THE BILLIONAIRE SON

my forehead creased as soon as I entered the office because of the noises employees were making, one thing is for sure, it’s another gossip that’s going around “Have you heard?” Dan asked while I was fixing the table and trying to start up my day. I quietly shook my head and started reading all the files on my table, It was a lot. She threw some tissues at me to get my attention and I rolled my eyes at her. What is it that you’ve heard, that clearly, I haven’t heard of, just tell me now because there are things that I need to do.” She rolled her eyes at me. “the company has a new chief executive officer.” I nodded in response. She raises her eyebrows at me. “no violent reaction or anything?” She asked. I laugh a little. “why should I react? That’s normal, it happens besides it was supposed to be done last year. Why are you so shocked?” She was staring at me intently. “let me guess. You don’t know who the new chief executive officer is and clearly, you don’t have an idea what’s going to happen to you?” “why. Should I be worried?” Again. She rolled her eyes at me. “never mind, just attend the assembly later, there you’ll know. I don’t know if you will still come in tomorrow.” She said before leaving my office. Dan and I have been friends since college, through thick and thin, surprisingly, even though our attitudes are different from each other we get along a lot. I worked quietly for hours until it was time for the assembly to introduce the new chief executive officer. Joining the employees in the assembly hall was excruciating personally, I don’t mingle with the company’s employees. I sat down at the first row; it was required since every department head should be at the front row, quietly waiting for the assembly to start when Dan spoke beside me> “start to get nervous.” She said. I quietly waited for the board officials to start entering the stage and sat down. I just watched them with a boring look but a man immediately caught my attention. He walked confidently onto the stage and started speaking with no trace of shyness and nervousness captivating everyone's undivided attention. It was a cold but familiar voice that was enough to chill my back and give me a shiver through my whole body. “I’ve told you, you should be nervous. Look at him, it’s been years.” Dan said to me. I turned at her, not even realizing how pale my face was looking at the moment. “is that…. him?” I made a mouth gesture at her. She gives me a nod in the affirmative. You should have given me a clue, heads-up just anything to prepare myself. I did you just weren't interested in what I had to say she replied calmly, I looked at her like she had grown two horns and wanted to reply but was interrupted when a familiar voice began to speak. “good afternoon, I’ll just make this short since it’s almost rush hour. I’m your new chief executive officer and I look forward to working with all of you, he introduced effortlessly.” I couldn’t move immediately. Employees started to leave the assembly hall when the meeting was over but I was still there, processing the situation I was in, not believing that my life could take a drastic turn like this. “common babe, Let’s go,” Dan said. Dan was arranging her things when she turned her gaze to me. “aren’t you going home yet? You used to be the first to get things ready and go home.” She stated. I just looked at her still completely dazed not even realizing that the short meeting was over and the hall was almost empty. By the time I got home, my mind was still floating. Questions are flooding me right now. It’s been years. Why now. Why would fate bring us together like this after so many years, this is not happening, it doesn't feel right I do not want to be in this kind of situation. The next morning came I was wondering if I should resign or not because if I resigned I wouldn’t be able to see him anymore and that’s what I wanted. But wouldn't that be a coward's way out it's not like I can avoid him forever, I am not just ready to face him. I arrived at the office quietly, but to my great surprise, someone was sitting in my chair. It was him. “good morning sir, what can I do for you?” I tried to make my voice sound calm rather than shaky. He just looked at me sharply and grinned slightly. “Funny how fate brings us together, it’s been what? 7 or 8 years. It’s been a while. I closed my lips tightly and stood up so straight. Why should I be worried? He doesn’t know and he would never know. “Sir, if it’s not too much, may I just tell you that this is our workplace? Personal matters should not be brought here. If you have anything to say, you can email me and I’ll gladly respond.” He laughs out loud and leans back on the chair. “yeah. That’s what you’re good at, right? Running away.” He stood up and started walking towards me. “better ready yourself, I’ll make you pay for the impact you’ve made on my life.” I turned to him. I just breathed a sigh of relief when he left my office. My legs became wobbly, and I sat straight to the floor trying to calm my raving nerves. In less than a minute, I felt Dan enter the office. “Are you alright? You don't look too good” “Mary, are you ready for our dare to you? We’re about to graduate, don’t be worried about the dare.” I shook my head at the thought, On our block, I was the only person left with a dare that needed to be done. They didn’t stop teasing me. “What kind of dare is it? This better be good because I don’t wanna waste my time.” Sandra smiled. “It’s pretty simple. Just have this shot with Nathan,” she then gave me a shot glass. But I didn’t know that a mere shot glass would ruin everything……