The CEO's Surrogate

Nathan's POV The light of dawn seeped into my bedroom, causing me to stir up and let out a slight groan. The just risen sun shone brightly into the street, ushering in the daily activities and essence of life. I slowly stood up and walked towards my balcony, rubbing my bleary eyes and taking in the deep air that hit my face the moment I was out of my room. A smile was created across my lips but got stuck when I recalled the events that would happen later in the day. Abruptly, my face squeezed into a frown as I walked back into my room, sighing at intervals and drowning in thoughts. “Good morning Nathan, I look forward to meeting with you today at your office”, James, a good friend of mine who worked for my grandmother, said to me. I sighed yet again and dropped my phone on the bed, suddenly feeling drained and exhausted, even though the day had just started. Walking down the living room after getting clad in my black tuxedo, I met my breakfast laying on the table. This was what my life looked like because I stood as the present CEO of our family company. As the CEO, you get to have a luxury suite, with various employees at your beck and call and the ability to attain things just with a flip of the finger. It was that easy, and such a privilege was one everyone prayed for and hoped to get. “Good morning sir”, the chef bowed in respect as I smiled and waved my hands at him. The morning looked great, but deep within, I felt so empty and uncertain about a series of things. A few weeks ago, I entered the company when I got to hear slight rumors which flew around. From all indications, there was a possibility that I would be removed as CEO. At first, I ignored them and took it as hearsay, until James divulged it to me the day we had gone out for dinner. “You should relax at the moment. The news and details surrounding that are yet to be known. But then, I heard it from your grandmother’s employees”, James had told me as he gave me a look that signified the need to remain calm. That got me restless and irrespective of the fact that he pleaded with me to be quiet and mute about it, I had a deep feeling that it might be true. I jerked up when I heard a slight cough emanating from the chef. I needed no one to tell me that he was sending a reminder of my need to eat before it gets cold. Taking in a deep breath, I gulped down hard and settled on my breakfast of pancakes, coffee, and some sausages. Once I was done, I got led to my car which stood by the driveway, waiting for my arrival. All of these, I enjoyed because of the privilege of being the CEO. However, what would happen if that role and the title is taken away from me? I shuddered at that thought and made up my mind to focus my attention on work and positivity, rather than getting myself drowned in irrelevant thoughts that would only get me overwhelmed. We arrived at the company at exactly 9: am and once I alighted from the car, I made my way to my office which was situated on the highest floor of the building. The highest floor of the company was reserved for only the CEO and his assistant. The assistant got to enjoy the privilege because of their duty that involves being the first-hand person to be at the beck and call of the CEO. “Good morning, sir”, my assistant said to me as she hurriedly took my suitcase away from my grip while bowing in respect. I couldn’t place my hands on her name, as that never crossed my mind. That was an awful trait for a CEO, but I cared less about that. “Good morning”, I responded briefly and returned my gaze to my wristwatch. James had told me that he would be coming to my office soon, and that was where my mind focused on presently. It was silent on the top floor of the elevator. My assistant seemed to be staring at me intently, but once I glanced back at her, she would hurriedly lower her head to the floor. “Your schedules for today, sir”, she said to me moments later after I got settled in my office. “Thank you”, I replied and gazed at the schedules, thankful that it wasn’t so much for me at the moment. She stayed still, peering into my eyes as though she were on the verge of saying something. “Is there a problem?” I asked and she hurriedly shook her head negatively. I stared at the door, trying to tell her that she could leave if she had nothing else to say to me. She nodded her head in understanding and quickly made her way away from the office. Just as she left, I observed her for the very first time since she started working as my assistant. Her dark long hair that flowed down to her back caught my attention, together with the blue shorts and corporate gown which did well in showing every tiny detail of her body structure. She was beautiful, and I didn’t get to see that, until now… “Sir, Mr. James is here to see you”, she said about one minute later, peeking her head into my office as though she were scared to come in. “Let him in”, I said almost immediately, as she nodded her head and walked away. A deep sigh escaped my lips as I rolled on my chair while awaiting the presence of James. James was a senior staff at my grandmother’s mansion. For some reason I couldn’t decipher, she loved him so much that she gave him the privilege to get involved in matters involving the family and business. She took him as an adviser and even though he was way younger, she never failed to listen to him. “Do come in”, I said, immediately I heard a slight knock on my door.