Obey Me

The day she has been waiting for ages was finally here. It has to be the benefit of being one of the most successful businessman's daughter, especially a man who wants his legacy to be enjoyed by his family for years to come.

He was retiring today, which obviously meant the CEO position would be passed down to none other than, Erika Sterling, daughter of Matthew Sterling.

Everything was set. She had put on her black pencil skirt and a blazer on top, with her statement pearl necklace that her dad gifted her, knowing he would appreciate it. It would be the first time she was seeing him in 5 years that she has been away from LA.

She gets into her cadillac and the driver takes her straight to the office, Sterling and Co., a top grossing retail company.

She entered the huge luxurious building, greeting everyone back because there was not one employee who didn't know her even though she rarely ever bothered checking in with her dad's business. But she was here today, to take what belonged to her, the CEO position.

The retirement party had already started but she didn't bother because she knew the new CEO announcement wouldn't happen until she was there. Her dad didn't call which meant she was still on time. The elevator door opened to the 19th floor, the place where all the company get togethers takes place, and she entered with her head held high, gazes turning towards her as she walked by them.

Everyone looked lively, enjoying the party with drinks in their hands. Erika scanned the charming crowd to see if there was someone she would like to take home that night as a celebration after being named the CEO for herself. Her search was interrupted by the disturbance of a microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thanks to all of you for being here," Matthew Sterling's voice emerged from the podium. Erika saw her dad, he was in a suit and was in a great shape. "Wow, what a journey it has been. I've lived 30 years with this amazing family, my company, I'm so grateful I could have this many people beside me at all times, happy or sad. Thank you, truly."

The hall erupted into claps and cheers, they all loved him. Erika started moving towards the front of the podium and stood nearby so it's quicker to reach when she was called up.

"And today I'm retiring but I'm not sad, I'm really content. And the best part about this is that I'm passing on my legacy not only to my strongest support system but my biggest achievement."

Erika smiled to herself, her dad wasn't very expressive to her but hearing all that made her feel good. She held her head up with a proud face, knowing everyone was looking at her. They all knew the answer.

"You all already know who that is so I won't delay it any longer," Matthew says after noticing Erika in the audience and smiles at her. "I couldn't be happier to announce and show you guys who is going to take the legacy ahead. The new CEO of Sterling and Co. is..."

Everyone held their breath with anticipation even though the answer was clear. Erika took a deep breath and fixed her sleeves, practicing her lines in her mind. She folded her hands together and stared straight ahead, ready.

"My best friend and my partner, Mr Nigel Asher."

Erika unconsciously started stepping up until she let her dad's announcement settle in her mind. Erika Sterling. That's the name. Then why did it sound different? Flabbergasted, she sinked in the loud cheers and noise the crowd was making, but they also turned to look at Erika once in a while to see her reaction. She couldn't even hide the shock and disbelief from her face.

She looked up to see a man walking up towards her father with a smile of honor on his face. He was tall and had wide shoulders with a buff build, his grey suit wasn't enough to hide that. He had a wavy quiff, slightly long hair that was slicked subtly to the side and bright brown eyes. His majestic smile made everyone believe in him as the future CEO. But not Erika...

She was frozen in her place, watching the man flashing a dazzling smile to the crowd who was gushing about him. The women were louder. Who was this man.. why did he hold such a position in her father's life all of a sudden that suddenly, her father took away everything from Erika just to give it to him?

She couldn't believe this was actually happening. She just wanted to somehow climb up the stage and yell as loud as she could. It wasn't possible. This belonged to her.. not him.

She took an angry step forward when someone placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. She looked behind to see Grace, the assistant manager.

"Calm down, everyone's watching," she whispered.

"I can't.. you know this is wrong and..", Erika started but it was truly pointless.

"Come with me," Grace said, leading her away and Erika followed, knowing she had to get away immediately. She was too angry for that.

~

"What do you even mean?" Erika said, almost shaking with fury.

"He has disowned you. He's removing you from his will," Grace said calmly like she couldn't be bothered much. Erika's mouth dropped open. "That's why you didn't get the CEO position.. because he believes you don't deserve it."

