Chapter 2 THE SECRETS

Miriam's room was the second among the flights of rooms, lined up along the corridors before Leon's.

The colourful paint of the designed wall, coupled with it's neatly arranged books on their shelves; always made her room one to behold– everything seem to be at their perfect place.

As the sun peeked it's rays through the glass window– facing the comfy bed seated at the right side of the large room, Miriam groaned softly; following the hazing sting that burned against her skin.

She spontaneously turned to the opposite side– facing the alarm clock in the process as she pulled the blanket over her head and buried herself back to sleep.

Just then, a tap on the door invaded the silence in the room. For the first instant, Miriam glanced up at the door, her eyes still drowsy with sleep and not ready to hop off bed anytime soon.

Ignoring the knock, she grumbled and buried her head back into the pillow but the persistent knock wouldn't let her.

"Miriam.... Miriam" A voice followed. "It's already morning and I bet you don't want to be late for your university entrance ". Berla echoed. Miriam spontaneously shot out of bed.

" Oh,no....Oh..no, the university– How can I forget" She cried, all the sleep instinctively varnishing from her eyes, as she threw the blanket onto the bed and dashed off towards the bathroom.

"Why didn't you wake me up... What about Leon?– I believe he's still waiting for me since I promised to drop him on his first day at high school" Her voice howled from the washroom just when Berla stepped into the room to get her clothes which needed to be ironed.

Berla chuckled. "He's still in bed– I'll go get him, right from here." She said and Miriam instinctively appeared at the door–her hair, all soapy.

"What ?.... you don't say!" She exclaimed. A sinister smile spontaneously displayed on her face.

" No need to bother, Nanny, I'll go get him myself. " With that, she stormed out of the room. Berla gazed at her back and smiled.

"Oh, this kids–" She laughed, shaking her head in the process as she picked the clothes and sauntered out as well.

********

Stepping into the room which was quite messy with a few clothes displayed here and there, Miriam inched over to the bed where Leon laid fast asleep. With a smile, she spontaneously picked up a pillow and smacked Leon's head with it.

" Hey, sleepy head.... you don't want to be late for your first day at high school– do you? " She laughed, of which Leon jerked out of bed alarmed.

" What time is it?" He asked, the moment he sprung out of bed.

"7:30am " Miriam answered, a smile dancing on her face.

" Hell no... you should have woke me up earlier– wanted to rehearse on how I'll speak before the Principal " Leon lamented from the washroom and she laughed.

" No need to worry, I'll gist you on all you need to know on our way, okay?"

"Great, I'll be out in a bit" He exuded and Miriam nodded with an okay.

"Going to get ready now – See you in a while. " She said and without waiting for an answer, rushed back to her room.

PARKERS' GROUP OF COMPANY

After an hour and half drive through the busy streets and the tedious early morning traffic, John's car finally made it way into the company's premises. Just when he pulled up; packing at his usual position, he drew out his suit from the back seat and laced it over his white long sleeve– of which he majestically made his way into the building.

On entry, every staff present cheerfully welcomed him with a bright smile. It was almost like the entry of the President at a ceremony with Jerry Wood, the accountant and lover boy of the company– who was known for his looks on the left and Clara Peters, the IT technician who handles all the programming at the company.

Nina Mills, John's personal secretary finally greeted from the right, taking his briefcase. Nina had worked for the Parkers for twenty years after joining the company and had since earned the C.E.O's pet position due to her loyalty, courageous attitude, hardworking and humility which topped it all.

She usually joined John on all his meetings and conferences held both on the premises of the company and outside the country. Which one day, finally landed them a top secret which was to exist between only the two of them– the secret of a child, Gina Mills. She was just two years younger than Miriam, John's first child.

FLASHBACK

January 10th, 2005

Nina on her usual basis, was going through John's schedules for the week when a call came in through the company's line, line. Turning to the phone, she picked up, supporting it with her shoulder as she answered.

"Hello, PARKERS GROUP OF COMPANY; Nina Mills on the line– How may I help you, sir" She called.

" A conference is to be held in two weeks in Spain, of which your company is chosen to represent the WORLDWIDE BEST RUNNING PRIVATE COOPERATION " A male voice announced over the phone.

"Well noted, sir– we'll be present on the set date; thank you" She said with a broad smile which revealed her beautiful dimples. With that said, the line went dead.

Nina pined it with the rest of the schedules and dashed of towards John's office with the filed documents; her every step, leaving a soft echo through the corridors as she approached the flights of offices.

JOHN'S OFFICE

With his eyes fixed on a pile of documents in front of him, John instinctively gazed up at the door following a knock which invaded the silence.

"Yes...you may come in" He said, returning his gaze to the documents. Nina gently pushed the door, revealing her hourglass shape as she stepped in with her catwalk.

"Good morning, Sir "

"Good morning, Nina– Hope you're good; any problem?... Did I left any documents unsigned?" He answered, waving her to a sofa seated over the glass window.

With a smile, Nina answered. "No, Sir – I'm just in to inform you on your schedule update and the new development in the company's schedule " She stated, taking her seat. John instinctively leaned back in his chair as she went on.

"Well, a message just came in on our nomination to present at the WORLDWIDE BEST RUNNING PRIVATE COOPERATION, which is to take place in two weeks, in Spain. According to the caller, the details would be sent through our e-mail soon."

" Alright.." He exhaled with a smile. "That's good news I guess." John mumbled.