Too Precious Episode 32

TITLE: TOO PRECIOUS

WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 32

The next step her uncles took was to stop the doctors from giving them any information about grandfather’s condition. They couldn’t get a progress report; grandmother and PB. PB was upset and also very worried. She didn’t want my grandfather to die.

As they were battling with that, the General Manager (GM) of grandfather’s company called PB. He asked how Chief was doing and PB told him he was still unconscious in the hospital.

“Your uncles were here today. They said since their father is indisposed, every transaction of the company should go through them. I explained to them your grandfather made you a sole signatory of his companies’ accounts and you were to make all decisions concerning the company in the case he is not available”

“How come I don’t know about this?” PB asked quite surprised.

“You signed the signature forms. He made you his successor”

“Why would he do that? Why would he turn me against my uncles?”

“Did your uncles inform you or your grandmother about this move? They left here very angry. I just wanted to warn you before they get to you”

PB wondered what was going on. Her uncles that had shown her love all of a sudden had turned against her. PB waited for them to come to the hospital.

They approached her about the company. They wanted to know when grandfather made her successor. PB informed them she wasn’t aware; she only knew she was a signatory. They wanted her to official relinquish her position and appoint one of them.

“There is no need to that, grandfather is still alive” PB insisted.

“He is hanging by a thread. Even if he wakes up, there is a likelihood he will be a vegetable. He should leave honourably”

“No! He will recover and leave when it is his time. Please, let’s intercede for his recovery even if he is a vegetable or not”

“Who will take care of him? His wife is old and can’t help him much. It is even an insult to him for him to be seen in that state. We do not mean any harm at all. We need to safeguard all our father worked for. The workers can do away with proceeds from the products and contracts. One of us has to be there to ensure all is well.”

PB agreed with them. She was more worried about what they said concerning grandfather not making it or being a vegetable. They didn’t seem too worried which saddened her. When they left, she began to make enquiries for a nurse who could take care of grandfather when he gets out of the hospital.

She got a call from her grandfather’s lawyer. “Precious, your grandfather wanted you to be in charge of his group of companies. He knew his health condition and was expecting what happened. He has been ill for some time now and was hiding it from everyone. He was worried that when this happens he will not be prepared, therefore he prepared. I made him a promise I would do as he so desires.” He stopped for a few minutes and then continued, “Your uncles were here earlier today. They wanted the laptop and phone that were handed over to me. They also wanted to know why your grandfather made you a signatory to his accounts. I explained to them what their father wanted. They were upset and insisted you should not be informed of your rights. I had to search my conscience and let you know when the GM called me to inform me they were at the office too.”

“Why would grandfather leave me with such an enormous responsibility? Was that why he was involving me in all his business transactions? This will cause a big problem in the family. They have asked me to relinquish my position so they can take over.”

“You cannot relinquish your position. If you do that, an external Managing Director will be brought in while you remain the chairman. These were his orders and the entire staff are aware. That’s why whenever he is not around, he asks you to sit in for him.”

“But why?”

“Don’t be puzzled. He did the same with his sons and they proved not to be trustworthy. He left them to run the business for months when he travelled. Well, there were many discrepancies, monies were missing, staff complaints, delays in executing contracts, delays in signing financial instructions and contracts lost. They hærdly stayed in the office. Both of them were tried but they failed. When he gave you the opportunity, even the staff confessed they preferred you to Chief. He didn’t want to hand it over to you yet but now, it is beyond his control.”

“What are you saying sir?’ PB asked quite surprised, “my uncles run very successful businesses.”

“Which businesses? The only surviving businesses are the ones your grandfather is a director in. He pumped money into them and they are doing very well. He refused to cut corners and involved mainly professionals. Nothing happens there without Chief’s say. The old man has been overworked. I told him to take it easy. It is unfortunate what is happening now. Do not relinquish your position; your grandfather needs you now more than ever.”

PB was torn between the devil and the deep blue sea. She knew insisting on not relegating her position will lead to serious quarrels and misunderstandings. She needed to see her grandfather and find out what to do.

She went into the ICU to speak with her grandfather. PB held his hand and talked to him. “Grandfather, I don’t know what is going on. I don’t know what you were thinking when you named me your successor. You know how much I love my uncles and aunt but what you have done will cause a rift amongst us. Please grandfather, come out of this coma. Don’t die yet. Give me a little time to adjust to your not being here with me. Teach me how to handle your children and also your companies. This is an enormous responsibility you have given me. Please grandfather, don’t leave now. I need you more than ever.”

PB left the hospital to meet with members of staff in grandfather’s company. She decided she would let her eldest uncle be involved in the daily running of the business but anything financial will be handled by her. She also needed a daily activity summary to be sent to her so she can monitor the activities of the companies.

