t often see his parents and siblings. So, when he arrived at the Royal Palace, Obinna was happy to see him.
‘Good evening, dad.’ Kevin was looking gorgeous in his black high-end suit with matching shoes.
Obinna looked up, smiling. ‘I’m glad you’re here, Kevin,’ he said. ‘Let me show you around so you can see the new things we’re doing.’ Obinna rose and they went together to one of the new buildings in the palace. ‘This is our palace bookshop, Kevin. Most palaces do not have bookshops. We’re the first to start it. Reading makes a man. I will make sure that this bookshop is filled with books from different fields, and cultures of the world. The workers are yet to finish building the bookshop.’
Kevin smiled, admiring his father’s vision of building a bookshop in the palace.
‘I like the new project, dad,’ Kevin praised his father. He waved at the men that were working in the building.
‘I plan on building a museum for preserving our country’s heritage. I am sure that other people would turn this palace into tourist centre.’ Obinna laughed, then he looked at Kevin and said, ‘Now tell me about your new position as the director of our company.’
Kevin was happy to talk with his father. ‘Well, dad, together with the executives we have signed for the expansion of Duke Corporation. I have also employed many workers and fired those who didn’t meet up with the company’s qualification…’
‘Son, I think you should be fired instead,’ Obinna said, and immediately Kevin looked at him, confused. ‘Yes, I don’t want you to work there. You should start planning your own business.’
‘But dad, I don’t have any business ideas. How could I just do that?’
‘You have great skills and talents. Put them in use and you’ll be as great as me and your grandfather. You’re fired!’
‘I can’t believe you will do this to me. I am going to see, mum.’
Kevin turned immediately and walked towards his mother’s chambers. He wanted to talk to his mother about his father’s harsh decision towards him. With his face full of anger, he reached his mother’s chambers, and then hesitated to open the door and walk inside, for he felt that his mother and father might be in this together. Finally, he took a long breath, and then opened the door and walked inside. His mother was there, alone. She was reading a book.
‘Mum, do you have some time for me? Or should I come back later?’
Treasure looked up at his son. Putting away the book she was reading, she said to Kevin, ‘Sit down.’ She motioned for him to sit down on the couch.
Kevin obediently went to the couch and sat down.
‘I’m glad to have a chance to see you, son,’ Treasure said.
‘If you wanted to see me you could have called me to come over.’
Treasure smiled. ‘You seem very angry.’
‘Yes, father made me angry. He just fired me from my job. I am Prince Kevin. I have the right to work at Duke Corporation. That’s our family company.’
Treasure smiled again. She was a beautiful woman from a beautiful family. She didn’t just grow up with silver spoon. Her parents were known as the poor Shoe Mender Family. But as time went on, her father did not only mend shoes, he began to design his own shoes. From the little money he made, he sent his designs to Abia State where those designs would be turned into beautiful shoes.
As time progressed, her father rented a big shop, bought machines and then began making his own shoes. He employed people to help him, and today the small roadside shoe mender man became one of the richest men in Obowo.
‘Well, father’s idea of me planning my own business is a good one, no doubt about that,’ Kevin said, ‘but firing me without any warning is something I hate so much.’
‘Son, there is no man that had died while trying to survive on his own, but there are people who are dead because they folded their hands and did nothing to survive.’
‘You sound as though you have planned all these with father.’
‘We are one flesh. So, yes, I am aware of this. Your father had already suggested that you start your own business. You didn’t want to listen to him because suffering is not an option for you.’
Kevin looked down at his hands. ‘I wish to come up with something as quickly as possible.’
‘You already have what to do at the palm of your hands. You’re a good painter. Your drawings are so beautiful. I’m sure that if you turn it into business many people would buy them. You’re also good with construction…son, you’ve got so many talents. Why not try putting them into use?’
‘Does that mean that you’re supporting father to fire me?’ Kevin looked up at his mother and asked.
‘Certainly, yes…’
Kevin rose to his feet. ‘I guess I should leave already.’ He turned to leave.
‘Handsome…’
Kevin stopped in his tracks, and then glanced at his mother. ‘I know Kevin means handsome. But a man without money can never be called handsome.’
‘I believe you have saved enough money since you started working at the company. That will be enough for you to start up your own business.’
‘I have saved nothing! Father refused to pay me. He only asked the Finance Department to give me clothing allowance…’
I know that you’re full of wisdom, and you will succeed wherever you go. We’re still in July. You still have time before the end of the year.’
‘Mum, this is not the time for motivational speech. I better get going.’ With that, Kevin turned and left the room.
Treasure broke into a beautiful smile. She was certain that Kevin would be successful, for she knew that Kevin was gifted to do great things.
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