“First, I want you to meet with Mr. Lerman again and still in person. I think it's important for a touch of face-to-face discussion, to make sure we're all on the same page. Can you set that up and do that once again for me?” Ciara asked, her voice firm but not unkind.“Of course, I'll get right on it,” Sheila replied, already reaching for her calendar. “When would you want me to meet with him? And where?”“I'd like you to meet with him as soon as possible. How about tomorrow's afternoon? You can come to his office as always, or you both can meet somewhere neutral, like a restaurant or a hotel. I just want to make sure there is a productive conversation, without any distractions. What do you think?” Ciara asked, her voice thoughtful.Sheila considered for a moment. “I think a neutral location would be best for the meet up. That way, neither of us will feel like we're on our home turf, and we'll both be more open to compromise.” She replied, fielding out Ciara's thought.“I agree. I th
Ryan walked through the front door of his childhood home and was greeted by the familiar smell of freshly baked cookies. His mother was no where in sight, but with the smell, he could guess where she was, and he trailed the familiar smell that led to the kitchen.Mrs. Lerman was in the kitchen, humming a cheerful tune as she finished icing a batch of chocolate chip cookies. She turned around and smiled when she saw her son standing in the doorway.Mrs. Lerman walked up to him, the not so often smile of hers still on her face. “I see you are back, quite late as you have predicted!” She said, giving him a warm hug. “How are you doing?”“Hi, Mom.” Ryan replied in a stressed tone, returning the hug.“Can I get you anything to eat or drink?” Mrs. Lerman asked, gesturing towards the kitchen table. “You look a bit tired and stressed —it is written all over you, son.”“No, thanks,” Ryan said, shaking his head negatively and declining her offer. “Why are you the one in the kitchen and not the
Ryan and Sheila sat across from each other at a table in a swanky restaurant, it was the new restaurant in town and Sheila had booked a reservation the previous day as ordered for her meet up with Ryan.The atmosphere that was hanging was that of a tensed one, as both parties had a lot of riding on this deal. The waiter approaches the table and asks for their orders, and they placed it. After the waiter left, there was a moment of awkward silence. Finally, after what seems like ages, Sheila breaks the ice.“I know this is a big decision for you, Mr. Lerman. I want you to know that we understand your concerns about your employees, and I'd like to assure you that they'll be well taken care of under our management.” Sheila said, carefully picking her words.She had said this first because that was Ryan's side of the deal to give in to their new offer. Given that his employees are well reserved and did deserve to keep their position in the company, mostly Miriam.Ryan leans back in his ch
Sheila walked past the receptionist. “Ms. Sheila…" The voice called out softly and in a hush, stopping her on her track. She turned slowly to the source of the voice, her brows creased slightly.“What is it this time, Milan?” She questioned in reply with an air of uninterested. “Aren't you supposed to be out with boss? Why are you here?”“Yeah, I know, right?” Milan muffled out with a small shoulder shrug. “We couldn't go any more because her flight was cancelled due to the new weather forecast, it's life-threatening to travel such a long distance with the type of weather that was forecasted earlier.”“Oh, I see …" Sheila mouthed slowly, unsure of how best to reply to her.“I was pained and angry, though, when I heard about the flight cancellation.” Milan muttered slowly under her breath. “I couldn't get the chance to go to the meeting with boss neither did I get to meet Ryan Lerman as planned with you.”“They are still other chances, if you work hard enough, you will be given the sam
Dwayne was surprised by the august visitor he received, he did not even expect to see him, not even in the nearest future.“Dwayne…" He called out, snapping him out of his train of thought. “Won't you let him in? Or you are planning to let him stand out here until forever, eh?”Dwayne regained his senses, quickly masking his shocked expression with a smile. “Oh, I'm sorry, uncle Ferd...” He was quick to utter an apology. “Please, do come in.”“Oh, yeah!” Ferdinand uttered in a dried tone, sarcasm laced in his voice. “I was even planning to come in, even if you are, or you are not intending to keep me here.”Dwayne sensed he was angry but said nothing, he only paved the way for him to come in, and he gently closed the door behind for him since he wasn't intending to do so himself. Dwayne followed his trail quietly and watched him have his seat first before speaking.“It's surprising to see you here, Uncle Ferd.” Dwayne began slowly after clearing his throat lightly. “I could bet that y
“Oh, is this your son?” Ferdinand seems to be very much better at acting, as he uttered those words cheerfully, wearing a bright smile on the outside. “Come, little boy. Come greet your granduncle.”Herzl was hesitant as he cautiously stares at his mother, and she nudged approvingly at him before went towards Ferdinand, who wrapped him in his arms.Ferdinand's smiles doesn't seem like it's fading soon as he flashed his smiles at Herzl. “It's a good thing you are here, I brought you and your mother a surprise, I bet you will love it.” He told Herzl, drawing his words in an emotionless tone that was hard for a child like him to detect its meaning.Ciara was certain it wasn't just any type of surprise, judging from his tone and the way he emphasized on the word ‘surprise’. This made her wondered what the so-called surprise was all about, and it made her curiosity to rise to its peak.“Mom said it's improper to take things from strangers.” Herzl smartly told him in disapproval, even witho
