"Watomi has an illness of low blood sugar but Doctor Fred has placed her in a state of comfort", a feminine voice spoke to the screen of her PC. "When did this happen?", her recipient quizzed with deep concern. "Like an hour ago", she replied. "I called her down to breakfast and on reaching the dinning, she passed. I called Doctor Fred who was quick to arrive here and swiftly curb the situation", she finished exhaustedly.
"How's she feeling right now?", the masculine voice rang through the screen. "She's alright thankfully but Fred says he'll be here later in the day to check how she's fairing plus have a word with us both on her health status when he has a more confirmed medic report. Please honey, reschedule whatever meetings you have and fly back here asap", she pleaded with the receiver who about three thousand miles out of her reach.
hours later, the door bell beside the gigantic polished door buzzed
"Welcome sir. Hope your flight was stress-free?", the plum housekeeper asked with her chubby cheeks puffed in a bright smile while reaching out to grab his suitcases from the gardener-cum-gatekeeper who accompanied the wealthy man to the door. "Thank you Agnes, my flight was just fine", her boss replied with a little trace of tiredness.
"Honey?", Vanessa was surprised to see a man who she was expecting in the next few hours arrive sooner. Climbing down from the peak of the stairs she was standing to go embrace her husband she hadn't seen in a week, "You got here quite in a flash". Snuggling the pretty woman, "You said ASAP and you know I only do what the boss says", he teased to ease up the tension he sensed in her. "How are you Vanessa dear?", he asked into her face cupped in his hands. She let out a spur which held all the explanation he needed to tell how she was fairing. As much as he cared for his daughter, he cared more for his wife who was a career woman at the time of their first encounter during one of his company's promo shooting. She was the lead model there that day; flawless and ravishing, down to her name. But apart from her physical attributes, she was a treasure within when he got to know her better.
When they had Watomi, she decided to only do the modeling gigs that wouldn't interfere with her wifey/motherly duties. This and many other compromises she'd made over the course of their marriage has heightened the love Richard has for her. They were a true example of love to the public eye and most especially to their daughter.
** later in the evening that day after Fred and his team of lab gurus had done their necessary duties on Watomi, the medical professional and the parents of the patient were seated in the large study of the rather exquisite mansion**
“I will be very honest and simple with my terms to get my message across. Your kid has some health draw downs which can only be medically proven as some ailment similar to low blood sugar level for the time being. Although I and my other fellow practitioners know that there’s more to this, we wouldn’t risk Watomi’s life to a possible eternity of wide research to fully grasp the nature of her predicament. My suggestion is to place her on a healthy sugar consumption diet and to occasionally bring her in for more tests to be ran so we stay updated on the progress she makes”, Fred reported.
“Can you recommend a dietitian if you don’t mind?”, Richard asked.
“Way ahead of you Ricchy”, Fred commented. “I already got the perfect diet plan from an old friend who is a well to do dietitian. Check your emails, both of you”.
Richard and Vanessa both checking their mobiles
“Am I the only one seeing this or is this a wrong email?”, Vanessa spoke as she slowly quizzingly raised her head from the white light shining from her Iphone’s screen to scan the faces of the two men in the room with her.
“Haha, don’t fret Van”, Fred reassured her. “I have been your family’s doctor for five years now and Richard’s personal for the longest time I can remember so I can firmly tell you that what you’ve encountered in that email is no joke.
“Ok Fred, we are not countering your words and credibility in your field but what my wife is struggling to comprehend is that there are just a bunch of chocolate doses at stipulated times of the day on this plan”, Richard spoke at last.
“Before settling for this plan, I had put up at least nine more dietitians on this quest to find the right fit for Watomi. Remember last year when she was rushed into the hospital because she passed, the cause of her passing out wasn’t immediately discovered. Hours later, I found out something in her blood sample, all thanks to one of my lab guys who re-ran the test. I then sent out words to my colleagues who in their own opinions suggested a plan to get the blood sugar at the right level in Watomi to keep her stable and alive while making further research on the true nature of this rare ailment thus birthing a remedy. All fingers of the dietitians involved were pointing to dark chocolate as the healthiest way to get a kid’s blood sugar steadily high. So there you have it”, Fred finished.
