The Fall
Priscilla's POV
It’s Tennex 30th Anniversary gala. My nerves are flying over the place. I rush into the females bathroom. My hands, gripping firmly to the sink, panting and gasping for air. Just then, I heard a familiar voice at the end of the restroom
“That spoilt brat cannot win. We have to take her down.”
I instantly froze. My eyes widening, those words sent cold chills down my spine.
“Why did that voice sound so familiar” I thought. Completely shaken from what I just heard.
“No it can’t be him” I said shaking my head in disbelief. “How could he…..?”
I quickly put myself together and left the restroom. I walked towards the gala reception, hands dripping in sweat, my chest tightening like I would suffocate. I sat down, trying to recover from my horrific trip to the bathroom. Just then, Dad stood up with a glass of champagne, hitting it lightly with his spoon to grab everyone’s attention.
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please?” He said, his voice sharp and firm cutting through the chatter of the guests.
“As you all know,” he continued. “I am Arthur Wright. CEO of Tennex. 30 years ago, I founded Tennex, which up until now was a dream I had nurtured since college.”
Applause fills the room
“I have run this company for 30 solid years”. Dad continued. It’s been a rollercoaster ride that sadly has to come an end. So I’d like to announce my retirement which would be in 6 months!”
On the flipside, here I am, drowning in my own thoughts. “It can’t possibly be him” I thought.
“It’s not possible. He can’t…… ?”
“My daughter Priscilla Wright, as my successor, and the soon CEO of Tennex!” Dad says, snapping me back to reality.
Applause fills the room.
“Thank you.” I said. My warm smile hiding the chaos in my mind and the horror I felt inside. My eyes scan the room. Then it lands on my Uncle, Victor Wright, who sat two tables across dad and I, with some of our staff. Their countenance revealing something cold, almost like they weren’t pleased with Dad’s speech. Just then, my uncle breaks off a smirk, leaving me confused as to why he was doing that. Suddenly, the guests’ attention were caught when the projector came on.
“Wright Heiress, sleeping her way to the top?”
I froze. My face going through several emotions before settling on confused. Just then, slideshow pictures appeared on the screen displaying pictures of me with one of the company’s former investors in questionable intimate situations.
I sat there completely stunned, praying for the ground beneath me to open so I’ll gladly jump in. It took everything in me to pick up the few shards of my broken dignity and self-respect before getting up to speak.
“Wait… what???” I said. My body vibrating in anger and humiliation.
The room is filled with deafening silence. Followed by loud whispering and murmurings
“This is unbelievable!” One of Dad’s potential clients, Mr. Fields said, looking at me in utter disgust.
“Is this supposed to be the future CEO?” Another investor seconded.
“Dad!” I protested. “I didn’t do anything… I never..”
I suddenly paused, looking at my Dad, who clearly showed no emotion. He just stared at the screen. His expression cold, like he saw this coming. I immediately ran out of the reception with a group of reporters at my tail. They finally cornered me. Camera lights flickering, almost blinding.
“Ma’am, how long has the affair been going on??” One asks
“Miss Wright, does this mean you’ve lost your job as CEO?” Another asks.
“Miss Wright, seeing this scandal, what is the future of Tennex? The third asks.
At this point, I’m drowning in a sea of reporters. Multiple questions are thrown like bombs on me all at the same time. Camera flashlights too close to my face, almost blinding my eyes. Immediately, security swoops in, trying to pull me away from the crowd. As the security leads me out of there, the noise from the reporters became faint. Security escorts me to my car. I sit in my car, my heart racing like it would explode. My hands grip the steering wheel firmly as I gasp for air. Just then, my phone buzzed.
“Must be Dad!” I thought. As I picked up my phone and proceeded to open the text.
“Game on!” it reads.
My hands trembling, as I see the text. My body shaken in horror as I thought
“What’s going on?”
I drove out of the building, completely dazed, after seeing that horrific text. As I drove, I thought what I could have done to someone to tarnish my image in such a way. With this scandal, who knows what would happen to Tennex? Dad would be so furious! Even worse, my future as CEO is at stake! Immediately, I put on my air pods, pressing hard to activate the AI call feature.
“Call Kendra!” I said. Almost screaming.
She picks on the first ring.
“Hello? Priscilla? I saw what happened” she said
“Where?” I responded.
“On the news!” she replied
My heart instantly sank. My mouth open but couldn’t say a word.
“Come over. Let’s talk.”
20 minutes later, I pull over at Kendra’s apartment building. I quickly rush out of my car to Kendra’s door. I knocked frantically on Kendra’s door, worried that some reporters might still be following me. Kendra immediately opens the door.
“Priscilla!” she said pulling me into her arms to a tight hug. I melted helplessly in her arms, sinking to the floor. Sobbing uncontrollably.
“Who would do this!” I said, crying. My tears soaking Kendra’s shoulders.
Kendra pulls me up gently and leads me to her couch. I sit down, my head still leaned in on Kendra’s shoulder. She holds me, tight but gentle, while stroking my hair.
“It’s okay, Priscilla.” she said softly.
“Everything will be fine soon.” She said, whilst still holding me.
In Kendra’s arms, I felt safe, loved, the way I felt in my mother’s arms. I felt peace, like all my problems paused for a moment.
Kendra held me till I was calm. I gently pulled away from her warm embrace. As I opened my mouth to speak, Kendra shakes her head.
“No.” she said. “We will talk about this when you feel better in the morning.”
Kendra gently leads me to the bedroom. Honestly I really needed to sleep, like I had no worry at all. I held on to a glimmer of hope that everything would sort itself by morning. I hoped.
