Mrs. Badmus sits at the head of the table. Composed. Elegant. Commanding without raising her voice.
Mrs. Badmus: (calm, authoritative) let us proceed (She glances briefly at a document in front of her, then looks up.) the Abuja infrastructure contract… I want a clear update
Executive 1: (adjusting his glasses, confident) we have secured preliminary approval, ma (Pause) however, there are still two competing firms attempting to undercut our proposal
Mrs. Badmus: (unmoved) on what basis?
Executive 1: pricing, ma… but their delivery timeline is unrealistic (slight nod) then we do not compete on desperation
(Pause)
Mrs. Badmus: we compete on structure and results
Executive 2: (leaning forward slightly) our revised proposal reflects that, ma. we have maintained quality while restructuring the cost to remain competitive.
Mrs. Badmus: (nods once) good(She turns slightly.) logistics update?
Executive 3: (scrolling through his tablet) operations across Lagos and Accra remain stable. however, there was a minor delay at the port yesterday.
Mrs. Badmus: (sharp, but calm) resolved?
Executive 3: (quickly) yes, ma… fully resolved
Mrs. Badmus: ensure it does not repeat itself
(Pause)
Executive 3: understood, ma
(She leans back slightly, observing the room.)
Mrs. Badmos: we are not building an ordinary company
(Pause)
Mrs. Badmus: Zaydan Holdings represents discipline, precision, and consistency
(Slight nods around the table.)
Executive 1: (respectfully) and that is exactly why we remain ahead, ma
(A brief moment of agreement. Quiet confidence fills the room.)
(Suddenly, the door opens abruptly. Tola, her secretary, steps in, slightly out of breath but trying to remain composed.)
Tola: (apologetic) I am so sorry, ma’am, for interrupting
(All eyes turn toward her. The room goes still.)
Tola: I understand this is an important meeting, but this is quite urgent
(Pause) The C.E.O insists on seeing you… and he appears rather upset (She hesitates slightly.) we tried to stop him, ma, but....
(Before she finishes, the door opens wider. Ridwan walks in. His expression is firm, controlled, but clearly angry. His presence shifts the room instantly. All executives exchange brief glances.Mrs. Badmus looks at him. She already understands. She takes a calm breath.)
Mrs. Badmus: (composed) gentlemen…
(She rises gracefully.)
Mrs. Badmus: please excuse me for a moment
(A few of them exchange light, knowing smiles.)
Executive 2: (light chuckle) of course, ma
Executive 1: family always comes first
(Soft murmurs of agreement.)
(Mrs. Badmus steps away from the table and walks toward Ridwan.)
Ridwan: (glance at her) Mother!
Mrs. Badmus: (low, controlled) shhhhhh!…
(She gestures slightly.) lower your voice
(Pause) what is the matter?
Ridwan: (tight, holding himself back) we need to talk
Mrs. Badmus: (studies his face briefly. soft, but firm) not here (She leans closer slightly.) let us have this conversation in my office
(Pause, gives him a look that is both motherly and commanding.)
(Ridwan exhales sharply, saying nothing more.bHe turns and walks out immediately, heading toward her office.)
(Mrs. Badmus watches him leave for a second… then turns back to the room.)
Mrs. Badmus: (calm, apologetic) I will be right back. please give me a few minutes
(She offers a slight nod.)
(She exits.)
(The executives exchange brief glances again, quiet murmurs filling the room as they wait.)
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(MRS. BADMOS’ OFFICE)
(A large, luxurious office. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Soft natural light pours in. The space is elegant and intentional. Cream and gold tones. A wide executive desk sits at the far end, with neatly arranged files. Plush couches are positioned around a low glass table. Everything speaks of wealth, order, and legacy.)
(The door opens.)
(Mrs. Badmus steps in… and pauses.)
(Ridwan is pacing the room. Restless. His steps sharp. His shoulders tense. He runs a hand through his hair, clearly unable to stay still. She studies him for a moment, already reading the situation.)
Mrs. Badmus: (soft, controlled) my son…
(Pause. She steps further in.) what is it?
(Ridwan stops abruptly and turns to her.)
Ridwan: (tight, direct) don’t tell me you had no idea what's going on!.
(Pause)
Ridwan: you and father planned this!.
(Mrs. Badmus remains calm, though her eyes soften slightly.)
Mrs. Badmus : (gently) planned what?
(Pause) we would never make such a decision without you (She walks closer.) this situation… is beyond us
(Pause)
Mrs. Badmus: that company… that deal… they are far ahead of us and we need them (She gestures toward the couch.) sit down… let us talk
Ridwan: (shakes his head, almost laughing in disbelief) sit down?
(Pause)
Ridwan: you want me to sit down and listen to this? (He steps back, frustrated.) I am being asked to risk my life… my future… my marriage… everything and for what? business?
(She watches him carefully, still composed.)
Ridwan: (voice rising slightly) no, mother… I need to make this very clear... this marriage will not stand. whether it is for business… or some arrangement… I am not doing it (He points slightly, firm.) there has to be a limit. you have both pushed enough.
Mrs. Badmos: ( exhales slowly. calm, steady) My son… (She steps closer, lowering her voice.) we are trying to protect everything your grandfather built (Pause) do you want it all to collapse overnight?
(Ridwan looks away, frustrated.)
Ridwan: I do not even understand how we got here? but there are limits to how much control you have over my life (He looks back at her) and I am telling you now… this ends here. I do not care what happens to the company. I will not sacrifice my future… my peace…or my marriage… for this (He shakes his head.) especially not for someone like her
(A brief silence.)
Mrs. Badmus: (quietly) Ridwan… (Pause) you signed it
(Ridwan hesitates slightly.)
Ridwan: (low) I signed it because she threatened everything.
Mrs. Badmus: she is not someone you can take lightly ( looks at him deeply.) do you even understand what you signed?
Ridwan: (exhales.) I know enough
Mrs. Badmus: (shakes her head slightly) no… you do not
(Pause)
Mrs. Badmus: we have no choice, my son (Her voice softens.)
Mrs. Badmus: sometimes… life does not give us options (Pause) we do what we must… to survive
(Ridwan turns away, overwhelmed.)
Ridwan: (frustrated) then maybe we have already lost, because I will not lose myself in the process (Silence fills the room.)
Mrs. badmus: (steps closer to him. soft, emotional) you have every right to be angry
Mrs. Badmus: every right (She gently reaches for his arm.) but listen to me, I am your mother, I would never lead you into destruction
(Her voice breaks just slightly, but she holds herself.) you are my son and I will never abandon you
(Silence. Heavy. Emotional.)
(Ridwan caught between anger and something deeper then walk out of her office).
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