“It’s been up to nine months since this incident, why didn’t you say anything concerning this to my wife or me?”, Richard calmly asked
“I didn’t want to put you or Van on the edge so I thought it would be best to have a handful information regarding your kid before sharing it with you. Apologies for acting without your knowledge”, the doctor pleaded.
“It’s ok. You did what you did with good intentions so thank for watching over Watomi from a distance”, Richard said appreciatively. “So what brand of chocolate is going to execute this job better?”, they were back to the issue at hand.
“Dark ‘n’ Healthy is a product from Chokolatey World that has shown good credibility in the aspect of being a healthy bite for young and old”, Fred recommended.
“Alright, my secretary will be on its supply down here”, Richard affirmed
“Thank you so much for your help Fred. It has been tremendous”, Richard firmly shook the hand of his old friend who he had escorted to his car moments after their talk in the study.
twelve years later
“Mom, I’m all set”, grown Watomi called out to her mom from the living room.
Vanessa, who aged like some fine wine, charismatically strode down the stairs from her room to her daughter who was all set to leave for a sleep over at her friend’s. “Do you have your doses for the period you’ll be spending there?”, she asked
“Yes ma. It was literally the first thing I packed”, the younger lady replied
“And you said you’ll be back by when”, Vanessa asked as she simultaneously scrolled up and down her phone.
“By noon and you don’t have to place a tracker on me mom, I will only be like seven blocks away from here”, she spoke as soon as she had figured out what her mom was doing on her phone.
“Baby, don’t make it sound so bad. I really can’t take any chances when you’re out of my sight. Besides, you convinced me to let you drive down there on your own so I think what I’m doing is for the just cause”, Vanessa charmingly brought herself out of Watomi’s net.
“Mom, I’ll be clocking 22 in a matter of months, I’m a healthy young woman who can take care for herself so you don’t have to be extra when it comes to me, Ok?”, she picked up the keys to the red convertible she got as a gift on her 16th birthday.
Snuggling her child, Vanessa murmured “Mummy will always be extra”.
“Hey girls”, Watomi happily announced her arrival to the three other girls who were equally glad to see her. Sharon, Muna and Tina were the closest things to sisters that Watomi had and she held them dear. She hasn’t really been able to make friends since she was occasionally traveling for the series of tests that were paramount in regards to her health. Except for some boy she had a big crush on during her primary school days, she barely had friends but for the past two years, she had been able to stay long enough to make real friends. They decided to spend the one month holiday they had together before college life would set in.
“Have you seen the recent tweet about the owners of Chokolatey World?”, Sharon said with deep concern for Watomi. The girls knew about their friend’s illness and so, they try their best to be of help in her time of need.
“You have their twitter handle?”, Muna asked. There was a touch of amusement and surprise in her voice. “How did you get it?”, she was wild with curiosity towards her friend who has an obsession for the cute owner of that handle.
“Seriously Muna, are you really asking this?”, Tina replied on Sharon’s behalf. “Sharon possesses a reputable persona on all social places both online and offline plus she has always had a knack for being in contact with cute guys who caught her enormous fantasies. Remember that one time at a birthday party we all attended at Rose’s? She trailed this ‘tall glass of hot chocolate' dude (as she would describe) till he gave up all his means of contact. So please don’t underestimate the power of our Sharon”, Tina narrated causing laughter and squeaks to fill the richly decorated room.
“Thank you so much Tina for refreshing these fading memories of my abilities”, Muna gestured charismatically causing the girls to chuckle out loud. “But back to the tweet, these guys are closing up shop and they intend to throw a farewell party to ‘properly’ bid the company a goodbye? Kkinda weird but that's not our main concern. What will our darling Watomi do about the required supplies of her sugar doses?” All eyes of heartfelt concern fell on her. She knew it was her time to speak and whatever it was she said, they’d do.
