The lawyer had used all sorts of legalese to convince him not to transfer those shares to Gladys but he hadn‘t listened. He had forged ahead regardless.
“Yes I did, not that it matters now. We can pull through this takeover even without those shares.”
Edward pulled himself together and folded the papers in his hands into his jeans pocket. He would call Gladys but only to tell her not to expect him yet. For now he needed to find a way to secure his business.
“This is not easy for me to say but you guys did a thorough job. Thanks.” They shook hands and then Edward asked to be left alone. “I‘ll join you shortly.”
**********
She was not paying any attention to the NTA network news that was just about to start on the bedroom television when her phone rang. Gladys answered it right away.
“Hello, Darling what‘s happening?”
“I have to be here much longer,” Edward said. “Expect me around midnight.”
“Do you want me to come over? Have you eaten? Should I bring you some food?”
“No thank you. I‘ll get them to send out for something here. And Gladys we need to talk, but not on the phone.” The stiffness was clear in his tone.
“Edward, please tell me what‘s wrong.” It must be serious, so why was he keeping it to himself?
“I think you already have an idea Gladys.”
“I do?” Was she supposed to know? They did frequently talk about his business but her brain was still in vacation mode.
“I have to go, we‘ll talk when I get back if you‘re still awake.” The phone clicked.
Gladys tried to order her thoughts, to regain some control over a day that begun so well, but had gone awry. In the past hour since her call with Ola, she‘d started on the unpacking. She‘d earlier sent a text to Edward after two calls failed to go through. The message said she loved him and that he should call her.
Now wondering if he read the message, unbidden tears slowly made tracks down her cheeks. The way Edward just talked to her made that hard to believe. Was this the same man who had walked down the steps of that Air France plane with her this evening on their way back from their trip? Gladys looked across the room to where the luggage and some clothes were still strewn around and drew a deep breath. She decided to call Kanayo and pick his brains.