“I can no longer continue working with you, sir. My life and reputation are constantly in danger for reasons I don’t know…and it hurts me to think that you don’t even know what I can do.” Kate’s voice played in his voicemail as Ross drove him back to work. “I’ve done my best to debunk the rumors…for my sake and yours. I want to be far away from you. Don’t look for me…and simple advice, watch Kim. She was the only person who knew about the incident.”He sat in stillness. Maybe she was right. It was best to let her be.His black Mercedes Benz drove through downtown and stopped in front of CULID BEVERAGES. White lights from camera flashes filled his face.Edna stood behind them and smiled. Although she had set them up, she knew soon enough that Denzel would become a celebrity. Ross guided the small crowd that gathered and Denzel walked in. Thomas uploaded a picture of him strolling in with the caption: A morning with CULID beverage keeps you active and smart.A few minutes later, Eva sen
Ray Dantley didn’t need to appear unopposed. He carried himself with an air of confidence. He had the support of most of the board members and his shares neared thirty percent. It was still a few weeks before the next board meeting and he was sure no one knew about his plans.Eva had willingly given him her shares. He had convinced a few others too.CULID was going to be his, he thought. He imagined what he would do the day he became CEO. Denzel would never have the humility to remain at a lower position and then climb back to challenge him. No one would be able to.He strolled into the company with a grin. Denzel’s plan had worked fine. The promotion concert had increased the demand of their products by thirty five percent. He had one challenge. He wasn’t as young as Denzel. Neither did he measure up with good looks.He knew the demand would reduce a little with Denzel’s removal, but it was nothing he couldn’t handled.He had planned a closed door meeting with Mr. Rogers. He was als
The silence was deafening.Members of the board trooped into the board room. Ray Dantley didn’t share the same worries as Denzel. He glanced at the topmost seat and grinned. It was soon to be his. During the second meeting arranged by the former CEO, McNeil, he discussed cooperating with the CEO and pushing the company above its limit. McNeil had also lauded his son’s grand achievement with the promotion concert and obliged them to keep supporting him. Ray found the right time to speak.“I want to contest the seat of CEO,” he stood up and declared.Whispers and murmurs traveled the length of the table.McNeil frowned. “The seat is incontestable,” he answered. “What’s this about, Ray?”“The company policy clearly states that any board member with at least thirty percent shares can contest the seat…and the next President will be chosen by a board election.”Ray saw McNeil’s face grow pale. Denzel was like a wall, absorbing the shock without any expression. Or maybe he knew, Ray thought.
When Denzel informed Karen that he was coming to the penthouse, she walked into the bathroom and remained under the shower in anticipation of his arrival.She had waited for him all week. She knew he was busy with the company and he would return to her when he was done. She was ready to satisfy him.She pinched her nipples and twisted them until they became hard. She loosened her hair under the shower and let the water flow through them to her body until she was cold.When she heard the firm tap on the front door, she turned off the shower and stepped out of the bathroom. When she opened the door, Denzel breezed in.Denzel had tried to get drunk, but even after downing five bottles, all he got was a headache. He slumped on the bed and for a moment, he forgot about Karen. The event of the morning played in his head and he could see Raymond Dantley grinning. He could imagine the gossip going around the company and the next day, the entire city of New York would hear.He exhaled and sat
Arjun was entertaining the crowd in Bengali hip-hop. The crowd cheered and danced to the beats.Above them, Raash sat in his own company and smoked shisha. A couple of half-naked girls sat around him smoking.Denzel walked into the building he had been instructed to meet Raash in and he tried to find him amidst the crowd.Raash spotted him and whispered to Aarav.Denzel flowed into the crowd and avoided getting hit by the excited crowd. He edged on and moved to the drinking slab at the corner of the bar.“A glass,” he told the bartender who nodded. He arrived with a cup of drink later. Denzel gulped it down his parched throat and ticked his cup, indicating he wanted more. The bartender poured more.When Denzel downed the second cup, he noticed Aarav standing beside him. He dropped the cup.“Where’s Raash?”“Up.” He pointed. Denzel followed the direction of his finger and when he saw Raash, he waved.He started to take out some money from his pocket when Aarav stopped him. “Raash own h
Ray knew better than underestimating McNeil. He knew what the old man could do to get his company back again. As CEO, McNeil had taken decisions that stupefied him, and he had done everything possible to push CULID beverages to the height they stood on presently.Ray had served loyally at his side for years with the hope that he would become the next President after his boss. Then Denzel who had never stepped foot into the premises of the company took his position.When Denzel had come up with the promotion concert, Ray had known it was McNeil’s idea. It was McNeil who thought outside the box. Denzel knew nothing about running a company.It was McNeil who used a difficult situation to his benefit.He prepared himself for any attack from his competitors and within a short period, CULID beverages took over the New York market. McNeil had used promotion concerts in the past.The following morning, the newspapers carried a shocking headline: NEW CEO OF CULID BEVERAGES CLAIMS THAT DENZEL L
Thousands of paper lanterns, khom lay, drifted into the full moon sky in Chiang Mai province of Northern Thailand on the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar. The Yen Peng festival also called the ‘Festival of lights' was adopted from Brahmin origins and had close ties with the ancient Lanna Kingdom. The festival lasted for three days in the province marking the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the cool season. Once a stand-alone festival, the Yen Peng was now celebrated in tandem with Lou Krathong …Residents and tourists trooped to the Thapae Gate holding paper lanterns. Making or donating khom loy was significant in the rich Buddhist community. It was a way of moving from light to darkness. Participants made a wish before releasing their lanterns and believed their miseries were over.In the mornings of the festival, novice monks released giant sky lanterns, khom fai, which had firecrackers attached to them. Residents of the province heard the clapping sounds of t
The flight from Georgetown to Ottawa was delayed by thunderstorms. The Boeing 747 landed at the New York runway and passengers were ushered to the terminal while the storm lasted for hours. The city of New York reminded Denzel of everything he had lost and his humiliation, and the thought the air of the city would choke him if he stayed for another minute.He flagged down a taxi and slid into the back seat. “Drive me anywhere…just out of this city.” He rested his head against the backrest with a loud sigh. The automobile started to move and he shut his eyes in slumber.Some minutes later, he felt a tap on his leg. The cab was no longer moving and the driver was saying something.“We’re thirty minutes away from New York,” he said.Denzel nodded and studied the surrounding. “New Rochelle…it’s a beautiful suburban,” the driver continued.“Take me to a nice hotel around.”The cab stopped in front of the Radisson hotel.“That will be 60 dollars.”Denzel paid him excess and booked a room.