THE CEO'S NEW HEIRESS

Cluster gathering

Donald "~~

Never in his wildest dream did Donald believe he will be settling for a pity party. The most sought after bachelor with the looks and all the money. But here he was around 5 pm on a Friday evening, seated inside of the luncheon club alone.The Luncheon club was the biggest in the country, a place where the die party lovers go to ease the tension after the week. This however wasn't his reason to visit.

Donald was a pretty conversative man. Who payed the club a visit once in a blue moon, usually with his friends. Coming alone was something he never thought of doing till today.

Two weeks had gone bye since the business party, where he got the shocking news of his grandfather's will. The news still hung around him, and his mood hasn't improved after the faithful night.

He couldn't stay at home for fear of his pals dropping in to check on him.So he opted for the least place on their mind.

The club was cool but liivened up after the deejah played some afro beats. The music pulsed through the air, diffusing through every corner. Different dance steps peculiar to the tik tok lovers were introduced. The club was soon bubbling with people spinning at the frequency of the beat, all caught up in the moment.

Donald passed a group of ladies who tried to initiate a chat but he turned them down. He wasn't in the mood for sultry company.

Despite all the buzz in the club, Donald chose to settle at a corner. This was his plan of hiding away, the flickering light high up the ceiling helped to do that.

Donald was looking gloomy. He had hired professionals who combed everywhere but there seem to be no trace of the said Athena.

“Could you refill my glass? Donald turned around to request from the club attendant who passed him.

The bartender nodded at Donald. He goes to grab a bottle from its section and pours another round of whiskey into the glass.

“Thank you. Donald's eye remain focused on the glass in his front. He raised it to his bottom lips but doesn't take a sip.

Athena was the strange woman's name. He had gotten the information secretly from the assistant to his grandfather's lawyer. Even that did little as the lady's whereabouts were difficult to c***k.

Donald overheard the board directors discussing the preparation of welcoming the new CEO. Apparently, they have discovered who the new CEO was and also made plans to find her. He wondered what they had found out about her.

He placed the glass on his lips and sipped his whiskey. Betrayal was what he felt inside. How was everyone ready to accept this woman ignoring the fact that he was dropped off. He worked twice than everyone and had made the company's problems his.

Donald was responsible for closing two more deals during the week. He made the company 5×richer with his quick negotiation skill and communication

I've been an asset to the company, no body can take my position away not even my grandfather.

“There you are, man”. His thoughts were interrupted by a gruff voice.This was the last option of a place to search for you. The cold hand belonging to the gruff voice patted his back.

Donald brows fused together in confusion as the hands stretched out for a handshake . He declined. “Who had traced him.

“It's John. The man took a seat across the table. He called out for drinks, the club attendant came over to the table and took his order.

“Man, I heard what happened”. You're holding up , right?

“Fantastic! He giggled. Donald wasn't ready to discuss his feelings.

“Release, Stop bottling the anger. You have given your heart to that company. What I know is at the end of this fiasco, you will be appraised by the board directors.

Donald felt a form of relief hearing his words. “All good. My grandfather decides to cancel me off and name someone his heir. He ruffled his black hair a little. “That old man gave it to a f*****g woman!

“ Relax, my friend. You discussed with the lawyer yet? John spoke softly.

“ Unfortunately no. He threatened to send me of all people out of his office. Man doesn't want an audience with me, unless it's in front of the whole company.

“You're the old man only surviving family. Why in the world does he need the presence of others to read the will? John asked.

Donald tapped the table with his fingers. “ I wondered too, claims it was grandpa's wish.

The club attendant chooses the moment to drop the wine on the table. He pours a little inside John's glass before leaving.

“That's unbelievable. Don, Have you met with the Athena. John drank from his glass after asking the question.

Donald eyed his friend suspiciously before taking a sip from his glass. He wondered where John got the information from. John replied as if reading his mind. “Frank mentioned her name to me during our discussion yesterday. He says you look shitty.

“That loud bastard. I've forgotten that he knows. Donald cursed his friend. I wonder who else he's told.

“ Have you heard of the saying, a closed mouth is a closed destiny. You, my friend, would've experienced that if not for Frank's mouth.

Donald not wanting to hear the proverb, shifted his attention to his phone on his laps.

John had a disappointed face to his friends action. But, he continued to speak “ Frank's mouth is the one that has saved you from the extra day of brodding. Seeing that Donald had no intention of listening, he went straight to the point.

“ Full name, Mary Athena Simpson ; Age, 24 years old, currently based in Tamoara village, South East Virginia. John watched as light returned to Donald's eye. “ Be forewarned, She's reported to be wild, and sometimes aggressive.

“When did you...? Donald voice sounded tottered.

“Today. You are welcome. John raised his glass in the air then gubbed his drink at once.

“How did you ? I was unable to do that for a week, a week... Donald was puzzled.

“I'm incredible.You can say that again”. John praised himself.

Donald's face was stoical when he heard the answer.

