Chapter 6
1110 Words
Lucian's brow furrows as he poses a question, "How do single mothers handle this, Lily?"
"I'm not a single mother! I have you, Luc! Ow, ow!" she protests, her cries mingling with discomfort.
Sighing, Lucian removes his jacket and starts massaging her legs with urgency, although her persistent cries begin to grate on his nerves.
“I got you pregnant, I got you pregnant. Not a mistake,” he mutters to himself repeatedly as he massages her legs, the repetitive motion feeling like it’s been going on forever.
Sensing his grip becoming too forceful, she halts his actions. “Okay, okay, that’s enough. Having cramps doesn’t mean you should bruise my legs.”
He shoots her a blank look. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, my legs are starting to ache,” she responds, her expression reflecting discomfort, prompting a sigh from him.
His phone begins to ring, and he answers, adopting a professional tone. “Lucian Storm speaking.”
“Sir, it’s your secretary, Sarah. The subsidiary management is awaiting your arrival, Sir. They’re already at the conference room,” Sarah informs him over the phone.
“Hmm. Did the division heads leave anything on my desk today?” he inquires.
Sarah replies promptly, “No, Sir.”
Lucian ends the call and notices the unhappy expression on Lily’s face. With a subtle shake of his head, he hardens his heart, deciding not to bother about her.
However, as he rises to change into his professional clothes, he can’t help but notice Lily’s gaze fixed upon him.
*Damn, why does he have to look so captivating? It’s almost sinful,* Lily muses, gazing at him wistfully, clinging to the hope that one day he’ll come to reciprocate her feelings. Perhaps the pregnancy will serve as a catalyst for his affection, rather than irritation or mere inconvenience.
As Lucian prepares to leave, Lily calls out to him, “Lucian.” He turns to face her, and she blurts out, “I love you.”
Lucian pauses, his gaze lingering on her for a moment, his brow creasing slightly as he absorbs her declaration, before wordlessly exiting the room and leaving the house.
Upon arriving at Storm Industries, Lucian casually tosses his car keys to one of his security guards before making his way into the building.
Inside the conference room, a sense of anticipation hangs in the air as managers from every corner of Storm Tower gather for their quarterly meeting with none other than the enigmatic CEO, Lucian Storm.
From arms manufacturing to media conglomerates, hotels to law firms, malls to cutting-edge tech startups, Storm Tower has its fingers in every pie, and Lucian is the puppet master pulling the strings.
As Lucian makes his grand entrance, the room instantly falls under his spell. His commanding presence fills the space, his piercing gaze sweeping over the gathered assembly, leaving an unreadable impression. Without uttering a single word, he takes his place at the head of the table, and the room falls silent.
“Did I make you guys wait for too long?” he asks them, his voice low and measured.
The managers squirm in their seats, eager to appease their CEO. “Not at all, Mr. Storm,” they respond almost in unison.
Known for his directness, they brace themselves for the forthcoming discussion, knowing that Lucian Storm doesn’t mince words.
“As you’re well aware,” Lucian begins, igniting his cigarette and reclining in his chair, releasing a plume of smoke, “Storm Industries prides itself on excellence in every facet of our operations. We set the standard for innovation, efficiency, and success, and we won’t settle for anything less from each and every one of you.”
The managers nod in agreement, their eyes fixed on Lucian with a mixture of fear and reverence. They know that failure is not an option under Lucian's watchful eye.
“However,” Lucian continues, his tone darkening slightly, “I am disappointed to report that one of you has failed to uphold the standards of excellence that Storm Tower demands.”
A ripple of anxiety courses through the room as the managers exchange worried glances. No one wants to be the target of Lucian’s wrath.
One of the managers slowly raises his hand, his expression tense. “Mr. Storm, I, uh, suffer from asthma,” he discloses.
Lucian expels a cloud of smoke that seems to envelop the room before he responds, “Given your condition, perhaps it’s best if you tender your resignation. I’ll find a more suitable replacement, unless, of course, I decide to terminate you on the spot for interrupting me.”
The manager visibly swallows, his gaze dropping in apprehension.
“Mr. Johnson,” Lucian suddenly addresses, his voice ice cold as he turns his gaze to the manager of the hotel division. “I have received reports of unacceptable behavior at one of our flagship properties.”
Mr. Johnson visibly pales, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he struggles to maintain eye contact with Lucian.
“Complaints of poor service, unclean facilities, and subpar amenities have been flooding in,” Lucian presses on, his voice rising with each word. “This is unacceptable, Mr. Johnson. Unacceptable!”
“Sir, I… I…” Mr. Johnson stammers, his attempts at explanation drowned out by Lucian’s escalating fury.
“If you cannot manage a single hotel to the standards that Storm Tower demands,” Lucian thunders, his voice reverberating through the room, “then perhaps you are not fit to manage anything at all!”
A heavy silence blankets the room, the atmosphere tense and charged as Lucian’s words hang in the air.
Mr. Johnson bows his head in defeat, fully aware that his fate is sealed regardless of his defense.
“As of this moment,” Lucian says, his voice cold and final, “you are relieved of your duties as manager of the hotel division. Consider this your final warning, Mr. Johnson. Fail me again, and there will be consequences.”
Lucian surveys the room, relishing the noticeable fear etched on their faces, the haze of smoke from his cigarette swirling around them, prompting coughs from a few of the managers.
“Need I articulate what is expected in our quarterly meeting?” Lucian’s voice cuts through the smoky air. “Financial performance, operational updates, strategic initiatives, market analysis, risk management, and goal setting. What are we waiting for? Surely, you're eager to leave?”
With the meeting concluded, Damien returns to his office, only to find an unexpected visitor waiting for him.
“Hello, brother,” he sneers, taking his seat behind the desk.
- Writer
