A.W VILLA:
" Morning Alex." Diego addressed Alexander in a familiar tone as he strode into the living room.
Diego halted his steps on citing Alex passed out on the couch. Bottles of strong alcohol littered on the ground. The scene before him wasn't a surprise.
Though intoxicated Alex had high tolerance. His senses where sharp. However today was different, Diego had to wake him up.
Alex woke up his eyelids adjusting to the blurred figure before him. His thick, long lashes fluttering as he blinked.
He sat up on the couch. "Ahh." Alex let out a soft whimper. His hands instinctively clutching his head due to the migraine he suddenly felt.
"Sir…" "get me a pain relieve" Alex ordered, cutting him off.
Diego held his words. Replied with a nod and went upstairs to get the medicine.
Coming down, an elderly woman's presence startled Diego.
" Mrs Maggie, when did you get back?"
" This morning Diego." she said. "Welcome ba …"
" Why did you allow Alex drink so much? Why are there bottles of liquor everywhere?" Diego held back his words due to the elderly woman's bombarded questions.
"You know how he is when intoxicated! You promised me you wouldnt give him the chance to."
Mrs Maggie's voiced filled with annoyance.
Diego couldn't bring himself to say anything.
"I tried ma'am" where the words he managed to say.
" Hmph, you tried." Mrs Maggie repeated his words, but this time with sarcasm.
Mrs Maggie walked passed him with a tray: on it was a cup filled with herbal water.
Once Alex took it, his migraine would dissipate. " Just left for three days and this is what I see on my return." She muttered under her breath.
"Alex here take this". She offered Alex the herbal tea.
As she watched the young man sipp the tea, the words held up in her throat came out – "....."
" I'm sorry." Alex said. While still focused on the tea before him. He knew what she was about to say. Apologizing was the only way out.
The moment she heard his words her heart softened. Alex did know the way to calm her down.
"Don't do this again. Your puting ur health at stake." She said in a mother-like tone as she glanced at the bottles on the floor.
She really saw Alex as her son and wouldn't want anything to harm him.
With that she went on with her duties of the day; managing the villa.
Leaving the two men alone in the living room.
" What happened last night?" Alex asked as he glanced through the contents in his phone.
" The meeting you had with mister Koll went well. He agreed with the land purchase. Though skeptical about selling. As the area was due to being developed. Which would be double the price he bought the area. He is a real estate mogul, obviously his greed got the better of him. Giving you higher advantage of laying more reasons for him to sell, with the price brought to the table he couldn't resist hence the land is yours. In three days the paperwork is done, the area is legally yours.
Knowing he couldn't remember due to effects of the call in his system. Diego gave him a summary.
"Is that all?" Alex asked. He couldn't remember. For reasons unknown he felt this strange feeling. Something was off.
But he shrugged it off.
" To celebrate the contract you and mister Koll with his subordinates drank all night. Because of this, you came back around 4am." Diego added. He had been keeping tabs on him.
Making sure nothing bad happened.
Two months remained for the board members to vote who the next CEO would be.
Diego knew Alexander Wright. He was Smart, calculative, unique. Name it. However there would always be a flaw in every human. His drinking.
"I want to see Darie." Alex said while standing to his feet. He hadn't heard from her since.
"Alex your father wants to see you." Diego said. He was sure that Alex's mood would turn sour. As expected -
"Why?" Alex cold voice erupted. Had it been anyone but Diego they would have flinched or jolted in shock. Diego was use to it.
"Let me guess, be of good character." Alex said. His voice laced with irritation and annoyance.
His father was selfish.only thinking about the business, nothing else.
"He instructed I bring u over."
" after that you'll see Darielle". Diego had to follow orders. Alex was like a robot no emotions. But with Darielle around He showed a calm and warmth self. Diego had to use Darielle to make him think straight. He was Alexander Wright in business, towards his family. But was Alex towards Darielle.
Get the car ready. He commanded. As he walked upstairs to freshen up.
The guard stationed at the garage drove out the Rolls Royce. Diego got in and waited for Alex. In thirty minutes Alexander Strode towards the car, exuding a deadly aura as he got in.
Diego punched the gas pedal and drove off.
— — —
G.H CORPORATION:
"Young master Wright welcome." his secretary addressed him while taking off his coat.
"Where is my father?" "in the board room."
" Ha ha ha."
Laughter could be faintly heard, as Alex walked straight towards the door.
He got in.
The board room suddenly fell silent, filled with the soft hum of air conditioner.The long glass table reflect five men – four seated, one standing at the head.
The walls gleam with power: framed newspaper covers, plaques, awards. At the far end sits Talmadge, the aging but sharp founder of G.H Corporation. By his side, Alexander,his son, sits down with his back straightened. Exuding an air of authority.
Across from them, the three candidates:
Mr. Kane, Mr Oswald, and Mr Duru – each representing a different family branch within the company.
The air in the room was thick the moment he entered. Alex gazed at all three men with a peculiar look.
Though it might seem their visiting was merely to celebrate how far G.H had reached it's peak. Their motives were at plain sight before Alexander Wright.
It couldn't be a coincidence that the nominated candidates running for CEO were before his Father.
Talmadge broke the silence by calmly addressing everyone.
"Gentlemen, G.H has stood for forty years. Fairness built this company. So, for the first time, I'm opening the floor — even my son will contest for the CEO seat. Let's hear your visions."
