2

Hernandez Group.

Boardroom. 

President of Hernandez Group, Chazz Hernandez walked into the boardroom after receiving a call. Walking round the boardroom with his arms behind his back, he waited for about five minutes before a woman, Rita Oliver walked in.

“You're not supposed to be here,” he said after making sure the door behind her was closed.

“Is that how you greet someone you've not seen for a while now?” She asked as she sat down opposite him.

“It's not even up to a week.” He replied and rolled his eyes at her.

“So are you saying you didn't miss me one bit?” She asked, folding her arms.

“Mum!” He called as he walked up to her. “Why did you come back? I told you not to come here.” A look of seriousness appeared on his face as he stared at the woman before him.

“Why can't I? My son is the president here and you're telling me not to come here. Is there any tangible reason why I can't come here? Tell me.”

“There isn't, but you can't just come here as you wish. You should have called me.”

“But I did.” 

“That was after you got here. Mother, this is my workplace. You should—”

“They're back.” She interrupted.

“What? Who?”

“Your siblings. They're back.”

“When?” He asked, surprised.

“Today.” She replied as she turned to look at him. “Do you now know why I'm here? I hate the fact that the house is going to get noisy. It was better when they were away.”

“They're grownups already.”

“That's the problem! They were never young before. It's been fifteen years already and it feels like I'm about to start my life from where it all began before they left.”

Standing up, she held his hands tightly. “Chazz, be careful. Always remember what I told you about them. Your father favours them than you. You're on a different path, okay.”

Removing his hands from her grip, he held her instead. “Don't worry, mum. I can handle this myself. Don't worry yourself too much.”

“Where is your father?”

“I haven't seen him today.”

“Make sure you don't get on his bad side okay? And be mindful of those kids, especially Alexander.”

“Mum, I said I can handle this. Go back home.” He told her as he brought out his phone and dialed a number.

“I have nothing to do at home.”

“Have you found what you're looking for?”

Sighing she shook her head. "How many years has it been? It's been so long yet I haven't given up.”

“I need you to come here and escort my mother back to the car.” He spoke to the receiver before hanging up. "You should give up on that. I don't know what you've been looking for and neither do I seem interested, but just like you said, haven't you been looking for that so quite a long time now?”

“Never! Not now! I won't stop until I find it. You might not realize it, but I'm doing it for you, Chazz, it's all for you. Especially now that those two good for nothing siblings of yours are back. They have no other purpose here than to steal what you've been working for ever since they left and leave you who have been doing all the work with nothing. Can't you see it? What I'm looking for is just like a plan B. If anything happens and they succeed without a plan B, you'll be left with nothing. But with this, you can be able to take control of everything; even your father won't be able to do anything.”

“Mum!”

“Don't worry about it. You just concentrate on getting your father's company. I trust you with that.”

Seconds later, Chazz's secretary, Rachel Lakes came in.

“Escort her back to the car.” He directed Rachel.

“Yes sir.” She bowed respectfully as she helped Rita Oliver with her bag before facing him.

"You have a visitor in your office sir.”

“A visitor?”

“Yes sir.”

“Alright. You can go.” He ordered with a wave of hand.

Rachel escorted Rita out of the boardroom while Chazz stayed behind. He was the supposed first son of the current chairman of Hernandez Group, Chairman Gabriel Hernandez and he just assumed the post of the acting president the previous week. His plan was to take over Hernandez Group and he spent the past fifteen years of his life pursuing that goal with the help of his mother. He tried to get on the good sides of his father ever since his two step-siblings left the country, but, to the chairman, he never did anything right.

However, Chazz didn't stop trying and because of his determination, he was able to allow the chairman trust him with the position of the president. However, his plan of taking over the company was about to be ruined due to the fact that his siblings appeared back home out of nowhere after his fifteen years of hard work.

Walking round the boardroom, his mind flashed backwards as he recalled the first day he stepped into the Hernandez's household.

Flashback 

Fifteen years ago.

