Chapter 9: Let The Game Begin!

Don Arthur’s nephew and grandsons were about to stand to assist him, but they were stop by his hand signals telling them to go back to their seats because he has Oman at his side.

“My apologies for coming late because no one notify me that today you are reconsidering to select a new leader for the company that I and my siblings built!” with power and integrity, Don Arthur announced the moment he sat at the middle edge of the rectangular table facing Simon’s direction.

“Dad, I –”

Simon was about to explain when Don Arthur stopped him through his hand gesture. He continued his statements while focusing his attention to his son and said, “I know that you have decided to pass down the presidency and CEO position to Edward. But, in order not to be biased and to protect the profits and welfare of the company and its people, so its better for us to have a fair-play selection.

“So, are you saying that I couldn’t protect the company and can't make profits if I would be the new CEO that’s why you don’t want me to become Dad’s heir of his position grandpa?” Edward stood as he questioned his grandfather frustratingly.

“Edward!” Simon scolded his son that made the latter to sit back and zip his mouth.

“I am not saying that Edward! What I want to say here is that you have to prove your capabilities as a Jackson, because when Miguel was here, he also did that making the board to chose him in the first place." With a cold gaze, Don Arthur emphasized. "Being a CEO and a President who will be leading these pack of people with heavy accountabilities is not that easy.” He added, giving keen observation to everyone.

The people in the conference nod their heads as approval of Don Arthur’s statements. When Don Arthur noticed it, he continued his unfinished declarations, “I believed that among the next qualified heirs and leaders, the board has already decided that Miguel is the most capable one after assisting the company to be the leading one in the market, but, since he’s still missing due to an accident, then I suggest for the board and all the company’s shareholders to select and evaluate the most capable one among Jason, my nephew and my two grandsons; Edward and Marcus.”

Marcus and Jason abruptly turned their heads to Don Arthur because they didn’t expect his words, whereas Edward became silent.

Marcus' jaw dropped because he never dreamt to be an heir of the family’s business. He has plans and a career, but that is aligned with his own hobbies and dreams. God knows how he loves artistry and designing, and he managed to make a name in architectural industry. He has his own architectural firm while he’s still one of the Jackson company’s directors. He didn’t even follow the steps of his father as a well-known lawyer of the state, and his mother as a University President of Dela Vega University (DVU) - a university owned by his late grandma - Doña Victorina. He loves nothing but to design, draw, and conceptualize his own vision for something good. But, now his grandfather considers him to be one of the heirs of the family’s business? Oh no! Marcus’ mind and heart really objects.

30 minutes later…

“ring… ring…”

Marcus looked at his phone screen. He already memorized the digits that Miguel is using. It’s been thirty minutes after the company's board meeting and he’s been resting inside his office while waiting for his call. Thus, after two times of ringing, he already pressed the answered button.

“Pfft… thanks God and you already call, Dude!” Marcus burst out the moment the call is connected.

On the other line, Miguel’s eyes thinned and his brow creased as he said, “Hmm! Hearing your sigh, I guess the result of the meeting wasn’t good?”

With heavy sighed, Marcus admitted, “Well… in my part, I guess it’s not really good. You know exactly that I do not want to inherit the family’s business. But –” He paused and shook his head, then he continued and said instead, “Man, Oh! come on. You really have to come back as soon as possible because I don’t want to compete with Uncle Jason and Edward over the position that in the very first place, I really don't intent to have.”

“You’re competing for the position? Why? How come?” Miguel straightened as he asked. His fortunate enough that Trina goes to work and Andrea went to deliver an order for her customer, therefore, he can talk freely now with Marcus.

“It’s your Dad, he wants Edward to inherit his position and let him manage the company. But, grandpa arrived at the meeting and he’s against to it. He convinced the board that if you won’t still show up on the 50^th annual celebration, then the board must select one among Uncle Jason, Edward, and me to be the next CEO and President of the company. The board agreed to it. So, Uncle Simon and the board must select the appropriate leader based on our track records, educational backgrounds, achievements and performances. And you know what’s the irritating part?” He closed and opened his eyes as he confirmed, “They want us to show our projected company’s projects and plans for the next years on the 50^th annual program. I don’t want to make a presentation, because I don’t have plans and I don’t want to participate in the selection process, so please come back, Miguel!”

“Accept it!” with a cold tone, Miguel remarked.

“What? Are you silly Dude? You knew exactly I don’t want a battle for the position –”

“I'll make the presentation.” Miguel interrupted him. “Actually, I already have the projected plans for the company. I just need to polish it. Marcus…” he paused as he called his cousin’s name, “It’s time! You’re with me, right? So, let’s do this.” He added.

