IN LOVE WITH MY HUSBAND'S BROTHER

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Arrival at Marthin Compagnie

A luxurious black car drives through streets lined with modern office buildings. She slowly stops in front of an imposing building, several stories high, with large bay windows reflecting the sky. The *Marthin Compagnie* logo in golden letters sits proudly on the facade. Thomas and Théophile get out of the car, their footsteps echoing lightly on the marble floor of the entrance.

The twins exchange a look, marking this solemn moment when they are about to cross the threshold of the family business. Despite their striking physical resemblance – same carefully styled brown hair, same build – it is easy to distinguish Thomas, the eldest, by his more rigid face, his calculated gestures and the way he meticulously adjusts his costume. Théophile, for his part, lets out a mischievous smile while adjusting his tie slightly askew, relaxed.

THOMAS, his voice calm, but tinged with emotion,

Today is where it all begins, brother. Marthin Compagnie is in our hands.

_THÉOPHILE, raising his eyebrows,

You say that like it's a heavy responsibility. I would rather say that it’s finally time to have fun.

They exchange a light laugh, even if the tension of the moment is palpable. The glass doors open automatically in front of them as they move towards the entrance of the building.

Mr. Marthin's office, on the top floor of the building, is vast, bathed in natural light thanks to the large windows which offer a panoramic view of the city. Dark wood furniture, books lined neatly on shelves, and calming landscape paintings provide an elegant, thoughtful ambiance.

Mr. Marthin, a man in his sixties whose stature is still straight despite the years, stands near the window, his hands crossed behind his back. His short-cropped gray hair adds to his dignified appearance. With a serious but kind face, he contemplates the city, absorbed in his thoughts. He is dressed in a dark suit, sober but impeccable.

The door opens slowly, and Thomas and Théophile enter. They stand for a moment in the doorway, observing their father who seems immersed in contemplation of his empire.

_MR. MARTHIN, without turning around, a smile in his voice “I was waiting for you.”

He slowly turns around to face his sons, his smile discreet but proud. The twins come forward, and their father approaches to greet them warmly.

_THOMAS: "Hello, dad. We are ready." he said respectfully

_THÉOPHILE, with a mischievous wink: "I wonder if you are ready to let us take the reins... you don't seem in a hurry to retire, you are still as alert as ever."

Mr. Marthin bursts out laughing, a sound that echoes pleasantly in the room.

_Mr. MARTHIN (amused): "Always the little comic, Théophile. But, I think the time has come for me to pass the torch... well, almost."

He places a fatherly hand on the shoulder of each of his sons, his eyes sparkling with pride. Then, turning towards his desk, he presses a button on his intercom.

_M.MARTHIN speaking over the intercom: "

Élise, come to my office, please.

A few moments later, Élise, Mr. Marthin's secretary, appears. She is elegant, in her twenties, wearing a black pencil skirt and a crisp white shirt. Her brown hair is styled in a strict bun, and she holds a leather folder under her arm. Without looking up, she enters the office with a quick and professional step, greeting the two young men present with a mechanical gesture, without paying them any real attention.

_ÉLISE (in a polite but direct tone): “Sir, what can I do for you?”

The twins look at each other with a smirk, amused by Élise's indifference towards them. She doesn't seem to realize yet that they are her new bosses.

_Mr. MARTHIN: “Élise, I would like you to organize an immediate meeting with all the directors. This is important.”

Élise nods, focused, quickly writing down the instruction in her notebook.

_ÉLISE: “I’ll take care of it right away, Mr. Marthin.”

She quickly leaves the office, her heel clicking on the floor, not yet realizing that the two men present will soon be her superiors. Once the door is closed behind her, Théophile lets out a laugh.

_THÉOPHILE: "It looks like we're going to have to surprise her a little, don't you think? I can't wait to see her reaction when she finds out who we are.

THOMAS (smile): "We'll have to get used to it, it won't be the last time we go incognito."

The meeting room is huge, a long mahogany table sits in the center, surrounded by leather chairs. On the walls, portraits of the company's previous directors, including that of the younger Mr. Marthin. The directors and senior executives of Marthin Compagnie enter little by little, looking intrigued by this sudden meeting. Some exchange curious murmurs. They take their seats, their eyes fixed on the empty place at the head of the table.

Thomas and Théophile sit side by side, looking concentrated, while their father gets up to address the assembly. Silence falls in the room as Mr. Marthin stands up, his footsteps echoing on the floor. He looks around, taking a moment to appreciate the importance of this moment.

_Mr. MARTHIN, in a solemn voice: "Ladies and gentlemen, I have been at the head of Marthin Compagnie for more than thirty years. During all these years, I have seen this company grow, evolve and become what it is today, thanks to you, to your dedication."

Everyone listens attentively, some casting furtive glances at the two young men sitting at the head of the table.

_Mr. MARTHIN: "Today, I stand before you to announce that the time has come for me to step back. After all these years of service, it is time for me to retire."

Murmurs of surprise arose in the room, the executives looking at each other in amazement. Mr. Marthin pauses, letting the whispers die down.

_Mr. MARTHIN: "From now on, it is my sons, Thomas and Théophile, who will guide this company. They are ready, and I have no doubt about their ability to take Marthin Compagnie even further."

All eyes turn to the twins. Silence settles again, tinged with astonishment. The executives exchange looks, surprised, some suspicious, others curious to see how the young men will manage this new responsibility.

Thomas stands up first, his face serious but determined. He walks towards the center of the room and speaks in a clear voice.

_THOMAS, calmly and confidently: "Ladies and gentlemen, we understand that this change may raise questions. This is a pivotal moment for this company, and we are aware of the expectations. We grew up watching our father, and we have been trained for this moment.

He glances at his brother before continuing.

_THOMAS, gently clearing his throat: "We have a clear vision for the future of Marthin Compagnie, and we want to build on the family heritage while innovating to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Théophile steps forward in turn, a confident smile on his lips.

_THÉOPHILE, in a lighter, but pacing tone: "And as for me, I look forward to working with each of you. We are a team, and with all of you, we can continue to make this company bigger, more innovative, and always true to its values.

Their speech, although simple and direct, is imbued with sincerity. The executives present seem touched, some exchanging more confident looks. Little by little, a wave of emotion runs through the room.

_Thomas, with a smile: "We can't wait to show you that we are up to the task."

A short silence ensues, before the entire room bursts into applause, at first timid, then enthusiastic. Some executives, moved by the sincerity of the two brothers, stand up to applaud them. The moment is solemn, but full of hope.

As the applause subsides, Mr. Marthin observes his sons with a proud smile, his eyes shining with satisfaction. Discreetly, he gets up and leaves the room, slipping away without a word. He knows that the future of Marthin Compagnie is now in good hands.