A smirk plays on Mr. Kanes face as he voice out his thoughts.
"A noble gesture, sir. But leadership requires… maturity. The board may not take kindly to a transition based on bloodline."
"Bloodline built this company, Mr. Kane. My father didn't inherit it, he fought for it. I intend to do the same."
Knowing where Mr Kane headed, Alex responded coldly but respectfully.
Mr Oswald feigning diplomacy, interjected -" We all respect your enthusiasm, Alex. It's just— experience doesn't come from classrooms or family dinners."
He chuckles softly, the kind that hides insult under politeness.
Alex shifts his gaze from Kane to Oswald. His icy eyes fixed at the latter, if looks could kill the man would have been six feet. He understood the meaning his words left behind. Yet his face showed no emotion. " And neither does loyalty, Mr. Oswald. Yet somehow, my father's been generous enough to let you prove yours."
Alex spoke up.
Alex, though not on good terms with his father found himself speaking on his behalf. Not because Talmadge couldn't talk, but because before his father would let out out his words, Alex would attack without sparing them a glace.
This left the old man proud of his son.
Duru leans forward, his voice low and sharp. "Let's be realistic. The market's unstable. Investors need confidence, not sentimentality. Handing power to an untested heir could break that trust."
Talmadge could obviously see through their petty scheme but watches silently, his eyes unreadable.
However his cub preffered to shut them up!
"or maybe it's not the investors your worried about Alex looks at the man sitted, hinting at him his tricks were petty.
Then adds, "its losing control." he retorts.
His former thoughts were now justified by their actions.
Duru stiffens. His face filled with rage but masks it with a smile. " Control is earned, Alex. Not gifted. Some of us still remember what it took to keep this company alive while you were studying abroad."
Alex opened his mouth but Talmadge beats him to it this time as he raises hand. Calm but firm, signaling to end the arguments.
"Enough!" Talmadge voices, sending chills to the three men. His son sited unmoving. This three rifrafs were being strategically disrespectful, sly, and manipulative. Their thorny motives covered by hibiscus flower.
Alex thought to himself.
"I built G.H on loyalty, not fear. Each of you claims to want what's best for this company. I expect proof, not politics. Tomorrow, you'll each present your vision for G.H's future. No more talk.
He looks at Alex, then the others. "And may the best man win. But remember being fair shouldn't be mistaken for weakness." with his final words Talmadge exits the board room.
Kane leans toward the others, whispering just loud enough for Alex to hear.
"Fairness is a good show, but shows don't last. The board already knows who's fit to lead."
Alex's jaw tightens, his reflection staring back at him from the table; his determined spirit couldn't wait for Kane's words to choke him once he became CEO. He merited his current position through hardwork thus leading him to be nominated. Although he wasn't interested, their actions changed his perspective.He was ready for them.
Alex mutters quietly to himself as he strode out of the boardroom:
"Then it's time to remind them what legacy really means."
— — — —
"Darielle calm down … I know your hurt right now but you need to calm down." feeling her best friends pain, Cecilia Patrick tries to coax her up. But it's to no avail.
"I feel dirty." Darielle chokes out, her face watered with tears. As she shoves Cecilia aside.
"Dont come near me!" Darielle screams out. Trembling between sobbs. She staggers towards the mirror. Her reflection in contrast to the way she was hours before the incident. Her eyes were as cold as ice. The memories of how she struggled, pleaded and screamed flashed before her eyes before she had passed out.
"FLASHBACK"
The sound of thunder jolted Darielle awake. Instinctively she stiffened due to pain all over her body. The sheets stained with her blood. Darielle could only cry. She tried to get up but the pain weakened her, instinctively she held the corner of the bed for support. Searching for her phone, she found it on the table. Observing her environment she noticed she was in a room not an office. Immediately as she opened her phone
To call Mary, her text messages appeared - " Darielle got a call from my mom she is in the hospital I'll have to go. We'll meet at work on Monday. Tell me if you got the job. Bye."
The moment she read the text more tears streamed down her cheeks. She checked the time. It was 6:05 a.m.
Who would she call? Darielle thought to herself" the pain she felt was unbearable.
That moment her phone rang. On seeing the caller id she picked it. It connected," hey Shayla my plane just landed. I'm coming over I've missed you. I …" Cecilia Patrick's voice of happiness filled Darielle's ears, the former's voice in exact contrast to Darielle's tone – " come and get me. Please." Darielle managed to choke out those words in between sobs.her voiced filled with despair.She couldn't stay here . " Darielle what happened?" "I'm not at home I'll send my location come get me please." Darielle's emotions were in turmoil. She managed to send her location.
Darielle still in pain limped towards her cloth and put them on. She couldn't stay in this place any longer.
She dashed out of the place, her steps staggering. The rain drops showering over her left her wet. She shivered as she dragged herself, her whole body trembling.
Her clothes were wet, and the sea breeze made her skin break out in goosebumps. Drenched with mere strength she kept moving. She just wanted to stay far away from that place.
Tears in form of beads fell from her eyes.
Darielle covered her eyes due to head light heading towards her.
The car stopped by her side and Cecilia got out. Her face filled with worry as she held Darielle.
"What happened? Why are you not home?"
Cecilia's heart tightened upon seeing her friend drenched under the rain.
"Cecilia" she muttered. "I … I am.. mom tell her… I was with you." Darielle spluttered.
Using her last strength to speak, she collapsed on Caffrey.
"Darielle!!"