Marcus leaned back on his swivel chair before he replied, “Yes, of course I am forever with you.” He simultaneously nodded his head as he added, “I trusted you, so yeah, let’s do this!”

“Let the game begin!” Miguel retorted, smirking.

Miguel fist still rounded like a ball even the call was disconnected. His heart felt so discomfort because until now, he thought that his father has always favored Edward. Many years had passed, but the wound in his heart still remains. He could still remember how his father bought a luxury car model that he really wished to have on his 21^st birthday. He was so excited back then to try driving the car when he went home from abroad since he studied at the foreign country, but as soon as he went outside of their mansion and try to look for the car, to his dismay, Edward was already testing the car. He heard how Edward thanked his father for the gift that supposedly a birthday gift for him. He saw how his father agreed and doted on Edward. That time, he accepted the fact that maybe, his father doted on Edward so much because he knew that his father didn’t love his mother at the first place - their marriage was arranged only by their grandparents. All along it was Edward’s mother whom his father truly love, since she was his first love.

“That’s before, but now, I'll never allow you to take something important away from me.” Miguel whispered after thinking back the past.

Night came…

“Andre, Have you notice the TV’s remote control?” Trina asked Andrea while she keeps on looking around. She almost turned the living room upside down, but coudn't find the remote control.

“No, I haven't.” Andrea replied while she puts seasoning on the dish she prepared. “You ask Miguel, maybe he knows.” she added.

Trina went directly to Miguel’s door and she knocks the door repeatedly, saying; “Miguel, can you hear me? Can you please open the door?”

“What?” Miguel asked after he opened the door.

“Did you know where’s the TV’s remote control?” Trina asked distantly.

Miguel didn’t answer, instead, he closed the door back.

“Hey! Look at your behavior, I’m asking you –”

“Here!” Miguel said as he opened back the door and gave her the remote control. He was about to close it again but suddenly, he smells Andrea’s cooking dish, that’s why he went outside his room and headed towards the kitchen.

Trina glared Miguel’s back as he walked past her. She was really pissed by his cold temper. She even mumbled something behind him before going and sitting on the couch. After few seconds, she turns on the television and find a channel for her to watch.

“Oh! What are you doing here? I’m not done here so we’re not eating yet.” Andrea teased Miguel. For one week that she took good care of him, she could say that she already has good affections for him despite of his cold temperament.

Miguel’s eyes lighten up as he watched her cooked.

“The aroma of what you’re cooking invited me here.” With a husky voice, he replied.

Andrea turned and looked at Miguel, her braces came out as she smiled. She was about to speak when she heard Trina’s shocking voice.

“Shocks! Oh my God!”

Andrea met Trina’s gazed confusingly.

Suddenly, Trina withdrew her gazed and focus her attention on the television again.

This made Andrea and Miguel to follow her - on what she’s looking.

“Breaking news: The son and the heir of the business empire of Jackson Corporation went missing. For detailed information, we have our reporter, Miss Katherine Hernandez.” In the television, the main anchor host reported.

“This morning, the executives and leaders of the Jackson Corporation gathered at the conference hall of the company to discuss its upcoming 50^th annual celebration. But, in the meeting, it was found out that last Tuesday night at around 6:00 PM, Mr. Allen Miguel Jackson, the second son and the heir of Mr. Simon Jackson, the current CEO and President of the Jackson Corporation had an accident and went missing. Until now, the investigation team under the lead of Police Inspector Harley Gomez has conducted thorough investigation. The Jackson family remained silent about the incident and we’re still waiting for their response. So, stay tuned in. This is Katherine Hernandez, reporting.” The report was flashed on the television showing Miguel’s photo and his family.

Looking at the news, Miguel's aura changed. He knew exactly that even though he's name is well-known due to his family background, but he seldom appeared in the news and any media platforms before since his father, grandfather, and aunts were the faces of their businesses. Today, he realized that everything would start to become different and for the remaining days to come.

“Y-you…?” Trina stuttered as she pointed back and forth at Miguel and his flashed photos in the television screen. Realizing the situation, Trina who’s sitting in the couch suddenly fell down. She bit her lower lip as she kept on rewinding how she treated Miguel before. Thinking back her actions, she just wished for the universe to swallow her completely.

Miguel turned to Andrea and looked at her intently. She was stunned. After a minute, in a low tone voice, he heard her says, “So… what you’ve said to me the other day when I asked you about the money you paid to Miss Mina is true? That it’s really yours? That you’re really the boss and you’re the one who employs?”

Miguel nodded his head while seriously staring at her.

She gasped.