In a flash, a year and eleven months had passed. A pandemic had taken over the nation in twenty-twenty, and many had suffered. The small business was significantly impacted, and so was the entertainment business. Dynamic Entertainment was at a significant loss during that year. The company can barely make ends meet, even with the twenty-twenty-one recovery this year. George called a great meeting for the company, and everyone was in the conference room. Claire was sitting at the back while Quinton and his son Henry were seated on both sides of George, with the remaining board members sitting around the table.
“Okay, I won’t beat around the bush here. It was brought to my attention that we’re in a deficit of thirty million dollars, and there will be trouble with the new regulations out there right now. Any ideas on where we can get more investors for the company.”
No one said anything but looked around with concern on their faces. Whispers were heard throughout the meeting room, but no one took the initiative to come forward.
“No one has any suggestions? Quinton, what about you? Are you not supposed to be the acting COO of the company? What do you suggest?” George hopefully asked his son.
“Father, it’s not that I don’t have any suggestions, but with how the nation is, there is not much along the lines of Entertainment to be done. We can’t book for large crowds like we used to, even with the mandates being lifted. Our reserves are running low, and the people we have under contract are looking to move on when their contracts are over. This may be the end of Dynamic; we were hit too hard with the pandemic.”
Quinton lowered his head when he proclaimed the company’s downfall.
“Grandfather, I may have an option,” Henry spoke out, looking at his grandfather.
“Oh, what do you suggest?”
“I heard a rumor that Elon Trust was getting into entertainment, and they’re looking for companies to invest in, but I heard it’s almost impossible to see Mr. Wheaton the COO of the company.”
“Well, who among you is willing to go see Mr. Wheaton over at Elon Trust?” George looked across the board members.
Again no one would voice their approval for this task at hand. Everyone knew that getting an investment from Elon was challenging, much less to see Mr. Wheaton. Only then did Henry voice his opinion with a sinister smile.
“Grandfather, why don’t we have Claire go and get this done? She’s in marketing, and isn’t this her department?”
“Grandfather, I protest. Henry was the one who came up with the suggestion, and it’s only befitting that he is the one to carry it out.” Replied Claire, who knew too well that it would be almost impossible for her to see the COO of Elon Trust, much less get them to invest in their company.
“Silence, it only benefits that the person in charge of the marketing department go and get a contract with other investors… I have decided that Claire will lead a team to persuade the Elon Trust to invest in the company. All our hopes are onto you, my dear, all dismissed.” George had told everyone with a severe tone.
Henry was ecstatic. He thought of many ways to get one over Claire. She was better than him in everything she did in the company and found better talents than him, mainly her marketing ideas. All the entertainers loved her for her strict but fair attitude. While all he wanted to do was play with the female entertainers and push his authority around the office. Outside the conference room, he waited for his cousin to emerge.
“Well, it looks like all our hopes will be on you there, Claire. I want to be the first to congratulate you on getting this deal done,” Henry smirked as he said it to her.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you have done, Henry. This was all your idea. Why don’t you help me with the proposal to send to Elon Trust for approval.” Claire had answered him while walking back towards her office.
“There’s no way that I can accommodate you on that request. I have more important things to do.”
“More important than working to achieve a partnership with the most influential business in the city to help stabilize our business?” Claire looked at her cousin with disdain in her eyes. She knew very well that he was going out and partying with his friends and entertainers.
“So, who is she, who caught your eye this time, the brunet or the blond entertainer from the web department?”
“Neither, It’s Miss. Samantha from Global Entertainment, if we can gain her over onto our side, it’ll boost our internet ratings. She’s rising within the video community, very popular.”
“Samantha, not Samantha Kingsley?”
“The the same, what do you think? Did I hit the high road or what?”
“Or what? Not only is she very popular in the video community but also on the Porn Holder site and My Fans site as well. She’ll do anything for publicity, even sell her body. I don’t think she would be a good fit for our company, and I don’t think grandfather will approve.”
“You’re just jealous that I can bring new talent to the company. We’ll see who has the last laugh.” Henry then walked away, not to be bothered by her anymore.
