πŸ‘‘ Chapter Twenty One πŸ‘‘

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

ISAAC'S POV

I stood at the bottom of the stairs dressed in my grey suit waiting for Marini to come down. Tonight was the night of the Fahari Awards Ceremony and Marini was taking her time getting ready as usual. I always had to wait for her even when I gave her a thirty minute headstart but I was getting used to it. She was justified for taking that much time anyway because she always emerged looking like a queen.

Kim was running circles around me trying to get my attention but I was too distracted to pay him any attention. He eventually gave up and went to chase a ball around.

The clicking of heels drew my attention to the top of the stairs and I swallowed audibly. Marini looked out of this world in a long royal blue gown that swept the floor. It was long sleeved with top half was all lace teasing of all the skin underneath. Her breasts was covered but she still looked ethereal. From the waist down the dress flowed in pools of blue with a slit on her left leg that ended mid thigh. She was wearing silver strapped heels to match her accessories. Her hair was in bouncy curls flowing over her back and her make up was perfect.

She looked so beautiful, it hurt to look at her. How did she expect me to get over her if she kept looking so good?
I resisted the urge to lick my lips and cleared my throat instead.

"You look simply breathtaking. You'll definitely be the bella of the ball tonight." I complimented when she was two steps away from me.

She smiled at me and I felt body warm up from the inside out being the recipient of such radiance.

"I couldn't look shabby now could I with you looking like you walked out the pages of worlds most handsome men magazine." She replied and I scoffed in an attempt to brush her off but I took notice of the fact that she thought I looked good.

"With such a sweet tongue no wonder you're winning Female Entrepreneur of the year award." I replied holding out my hand for her and she took it.

"I'm not winning the award." She confessed and I looked at her puzzled.

"You aren't?" I asked.

"No I pulled a few strings and asked that they award someone else." She explained.

"You're simply magnificent." I complimented as we headed outside locking the door behind us making sure Kim was safe and secure inside.

"I try but someone else would benefit more from the award than me."She insisted and I just nodded knowing that she'd have a contradicting statement for any of my replies.

She deserved that award but she was willing to give it up so that someone else could have it. She was just the best of the best.

I had already parked the door outside and ever since we got back from the coast Marini insisted on sitting up front with me. After helping her with her dress I closed the door and went around to the driver's side.

"Ready?" I asked her.

"Nope but its not like I can back out so let's go." She replied and I took that as my cue to start driving.

A few minutes later we were out of the compound and on the highway. The event was being held at Carnivore Grounds and lucky for me I already knew where that was. Jeremy had taken me to a few places in the city when I first arrived. The places he deemed were a must know so I knew exactly where we were headed.

"Even if you don't win that award aren't there a few more you were nominated for." I quizzed.

"Yeah but those have more to do with the company than me personally." She replied.

"Well I hope you win at least one. It'll be good for business." I added and Marini laughed at me.

"What's so funny? "I asked taking my eyes off the road for a second to look at her.

"Nothing it's just funny hearing you trying to sound all business oriented." She replied and I laughed too.

"Is that your way of telling me I would make a terrible business man? "I asked.

"No this is me telling you that you're good at what you do so stick to it. "She replied.

"You didn't deny what I asked you so does that mean I'm right? "I inquired.

"No. It's just that..... You're just messing with me aren't you? "She asked realizing what I was doing.

"Yeah."I chucked and she hit me on the arm.

The banter didn't stop until we arrived at the grounds. I found a spot in the VIP area that was already reserved for her and parked the car. I got out and helped her out before taking her arm and we walked inside. There were a lot more people heading in all dressed elegantly but my eyes was on one person only. There was a red carpet where everyone was having their photographs taken and I allowed Marini to walk first all on her own as they took numerous photos of her. How she managed to smile genuinely and look graceful under all those flashes of light amazed me. Afterwards she called me over and we had a few photos taken together just for the fun of it. In her words and I quote ;"Let's give them something worthwhile to talk about". And give them something we did. We looked like a couple and would definitely make the headlines the next day. I didn't like being on the spot like that but Marini made it look so easy.

She avoided all the journalists asking questions and we headed inside. They were all useless questions anyway asking who I was or what our relationship was. Answers to all the questions, none of their business.

An usher showed us to our seats where our three siblings were already seated and we joined them after a round of hugs.

The room was huge with a lot of round tables sitting different numbers of people. There were lights everywhere and huge chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The main theme was blue and white since that's what I could see from all the table cloths and balloons used. We were seated close to the front but not directly below the stage which was good.

I turned my attention back to my companions. Amani and Jeremy were playing around with the flower petals of the arrangement in the middle of the table acting like kids. Lulu was seated there looking bored like she had rather be anywhere else other than with us.

I'd come to understand Lulu over the past few weeks. She was actually not a snob like I had first thought. She just didn't care much about people's opinions and did whatever she wanted. I admired that about her.

"Lulu single as always I see." I teased her.

"Still smooching off my sister I see."She retorted and I smiled.

Yeah she said whatever was on her mind too not caring whose feelings she hurt.

"Today of all days you guys should behave. "Marini scolded and I smiled.

