𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞

Chapter Nine

        

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The morning sun shone more brightly than usual, shooting shafts of light over the swimming pool. Matthew lifted his face to feel it, tightly closing his eyes to wade off the brightness, his trainer-fitted shoes standing on a tree trunk. He could feel and hear the vibrating wind whistling through the trees as well as the rustling of leaves under father Josè's feet. It was as calming as it was vibrant.

Looking as far as his eyes could reach, he found himself in the middle of woodland, listening to birds chirping, mosquitoes buzzing, and other foreign sounds he couldn't identify. He saw an antelope hopping over a fallen branch and a rabbit leaping into the air and running for cover.

"It's beautiful out here," he told father Josè, his voice almost a whisper, shoving his hands in his grey tracksuit. The priest shifted his eyes on him, seeing the small boy he once was to the confident man standing beside him with the wind ruffling his hair. He wondered if Matthew had heard the wistful tone in his voice.

"Yes, it is," he answered, running his own eyes around. He had been here before, countless times, felt the sun caressing his face more times than he could count, but he had never been used to the beauty of it—the magnificent view of nature at its finest. Father Josè watched Matthew take a photo of a white stork flying midway in a circle and then flipping away, disappearing among the trees.

After taking a walk, Matthew went to his room to make a video conference call. He needed to video call his assistant Isaac, secretary Mrs. Rodrigos, and the company's head of legal department, William.

"How is the deal in Rwanda going, William?" he asked, leaning on the leather chair he sat on, picking the steaming hot cup of coffee beside him. He took a sip and almost smiled at the simple, fresh lilies in a small yellow ceramic small vase that exuded such a homely feeling. This must be what home feels like, he thought. The white mahogany desk he was using had ample space to place everything he needed to conduct his business at the time of his visit.

William hesitated. He did not want to disappoint his employer yet again, but he had no choice. "The partners have agreed," he started with the good news, which Matthew already knew, and he gave him a puzzled look, but William needed a lifeline first before he could drop the ball filled up with bad news.

"But Rwanda's Development Board is taking more time than we expected to approve of the investment," Matthew sighed, running impatient fingers through his hair, " what's taking it so long?" he insisted, fixing his gaze at William.

"We have to go through some hoops because Ocean Corporation is a foreign company, and the Rwandan government insists on checking us out, which they claim to be still doing." William cleared his throat as he waited to hear what specific questions Matthew would ask.

"Anyone asked for a bribe?" Will shock his head.

"Has there been an indication that a bribe would speed up the process?"

"None that I have picked up," William responded as he uncomfortably adjusted himself on his chair.

Isaac watched as one of the best legal minds trembled under Matthew's intense glare and waited for his chance to be grilled.

"How long do we need to jump through these hoops..." he paused for a second or so before he said," before we get approval?" was there a hint of sarcasm in his tone? William wondered, but he wasn't sure since he hadn't had much interaction with the boss. There was a rumour within the company that he abhorred lawyers, watching how he glowered at him; it was probably true.