Ciara left her brother's home quite early as stated the previous night, leaving Herzl behind in his care —she had decided it's only the best her son stays with Dwayne. She has lots on her table to sort out and Gerald, who always fills in her place for Herzl, would be busy as well and there will be no one to look after him.She had promised to come and get him during the weekend. Herzl wasn't bothered a bit, in fact, he enjoyed the thought of it and wished that weekend never comes.Ciara got to work and Gerald was already waiting for her arrival, his back resting on the wall few inches from her office's door post. Ciara was a bit taken aback to see him arrived quite earlier than her; he wasn't the type that drops by early.“I see you beat me to it today, Gerald.” She enunciated with a dried tone, unlocking the door. “I'm quite surprised at this since you've never developed such a habit.”As always, his expression was stoic, and his face appeared like he hasn't smiled for ages. “Why are
Ciara thought for a while about what Gerald had just said to her, and she realized he was right about his statement, every part of it was holding the hard truth. She is not supposed to keep playing the hide and seek game with her cunning uncles when she has every chance for her to take the lead now; she can't allow them win the race against her.If she keeps waiting to know where next they might approach her, it might be too late before she realized it —maybe after she's badly hit, and it might not only be her but her brother or possibly Herzl himself. Or worst still, the trio might be attacked and Ciara knows how dangerous it is if she keeps waiting.The previous night, she had thought about the hideous things she will do to them and how much pain she was going to inflate on them —she was still doubting her thoughts, knowing that she wasn't a violence person. The thought that her uncles did not think it twice before murdering her parents made her settle for her injustice plan; she wi
"There she is..." Jamel whispered but audible enough to Alex's hearing, who only nodded with out a reply as he strode towards Ms. Carter. They both exchanged pleasantries before he had his seat opposite her."It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Carter." Alex said as he sat down. Ms. Carter looked at him with an inscrutable expression, her green eyes glittering."The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Alex." she replied, her voice smooth and calm. "I understand you're the CEO of The Williams cooperation. It's quite an impressive company, I've heard lots about it."Alex smiled slightly but it was enough to brighten the atmosphere. "Thank you, but I'm hardly the only one responsible for its success. I'm lucky to have a great team." He uttered, still maintaining his slight smile. "A great team, and a great leader." Ms. Carter vocalized with a few head nod. With out much further ado, she cleared her throat, deciding to go straight to the point. "I supposed you are yet to find a shareholder yet, or ha
The long ride was slow and as well as a quiet one too. Alex sighed for the umpteenth times, unable to fathom the reason behind his sigh that seems not to be coming to an end — of course, he has many reasons for his continuous sigh, but he could not pinpoint which one of it was gnawing at him.Though his mind and thoughts seems to be in fuzzy, he managed to forced his focus on the wheels —he can't repeat the same mistakes twice and this time, he might not be lucky enough and might lose his life. Alex did not want that to happen to me once again, he dreaded the thought of it. He had almost seen death once —he won't face it this time.He's currently facing a lot but losing his life shouldn't be the thought on his mind. His mother —he had stressed her enough with his continuous and never seems to end escapades lately, should he add more to it? No, right? And his daughter too, what would happen to her if she's left behind? Times like this, Alex wished he could turn the hand of time and go
When Lisa walked into her office, she was surprised to find that Judas was not there. On a normal day, Judas would be the first one to greet her upon her arrival. But today, he was nowhere to be found. Lisa was confused and concerned, so she decided to call him to find out what was going on.When she pulled out her phone, she quickly dialed Judas's number. The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer after two try. She had wanted to dial the number for the third time but shrug it off, and decided to keep her phone.Just when she was about to do as thought, the phone rang, vibrating softly in her grip. She checked the caller — it was Judas. With a deep frown settling on her face, she reluctantly picked the call. "Hey..." Judas hailed dryly from the other end. "Sorry, I screened your call. I was about parking when you called so I couldn't answer the phone." "Where are you?" Lisa questioned instead, ignoring his excuses. "I just entered my office and find it empty — you aren't her
