Chapter 29 I Hope I am Not Too Late
Since it was still early, Edwin wanted to go home and sleep. However, he was scared that his beloved sister would do everything in her power to stop him from fetching his wife and daughter. Even if he could ask the helpers to wake him up, his sister would interfere. So, he decided to go to the Martins Group to spend time with his brother-in-law.
When he arrived at the company, he walked to the receptionist and said, “My name is Edwin Parker, I would like to see CEO Martins.” The receptionist called CEO Martins’ secretary and said, “Secretary Beck, I have Mr Parker here, he is looking for CEO Martins.” Secretary Beck knew that Mr Parker was CEO Martins’ brother-in-law. A few minutes later, Edwin was escorted to the CEO’s office.
Edwin smiled and said, “Brother-in-law, I wanted to go home to rest but I am scared that my sister will sabotage my plans. Hence, I am here. When I arrived at the airport, I went to the ticket sales department. They told me that there was a cancellation of a business class ticket. I took it as a sign that the Lord wants our marriage to work.”
Secretary Beck handed him a bottle of mineral water. He thanked him and said, “I decided to play away from my sister because she doesn’t like my wife. She is praying for us to be separated. Also, she told me that she would get a good lawyer to fight for my daughter’s custody. Elizabeth confessed to me that she was using my niece to come between us.”
He drank the water and said, “I was a fool brother-in-law; I nearly lost someone I love the most because of my sister. When I heard about the airplane crash, I was beside myself. I was relieved when I found out that she was still alive. My wife has given up on me. She told me that she would send me the divorce papers. I want to show her that I have changed. I hope I am not too late.”
August looked at his brother-in-law with a surprised expression and replied, “I have no words, brother-in-law. For her to use my daughter to achieve her goals is despicable. Should she hurt my daughter again, I will surely divorce her. What time is your flight, brother-in-law?”
Edwin told him that his flight would depart at 8 pm. August walked to his bedroom. His daughter was sleeping peacefully. He picked her up, and then he walked to his office. He gently laid her on the sofa. He walked back to the bedroom and came back with a blanket. He then covered his daughter with a thin blanket because the air conditioner was on.
August looked at his brother-in-law and said, “Why don’t you take your changing clothes from your car before you take a nap?” Edwin went to his car and came back with his luggage bag. August promised to wake him up at 5 pm. Edwin thanked his brother-in-law and walked to the bedroom to sleep. His face was haggard. It showed that he was not sleeping well.
When Avery woke up, she was surprised to see herself sleeping on the sofa. She smiled sweetly at her father and asked, “Daddy, did I sleepwalk to the sofa?” Her father laughed as he sat beside her and replied, “Yes, you did. I am joking; Uncle Edwin is sleeping in the bedroom. He is going to Australia tonight to fetch Aunt Cathy and Lily.”
Avery looked at her father puzzled and asked, “Was he scared to go back home because of his sister? I know that she will never allow my handsome uncle to fetch Aunt Cathy, she doesn’t like her.” Her father put his hand on his daughter’s mouth and said, “Sweetheart, don’t say those words, your uncle will be sad.” Avery nodded her little head and zipped her mouth. Her father smiled and kissed her on top of her head.
Avery told her father that she wanted to pee. He didn’t want to disturb his brother-in-law. So, he took her hand and walked out of the office. On their way to the ladies’ room, they met Director Shirley Brooks. She smiled at Avery and asked, “Do you need help, CEO Martins?” He told her that he was taking his daughter to the ladies’ room.
Shirley looked at Avery and said, “You are lucky Miss Martins, I am on my way to the ladies’ room too. Let’s go and make ourselves pretty.” Avery giggled when Shirley showed her a cosmetic bag. Shirley took her hand, and then they walked to the ladies’ room. Since her arm was in a cast, Shirley helped her with her clothes. Avery washed her hand, and then she thanked Aunt Shirley for her help.
On their way back to the CEO’s office, Shirley said, “You are so beautiful, Miss Martins. Are you in kindergarten or are you homeschooled?” Most wealthy families provide private lessons for their children. Avery told her that she was doing Grade 2 at Trinity Leadership Academy.
Shirley didn’t believe her because she was aware that Avery was five years old. She smiled but she didn’t correct her. She was reminded of her five-year-old son. He was telling everyone who was asking that he was doing Grade 5 instead of Grade 00.
She knocked at CEO Martins’ door, and then they entered the office. CEO Martins thanked Director Brooks for her help. She smiled and said, “You have a beautiful daughter, CEO Martins. She put a smile on my face when she told me that she was in Grade 2. My son is like that too.”
CEO Martins smiled and replied, “She was not lying. She is currently doing Grade 2 with my elder son, Aiden. She is highly intelligent. Principal Glen has selected her to participate in the Mathematics Olympiad competition and I believe she will do well.” Director Brooks was dumbfounded. She couldn’t believe her ears. She smiled when thinking about herself when she was in Grade 12. She was struggling and Mathematics was her worst subject.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
She looked at Avery and asked, “CEO Martins, what is she reading?” CEO Martins told her that she was reading an Accounting book for Grade 12. Was she not supposed to read fairytale stories or draw pictures with crayons? She heard that CEO Martins was highly intelligent too and he started the Martins Group at the age of 16. She felt sorry for Aiden to be surrounded by geniuses. She bade Avery goodbye and went back to her office.