Rhythm

As we walked into the front yard of Zack's empire, there stood a brilliantly decorated flower garden in the shape of a crown. We watched as the Gardener planted the last row, the base of the crown. He greeted us respectfully with a smile and waited to see if we had any questions. He was in his late 50s. Lolandra and I smiled back at him and kept moving. Lolandra turned around and said, lovely garden and the Gardener smiled and thanked her. This was not a good time to engage in small talks since we were being escorted by a guard.

It was a privilege that Zack accepted our request to visit his empire and have an interview with him. Lolandra and I had tried for three years and finally got this opportunity. The empire was an architectural master piece, carefully planned. Zack’s family built their wealth from large farms which his late grandfather initiated.

The empire ventured into several other businesses aside from agriculture. Zack is an Architect and his oldest son a Civil Engineer. They owned most of the choice properties in the Eastern region of the country.

We were led into a lounge with very high walls. The window blinds were a mixture of peach and white, letting in sufficient light into the lounge. Four gold-plated brightly lit chandeliers graced the ceiling. The guard disappeared after letting us in.

Welcome Ladies, please make yourselves comfortable, said a Lady behind us. She introduced herself to us as the house keeper and said we could call her Angela.

Zack will soon be here, she said, he got an urgent call. What would you like to drink? Angela asked as she walked us to the bar area.

We both requested for soft drink. Angela poured a sparkling drink into very fine glasses and served us. As we stood drinking and staring around the lovely paintings on the wall, then walked in a fine tall gentleman. Lolandra dropped her glass at the sight of him. The man, who looked nothing like Zack went speechless as he sighted Lolandra. Lolandra rushed outside and I followed. We have to leave now, she said. What? I asked. Please Lina, please I will explain later.

I went back in and told Angela, sorry something urgent just came up, we must leave. Please tell Zack that we shall reschedule. Before I came out Lolandra was running to the car. I ran after her.

I got into the car and Lolandra zoomed off.

She was shaking and in tears. I asked her to pull over so I could drive instead.

I call this painting "Rhythm".

……To be continued.