Chapter ONE
The Humble Applicant.
In the classically designed and magnificent Human Resources Hall of the renowned Anderson Cosmetics Conglomerates Unlimited, in London, United Kingdom, formally dressed members of the Board sat to interview applicants for the few “new openings” in their establishment. At the head of the Board was a young woman – a fair, gorgeous beauty with an unforgettable glow, and sparkling blue pair of eyes… The Seven Board members asked preliminary enquiries about the applicant’s job permit and other relevant questions, which he brilliantly responded to. Then, the Director of Human Resources spoke up, while gesturing to the Applicant to have his seat, passing the baton to the Acting Chairman of the Panel.
“Miss George-Orji, this applicant would be interviewed for the position of your Personal Chauffeur. I think you should go ahead.”
Miss Alexa Ndidi George-Orji was calm, taking a careful look at the gentleman before her panel. The gentleman was formally dressed in an impeccable black suit, wearing shoulder-length flowing hair and a neat, clean pair of spectacles. He has a bewitching blue pair of eyes that was protected with a crystal-clear pair of gold-rimmed spectacles. He spotted the well-trimmed moustache and a scholarly handsome mien. The man’s Curriculum Vitae was quite impressive, but the emolument was good enough for a Post-Graduate Employee. Moreover, the available job on offer is that of a Chauffeur, and she needs someone that could flow with her effectively, and act as a Personal Assistant where such duties are called for.
“Mr. Reynold Chang… Looking through your resumé, you have, absolutely, no work experience in any establishment. Of course, you have recommendations from the Fleet Driver Trainers who groomed you, and the Drivers’ Bureau that checked on you… With a First-Class degree in Finance and a master’s degree in Money Management from Oxford, what led you into the Drivers’ Bureau? You had also stated that you were an orphan from a very poor background. How did you fund your education?”
The Applicant stood up and bowed with respect, then informed the Board about how the MP - representing Uxbridge and South Ruislip – picked him up from the midst of Trainee Fleet Drivers and sponsored his Education. With a keen eye, Miss Alexa George-Orji asked further,
“Mr Reynold Chang… Are you related to any family in Achaia?”
The Applicant humbly responded again: “Yes, I hail from Achaia. I left to seek greener pastures. I learnt from the MP that one of the rulers of Achaia has a name that sounds like mine. I wish I were a relative.”
Soon, the applicant was allowed to go. He thanked the panel as a normal desperate job seeker would do. He left the Magnificent Towers and walked to the road as a young gentleman ran to him, bowed, and took his ruffled bag from him. Both men looked left, right and left again before the other man ushered Reynold Chang into the rear seat of a White Limousine waiting at the end of the road, securely closing the car door before hopping to the front seat… Back in the car, Reynold removed his wig and moustache and cleaned his face with a small soft cloth dipped into a liquid in a small, golden dish.
He took his apple branded handset and placed a call, which connected immediately.
“O Green Ray,” Reynold greeted with a smile of satisfaction, looking at a photo of Miss Alexa Ndidi George-Orji which he held with affection. The lady was in her early twenties. Her pointed nose, soft pink lips, her voluptuous gait and fair looks make him to feel as if he had been ‘captured’ by this beauty. “I got much more information about the Princess, and she looked more gorgeous than what Reese described to us. But I don’t want the match-making stuff. I have seen what I crave for.”
“O Blue Rey, My Prince… Move, then, to Phase Two!”
Reynold ignored his cousin’s advice and asked: “How is the Palace?”
“Well, no one noticed your absence yet… I shuttle between the Military Base and the Palace. However, I had to use a blue contact lens to appear before the King. He’s too much!”
“Spare me the details, perform your task… Let me woo my Queen!”
“Best of luck on Buddha’s side, My Prince,” General Raymond Chang concluded helplessly.
***
Reynold Chang has now been hired for ninety days already! He is so used to his disguise that it has become ‘second nature’!
Today, he drove Princess George-Orji to a Government Office. Her ‘boss’ entered into a meeting and Reynold saw that as an opportunity to perform some charity in such a way that his cover will not be blown. Where his boss' custom-made Mercedes Benz G-Wagon was parked, a group of destitute youths surrounded Reynold while he shared a large wad of British Pounds for the youths to find some respite… Alas, unknown to Reynold, the Princess was at a corner watching the compassionate acts of her Chauffeur. Reynold completed his round and hurried back to the driver’s seat, but his boss was already in the car: He panicked!
“What were you doing, Mr Reynold?” Princess Ndidi George-Orji asked.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am… I just shared a little change out of the fringe benefits I got yesterday,” Reynold got a perfect alibi. Saved, somehow. Or is he not?
“That seems good. I have been noticing your love for sharing the little you have… Don’t you need to save a bit for the rainy days?” For Reynold, that first question was a close shave. The next question was a searching question from the Princess, but a clear conscience fears no foes.
Reynold calmly responded: “I was like them… I am happy to give that little gift, Ma’am! After all, my weekly emolument today is way bigger than what I had ever earned in the past years in this Her Majesty’s Kingdom.” Reynold said this to find out the Princess’ feelings about helping the poor. He has never been lucky to befriend a girl who appreciates charity… Most of them have always advocated frugality when it comes to assisting the needy, whereas they seek after greater largesse to lavish on themselves and on socials.
The Princess, on the other hand, was impressed, yet she showed little or no expression on her face, knowing that her chauffeur could see her from his mirror.
After their daily routines, she had ensured that his chauffeur live in a nice chalet inside her own villa, to make their jobs easier. The cook and other domestic staff, she had noticed, treat Reynold like a Prince. He had a great influence on people – including her royal family - and she failed to know why! His demeanour is almost regal.
On one of the outings at Brentford, Princess Ndidi decided to ask Reynold to join her as she takes a walk amid a slum environment, to meet some officials of a Non-Governmental Organisation she has been sponsoring. Of course, she knew that slumming on that path was dangerous, but she needed to know the strength of her associate if she could use him as a personal assistant since she loathes moving around with a retinue of personnel. That day was an irritably touchy one… yeah, testy: The miscreants in the boulevard took advantage of her fragile but gorgeous looks and swooped on her – just to seize her briefcase… Princess Ndidi was so shocked by Reynold’s swift response. He was a perfect gentleman who protected her as if there were strings attached! He had moved like a super-human and had floored over thirty miscreants in a matter of thirty seconds. He ensured her safety till she got back to work. She had asked him if she would need a security aide on such duties – even when she knew that she would not hire any bodyguard, no matter what pressure. And Reynold had replied that he could protect his girlfriend if she was one. That led to many intimate personal talks. She felt as if she could trust him with her life and activities… she never tried to betray any impression that she could protect herself at any rate. They were becoming good friends and her family could not help but notice.
A few days after, Reynold heard about his sister’s big plan to visit Africa. Being George-Orji's guest or staying with her baby sister in the same family at such a time that he was trying to win the heart of the princess, was a dicey thing to allow. Princess Ndidi had also started to harbour such thoughts of asking if Reynolds would join her at a special event that should take place at her paternal home…
Princess Ndidi never asked directly, so Reynold had avoided the talk.
Will the cover be blown shortly?