04: The Vicks

"Boss." The young bartender was shocked as he first glanced at me and then at his Boss.

"You two know each other?" 

"She's the Vicks I told you about last time," His boss replied. His vibrant-pink spiky hair came into my view.

Last time it was green, wasn't it?

"I'm sorry for earlier, Ma'am." The bartender whose name was Brody, his eyes widened and he bowed, apologetic. "I d-didn't know."

"That's fine. Don't bow." I nodded at him, "And about my order..."

"Virgin Margarita." His boss told him on my accord.

"On it." The bartender started mixing the drink at a rapid rate.

Quickly, he placed the drink in front of me and scurried away.

"Is he intimidated by me?" I asked.

"He's new. Harry left 2 weeks ago." The Boss answered.

"That British guy? He was cute."

"He was depressed after not seeing you for a long time and he was making mistakes. One customer almost beat him to death, so he resigned the next day."

Poor guy. He was polite.

"So, finally you decided to show up, huh? Thought you must have gotten amnesia." The owner of the bar ultimately took a seat beside me and got himself a drink, clinking his glass with me.

I laughed, taking a sip, "Jack, I could never forget about you if that's what you're referring to. I was busy with the matters of the company."

"Bad mood?"

"Not really." 

"Yes, I can clearly see that." 

"Do they still give you a hard time?" Jackson asked seriously as I took a sip from my drink again. 

I only visited Jackson's bar when I was in a bad mood. The truth was, I was in a bad mood. Leaving that Ford household left a bitter taste in my mouth, and I wanted to forget it. Without alcohol, of course. 

Jackson Knight, the owner of this bar and also one of my best friends from my high school days, was a rebellious, sarcastic and sharp-tongued lad in my group. Yet he was popular with ladies.

One time, when I asked him why were the ladies attracted to him, he replied by saying, "I'm brutally honest. The ladies dig that."

The reason I got along with him was, we shared the same sentiments: Daddy issues.

"They don't have the guts," I shrugged, "But an old employee sold some of the company's shares without asking for my or any shareholder's approval, so everything had to be rearranged again. It was a mess. Our main priority is to find the shareholder currently holding the shares."

"Hmm,  what did you do with him, then?"

"I let him off."

Jackson gave me a look as if he did not believe me. I rolled my eyes. I was not that bad, alright? 

"Fine. He can't get a job anywhere in this country as long as I'm around."

"...That's pretty lenient of you." Jackson slowly nodded. His hair jolted, making the corner of my lips arch up.

"I know, right?"

"What about you? Everything alright with your family?" I stared at him fully, noticing how his body had gone frigid.

"They tried to shut down my bar. I sued them and dragged them to the court," Jackson answered, a mocking smile on his face.

"That's serious." I frowned.

"Yeah, but everything's fine now."

Jackson Knight was originally an heir to the business of the famous Knight family. Being the only son in the family, he had to take over. But the rebellious him was never interested in the family business, so he left his family and started his bar.

Five years later, his bar was the most popular in town. Many celebrities would come for a drink here.

"How are the others?" I asked, changing the topic. "I haven't heard of them recently."

"Sarah's busy with her fashion show. Heard it's going to be the biggest fashion show event of the year. She says everyone is trying to find her private contact nowadays just so that they could have passes."

I chuckled proudly.

Sarah, another best friend of mine, crazily chased after her dream and achieved what she wanted from the start— Graduated from the best school of Arts, Design and Fashion in France and was a top fashion designer at present.

"Oh, and she has also said that you must come and attend it. You can't miss it for the world." Jackson mimicked Sarah and waved his index finger at me. My lips arched up. 

A strange but rare talent, Jackson could mimic hundreds of voices he listened to. During our high school days, he had helped the group a lot by sounding exactly like our parents on the phone– resulting in never getting into trouble.

Although it took him some time to master them, it was all worth it in the end.

"I'll be busy if it's next week. I'm going to fight for my land." My words came out dramatically from my mouth, but it was an actual truth!

I indeed was going to fight for my land.

Jackson slapped my back, almost making me hit my head on the steel-ish furniture. I glared at him, and he innocently shrugged his shoulders like he did not just do that.

"Fortunately, it's on the 24th, soldier."

"Alright. I'm down."

"Hey, smile."

"What for?" Jackson knitted his eyebrows.

"Business," I dryly responded and opened the camera of my phone.

Clicking a picture with him that included me showing a peace sign in the photo, I sent it to Michael since he managed my social media accounts.

Entrepreneurs and all the people who had their businesses created and established were taken as social influencers nowadays so that the young generation could get inspiration from us.

Michael suggested that I should make one as well, and I did.

My circle was relatively small compared to others, consisting of me following only my four best friends and some television celebrities I liked.

And as for the people who followed me, I truthfully had no idea.

5 to 6 minutes later, the same picture was uploaded with a cheesy caption below.

Jackson peeked over my shoulder and sounded weird, "This clearly differs from your personality."

"I think so, too." I thoughtfully nodded. I should tell Michael not to write such lines again.

Spending time with Jackson improved my mood, and for the first time in weeks,  I went back to my condo wearing a smile.

I assumed Martha must be sleeping since she had gotten old now and I had arrived late than usual.

Martha Willows, a sweet and cheerful woman of her age was the caretaker my grandfather hired for me.

I had no family and she had no family, so we became each other's family.

"Did you find out who is the new shareholder Murphy sold the company's shares to?" The first thing I did after coming home was to call Michael. It was as if someone had snatched the rug beneath my feet when I got to know about sold shares. In a short amount of time, someone managed to buy them without negotiations and at their accurate market price. 

Although Empire was doing well, we still could not afford to sell shares to anyone. It was equivalent to destroying the company with my own hands.

"Not at this moment, but I'm trying. The shareholder's identity is strictly kept hidden. But worry not, I'll find him in no time."

I shook my head. "You sound tired, Michael. Get some rest. We can sort the issue tomorrow." My tone got soft. He was a human as well.

Hearing an exhausted thank you from my assistant made me sigh. This mysterious shareholder had everyone worn out.