“I don’t know girls. I’ll let my parents know about this asap but thank you girls for letting me get to know this.”Watomi’s mood was reaching for it’s climax when Muna teased “You should use your socials more often babe. This ain’t the Stone Age”. They laughed at her weak sense of humor but it was all they really needed to wade off the looming sadness that was about taking over their jovial moments.
Returning home from the sleepover, Watomi was met with her mother’s high level of concern about Chokolatey World’s decision to seize production.
“I also found out yesterday mom, thanks to Sharon”, she said as she thuds into the very expensive and comfy sofa situated opposite the large tv.
“I called your father and luckily he should be arriving the airport right about…”, Vanessa held out her hand to confirm the time of the day from the exquisite piece that wrapped her wrist. “Now! Oh! I agreed to pick him up from the airport on my way from grocery”, she exclaimed fussily
“Chill out mum”, her daughter advised in a chill tone. “I’m sure Mr George can easily go get dad and Mrs Williams can do the shopping for you”, she said reluctantly
“It’s the weekend and they are both with their respective families. It’s been months since they last spent some quality time with their loved ones so I asked them to take the weekend off”, Vanessa replied. “So I have to go. I’ll be back. There’s food in the kitchen if you need something to eat and don’t forget to take your sugar dose”, she instructed as she walked out quickly
After dinner, the three had a discussion concerning Chokolatey World. “I've had my secretary prepare a partnership deal with the young CEO of Chokolatey World so we will be attending the party that is thankful an open invitation kind and since it’s summer, why don’t we add a vacation to it?”, Richard said lively to the delight of the two women. “We leave in two days so Vanessa dear, let the house workers know we’ll be out of town for the time being”, he pointed
“Uhm, dad, mom, would it be cool to ask the girls to tag along? They crave this party especially Sharon and it will also be a boost to my interactiveness if I have them around”, Watomi sought. “If their parents are fine with it then anything for you child”, Vanessa approved with the nod she received from Richard in support. They arrived at the final decision to attend the party, offer the partnership deal, seal it and secure Watomi’s one ticket to continued living till a remedy is found by the medical professionals on it.
Two days later, Richard, Vanessa and the four girls were in the magnificent house of the prestigious chocolate maker in the whole of South Carlifonia.
Sticking to the event’s dress code of dark chocolate, the attendees of the party were all looking gorgeous in their respective wears.
At 19:00, the dinner party kicked off. “Welcome everyone and thank you all for taking out time from your busy schedules to grace this event”, a young man’s voice came through a microphone to steal the attention of the crowd. “I’m overwhelmed to host you all wonderful partners and patriots of Chokolatey World”, he continued
Sharon was busy filling up her mobile with selfies of the anchor, updating her socials and dishing the caramel skinned host looks of charm but Watomi was struck. She couldn’t believe who she was staring at. “Guys it’s Micheal”, she alerted her girls beside her. “You mean the Micheal? Your childhood crush?!”, Muna instantly quizzed
“Exactly that Micheal. That’s him addressing the crowd”, Watomi confirmed with a ray of redness on her cheeks. They weren’t paying attention to the speech but to the speaker who was dashing in his looks and eloquent in his words.
“So as we celebrate the fifth year memorial of my beloved parents, we also let go of Chokolatey World; not in grief but in good fate, reliving the memories of all the love it has spread throughout the years of its service to humanity. Thank you”. Micheal’s announcement was followed by flashes of camera lights and a round of applause from his audience.
“You must have a great taste in things to be at this side of the buffet”, Michel’s voice rang behind Watomi and her girls who were getting chocolate bites from the spot tagged Dark ‘n’ Healthy. “Watomi, what a pleasant surprise”, he continued as the ladies turned to meet him. They were definitely starstruck but Watomi was bold enough to speak up.
“Do I still look so familiar that you remember me, Micheal?”, Watomi spoke with a cheeky smile on her face
“Do I, Watomi?”, he returned. This made her smile widen.
“Nice to see you again. It’s been ages”, he reached out for a friendly hug
Remembering she had her friends with her, she did the appropriate thing by introducing them. “Pleasure to meet you lovely ladies”, he complimented in a gentlemanly way.