Claire went into her office and called all of her subordinates to discuss the proposal they were tasked with. After an hour of brainstorming, they all left her office when the workday ended. Walking out of her office and locking up, she ran into her uncle.
“Claire, have you gathered your team yet? This is very important for the company.”
“Yes, Uncle, we have been going over the research into Elon Trust, and we have verified that they have posted that they are looking to invest in the entertainment field.”
“Good, we all have faith in you and your team. By the way, how is your mother been? Isn’t Tabitha graduating this year?”
“Mother is doing good.” Claire also boasted about her little sister. “Tabitha, she is indeed graduating with honors and will make a great addition to the team here at the company.”
Tabitha is going to college for a business degree, and she was gone for the entire duration due to the pandemic that plagued the nation.
“And what of your husband, is he still working at that delivery company? I thought they would have gone out of business with this pandemic.”
“Humph, what husband, don’t mention it. That trash is still working as a delivery guy. You would have thought he would have shown some ambition to get higher in the company by now. The only thing that has changed is that their business boomed with online trading.” With disdain for her husband, she replied to her uncle.
“Well, we will always see you at the family gathering this weekend. I hear father will be announcing something big during the meal.”
Finished with their goodbyes, they went their separate ways.
On Blake’s side, he had just finished delivering his last package when his phone rang. Seeing that it was his mother-in-law, he quickly answered it since she berated him with insults the last time he had hesitated.
“Yes, mom, what can I do for you?”
“Who’s your mother? Listen, we’re out of groceries; pick some up.” She sniped back at him as she always did.
“How are we out? I just bought some two days ago?” Regretting it the moment he said it. “That was two days ago. Do you want me to starve? Listen, if my daughter didn’t marry you, you wouldn’t be able to eat what we are eating in your lifetime. Get some steaks. I’m now in the mood for steak.” “Yes, mom, I just finished. I’ll run by and grab some steak for tonight.” It was all he could do to answer her. “Humph.” That was all she replied when she hung up. Blake could only smile as he looked at his phone and put it away. He went to his car and drove to Elon Delivery Services for his daily pay, or getting steaks for his wife and mother-in-law would have been troublesome. With the bit of money his wife supplies him each week, he had to depend on his pay to accommodate their desired food and daily upkeep. Arriving, he gave his pleasantries to Sara, received his pay without delay, and left for the grocery store. Coming home, he saw his mother-in-law on the couch watching her program. He
“Don’t you talk to my daughter like that? You should be grateful that she can tolerate the slop you feed us daily.” Julie had said from the couch, watching her program. “I’ll go washup,” Blake replied as he headed to the bathroom to shower off the day’s work. “Humph, the nerve of him, how could he talk to you like that? I will give him a piece of my mind when he gets out.” “Mom, don’t bother. Once trash, always trash. Just let it go, and I’m not in the mood right now.” Blake finished cleaning up and headed into his and Claire’s room for the night. He had to sleep on the floor for almost two years while she slept on the bed with a knife under her pillow. He could hear his wife tell her mother that she would wash up and head to bed. A half-hour later, he listened to his wife open the door, get into bed, check for her security, and finally fall asleep. The following day, Blake starts his routine like clockwork and chores and makes breakfast for the two women. When it’s finished, he
“Well, you better get into the game and watch for Claire. We both know she’s better than you, but she’s still just a woman. The old man surely will not give the CEO position to a woman, so you better perk up and see what you can do.” Quinton exclaimed back as he slapped the desk, startling Henry back up. “Dad, I don’t understand. How can we allow her to lead a team to Elon Trust’s investment? She already tarnishes the family by marrying that trash delivery guy.” Henry asked, still holding onto his aching head. “Well, weren’t you the one who insisted that she and her department take up the challenge?” “It wanted to humiliate her. How can anyone get to see Mr. Wheaton, much less invest with Elon Trust? Now, she will make the company look bad and make the family a laughing stock.” “Well, it’s too late now. Everyone knows we are seeking an investment with Elon Trust, and she’s now our only hope.” Quinton said as he turned towards the door, leaving Henry to ponder his mistake. Quinton
