Chapter 6

• Maya sat glued to her IPad, I wondered what she was doing. I looked at her for some moments for no reason in particular. Maya's iPad beeped, I watched her tap on her screen then she looked up at me with a little scowl on her face.
• "What?" I asked exasperated. I scrutinized Maya's facial expressions while I waited for her reply.
• "Sir, Mr. Philip has texted that he has some delay and might take a little longer," Maya said keeping her face down. She must have thought I'd get upset or sad. But I was sad, I couldn't say how much longer before Mr. Philip would arrive and I didn't like to be away from work much longer. Even though I didn't have any more meetings that Monday, I just needed to be with my baby all day long.
• I swallowed the surge to complain and feel anger making its way through my skin. At the end of the day, I could only wait, I needed Mr. Philip's support on my next project, I needed this contract.
• "Are you sure you texted the right time?" Just in case, I asked Maya dubiously. It wasn't my thing to doubt Maya but I had no choice.
• "I'm very sure I did sir" She looked like she was going to cry from defending herself. I loosened the tie around my neck a little bit and then adjusted my jacket. I exhaled an ounce of air and squirmed in my seat.
• "Sir would you need me to order anything just while we wait? Or should I cancel the meeting?" Maya asked.
• What? Is Maya serious? She knew how long it took me to get Mr. Philip's attention. Then was she advising me to cancel the meeting? I doubt. I wouldn't cancel the meeting for anything in the world. I just had to wait. I eyed Maya.
• "Order something" I said " A bottle of wine while we wait"
• Maya nodded and called on a waitress who came right to our table.
• "Good Day Mr. Maverick" The blonde petite woman in a red uniform greeted formally. I almost forgot how popular I was. She obviously would know my name. After all, Maya always made reservations in the restaurant in my name. She turned to Maya and smiled. They possibly knew each other.
• "Sir, what wine would you like?" Maya asked
• "A bottle of Screaming Eagle sauvignon blanc," I said curtly, trying not to sound tired because I was. "Two glasses please" I added.
• The blonde nodded while taking notes on her small notepad. "Be right back" she said and left.
• "Sir, are you sure an alcoholic wine is suitable for now?" Maya asked. I looked at her acting like a naive teenage girl.
• "13% alcohol is no alcohol Maya, it's wine, did we not drink before in meetings?" I didn't expect Maya to respond or answer my question, she knew otherwise than to object further. She nodded and adjusted on her seat.
• Then I thought of Natalie. She appeared naive and young. I wondered if she had ever drunk alcohol before, she looked like she didn't know anything about anything, she looked so innocent. And that innocent naive woman would be my wife soon. I shook my head jolting myself back to real life and weaving off the thoughts creeping into my head.
• 3 minutes later, the blonde waitress returned carrying an Ice bucket that contained a bottle of wine and two glasses. She placed the bucket on the table. Bringing the glasses out and placing them too on the table in front of us. She seemed perfect and happy serving us. But of cause she could only be happy serving me. A gloaty smile appeared on my face.
• "May I," She asked gesturing towards the wine. I nodded. She opened the wine and poured us each a glass, then carefully dropped the rest back into the ice bucket.
• "Thank you" I said cautiously smiling at her. She bowed.
• " Enjoy your stay Mr. Maverick" Then she left.
• When I had a sip of the wine, it was heaven. Just like the first day in Las Vegas, Levi was the one who ordered it, then I fell in love. Another good day to taste an amazing wine once again. A good way to wait for Mr. Philip.
• 30 minutes had passed, I was on my third glass, Maya looked like she had not drunk hers one bit and Mr. Philip hadn't arrived. Maybe I should reschedule as Maya requested. I looked at my wristwatch, 12:40 pm the time read. What could have been the delay? Was this a ruse to test my patience? I didn't know anything.
• Just as I wandered in my thoughts, a call back to reality was made to me by the arrival of Mr. Philip and his wife I think so. Their countenance said so. He looked older than I expected. Was he planning on working till his deathbed?
• "Good day sir" I greeted standing up and shaking his extended hand. His wife smiled at me and rubbed my shoulder.
• "Good day sir, good day ma'am" Maya greeted respectively whilst bowing curtly.
• "Sorry for being late, I had a few delays" He apologized as we settled back.
• "It's fine sir. Champagne or?"
• "No Maverick, get us water. I'm on a diet and my wife wouldn't drink without me" That was really his wife, Penelope. I heard a lot.
• I called on the blonde girl and requested two bottles of water with glasses which she nodded and left. Penelope smiled all along. She didn't speak once. I wondered if she made the choice or if she was asked not to.
• "Amazing wine you have here" He said pointing at the ice bucket with Screaming eagle. I smiled.
• "Is this your wife?" Mr. Philip asked looking at Maya. What? No! Not Maya.
• "No sir, she's my assistant" I rubbed my thighs. Something I did a lot when I felt nervous.
• "Ooh, I see. So are you married?" He asked looking at me. What now Mr. Philip? Should I say yes or no?
• "Not yet sir" I responded then tried to hide the disgust in my eyes. The blonde returned with a tray containing two bottles of water. Placing it on the table, she bowed and left. I just hoped Mr. Philip didn't ask any more questions outside business after the blonde interrupted.
• "Do you not plan to get married? A young and successful man like you should have a woman by his side" he corked his bottled water and smiled at his wife. That was cute. "I'm afraid Maverick, I may not sign this contract if you are not married"
• I saw Maya's face drop.
• I had my mom by my side, I didn't need any other woman, except I remembered I will have to marry Natalie.
• "I'm getting married soon" I found myself saying. I wish I didn't have to say it. I was marrying a lady my family wanted me to. I wondered if Mr. Philip experience such too. He should never find out that I didn't marry because I saw it necessary to, but because my family wanted me to. What a shame, I thought. He might even think I married for the contract.
• "Well, in that case, I guess you'll have to reschedule this meeting" He smiled warmly. "Two weeks, reschedule with your wife and I'll sign every document you'll have me sign". He gulped his water.
• Maya smiled from her side.
• Oh! Thank God he didn't cancel on me, I would have been sick if he did.
• "Thank you sir" I said.
• " I'll take my leave Maverick, I have a conference to attend, see you soon" He stood up and smiled with his wife standing right after him.
• "Thank you sir," Maya said standing and bowing again, as she did earlier.
• " That's okay" He said and his wife smiled. They both left afterward.
• That was close, very close. I exhaled with relief, curving my lips into a flat line, I sighed.