"I know what I'm saying is true, Lisa." Andy insisted, seeing the doubt in Lisa's eyes. "Since you left for Los Angeles and made me the acting chairman, my father has been pressuring me to take over the company." Andy went as far as explaining every little detail to Lisa not leaving one out of it. He went as far as telling her how Xavier left home since he refuse to dance to his tunes and even him going to apologize to his father thinking maybe he had change. Lisa was dumbfounded after listening to all what Andy had said, even though she had expected those cunning men not to back away easily. The one she mostly find hard to believe was Xavier cutting ties with his son over his petty greed but since it's coming out from Andy's mouth, she has no other choice than to believe it. "— I shouldn't be saying this, but I can't let them hurt you. I've watched you grown up and I see how kind and considerate you've been..." Andy muttered slowly in conclusion. "I won't possibly be at peace if I
As Andy stood there, staring at his father, he knew that their relationship was irreparably broken. No matter what he said or did, he would never be able to repair the damage that had been done.The man standing in front of him was not the father he had once known and loved. He was a stranger, a man consumed by greed and ambition. He was lost to him forever.Slowly, he turned and began to walk away. He didn't look back, didn't say another word. He simply left, and never looked back.Andy couldn't help but wondered how his father had turned this way — at this stage, he's beyond repair and no matter the amount of words said could bring back his old self which seems to be lost forever.‘Am I really doing the right thing?’ He asked himself, giving his actions a second thought. ‘Leaving him and walking out of his life the moment he's alone and needed someone by his side, is it really okay to desert him like this?’He's not alone, he has his brother who are always supporting him, no matter
"Whether it's sinful or not doesn't matter to me." Xavier cut his son off, matching his angry tone. "Did you think I wish to remain hidden while that bitch enjoy all the luxury to herself and her illegitimate kids?"Andy would have calmed down a bit but his father was only adding more fuel to his anger. "How dare you, father..." He uttered repulsively, trying to defend Lisa. "Why would you speak such ill words of her and her kids who had done nothing wrong against you?""Nothing wrong, eh?" Xavier muttered with a scoff. "Her existence alone has wronged me greatly. Now that I'm into it already, I won't back down until I see her got ruined completely."Andy shook his head sideways, the look of disgust that was on his his face deepen. "You aren't worth living with, Mr. Xavier. It's a good thing you left me on your own." He said with scoff. "I see why mom left you two decades, taking Stephanie along with her.""You..." Xavier yelled with anger written all over him, pointing his index fing
Ever since Andy could remember, he has never been anxious as he is at the moment. He wasn't even sure of the best words to say to his father when he see him. It was at that moment it all dawned on him that he has not planned all of these well enough which made him let out a low but tiring sigh.The moment Andy stepped in and as though his father had been expecting him to come, Andy was welcomed by his father's blazing gaze — if only looks were capable of ending one's life, Andy was sure to have dropped death on spot."What is this ungrateful brat doing here?" Xavier's thundered in anger, his voice laced with hatred and he did not hesitate to give his son that same look as well —hatred, anger, frustration and fury! He turned towards his brother's direction. "Fred, why did you allow this boy in?""I think he has something to say to you." Fred muttered, though audibly to Xavier's hearing with a slight shoulder shrug, collapsing on the nearest couch. "Let's listen to what he has to say. H
It was barely past noon when Andy had returned home from work that afternoon, he couldn't come back home the previous day because it was already late in the night when he finished from the theatre room so he took his rest at the hospital instead. Andy sat on his favorite couch with a heavy sigh of relief but his relief did not last more than a few moment, because his relief was swallowed with his gnawing feeling of emptiness. Everything seems empty to him — and he felt as though he's alone in the whole big world. He knew something was amiss somewhere and tried figuring it out. Alas! He figured out that it was the absence of his father. He had missed his father's presence in the house, his nagging and miss seeing his scowling face as well —all of these had made the past five years bearable for him but for the past one week, he has no one else to do all of these to him. Andy couldn't help but blamed himself for the emptiness he was feeling, he was the one who had sent his own biolog
Once they were gone, Lisa let out a sigh of relief. She was glad to have a moment to herself, and she was looking forward to the peace and quiet. Although she couldn't help but feel a bit guilty about sending the kids away but she had things to discuss about with Judas.Judas moved closer and sat down on the seat opposite Lisa's desk. Lisa, as well, sat down in her usual position, her eyes fixed on the man before her. His facial expression says it all, of course he has a lot o say to Lisa and could not wait to be permitted so he could relay his words. "It seems you have something to say, Judas." Lisa finally voiced out after observing Judas for a while. She's not too blind not to have noticed —she knows Judas too well. "What have you come up with this time around?" "Uh, yeah." He nodded his head in agreement, adjusting slightly on his seat. "You can guess..." his voice was drawling and far from usual.Lisa raised her left brow slightly. "Beats me. What are you up to this time, Jude