She did a letter appointing her uncle, Opeyemi Adeoye, the interim Managing Director and spelt out his duties. The other board directors were displeased with the idea. When she explained to them her plan, they agreed to it.

When her uncle was given the letter, he didn’t bother to read the job function. He went to work immediately. His younger brother was at the hospital. The doctors still wouldn’t divulge any information to them; rather he referred them to PB’s uncle. It was frustrating but her grandmother and mother calmed her down.

Chief opened his eye three days after being in a coma. Chief Adeoye woke up with his senses complete; he could talk, walk and use some other parts of his body. PB, her mother and grandmother were right beside him when he woke up. They were very joyful.

“Let me quickly call my uncles and let them know,” PB said to them excitedly.

Grandmother stopped her instantly, “No! Call the lawyer. Tell them he asked to speak with his lawyer first. Rotimi, your children have taken us for fools. They refused to obey the instruction you gave and also forced Precious to relinquish the position you gave her to them. The doctors and nurses here refused to give us any information about your condition. Is it fair? I hope you do something quickly about this.”

Chief smiled. He nodded his head when PB asked him if she should obey her grandmother. PB called the lawyer. They didn’t inform any of the hospital personnel that Chief was awake to buy time for the lawyer to get there before Chief’s sons. It worked.

The medical personnel were alerted that Chief was awake. They came in to attend to him asking them to wait outside. PB knew they would contact her uncles so she quickly contacted them. They were surprised to hear he was awake and very alert.

Before they arrived, Chief asked to meet with his lawyer. The doctors couldn’t insist on him not seeing the lawyer. They spoke for over two hours. Chief’s two sons had arrived and had to wait to see him.

“Who called the lawyer?” uncle Ope asked.

“I did. Grandpa asked me to call him. He was close to the hospital and arrived before you did” PB replied.

“Why would he want to see his lawyer first? What’s going on? He is not sane enough for any legal matters”

“I think he is. He asked for him to come immediately. There must be a reason why”

When the lawyer left, the two sons went in to see Chief asking the rest of the family to wait outside. Chief asked all of them to come into the hospital room. They all came in. Titi went to her husband in tears at the honour he gave to them. She hugged him and begged him not to die.

Chief, although still weak, patted her on her back and said, “My dear, it is not my desire to leave this earth now; I will go whenever I am called. I want to ensure my family wouldn’t work against each other when I eventually leave. Ope, call your sister on the phone, I want to speak with all of you at once”

Uncle Ope called his sister and put the phone on speaker so they could hear each other.

“Titi is my wife and should be accorded the respect due to her as my wife. She took very good care of all of you; that I was very aware of. That she had a son who deviated from the right path doesn’t make her irresponsible. She did a good job with three of you.” He was silent for some time. It was obvious he was trying to get enough strength to address them. “That said, Ope and Niyi, I have played an important role in your lives and helping to build your businesses. You would agree with me, I had to step in to save your companies from collapse. It is only your sister that has built her business without my physical input, only my advice. Same with Precious. We all will agree Precious set herself apart. She proved to us she can stand independently without our help. She isn’t overly ambitious. She is content with what she has which cannot be said about my sons. I have given my lawyer my final instruction. I didn’t get along very well with Titi but she is still my wife and has the final say when it comes to medical issues; not any of my children or grandchildren. I’ve told the doctors too. She must be treated with respect. I was told you removed some doc-ments and property from my room. Please return them immediately; hand them over to Titi and also the keys to my room. Titi will have the keys always.” He paused for a few minutes and then turned to Titi. “My wife, I know I haven’t been much of a husband to you. I have to apologise. Gbenga came between us. You chose Gbenga over me. That was a terrible mistake you made. Gbenga’s addiction turned you into a monster and affected our relationsh¡p. I don’t know how long I have left but I would like to make it up to you. I will like to restore you to your rightful position. Please let me do so with the little time I have left”

Titi held her husband’s hand and cried. She wept bitterly. She was also sorry and asked for forgiveness. Except for the boys, everyone in the room shed tears. It took her grandfather’s illness to restore the family. PB was overjoyed.

Titi walked to Seun and also asked her for her forgiveness. Seun wailed as she held Titi. It was as though a very heavyweight had been lifted off her shoulder; their shoulders.

“I have rewritten my will. I will share my property before I die. If anyone challenges it, the person will lose their entitlement. I am of sane mind as I say this. It is what I want. I am almost ninety, I will not be as strong and agile as I used to be but it wouldn’t stop me from doing what is right. I will put my house in order before I leave and face the consequences”

His last comment left everyone pondering. What did he mean?

Chief Rotimi Adeoye stayed two extra weeks in the hospital before he was discharged. When he got home, all his doc-ments were returned to him and in the presence of his family, he handed them over to the lawyer for safekeeping. He confessed to his family he had been ill and even had a pacemaker installed in his heart. He had to go back for a checkup before sharing his belongings.

Tbc