"But I'm his daughter? He can't just give it to some random-"

"Mr Asher is not some random man. He stepped up and took this company to newer heights when your dad got sick and you selfishly left this country. We were all hopeless, the profits were non existent but he came and fixed it all. He's a deserving man for that position," Grace said, seemingly pretty brainwashed about the idea of him. Erika was even more pissed.

"I don't care. That doesn't mean he gets to have my position," she said, gritting her teeth and thinking really hard of what she was hearing. "Why is dad doing all this? He never even told me anything. I'm sure all of this is deception."

"What are you trying to say?"

"He's being tricked, someone is brainwashing him into doing things like this," Erika said, starting to fixate on the thought.

Grace took a moment and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I know you almost forever. And maybe I owe you this. But the number of people who were specifically close to your father was only one," Grace said.

"Are you implying that-"

"Nigel Asher."

~

That was all Erika needed to hear. Fuming with anger that made her face feel hot, she was almost running her way to her destination through the empty corridors.

It didn't take her long to spot his name inscribed on the door. It was his own cabin. Erika just couldn't digest that he became such an important person in such a short time and she had no idea at all. The thought made her anger only grow and her pace quickened.

She pushed the doorknob and bursted into the cabin at once.

"How fucking dare you? Who the fuck are you to-"

Erika swallowed her words when she focused on the sight in front of her. He sat on his chair with an unbothered smile and another woman was propped up on the desk in front of him. She was smiling flirtatiously and running her fingers on his collar and down his tie. He was looking at her with a small smile, completely ignoring the fact that Erika had just barged in.

"Just a second," he said quietly. Then his soft eyes turned a cunning brown immediately as they met her angry stare. He just gazed at her for a moment, scanning all of her in a split second. Then his lips curved in a very small mocking smirk.

He gave a small glance to the gorgeous lady on his desk and she got down, starting to leave after giving him a sultry look. That changed when she brushed past Erika, leaving her alone with the man.

Erika fumed up again, knowing he was disrespecting her father's company.

"Who.. the fuck.. are you.. and who gave you.. the fucking authority.. to sit there and look down on me like that?" Erika took steps towards him, banging her hands on his desk but it didn't make him flinch. He was watching her curiously like she was a unique artifact in the museum.

"Why the fuck are you quiet? Speak up!" She hit the desk again, her eyes going almost red with anger. His indifference and the smirk on his lips was only pushing her to the edge. "SAY SOMETHING YOU LITTLE PIECE OF-"

"Watch you tone when you speak to me, I'm not like your father," he said with his deep voice and cold tone. His eyes had turned dead serious too. "If you want to have a conversation, the seat is here. Only if you're civilised enough."

Erika's mouth dropped open at his demeanor. He knew who she was so it was certain he had planned to kick her out of the company on purpose.

"You think you're smart? I can see right through you. You were able to brainwash everyone here because I wasn't here. You can't do that shit anymore. I'm going to rip that self absorbed look out of your face-"

"How?" He raised and eyebrow. Almost immediately he started chuckling. He was making fun of her, making her lips seal shut in disbelief. "What can you even do?"

"I-"

"You're insignificant. No money, no position, nowhere to go. You're disowned. There, I said it before your father can officially break the news to you," he got up and slowly walked to her, face to face.

"You're doing this.. not him..", she said in a lower voice because she understood these words might just hold some truth. But she was sure it was handleable. She just needed to talk to my father.

"You'll be removed completely.. from this company.. then your mansion.. then your property papers," he said slowly as he leaned in towards her, towering her. She stared at him with a bold face, not sure if it was creating any effect on him.

"Stop it. You're lying. Daddy would never, I don't trust your words at all," she said confidently.

"You don't?" he asked, carefully scanning her face, his gaze dropping to her lips that made her falter for a second. "In 10 seconds, the security will come in and take you away. They're asked to escort you respectfully.. unless you resist."

"W-what?" Erika's eyes widened at his dead set eyes. He was serious.

"If you dont want to be thrown out of here," he leaned in and whispered in her ears, "Obey."