Sixteen

BOARD REBEL. 

JULIAN'S POV. 

I had not just already made a mistake with the wrong investor, even the board was already against me in terms of decision making. 

“This isn't just some ponzi legacy, this — it's a company with People's interest and wealth at heart.“

“Signing a deal without reading the contract agreement? What could I be thinking?“ This one let out a dry chuckle and retreated once our eyes locked. 

I rubbed my temples, 

“We'd rather vote for a leader who is responsible and accountable, we shouldn't lose any interest in profits or even our shareholders, the stakes are reduced.“ An old man said. 

I sat, carefully taking in their complaints and attitude. When it comes to work, I was never biased or ever saw myself as a leader but just one of them. 

And now, it was clear enough, someone here was dishing out information to another party as it was only discussed from within the board where Mr Philips would be and not even the employees knew. So now, it was an impostor? I didn't even feel something was wrong? I signed the deal and they claimed it was only agreements left? 

I reached out, but I had been blocked. They already had access to the company's share as per the agreement. I didn't take them to read as I felt it wasn't shady and at that time, I had felt preoccupied. 

I sighed. “So what's the next step?“ I voiced out suddenly causing the room to still. Silence followed that even a pin drop could be heard. Every board member pushed their gaze to the floor and I knew this wasn't just about the investor. 

“What's wrong?“ I questioned, tapping the table almost noisily that one of them flinched. 

“Mr …” I trailed off, one thing was, I never took their names to heart. To me, they were all just workers. 

He nodded. I stood up from the chair causing the object to scrap the board room's marble floor. 

I paced the room, the tension increasing and causing me to almost fidget. 

The younger one I had called muttered; 

“They want someone else.“ He dropped the bombshell. 

I shifted uncomfortably, blinking my eyes. They were threatening my position in the company just for a mistake.

With much discussion, I grabbed my car keys from the table and stood out walking away from the office ignoring the whispers that went on from behind me as I had just asked for a chance that got their gaze clicked on mine.  

“Just two weeks, I'd find the impostor. We would get to cancel the deal and convince the real Mr Philips.“ 

There was silence. No one spoke, the members just glanced at each other as if their plain and unreadable faces conveyed hidden meanings that I never understood. My shoulders threatened to drop in disappointment that even the board members wouldn't trust me but I pushed high, maintaining my usual presence. 

I tapped my feet against the ground as if impatient, well, I was nervous and that felt like the only soothing aid.  

“Just two weeks.“ I forced my thoughts out and walked away. Their expressions remained wakening but as I walked away from them, I made up my mind to do anything to regain the trust of my shareholders. They were the company's gain and interest. 

But as I walked through that door, something pressed on me; 

I was given two weeks and I had to either find the impostor and gain the trust of the real Mr Philips or leave the company to whoever they voted for. My confidence shifted and I was left to start picking up the shattered pieces, I was left no responsibility but this. Trust — I had to gain it. 

I increased my pace and drove straight home. Once I opened the door, the sight my eyes caught sent me to a momentary shock. There was Sienna in the house preparing the table for dinner. 

“You're back. Welcome, I made this.“ She gestured to the dinner she had laid on the table. I blinked, once and twice, surprise overlaying on me as a wide smile spread across her face. 

'Must be some joke for you.' I muttered walking away from the study. As I sat by the mahogany structured desk in the study, my mind drifted to her gesture and I questioned my own reaction — but what changed? Why show up in that manner? 

I was going to find out but reality struck harder, there was work to do than banter with a woman. 

I stood up from the chair and paced the room before standing abruptly by the window. I looked out to the city as the light spread on and the buzz of the road honked loud in my ears as if playing some rhythm I had to dance to. I put my hands in my pocket as I watched on, while the Philips issues still pressed on in my mind. 

Ring..

Just as I was lost in my thought, the buzz from my phone cut me off. I checked the caller ID, it was private. 

“Hey brother! You could not sort the Phillips brothers' contract right?“ His voice cut through the silence with hints of taunts and one thing I was sure of was, he was having a rebellious smirk spread across his face. 

Was that why my mind drifted to him while the board members were in disagreement. 

I stayed silent, shaking the thought of. It couldn't be. This was the same person who came home that night while I confronted Sienna for going to the hospital and knocked me down for almost hitting her before breaking to me the company's profit was already at stake. 

I shut the thought off again. He cared to tell me and if this was just sarcasm, he was good to play it. 

“Not yet. Just some little things to be done here and there.“ I mumbled to the phone as I grinned from ear to ear. 

“Alright, do hit me up if there's any news. I'd be helping here too.“ I heard him grind his teeth, he offered to help but somehow, I sense deceit but it was not bad to trust this one once right? 

He hung up. I stared on to the city once more, this was a chance to prove if I could hold on to the company or shudder the responsibility to someone else. 

And as I walked back to the desk, I tapped my fingers against the wood — this was a journey to gaining trust.