"We're talking to Ghana; 10am tomorrow," my immediate boss, Paul Blackwood announced, walking into my office.
"You've found my interpreter?"
"Yeah, Kilani. He'll be on the link up and so will Albert."
Albert, a native Ghanaian, educated in Britain, was our man in Ghana. He was very dependable. Kilani was the interpreter we normally used.
"You know Kilani never went with me to meet the tribe in the north, Paul."
"He didn't? Why didn't you tell me that?"
"I didn't think it was important. A replacement came. Said Kalani was sick. He seemed to know what he was doing."
"Oh yeah! OK!" Paul said, clearly mulling this piece of info over. "You still should have told me."
"I will next time."
"By the way," Paul continued, "...my wife asked after you."
"Yeah! Margaret! She enjoyed the trip to Ghana?" I said, referring to when we were all there.
"Yes, she loved it. Came back with a real vibrancy about her."
"Great!" I replied, as Paul turned and departed.
"Margaret should have a vibrancy about her," I thought, recalling the day I spent in Margaret's bed, providing her with multiple ring inspired orgasms, such as she'd likely never previously experienced. "I'll bet their sex life has improved of late."
The following day all thought of Margaret had gone. I sat nervously in Mr. Landberry's office waiting for the hook up. Introductions were made, although I already knew all parties on the call.
Mr. Landberry began by asking Albert what was happening. He told us the Chinese were negotiating rights with the same tribe I'd met with.
"But Rob here had an agreement," Landberry stated, which brought a silence. "Didn't he?"
"I think Rob might have met with the wrong people," Albert said bluntly.
"Oh shit!" I thought.
"What do you mean?" Landberry continued. "It's your man Kilani's job to get him to meet with the correct people."
"Kilani was not with Rob that day."
"What? Well who the hell was?" a clearly agitated Mr. Landberry queried.
This question clearly unsettled the two Africans and we watched them exchange glances. Eventually Albert answered.
"Kilani was sick, but the man who took Rob was of high status...a good guide."
"But he took him to the wrong village," Landberry continued.
"Yes!" Albert continued. "He took you past the main seat of power and onto a lesser, more remote village."
"Who is this fellow and where can we find him?" Landberry demanded, before I could ask a question.
"It won't be easy. We'd have to..." Albert replied.
"Right I'll hear no more. Rob will fly out tomorrow," to which I opened my eyes wide. "He'll come to Ghana and you'll see he gets to the correct village, to meet the right people and secure our rights. In writing... no bloody handshakes and exchange of gifts bullshit!"
"It's the politicians as well," Albert continued. "Because the tribe are wavering, they are now getting cold feet. The Chinese spoke with them and..."
"And they accepted a shit load of money," Landberry butted in. "OK Rob will need help. Paul!"
"I can't go, I've got the Miller agreement to sort out."
"OK, Ok..." Landberry said, considering his options. "You can take Vanessa, Rob. She can deal with the politicians. She's done it before."
"She's off on stress leave." I said quietly.
"Stress leave! Oh for fuck's sake!" Landberry roared, looking as if he was about to blow a gasket. "Ok, then take your junior girl. You'll be in the jungle obtaining signatures, while she's back in Accra, meeting politicians and keeping us up to date. Leave tomorrow and don't come back without the deal signed and sealed."
Relieved to get out of the office and away from Landberry, I waited for Paul in the corridor.
"Gee, that was intense," he began.
"Emily's not up to that task," I told him bluntly. "She's dealt with local politicians here, but never abroad."
"Well we have no choice. I have to complete the Miller deal and anyway, Margaret's not so well right now. I couldn't leave her. Emily just needs to flash a bit of leg and a suitcase of money. That should about do it."
"OK!" I agreed.
While walking back to my office I looked to process what we'd just heard. It sounded like I'd been duped. I didn't see this as my fault, but Mr. Landberry didn't worry about such trivialities. If there'd been a stuff up, normally someone's head would roll.
Back at the office I summoned Emily and my other staff, updated them, swore them to secrecy about the faltering deal, and then told Emily she'd be coming to Africa with me. Her reaction was mixed. Excited about the idea of travelling to Africa, but not at all happy about leaving her husband for some days. Later she came back and said she couldn't travel.
"Mike doesn't really understand the reason why I have to go, at such short notice," she said.
"Look Emily, the state old Landberry's in right now, if you refuse to go, he'll fire you. I can have Paul phone Mike and explain if that would help," I offered.
"OK, that might help... yeah, have him phone Mike. Thanks Rob," she said, reaching to touch my forearm.
The surge to my groin was intense. I was wearing the ring and it demanded I touch her back. Aware what that would lead to, I fought back against it. Fortunately, Emily left the room and the sensations subsided.
I phoned Penny to tell her I had to return to Africa.
"Yeah; OK, I suppose. I'll take you to the airport in the morning, but tonight I'm going to stay with Caroline."
"What!" I exclaimed, not hiding my annoyance. "I'll be away for over a week. Can't your sister look after herself for one night."
"No she can't and stop being so selfish," Penny snapped back at me. "And make sure Adele and her friends do some study this evening. I don't want them just lounging around beside our pool all evening, and there had better not be even one boy at our place."
With that she finished the call. To say I was pretty pissed, was to say the least.
