Chapter 4

chapter FOUR: AT THE CAR PARK

Once everyone had finished their meal, Williams waited patiently. He knew the protocol-no one ate until the Petersons were satisfied. Mrs. Gina signaled her approval, and only then did Williams take his seat at the table.

With a sense of relief, he began his own breakfast, the clinking of cutlery a backdrop to the morning rituals. Despite the challenges, Williams maintained a stoic exterior, determined to fulfill his duties with diligence.

As breakfast concluded, Julian stood up, ready to face the day. Williams, anticipating her needs, approached her with a warm smile. "Julian, your briefcase is ready. Let me take it to the car for you."

Julian, acknowledging his gesture, handed him the briefcase. "Just make you don't crash it"

With careful steps, Williams carried the briefcase towards the waiting car. He opened the back door and placed it inside, ensuring everything was in order. Julian followed swiftly, her gaze fixed on the tasks at hand.

As Williams placed Julian's briefcase carefully in the back of the car, he couldn't shake off the feeling of duty that permeated his every move. The morning sun cast long shadows as he re-entered the house, ready to tackle the remaining chores.

Inside, the house bustled with activity. Other household workers joined Williams in the effort to maintain the pristine appearance expected by the Peterson family. The vacuum hummed, and the scent of cleaning agents lingered in the air as they worked diligently.

Mrs. Gina Peterson, occupied with a phone call in the living room, nodded approvingly at the organized chaos unfolding around her. As Williams moved from room to room, he caught snippets of her conversation.

"Yes, make sure the catering is arranged for the event next week," Mrs. Gina instructed, her voice carrying an air of authority. "And remind Andrew to finalize the details for the charity gala. We can't afford any mistakes."

As Williams finished tidying the bedrooms, Lady G, Julian's mother, summoned him from the living room. "Williams, come here. I have something important for you to do."

He approached Lady G, respectful and attentive. She handed him a brown, oversized envelope. "Take this to Julian's office immediately. She forgot it, and it's crucial for her day. Make sure she gets it."

Williams nodded, accepting the responsibility. "Yes, ma'am. I'll get it to her right away."

As he turned to leave, Lady G added, "And make sure she doesn't forget her responsibilities. We can't have any more lapses."

With the envelope in hand, Williams rushed to the front door. His morning had been a flurry of tasks, and he hadn't had the chance to freshen up. Without a second thought, he hailed a passing taxi, ready to navigate the bustling streets of Cape City.

In the taxi, Williams could feel the time ticking away. He glanced at the clock on his phone, realizing the urgency of the situation. Julian's office was across the city, and every passing minute increased the pressure.

Arriving at Julian's workplace, Williams paid the taxi fare and hurried towards the entrance. His casual clothes and the lack of time for a proper morning routine were secondary concerns as duty propelled him forward.

The receptionist greeted him with a nod, recognizing Williams as a familiar figure. "Is Mrs. Peterson in her office?" he asked, trying to conceal the urgency in his voice.

The receptionist gestured towards the elevator. "Yes, you can go up. Her office is on the tenth floor."

Williams entered the elevator, the enclosed space amplifying the ticking clock in his mind. As the doors opened on the tenth floor, he navigated the maze of corridors until he reached Julian's office.

He knocked gently on the door, announcing his presence. "Come in," Julian's voice responded.

As Williams entered, he found Julian engrossed in her work, a stack of papers scattered across her desk. She looked up, surprised to see him.

"Williams, what are you doing here?" Julian inquired, momentarily distracted from her tasks.

Lady G's instructions echoed in Williams' mind as he handed over the envelope. "Your mother asked me to bring this to you. She said you forgot it."

Julian's expression shifted as she realized the importance of the envelope. "Oh, thank you, Williams. drop it on the table.

Williams nodded, acknowledging her gratitude. "Is there anything else you need, Mrs. Peterson?"

Julian glanced at the clock. "Not at the moment. I have a meeting in twenty minutes. You can leave now."

As Williams exited her office, he felt a moment of respite. The urgent task accomplished, he took a deep breath. However, the reality of the day's responsibilities lingered. He knew he had to return home and resume his duties.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows on the bustling streets as Williams left Julian's office building. The day had been a relentless cycle of duties, and weariness clung to him like a heavy cloak. The cityscape, usually a backdrop to his routine, felt somewhat different as he stepped out onto the sidewalk.

As he walked toward the main gate of the company, thoughts of the tasks awaiting him at home lingered in his mind. The city's hum surrounded him, a chorus of distant conversations and honking horns. Williams, lost in his thoughts, barely registered the approaching SUV as it sped past him.

Without warning, a torrent of dirty mud water splashed over him, drenching his face and clothes. The driver showed no remorse, leaving Williams standing there, a muddy spectacle on the sidewalk. The SUV continued into the company's parking lot, disappearing from view.

Anger surged within Williams. He wiped mud from his face, his clothes clinging uncomfortably to his body. The injustice of the situation fueled the fire in him. Without a second thought, he stormed into the company premises, determined to confront the driver.

In the parking lot, the SUV came to a halt. A tall, dark, and handsome man in his mid-thirties stepped out, engrossed in a phone call. The man, named Mike, seemed oblivious to the chaos he had caused.

Williams, fueled by frustration, approached him with urgency. "Hey, you! Do you think it's acceptable to splash mud on people and just drive off?" he questioned, his voice edged with irritation.