Chapter 4 The Project

• The sound of the rifle startled Barry up, he squinted at the bright sun blinding him as it shone through the window. It was morning already? A knock that sounded like a Batton rumbled the door, the voice of Tanya rang a bell. He was awake but where was he? Was he not in 'solitary' again. He rubbed his eyes and the picture became clearer, he indeed was in some room.
• 'Oh no, I'm at my in-laws.'
• Barry rushed up on his feet, taking out his 9mm from under the pillow and concealing it back onto the wardope.
• The door swung open and Tanya peeped in, "have you showered yet? We all waiting for you here."
• "Gimme a second," he said. Barry put on his slippers and sneaked into the shower.
• When he arrived at the sitting room, they all got off the couch without even greeting him. The old woman Susan gave him a cold look and pouted in anger as she turned to leave. As usual Barry drove like a snail despite the fact that he was the cause of them being late for the meeting again. Secretly, he laughed his heart off everytime Susan squealed from anger while constantly glancing at her watch.
• When the family arrived they already found the house was fire, as the family's quarrelling rattled the building.
• As soon Tanya sat down, she asked, "what's going on?"
• "Well, if your family bothered to arrive on time you would know what's happening now wouldn't you?" Grandmother Lydia scoffed.
• "Listen kids, the Jackson Five Conglomerates Corporation project will not be an easy pie to get, for purposes of clarification to the late arrivals. The Jackson corporation has put out a five billion dollar construction project. They will be building a high end, luxurious mall at the old factory vacated area of crown mines just outside the city. As you might have heard, the gorvement halted factory business in the area when they broke pollution laws. As a result, the Jackson Five Corporation bought the land and is being cleared as we speak. The Jackson corporation has put out the projects and are looking for companies to collaborate with in the building of the project. Now, we the Jefferson Corporation will and must get that project." The old lady said and picked up a glass of water.
• 'Jackson-Five Conglomerates Corporation?' Barry said to himself, 'could it be?'
• "Now listen here," grandmother's continued, "I know for a fact, that only a woman stands a much better chance at getting this job. I've heard from reliable intell that that Mr Brian Hayes is quiet fond of young beautiful ladies. So, if you must get this project, even for a mere one hundred million dollars, you must put on your best attire and look extra pretty when you go there. Now, which one of you women will go and represent us?
• "Grandmother, this is exactly what I've been saying, you can't disregard us men over this. We also want the opportunity to present."
• "Timothy, listen to me, go ahead and try your best, you have my blessings."
• "Grandmother, I will go," Marry Jefferson said.
• "You will?" Grandmother was not happy, her eyes kept glancing at Mandy Jefferson, as the renowned pretty lady of the family, next to Tanya, Mandy was her favourite. She had brought a few projects to the Jefferson family in the past, and she had all the trust on her, but for some reason she was quiet.
• "Mandy my dear, are you not going to try?"
• "Oh! I will grandmother," Mandy said, "Isn't Tanya going to try too, granny?" She gave Tanya a competitive smile. Since they were young, Tanya and Mandy had had a heated rivalry, it started with who had the best toys, then who was prettier, soon it became about who would get the best men, then husband.
• Tanya had beaten her on the latter, but Mandy felt she had won as Tanya had married a useless convicted son-in-law. So every moment she got, she would tease Tanya about her useless hubby. She even got Marry to join her on her parade. But now that years had passed since and she was still single. She had toned down on her insults, instead she focused more on business and getting the title of the best grandchild of the family and eventually being rewarded as CEO of the Jefferson corporation in the future.
• "Useless Tanya cannot get the job done, grandmother," Marry butted in. "Even her useless convict of a husband couldn't do anything to help her if the world depended on it. But my husband Donald Young knows a few people in the inside, he will help me achieve this project."
• "It's true, grandmother, I have a friend who works at the Jackson five corporation, so we will find a way to win it." Donald said sitting down.
• Grandmother was pleased, one could see through her happy face.
• "Are you going to let them bully you? Raise your hand and tell her you will also present," Barry whispered.
• "What?" Tanya asked surprised. "You know very well I don't do well in presentations, why would I want to do that?"
• "Trust me," Barry gave her a look of confidence.
• Tanya reluctantly stood up. "I...I will also present granny."
• "What?"
• Everyone was shocked, since when did Tanya ever do anything in the company except being a pretty face and doing manial administration jobs.
• "Tanya dear, what inspired you to be so brave?" Grandmother asked.
• Tanya bit her lips and looked back at Barry before telling on him, "Barry, grandmother, he…"
• "Snitch!" Barry grumbled.
• "This useless live-in son-in-law, how could he inspire anybody?" Timothy said loudly. "He is not even inspired to go find a job, an ordinary pay day job, an honest pay-check for godsake! But he has the gaul to inspire the weak?"
• Everyone laughed when they heard this. They all came up with the same conclusions, "how worthless was this man, he had absolutely no shame."
• "DO NOT BEAT A DOG WHEN ITS DOWN!" came a familiar voice.