Tabitha got into his car with all smiles looking upon her new brother. The drive was not long, and their conversation surmised her life at the college and how she lived in the dorm without any breaks during the pandemic, almost like they were in prison. No one could leave or enter the campus; it was in total lockdown. When they arrived, Tabitha quickly got out of the car, ran to the door, and let herself in while Blake lagged, carrying her bags. Entering the home, Blake saw Tabitha hugging her mother and kissing her face like a child would do when they hadn’t been home for a while. “Girl, will you calm yourself down. You’re behaving like a little girl. Who would guess that you are twenty this year.” “Oh, mom, I just missed you so much. That school kept us cooped up for practically all year, and I couldn’t come to visit you or my sister. I even missed my brother and sister’s wedding. How unfair is that.” “What are you gapping about? What brother are you talking about? This piece of
“What do you know? You’re just a kid. When will you grow up? This marriage is a farce. There is no love whatsoever, and there will never be.” Claire had flared up and explained. Listening to her sister’s explanation, it sounded like she never gave him a chance and was too stubborn to see his good qualities. Tabitha felt sorry for Blake for enduring the hardship her mother and sister had put him through. “Well, if you don’t want him, I guess I will have to take him. I see a lot of potential in Blake, and I believe he will prove both of you wrong and do great things in the future.” Both mother and sister looked at each other and laughed, not only for what she had said but also for being a naive child. “Oh, Tabby, what nonsense. I don’t believe that man can ever amount to anything other than being a deliveryman and work the rest of his life doing just that, once trash always trash,” Claire stated. “I agree. He will always be trash.” Stated her mother to Tabitha. Just then, the door
“Well, for one, you never asked, and second I don’t boast of my military background.” Blake was annoyed at them, not believing he was in the military. So, he took out his old private rank ID from the army and handed it to his mother-in-law. She looked at the card and handed it over to Claire without saying a word. Being in the military was indeed a big thing for these women, and they were patriots, after all. “So that’s why you were able to trounce Steve. No wonder you know how to fight so well.” Claire stated while handing her husband’s card back to him. “Steve, who’s Steve, and why did brother fight with him?” “Steve is my fian… the heir of the Anderson family. He wanted to marry me also, got into a fight after I married Blake.” “Sounds like a dick to me, trying to get you after you’re married. He doesn’t have any honor or morals like my brother here, and you’re better off for what I can see.” “You’re not to slander Steve. He’s way better than this trash in front of me, and h
Blake drove for two hours and arrived at his destination; it was still early in the night when he arrived at a large manor. He slowly pulled to the gate and waited for the guard to come out of the small guard shack. The guard came to him and asked for his purpose. “Please inform the headmaster that Blake Elon has arrived and wishes an audience.” “Please wait right here. I shall inform them now.” The guard rushed into the building and made a direct line call to the main building. “The young master has arrived; he wishes to see the headmaster.” Waiting for confirmation, the guard finally walked back to Blake and waved him through the large iron gate that squeaked as it opened up for him. Blake continues to drive to the main entrance. Lightly tapping Tabitha, she awakens from her sleep. “We’re here. Let’s head out.” “Hugh, oh, yeah, okay.” Tabitha unknowingly looks out the car window and is greeted by an older person standing next to it, opening the car door for her. Gliding out
“You, like this plain ring? There’s no design or writing upon it. So this is the inheritance ring?” Blake couldn’t understand how a plain ring would look beautiful to his sister and much less be treasured.“My boy, don’t judge everything on the surface. Put it on and see if the ring fits. It may be too large for your finger.” Robert said, looking at the ring’s size and having a worried look.“Brother, maybe you can use it as a wedding ring so that no one will be suspicious of it.”Blake then placed the ring on his ring finger on his left hand. At first, it seemed that it indeed was too large for his finger, but within a split second, it fitted snuggly on, like it was perfectly made for him. Robert smiled, and the worried look he had shown earlier melted away.“Well, my boy, it looks like it was made for you.”Blake looked at the ring, which had a faint glow under the light when he reexamined it. With a smile, he thanked his grandfather.“Thank you, grandfather. I will cherish it alway