Perpetual

We were discharged two days ago. Pearl is able to move around the house on her own even though she needs some help because of the cast on her hand. Her Aunty had suggested that she comes to live with us so that she could help her around but we both decided that because we are not married yet she shouldn’t . Sasha has been coming every day to check up on her cousin whenever she knocks off from work and Pearl seems to be happy but something is still telling me that I need to watch her closely.

‘Good morning Mr. Mweemba.’ The receptionist greets as I enter the office.

‘Good morning.’ I respond.

‘I have just emailed your schedule for the day.’

‘Thank you so much.’

‘Is there anything that I need to urgently do?’

‘You have a meeting with the board.’

‘Okay.’

I have been dreading this meeting. James mentioned that there were some concerns that were being raised by the board of directors. This business was entirely my idea but last year I had a few people buy shares and they have questioned a lot of my decision making.

Once inside the office, I call James on the landline and ask him to come to the office.

‘Good morning CEO.’ He teases.

‘Hey you.’ I say signaling for him to close the door.

‘I guess it’s about the board meeting right?’

‘Yes, what is that about?’

James shakes his head.

‘What is all this about?’

‘Leo people want to pull out.’

‘Pull out?’

‘The idea of creating this business was good on paper, people are beginning to see through the holes and they want to jump ship before we can sink.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘With the buying of the house, the new cars, pumping into Pearl’s business. We are barely surviving.’

‘I have been looking at the financials, there is no way that we can be broke.’ I say pacing up and about.

‘Unfortunately we are.’

I breathe out deeply. I had a solid plan on how this was going to go. Maybe I became a little too excited before the business was rooted in the ground and started buying assets but I thought it was to help me for a rainy day. The house and the cars were necessary plus investing into Pearl’s business is something I don’t regret because she is flourishing.

‘What now?’

‘They want to vote you out us CEO.’

‘Excuse me? How? I own 60% of the shares of the company. There is no way I can be voted out.’

‘We made the constitution remember, despite having more shares when the rest of the members decide to team up they can vote out the CEO. He has the option of selling his shares or becoming a silent and powerless member.’

‘Well that won’t happen because you are not siding with them are you?’

He scratches his head.

‘James.’

‘I am so sorry Leo. But I have a future to build, there is no way that I can allow everything we have worked hard for to go in vain all in the name of friendship.’

‘James.’

‘I love you and I care about you but you had Pearl in mind when you did everything you did. You didn’t have me or the rest of the board members, this is the same about me and everyone else. It’s nothing personal, you will still get treated with respect and you will get a monthly pay and any other benefits but this will no longer be yours. I know it will hurt but I would suggest you sell your shares and start something else.’

I chuckle.

‘I am just being honest, I will leave you for a while to think about all this.’

‘Alright.’ I say.

He walks out of the office and closes the door behind him. I don’t know what to think. I always wanted to do this, I put in my energy, my time, my sweat and everything in me just to see it from the ground up and now to hear this? I will admit I have been lagging behind of late by letting the others do my job but I didn’t realise that it was this bad. I ask the accountant to send me all the financial statements from when we started operating and he does just that. Seeing that I am still the CEO, I send an email to all the board members and tell them that the meeting will only be held after three days. I know this will not make them happy but I need to make sure that what James is telling me is true and I truly understand and believe him. I carry my laptop and text Sasha that I am going to see her. She is the only person in my circle with a financial background I hope she can help me out.

..

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

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