"Lue knows I mean no harm. Don't you Lue? "I countered earning me a glare.

"Don't call me that. Actually don't talk to me at all."She huffed making me laugh.

"What's with you two? " Jeremy asked.

I was about to answer when Lulu stopped me with a menacing look on her face.

"Don't you dare. "She warned and I kept my mouth shut not wanting to anger her anymore.

The reason she was more prickly than usual was that she had lost a fight to me. She had come over to hangout with Marini a few days ago. She had challenged me to a duel when she found Marini busy just to pass the time. We had nothing in common except for our passion for staying in shape. Instead of awkwardly watching a movie together we decided to spar. Lulu was great but I was much more experienced than her and was still larger than her. She did hold her own quiet well though.

She had noticed me holding me back when we had started and had told me to quit it and after being called a girl a few times I gave her what she wanted. Long story short she lost and was now mad at me for losing for the first time in her life. I didn't escape unscathed though because ribs still hurt. Her kicks were packed and so we're her fists. I knew she wasn't really mad at me though because I did give her some pointers to help her fight better after she tapped out which drew us closer.

"So who are we appointing today to go receive the awards on behalf of your company?"Amani asked cutting through my thoughts.

"Not me."Lulu declared.

"I'll go."Jeremy volunteered.

"Me too."Amani chimed.

"No one's going. My COO is here today so he'll receive the awards." Marini answered killing their dreams of a few minutes of fame.

"Why don't you receive the awards yourself?" I asked her and she shrugged without replying.

I guess I wasn't going to get my answer. I turned my attention back to the stage when someone started talking. I zoned out and started thinking about anything else just to keep my mind occupied. They were droning on and on about the history of the awards and that was boring.

I did pay attention to the performances by some of the musicians and comedians invited. I didn't understand some of the jokes since I wasn't that acquainted to Kenyan slang but I did enjoy the music. It was lively and put everyone in a good mood. By the time the awards were being given out I wasn't so bored.

I didn't pay attention to the awards won by other companies but I did catch the awards that Zuri Safaris won. They won the award for Best Service In Tourism And Hospitality which made Marini beam in pride; an award In The Best Use of Social Media which Amani was super happy about because all that had been her idea. The last award won was The Customer Focus Award.

The Female Entrepreneur Of The Year Award went to a lady by the name of Leila Hassan. She had been so happy to win she could barely talk without crying. All the while Marini had clapped for her with a proud smile on her face. She was not even a little bitter for not getting the award. She really was all for empowering other women. Leila's business was named Trash To Gold where they turned a lot of plastic trash into different house hold items like shopping bags, curtains, containers for potted plants and so many more. She did deserve the award for turning the world cleaner and safer.

I thought the awards were over until I saw the MC walk back to the stage with another award after Leila was done.

"Before we wrap this up and get to the after party we have one more award to present. It goes out to the most deserving person out there who forfeited her award to benefit another person..." He rambled on.

"Did they have to make up some award just to get me up there?" Marini whispered to me as the MC continued talking.

"I don't think it's made up and you do deserve an award." I replied and she just rolled her eyes at me.

"Before she has our necks for this thinking we made up and award just for her I want to say that the data required to give this award was done through a survey and a lot of questionnaires. All employees of the companies present today received an anonymous email asking them to give a review about their bosses. I can tell you that not all of them came back positive. You're employees had a lot to say about you and not all of it good. I won't mention names but some of you need to be better bosses. Anyway one company shocked us all because of the positive reviews they had about their boss. Even with a strike in one of her branches they still had nothing but good things to say. The good reviews were not out of fear because they were designed in a such a way that needed compete honesty. So without further ado I'd like to present the Award For The Best Employer to Marini Kiarie, CEO and owner of Zuri safaris."He announced and everyone clapped out loud.

Everyone on our table had nothing but proud smiles on their faces and were definitely clapping the loudest. I remembered getting that questionnaire, I even asked Marini about it but she brushed it off saying it was probably issued out by HR to improve company efficiency.

Marini got up and walked up the steps to the stage. She shook hands with the MC and before taking her award and facing the microphone. The claps died down and Marini cleared her throat.

"Well I definitely was not expecting that since I had no idea this would happen. I'm speechless as I wasn't ready for this but I do want to say two things. First is to congratulate all those who won the awards today. You deserve them and keep up doing the good work. Second is to say thank you to all my employees for this award. I don't know how you guys found out about the strike but there was a strike in my Mombasa branch after an employee became too greedy but I handled it. Thank you so much for this honour. Treat others how you would like to be treated no matter their social standing. That's one of the principles I live by. Thank you to my family for the unending support and I thank God because without Him I would not be here today. Be blessed and be kind always."She ended her speech and got a standing ovation for her words.

I saw her wipe off a stray tear as she walked back towards us.

How could someone be so perfect? She was the whole package rolled into one person. God's magnificent creation.

She sat back down and I handed her a handkerchief which she took with a grateful smile. I was so proud of her.

################################

Now I want an award 😭😭😭😭.

Vote. Comment. Share

Be blessed.

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net