Gabriel Hernandez, Chairman of Hernandez Group sat on the dining table with his two children, 14 years old son Alexander Hernandez and 9 years old daughter, Phoebe Hernandez. The three of them sat togetherfor the first time after the death of Gabriel's wife, Hannah Oliver. Alexander and Phoebe were not happy when their father told them about taking both of them out of the country to the states, especially Alexander, who felt indebted to one of his close female friends who died recently.

Clearing his throat, Gabriel, their father proceeded to talk. “You two will leave next week. I've gotten everything prepared already."

“Dad,” Alexander, who was obviously not happy about the decision called him. “Do we have to go? Phoebe and I are fine staying here. We promise not to cause you any trouble. Please let us stay.”

“You can't!” he objected. “I can't let you stay. Leaving this country is what is best for you.”

“But Dad—” Phoebe started.

“I don't want to hear anything from you.” He interrupted her. “Your step mother would be arriving anytime soon. You two should get prepared.” 

“Stepmother?” Alexander asked.

Just then, while Alexander and Phoebe watched, a woman and a young boy presumably of Alexander's age or slightly older than, came in. The two children didn't recognize them as that would be first time they'll be seeing them. They watched earnestly as the mother and son walked closer to the dining table while Gabriel asked them to join them on the table.

“Who are they?” Alexander asked.

“Alexander, Phoebe, meet your step mother, Rita Oliver and your half brother, Chazz.”

“Step mother and half brother?” He asked as he glanced at Rita and Chazz. “Is he your real son?”

“Alexander!” Gabriel raised his voice. “Mind your manners and say hello.”

Hitting his cutleries on the table, Alexander stood up. “What manners! It's not even up to three months that mother died and we're having a step mother already! You kept the fact that you had a mistress away from us and I guess that was one of the reasons mother had to die early.”

“Keep shut and sit down!” His father ordered angrily.

“Fine! You're right! There's no point in staying here if we'll be having company! Be it next week or tomorrow or even this instant, we're ready to leave!” He voiced out before storming off to his room angrily.

“Alexander! Alexander Hernandez!” His father shouted after him.

“He is right.” Phoebe supported as she also took a quick glance at Chazz and then Rita. “I don't want another brother not to talk of another mother. Brother Alexander is my only brother and mum is my only mother.” Pausing, she turned to look at her father before standing up. “Dad, you too, you're my only father.” With that, she also left the dining table.

“Phoebe! Phoebe Hernandez!” Gabriel slammed his cutleries on the table irritated at their behaviour. “How exactly did their mother raise them?” He asked no one in particular before facing Rita who stood silent with Chazz all the while. “They won't be leaving until next week. Give them a good impression until then.” Standing up, he glanced at Chazz who looked up and met his eyes but all he could see was utmost rejection.

Alexander left for the states few days later while Phoebe was asked to stay behind for a short while before joining her brother. Before she left, she disliked Chazz and he also disliked her. Both of them didn't hide their hatred for each other. Phoebe would deliberately frustrate Chazz and Rita and he would also do the same thing to her. It went like that for three years until Phoebe finally left for the states. 

Present

Chazz left the boardroom minutes after and went to his office to check on the visitor Rachel told him he had. Before getting to his office, he met Rachel on her way out who confirmed that his visitor was still very much around. Opening the door to his main office, he noticed a pair of female's shoes at the entrance, one of the things he hated. 

Walking in further, he noticed a handbag on one of the couch present and a Smartphone on the table. The last time he witnessed something related to such was fifteen years ago when Phoebe had deliberately scattered his room in her own way of giving him a hard time since he really detested having a messy place to stay in. 

Giving a puzzled frown, he turned towards his desk and just like in slow motion, his office chair which had been backing him started turning slowly towards him revealing a female figure with crossed legs. Walking closer, his puzzled frown cleared as he realized who it was. 

Of course, he should have thought better that no one ever tried that same act with him except her, although he didn't recognize her.

“Phoebe?” A look of surprised appeared on his face as he stared at the young lady in sitting on the chair.