“Excuse us, we’ll be with Watomi’s parents”, Muna matured pulled the other two to give the old friends time to catch up. Watomi could kiss her right now.
“So, you are a CEO or would I say an ex?”, Watomi began
“Haha, still have got your sense of humor intact, I see”, Micheal mused. “Although I might be an ex-CEO right now but I do have other businesses I run so technically, I rock both shoes”, he informally added.
“As presumed”, she said. “But don’t you think there might be a possibility that some people are so dependent on Chokolatey World and taking it down just suddenly could cause a havoc in their lives?”, she stylishly threw at him
“Hmm, I don’t think there’s such a possibility and even though it existed, the chance would be 1%”, he replied formally.
“There he is. Micheal, allow me introduce to you a friend of mine, Mr Richard Hudson”, Micheal’s uncle interrupted
“Hello Mr Hudson”, Micheal greeted Watomi’s father with a firm handgrip
“Nice to meet you Micheal. I see you’ve met my daughter”, Richard commented.
“Oh, that’s a surprise. I had no idea she was yours”, Micheal couldn’t hide his surprise
“Dad, Micheal and I used to be friends back in the primary”, Watomi said
“Uncle Larry, this is Watomi”, Micheal introduced
“Nice to meet you Watomi. Micheal occasionally made mention of you”, the grey bearded man said causing Watomi to cast a look of utter surprise at the young man standing beside her
“Uncle! TMI”, Micheal said
“Haha, ok Micheal. So Mr Richard here says he has something important to discuss with you and as a good friend he has been to me, I advice you give him a listening ear in the study”, uncle Larry said as he gestured towards the polished door that beheld the location they sought. “I’ll be back”, Michael reassured Watomi
Moments later, Watomi was with her mom and the girls seated round a table conversing and giggling at intervals when Michael came to steal her for the moment.
“Why didn’t you mention anything concerning your health to me?!”, the young man asked authoritatively when they were a distance away from the house. “We’ve been in touch as friends all these while, not until six years ago when you just suddenly ghosted me. You didn’t mention anything about your sugar level ailment to me”
“It was of no use saying anything and I know how inquisitive you can be so I decided to get rid of that by changing my contacts”, Watomi confessed
“So what are you going to do now that you’ve finally found out all of my secrets? Will you take my dad’s offer or still go ahead with closing Chokolatey World for good? I need my doses to stay stable till a cure for this ailment is discovered”, she said almost tearfully
Pulling her to a soothing hug, he said “Chokolatey World is still going down and I’m not taking up your father’s deal”
This made her pull away. “Do you even care one bit?!” This time tears dropped.
“Surely, I do. Very much in fact when it comes to you but that company’s decision is final. That’s business”, he said to further chase Watomi’s hopes away
The young lady was sad, confused, frustrated and was in a lot of other feelings concerning this charmer and his straightforwardness.
“I used to think you were my guardian angel cuz of the help you’ve always rendered selflessly to me back then and that made me like you but right now, I wish I didn’t fall for you sways”. She was stopped in her angry March back into the house when he chuckled loudly, “I knew it Watomi. I knew you liked me. You could have said so earlier you know”. He continued to chuckle till he got to where she stood. “I have always fantasized how I’d only make chocolates with my wife and kids when I had them. Childish right?”, he sought her opinion but he got none
“So I will only make Dark ‘n’ Healthy for you if you choose to make them with me”, he offered
“What kind of a whack proposal is that”, Watomi finally spoke amidst wiping her face.
“I’m asking you to be my girlfriend”, Micheal said in clearer terms.
“How do I know you’re not joking around? Do you have the recipe?”, she inquired.
“Come on Watomi. I think you’ve known me enough to tell when I’m serious or joking”, he replied.
“I like you ok. I always have. I just didn’t know how you’d take it if I had spoken up earlier. Plus I didn’t want to spoil our friendship that was starting to bloom into a…”
A mouth lock with Watomi’s stopped him from uttering more words. She was tired of hearing about the missed opportunities. She was just glad that she was with him and with him, she’d live longer in his love and chocolate doses.