CHAPTER 3

Cade

Finally, the day I've been waiting for. The day I'll be assuming the position of CEO. The Walton family members felt the need of not making me take the position, claiming I didn't “deserve it”. Like they did.

There's just something that puts me off when it gets to these people. What was their problem with me? Was it because Father didn't leave them a profitable property to hold on, or something worse. It had to be something.

But one thing I foumd impeccably interesting and fancy was the fact was that Mrs Walton,aka my mother stayed quiet throughout the whole drama.

I definitely didn't take after her. I fought for my position.

I stared at the figure in the mirror as I took up my zipper, sprayed some deodorant and yeah, one wouldn't want to shut their eyes after glancing at me. One more thing, my tie. I adjusted it and I looked just perfect. Imagine signing the document that makes me the rightful owner to that seat.

Now the normal thing I'd do is maintain the composure, resist the urge to show myself to the world. Lesser smile, more respect.

I shut the door behind me, going down the stairs to the dinning area.

“Look who's assuming CEO today.” Kate said, planting a kiss on my cheek. The crazy but lovely sister of mine.

There was a variety of dishes on the table. Was it, rice, soup, spaghetti sauce, or pancakes, name it. I sat at the seat that was close to me. The one father always sat on.

“Hey…” Kate called, “help yourself.” She said, passing me a bowl of Chicken. It suddenly irritated me. My mouth grew soir. I I didn't have the appetite.

It was either the excitement, or the sight of the whole delicacy, or the abrupt thought. The thought of Father. It was late though. I couldn't begin with the emotional rollercoaster now.

Kate licked on her fingers, “delicious, isn't it?”

I stared at her. “Yeah, I guess I have to go now, love. “

“Uh?” She halted halfway her meal. The ketchup stain hung by the side of her mouth. I streamed towards her, bent a little…”what are you doing?” She asked.

I wiped out the stain with my little finger. “Now that's better.”

“I'll get back as early as I can.” I said, exiting the living room, leading me to the chauffeur that opened the car door for me to go in.

The green shrubs ran as swift as light, teleporting me to that day, with a blurry view of Father on his death bed. We had gotten into a fight before he passed away.

Being CEO of the city's biggest entertainment organization was my dream regardless my aspirations to become other things. Being CEO came first.

And there was dad who was only willing to make my dream a reality on a ground that I get married. That was him, an old man obsessed with marriage and family. Nothing more than an archaic mentality of those in the hoods.

But we could have made peace. I shouldn't have argued with him about that, but what could I have done, he wasn't willing to indicate it in his will, somehow our lawyer spilled the news that I'd be CEO today.

Nothing was stopping that. In as much I feel no guilt that he died, at least I needed to handle the family business.

The car stopped.

My eyes questioned the driver. What had happened?

“Hey, sir…” my chauffeur called, directing his gaze at me through the rare-view mirror. “It's miss Bridget.”

I was drowned in my thoughts that I didn't realize she was standing out. I sighed, just the thought of her… . I adjusted my face in order not to look frustrated or even irritated with her presence. She opened the door and hopped in, with her lips slacked to her cheek bone.

She offered a cheek for a kiss. God knows I only managed to plant that kiss on her artificial pimpled cheek. Makeup had totally ruined her.

“ Hey babe…” She said,

“Why are you here?” I asked with a non smiling face.

“ Is that how you say hello to your girlfriend? That's rude.”

“ What do you want?”

“ You're still on this? Fine, I need money to change my wardrobe and go on a vacation to the Maldives…” her ranting stopped as soon as I held my hand up.

“ Bridget Edgar, father just passed away and you have the effrontery to ask for money. How inhumane are you?”

Tears packed up in her eyes. I was more than convinced she feigned having those tears filled in he eyes. Of course,she was a super actress, what more was I expecting?

“ What?”

“ Look at all the harsh words you said to me. You've forgotten I have a short memory and forget things easily,” My brows furrowed in amazement. “ You should have simply reminded me, not to trash me that way.”

“ It's okay, nevermind.” I removed my gaze from her. She palmed her face and immediately wore a smile again. Hm, I expected that.

“ Why are you here again?”

“ I need money. That's all.”

“ That's why you're here?”

“ I guess.” I brought out my phone and fiddled with it for a few seconds. Bridget’s phone chimed and she checked it to confirm if it was really what it was- lucre .

“ That's the money you requested.”

“ You see why I call you the best.” She pecked me and highlighted the car.

Yes of course, she had gotten what she wanted. Golddigger, I whispered.

“ Get me to the office.” I commanded the driver as he drove off. Nothing seemed quite like it was before. Everything had changed…the environment…building…the aura. Perhaps the people changed, too.

I silently hoped not.

The chaffeur opened the door as I stepped out. My heart skipped a bit as the flashes of media camera and loud questions of reporters were thrown at me.

“Why won't you be CEO of your company? Are there any reasons you'll be willing to share?” I heard one feminine voice say. I smirked. Little did she know what twist would happen.

Two fully built guards came out of the building, each held my arm, leading me to the inner space of the building.

Things started turning suspicious. Everywhere was filled with mummerings and restless souls of the company. “What the hell was that? Why are they here?” They hesitated in letting speech flow out of their lips.

“ Mr Walton?” Josh, the manager called as I turned. His face was heavy with things untold. He walked me into my office. He sighed, I silently prayed it wasn't something catastrophic.

He picked up a tablet on my table, operated certain keys and displayed a video of mother .

“I'm sorry, but Cade Walton won't be taking the position of CEO due to certain reasons best known to the board. Thank you.” A reporter had questioned her.

Josh just stared at me. What the fuck was she saying?