Stay with Me

10. Joseph Hill.

Just days before the tech fair, Hill Corp was preparing at all corners. The venue was outside the building and all digital and non-digital accessories were arranged a day before the fair. Invitations were sent to guests and a live broadcast was also arranged. Other requests were coming in and the computer department was on it, working together with the others. The supervisors in the engineering department and the workers were constantly checking the large batch production and the day everyone was waiting for finally arrived.

The accounting department was working on the in and out of cashes and registers, with A6 batch C, tasked with the tech fair management. On the other hand, Safiyya was also busy with the upcoming bazaar and even though Alfred wasn't fully done with his invention, the display was ready. A few special people were coming to see it, so it was part of her task too and since the day had come, they just had to follow the plan and hope everything went well.

Safiyya finished breakfast and went back upstairs to prepare. She wore her usual yellow and black uniform but today, it was accompanied by a yellow blazer. She checked her bag before going downstairs again.

Joseph watched her come to sit beside him on the couch.
"Remember what we talked about yesterday Yousef," she began. "Old Xav will bring you to the company later to join a show and since I'm working for your Dad there, you won't call me mummy there."

"But why, mummy?" Joseph sulked. Safiyya sighed as they had been going through this since yesterday. Alfred wanted Joseph to join the fair in the audience so that he could see where his father works. It was initially her idea to let Joseph get more knowledge on his father and the fair was a perfect opportunity. The problem now was that Joseph would likely see her there and expose their secrets, so she had to tackle the issue.

"Listen, baby, at work, they don't know that I am married, that too, to your dad. You have to understand," she explained to him the truth. She'd rather not say many lies to the boy in case of the future.

Joseph frowned and folded his arms. Okay, this boy inherited a lot from his father, she thought.
"So, mummy. I have to pretend like I don't know you," he said.

"Sorry but yes," she said apologetically.

"But I want everyone to know that you are my Mummy!" he whined.

"I want that too Yousef," she whispered and held his shoulders. "But not now okay?"  Safiyya got married to Alfred to take care of Joseph. Everyone knows that Alfred Hill is single and all of a sudden, he has a wife? That would be hot news but that wasn't the problem. Both of them don't see each other as a married couple and are just doing this for Joseph. Safiyya might not have a problem in exposing her marriage, she wouldn't but Alfred will definitely. He made it clear that it had to be kept a secret and she understood that. Now, with Joseph wanting that, it was harder for her.

"Mummy," Joseph pouted. Safiyya pursed her lips and gave him a brief warm hug. She smiled and said to him, "Everything takes time baby and soon In Sha Allah, I will let the whole world know that you are my son with pride. But for today, let's enjoy the show okay? The priority is to see how awesome your dad is,"

Watching her smile, Joseph also warmed up. "Okay, Mummy. I will be a good boy,"

"May Allah bless you," she smiled and pecked his forehead. "I will see you there,"

"Uhm," he nodded and escorted her outside. She waved at him and Old Xab drove away. Joseph went back to the sitting room with a slight frown. On Monday, they went to his school and got his results and he topped the class. It was such a happy occasion that he couldn't wait to show his father. They only got to talk on the phone though and his mummy went back to work swiftly when they got back, he knew that she was tired, so he didn't ask for any celebration but she still cooked his favorite food and stayed with him in bed before he fell asleep. Safiyya had promised him a wonderful gift and after today, they were to spend more time together, so he was patient about that.

But Joseph couldn't stop thinking, would his parent have time to spend the holiday with him sufficiently?

Meanwhile, Safiyya was quiet in the car as she drove to the company. She didn't like leaving Joseph in the house alone or with Old Xav. Recently, she gets so busy that she can't play with him like before. She knew it was for a short time but hurting her son's feelings was the last thing she wanted to do. How was she going to balance work with parenting?

"I'll fix this after the fair," she muttered to herself. She alighted the car and went inside to her office.

The fair kicked off at 10:00 Am as scheduled. The temporary walls that were set up outside had life-like displays on them and lights flew about. The canopy shielded the guests from the weather, white plastic chairs were arranged on a red carpet and the large display stage was at the front. The whole area was spacious and well-organized, showcasing the technological advancements of the company.

"Welcome to Hill Corp tech display, 2023!" the announcer declared in the speaker and there was a round of applause. After a brief introduction, "First, let's welcome the vice CEO of Hill Corp, Miss Irene Fernandez!"

Irene appeared from behind the scenes in a golden peplum shirt and black skirt. She had a brilliant smile as she accepted the prepared paper and stood before the podium.

"Good morning everyone and once again, welcome to Hill Corp!" she exclaimed. "Hill Corp has introduced new brands of technology that are useful to humanity in different sectors of life. Since the start of this company, this will be our second tech display and I hope everyone present and those watching will be amazed and satisfied with our team's hard work. Let's welcome our special guest today at the high table, starting with Mr. Lincoln from the bureau De Tech,"

The crown clapped as she introduced the guests who were sitting at the high table at the frontmost seat. She looked at the fifth seat and wondered why the last one hadn't arrived. She still looked at the list in her hand though.
"Our last guest is…" she paused and raised her head, gazing at the center red carpet where an old man walked in with a young boy. The cameras were all around and the screen zoomed in on every guest. The boy looked around four and was dressed in black pants and a shirt with a white suit jacket. His bright green eyes gazed around curiously.

Irene was surprised but still called out the name. "Joseph Hill,"

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ASDadore💝