The CEO's Surrogate

Chapter two

I gaped at James calmly, waiting for him to get done with what he was uttering at the moment. I listened with rapt attention, with my heart thumping rapidly and beads of sweat forming on my forehead.

“So, I’m certain you would be sent a message in that regard”, he said in conclusion and stared at me intently.

“I don’t feel great about this”, I said sincerely as I shook my head and placed my palm beneath my jaw.

He had just told me that my grandmother had called him yesterday, narrating her fears about the ownership of the family company.

She had informed him that her two grandsons were irresponsible and as such, she feared greatly for what the future of the company would look like if they don’t become responsible.

I let out a scoff as I chuckled and quickly wore a frown.

It wasn’t surprising because I had heard her mention that countless times.

“But I’m not irresponsible”, I said to James, with a worried look on my face.

“According to her, you are irresponsible until you have a child or get married”, James said and broke into loud laughter that got on my nerves.

“This is not funny”, I said, as I shot him a death glare.

“Somehow it is. I mean, your grandmother is quite hilarious”, he commented and grinned from ear to ear.

I didn’t get to see anything hilarious about the situation because my step-brother was involved as well.

We were the two grandsons who stood in line for the ownership of the company.

There had been a series of troubles and dissatisfaction coming in that regard, but after careful thoughts and examination, my grandmother had tentatively given me the position.

“It could be temporary and also, could become a permanent role”, she had said to me that fateful day.

That seemed to be one of the greatest days of my life and the moment I stepped into the office of the CEO, I promised myself to keep up in that position as I wouldn’t want something less.

“Are you scared or threatened by him?” James suddenly asked, causing me to jolt off my thoughts.

“Him?” I questioned, feigning ignorance as though I had no idea of who he was referring to.

“Don’t do that! You know I’m talking about Stan!” James said aloud as he shot me a hard glare.

“Ohh!” I mouthed and kept mute, trying to ascertain if I was scared of him or threatened by his presence in the family.

Stan was my step-brother who came from my father’s affair with a young lady years ago.

I was older than him by three years, but most times, the way he talked and reacted to situations made me feel inferior.

Stan’s presence and involvement in the family were kept a secret until he and his mother showed up one evening at my grandmother’s mansion.

“He is your grandson! I can swear to that”, his mother had said to my grandmother, who didn’t want to believe her eyes.

After several days of trying to solve the situation and trying to come up with the truth, it was finally announced that Stan was a part of the family.

I could see the look of triumph in his mother's eyes that very day, and I had to start living with the fact that I wasn’t the only successor anymore.

I had a competitor who was younger than I am but capable enough to handle situations perfectly.

“I can’t be threatened by him! I am older”, I said with a large frown plastered to my face.

“Well, according to your grandmother, he would be at the meeting as well”, James said as I let out another deep sigh.

My head was beginning to ache as I wondered why the position of the CEO should be dragged with me.

I was the eldest grandson and by right, I was the only person meant to hold that position.

However, from all indications, it was clear that my grandmother didn’t think in such a manner.

Just then, I heard a slight knock on my door.

“Sir, you have a package”, My assistant said as she walked into my office and placed a small brown envelope on the table.

“It’s from the brown house”, she explained as I nodded and exchanged glances with James, who gestured for me to go ahead with opening it.

The letter had come from my grandmother and the italics of “The brown house”, were enough proof to back up the intuition.

“Your presence is needed at the next family meeting, which is slated to hold on the 30th. We have an important subject to discuss, and I suggest you make it to the meeting on time”, the written note in the letter said, confirming all that James had just said to me.

“I was right!” He said excitedly while I scoffed.

“She tells you everything first, so it isn’t surprising”, I said calmly as I cleaned the sweats on my forehead.

Everything I felt was anxiety and fear. The last thing I wanted to do was to lose my position as the CEO and probably be given a lower position in the company.

That would make me fall into depression, I was certain about that.

“Can you find me a*****e that sells the nicest fashion stuff”, I said to my assistant as she glared at me in shock

I couldn’t ascertain what I was doing by asking her something that wasn’t related to work, but I needed someone to sort that out for me and that seemed to be the only option.

“Yes sir! Definitely”, she said with obvious shock on her face as she walked out.

I couldn’t help but observe the look of admiration that was present in James's eyes the moment he saw her. Unknowingly, I felt a pang of jealousy, seeing him glare at my assistant in such a manner.

“Now, what next?” I asked James, who quickly jolted off his thoughts and returned his gaze to me.

“You will attend the meeting on time, and you wouldn’t show any glimpse of fear or uncertainty. Stand your ground and let them know that you stand as the right person for that position”, James advised with a serious expression.