Redeeming the Tycoon's Heart

CHAPTER THREE

“Ladies and Gentlemen, let's warmly welcome Mr Damian Ashluxe”. A guy dressed in a blue berluti blazer announced ….

Everyone applauded as my boss walked valiantly to the stage.

Standing before the stage, he wore a stern look without any form of anxiousness as he was calm and confident as he addressed the crowd.

“Hello everyone”. I am Damian Ashluxe, the owner of Damien Group Of Companies. I am very thrilled and pleased to welcome you all here and I am looking forward to working together to ensure a smooth alliance of both companies.

As he spoke, the audience enthusiastically applauded hanging beaming smiles on their faces to show approval.

He extended a handshake to his new business partner, Mr Hassan and they both looked towards the crowd, showing signs of agreement between both companies.

Mr Hassan put up a bright smile and looked towards the audience while my boss nailed a cold vibe and he seemed unapologetic about it

With the atmosphere buzzing with excitement, my phone Interrupted my attention with a call. It was Ashley, my younger sis calling…

Though my heart raced, I couldn't answer as it was nearly time for my boss's presentation, and I needed to be by his side.

I watched the call ring until it eventually went off, causing my heart to sink.

My phone kept buzzing and buzzing ..

Ashley, wants to kill my phone with calls I said , as the feeling of weariness exhumed me.

My boss went up on stage and the business plan was projected. He signalled to me to get the document and his opening speech and I went to submit it to him.

I could feel my heart pounding as I stepped on stage. The bright spotlight illuminated on my face, casting my long shadows to reflect on the floor . I handed over the documents to him and walked down the stage standing by a corner.

I wondered how people stood there to address people, it was a lot , I wondered.

The presentation started and my boss spoke with so much affluence and confidence and showed everyone, including his business partner the plan moving forward and people cheered him on.

He gave a detailed review on the business plan and walked down the stage to his table.

My boss and Mr Hassan signed a few documents once again and I guess it means the deal was a success.

I heaved a sigh of relief …

A man stood up from the crowd and walked up to the stage and I realised it was the same man that had a grand entrance when walking in…

As he moved, applause filled the hall and everyone turned their gazes on him.

He started by saying “I am very proud today as I stand here as a satisfied father”

“I am very proud of how far my boy has come and I am happy for this new alliance with the Reeds Firm”… He added..

“Boy, father?”......

I wondered if his father was alive, as he referred to his "boy" and “his father” in his speech, and I had never heard of them before.

Surprised, I realised I knew little about my boss's family.

Curiosity filled me as I observed my boss, detecting a subtle disturbance in his expression.

All my life of working with my boss, I never heard of his parents and I couldn't help but wonder why I've never heard of them.

I was so surprised that I couldn't hide the expressions on my face.

Though a sudden rush of curiosity filled my mind as I felt lost, I decided to wave it off as it wasn't my business.

During the refreshments break, I seized the chance to apologise to my sisters as I stepped out to the restroom to call Ashley and Mira.

I dialled Ashley's number but she didn't pick it up and just as I was about to walk out of the restroom, her call came in….

“Ashley”, I said calmly

“How are you doing” … I paused and waited for her to speak but she didn't .

For a second, silence engulfed the restroom and I knew I had to continue talking…..

“I know you're upset and you and Mira have every right to, but honestly it wasn't my intention to miss this year's remembrance”.... I said sadly.

“Shirley, you chose your work over mum and dad. You neglected your family over work and honestly , Mira and I would not forgive you for missing it”.....She said loudly dropping the call on me.

I was overwhelmed by guilt and my mind clouded with sadness as tears welled up in my eyes. The pressure I felt was a lot as it was also the eve of our parents' four-year remembrance.

The tears finally escaped my eyes and I couldn't help it but let it out. I looked into the big restroom mirror opposite me and wiped my tears carefully in order not to spoil my lip gloss and mascara.

I needed to be strong for my little sisters, I told myself and proceeded to leave the rest room.

********

The hall had banging music and my voice echoed as I talked to the steward concerning everything. I glanced around to see if there was anything I missed when I found out that my boss wasn't on the seat.

It wasn't supposed to be, I was supposed to be everywhere with him.

I knew I had messed up…. I quickly looked around and asked about him

It was difficult looking for him because I was aware of his aversion to noisy settings and the environment was noisy when I arrived.

He must have gone away due to the noise, I guessed but I still looked for him. As I approached the corners of the hall, I heard distant voices, but I could hear them because it was a heated exchange.

My boss was confronting someone and I stood behind the walls to listen to the conversation.

“Why are you here?" my boss demanded, visibly angered by the unexpected reunion.

“I had to come see my son whom I've missed so much”...

He replied

I immediately recognised his voice as the man who introduced himself as my boss's father.

“I hate the sight of you dad, I do and ever since you left, you didn't come back. So why are you here?

“What made you show up”?... My boss asked him, demanding an answer ..

“Son you cut off from the company we all spent years building together, ever since then your cousin Richard has been handling it. A lot has been happening and I needed some time away and that's why I just left”. He replied almost immediately..

“He can have company for all I care” , "I have better things to do, and please just walk away like you did before and never come back''. My boss said angrily and walked out coming towards my direction.

I observed the way the man stood back and didn't look sad or down after the conversation.

Instead he continued blowing out the cigarette smoke into the air as he picked up his phone to make a call.

I discreetly retreated, and I used another path to go into the party.

I needed more clarity on everything , I said to myself as I walked towards my boss thinking of what to say to him, amidst grappling with the overwhelming information I just uncovered under two hours.