John Sakulula sat atop his empire looking at everything he had conquered, everything he was going to leave Iyanu Sakulula. Troubled by his thoughts he stood to stare out his office window at everything his eyes could see.
The big wooden doors to his office opened drawing him away from his thoughts momentarily.
“Kasoma, don’t you knock? Can’t I just think in my office alone without you coming over?” John said not bothering to turn.
“Rumour round the office is you got a sculpture and I didn’t get called. Now I find you here brooding, for the third time” Kasoma said joining John by the window.
“Iyanu has never forgotten, she still blames me for her mother’s death” John spoke biting his lip in frustration
“Its been more than 10 years” Kasoma began before John cut him off ” Exactly and if I’m being honest, I dont think she’d want the empire I’ve built for us if I were to die today” John spoke dejected by the vast nature of his fortune.
“But she got you the sculpture, didn’t she? And sculpture just so happens to be art” Kasoma retored
“Maybe open an art gallery under one of the divisions and give her full autonomy to create and build her own gallery.” Kasoma walked about the room envisioning his words as he spoke
“Its just about where you start” Kasoma finished off by examing the sculpture on the table. After a long silence, Kasoma looked at John
“I don’t know what you did to deserve this gift but that is one authentic looking Kobe sculpture I ever saw. Maybe ask the kid who did this” Kasoma sat analysing the sculpture some more.
“You know what, ask the kid. He clearly has a gift and maybe he needs a job. If you’re serious that is” Kasoma said with raised eyebrows
***
John closed his laptop, loosened his tie leaning back in his seat as he resigned himself to the day when Kasoma walked in.
“Do you not knock?” John sighed in exhaustion.
“Its nearly been six months but he finally agreed, something in his life is changing.” Kasoma spoke proudly.
“You have been waiting for the same kid, why?” John perked in his sit.
“Iyanu bought a self portrait, with two accompanying sculptored lotus flowers matching the frame. She ordered these five months ago but Tom only communicated a month ago that he was almost done making them. Then last week, he delivered them to Iyanu here, and came up to speak with me.” Kasoma finishing reading his report
John shifted in his seat till his feet touched the ground, to evaluate the words Kasoma spoke.
“Turns out Tom is actually, Tom Phiri. As in judge Fridah Phiri” Kasoma said waiting for the realisation to dawn on John
“It seems shes told him to find his way if being a painter is what he wants to do. Naturally I had to set a meeting and iron things with her.” Kasoma spoke hand an envelope from his back pocket to John.
John grabbed his glasses from the table reading the contents of the envelope.
“Seems a little steep?” John said looking over his glasses at Kasoma
“They have a year to not only fill the gallery with authentic art but to start ensuring that by the end of year the gallery plays its own rent.” Kasoma said
“Still…” John started before Kasoma interrupted him. “Good will with the honourable Judge, we look like we are doing her a favour and have her in our good graces.”
John got up from his sit handing Kasoma the envelope and papers.
“Let’s go have a drink” John smiled pleased with Kasoma’s work.
