It was 10.15 in the morning when Timothy walked out of the conference room after giving a Market Research presentation to the Executive Team. He entered his office and was about to sit down when the Operations Manager stormed into the room and banged on his desk.

'Who the heck do you think you are?'

'Excuse me, but I was just doing my job...'

'Your job is to present your findings to me!'

Timothy got up from his chair and was about to speak, when he was interrupted, 'Do you know what the Execs are doing right now in the board room? Do you know what you've done? No, I bet you don't! Next time I tell you to do something, follow through. You think you're so smart because your daddy sent you overseas to study. You better watch your steps' he turned and banged the door on his way out. Timothy headed to the HR's Office where Cathy, the HR Officer was sorting files.

'Timothy! Is everything okay?'

'When is my team coming in?'

'I was a bit tied up but...'

'Can I find one myself?'

'Excuse me...where is this coming from?

'I asked if I could find one myself.'

'Fine, but we still have to follow procedures. Qualifications; experience...'

'Cool,' and he turned and returned to his office. Five minutes later, Cathy walked in.

'What is going on with you?'

Timothy rubbed his head and motioned for Cathy to take a seat. She didn't move an inch.

'I'm sorry. He did it again.'

'You need to get it together Tim.'

'I know. I asked what I can do to report this.'

'You don't want to do that Tim. He will frustrate you even more.'

'Can you please just get me that team so I can focus on something else?'

'Okay cool, but behave yourself.'

'Thanks.'

Cathy smiled at him and left.Over lunch time,Timothy made his way to the cafeteria. He found Aunt Wendy observing the waitresses as they served the staff.

'Wow, you look like you've worked overnight,' she commented as he approached her.

'Tell me about it.'

'Cathy is waiting for you over there. I can see her side-eyeing you, like the most of them.'

'Don't remind me,' he mumbled in response. Aunt Wendy passed him his meal which was already packed for him.

'It's true. Now can you go? Cathy is waiting for you.'

Timothy shook his head and Aunt Wendy's phone buzzed as soon as he walked away.It was Maya. She went outside of the building and found Maya waiting by the front gate.

'Hello, hello' she smiled as they embraced.

'Hello,' she smiled back and followed Aunt Wendy as she headed back into the cafeteria.

'Wow, this place is huge,' Maya commented.

'Mighty Seeds. They're living to their reputation.'

They sat behind the buffet table.

'How are you?' Maya asked.

'Apart from the village situation, all is well.'

'Oh, sorry about that.How long will you be gone?'

'A week or less, it depends on the state I'll find my sister in.'

'I'll be praying for you.'

'Thank you Maya. I trust you will be able to manage things while I'm gone. You said your boss gave you three days off right?'

'Yes,she did.'

'Nice. So tell me, how are things going at the restaurant?'

'Well, you know the situation I'm in with Yankho.'

'That worthless son of a snake...'

'Oh Aunt Wendy,' Maya laughed. 'It's been tough...I am the black sheep of the family now.We have a new supervisor, Auntie Aisha. She's really doing her best to keep the restaurant booming.'

Four hours later, as Timothy was wrapping up the day's work, Cathy walked in.

'Hey. You're not working late tonight?'

'Nah, I need to go refresh myself. So I'm gonna save the energy for the following days.'

'Where to from here?' She asked.

'The gym, then meeting a friend.'He got up and packed his briefcase.

'You should take me one day'

'Excuse me?'

'To the gym. I want to get fit so badly.'

'I'll see you tomorrow.'

'Uh, okay, have a goodnight.'

'Likewise,' she nodded at him and exited the room. He followed behind her from a distance until she was in her car and left. He jumped into his and drove to the gym. He later on went home after his workout session to find his girlfriend Harriet waiting by the porch.

'Babe, is everything okay?'

'I'm sorry I had to come at such a time.I had a fight with my roommate'

'How long have you been waiting?'

'About three hours.'

'You should have called.'

'I didn't want to disturb you at work, you said you had some deadline thing going on.'

'Yeah...but, if you would have called earlier,I would have dropped you off at your Aunt's place or booked you a room somewhere.'

'Timothy, really!Here I am in the cold,and all you can think about is dropping me off somewhere.So much for emotional support.' She got up and walked to the gate.

'Harriet! Where do you think you're going?'

'To the streets where I will be more welcomed. 'Hey honey, I'm sorry you had a fallout with your roommate. Why not spend the night at my place, while you explain what happened and work it out.' She threw herself on the ground and the gate man who was observing their conversation rushed to her side. Timothy unlocked the front door and the gate man helped her to the door where he was waiting. He carried her to the sitting room and placed her on the couch. He then went to the bathroom and ran a hot bath for her. He placed a pair of jeans and one of his t-shirts for her on a hanger. He then returned and found her wiping her tears and he sat down next to her.

'I'm sorry baby. I was just so mad at her, I wasn't thinking straight. I will leave first thing in the morning.'

'Tell me what happened.'

'I think she stole my money. I came back from class and found my one fifty missing. I asked her if she had seen it, and she went crazy.'

'One fifty?'

'One fifty thousand Kwacha,Tim! I kept it in my suitcase.'

'Well, maybe you shouldn't have kept it there in the first place.'

'Babe, now is not the time to be all judgmental,'

'I'm sorry. So what are you going to do?'

'I don't know. I was supposed to finish paying for my fees, and dad and I are not in speaking terms right now,' she sniffed and let out two tears. He pulled her to his side and snuggled her.

'I just ran a hot bath for you. Why don't you go get cleaned up and then we have dinner?'

He got up from the couch and gave her his hand. She took it and he led her to the bathroom. He then headed to the kitchen where he heated up the food the maid had prepared for him before she knocked off. Twenty minutes later, she joined him at the table, dressed in the t-shirt.

'Uuumm, I left a pair of jeans there for you to wear too.'

'Oh you did. I didn't notice. Am I making you uncomfortable?

Timothy took a deep breath and rubbed his face.

'I'm sorry, but yes, you are.'

'My apologies Pastor,' she smiled and got up and went to take a chitenje cloth and wrapped it over her body. She sat down and together they had their meal in silence. After dinner, Timothy went to his room and wrote out a MWK 200,000 cheque. He went to the kitchen where Harriet was washing the dishes and placed it on the counter.

'This is for you babe,' he said and she turned around, her eyes lighting up when she caught sight of the leaf.

'Oh Tim! You shouldn't have!' She ran and hugged him.' How much is it?'

'Two Hundred. It's okay baby.' He kissed her on the forehead and let go of her.

'I'm really tired. Plus I got a big day tomorrow. Please feel free to sleep in any of the rooms. I'll be in the guest wing.'

'Babe, you're gonna sleep all the way outside because of me? You're making me feel bad.'

'Don't feel bad. It's better...and safer that way,' he smiled as he unlocked her hands off him.

I love you,' he kissed her again and walked out the kitchen door. He headed to the guest wing and took a shower, before slipping into his pajamas. He knelt on the side of the bed and clasped his hands together.

'Father, this is too much for one day. I...I...I need direction. Tell me what you want me to do, and I will do it...I believe in her...she wouldn't...she knows what I stand for...You know how much...Focus, give me focus...