"Alright. John answered, “Perks of being irresistible to female detectives. Her recognized name on the database is Mary Simpson. The Athena is represented by A but it was never recorded.

Donald heaved a sigh of relief. “I owe you big time Man. Donald shook his hand gratefully.

“ Check your w******p. I have sent the address and directions. Her picture would be sent to you tonight. I really hope you get what you want. John said as he stood up to leave the club.

Athena ~~

Athena had forgotten what her aunt instructed her to bring.

Rosecurry or moringa leaf," she pondered thoughtfully. Deliberating on the decision, she offered a prayer and proceeded to make her choice.

She nervously bit her lower lips . Her aunt had Emphasized on the importance of distinguishing between the two similar-looking leaves, because one was medicinal the other wasn't. However, Athena confidently maintained that she understood the difference. It quickly became apparent that she would face challenges ahead.

As Athena walked from a distance, she observed bags being discarded. She resolved to overlook the situation, in order to avoid provoking her aunt's anger. Despite this behavior being something she had become accustomed to from her aunt, who had assumed the role of her legal guardian following her mother's passing, her aunt struggled to accept Athena's carefree demeanor and strong-willed nature. Consequently, she made efforts to discipline her.

Athena was taken aback by the sight that lay before her house. In her shock, she accidentally dropped the bag she was holding, causing the scattered leaves to fall to the ground. As she observed more closely, she realized with disbelief that the house she had glimpsed from afar was, in fact, her own. To her dismay, her clothing and footwear were strewn about in a disheveled manner on the pavement.

Athena swiftly entered to meet a house full of individuals jerking her stuffs away. She tried to remain calm by reminding herself of the commitment she made to her aunt.

A man was in the process of discarding a family's cherished portrait when she quickly intervened, firmly seizing it from his hands. Concerned, she questioned his actions, asking, "May I inquire as to what you are intending to do with this?

The man stared back at her, and the repulsive color of his teeth made her feel nauseous. She was glad he didn't open it, otherwise she could have vomited.

“We meet again,” Another man spit out from behind her, and Athena could tell by the sound of the voice that he was pounding his fist. For a man who she beat up last time in the village square, he seemed eager to battle her.

“I should have known it was you when I saw my things on the floor. This time you brought more ugly friends. Last time I made myself clear that no one is going anywhere. “Seeing that you are perhaps too drunk to listen. Why don't I teach all of you a lesson. Athena raised the sleeves of her shirt.

Looking at the sight of the gun being pointed towards her from all angles. She swallowed her saliva.

“Not today, Miss fighter. Now move. His voice sharp and loud.

Getting outside she noticed more men were stationed around the village.“Let me go ?". Athena demanded impatiently.

The man didn't answer but pushed her to the village square, where a shirtless man sat on the back of a man. “You're the troublemaker, Athena".

“Make it quick”. Athena looked at him in a disgusting way.

The shirtless man smiled , “So you have been the one thwarting my plans to renovate this village. I was surprised that a mere woman stopped the men I sent. But looking at you, I get it.

He continued talking as he stood from the man and walked towards her: “I'm a man of peace who hates casualties of beautiful women. With that said, I have struck a deal with your leader, which has been accepted".

Athena scanned the crowd and her eyes met with her aunt. The silence confirmed his words. A flash of anger swept through her, and she stepped forward but was stopped by her aunt.

“Athena, be calm”. The woman advised her.

“ They are Destroying our village. The words sounded like venom to her.“I should open my arms and welcome it". She removed her aunt's hand.

“The decision is final. A place will be provided for you all to move to". The shirtless man spoke.

Athena chuckled at his words. “ Do you think we are fools to surrender our land then have you move us to another's land.

“ You are indeed silly to think that would happen under my watch”. Athena retorted.

“Athena, Snap out of it", her aunt cautioned her. No one made you the ruler here. This is the decision the protectors have agreed to.

“Aunt, but..

“No buts". The elderly woman held Athena's hands. “Listen to me, child, we do not want to keep looking over our shoulders, too afraid to go for hunts.

“Your aunt is wise; listen to her and take a few lessons on how to act as a woman. The shirtless man gave his cent.

Athena's face relaxed, and she calmly spoke, “I have thought about it. You can give up your homes, but I won't. I love my life here and will remain here till the day I die.

The villagers started to murmur, showing disapproval over her statement. From among the crowd, a voice was heard: “Take her away ".

The villagers were screaming at the top of their lungs as Athena stood. She was unsure why a village where she had sacrificed herself several times would say that.

The shirtless man stood in the center and raised his hands. Athena was soon surrounded by the other men. She began to fight them off but stopped when she heard the dreadful words from her aunt.

“This is why your father died; others surrendered, but he foolishly returned." Her aunt spat in anger.

Athena's heart sank and her stomach tightened hearing those words come out of the mouth of a woman whom she took as a guardian.

Despite her best efforts to remain composed, Athena was unexpectedly apprehended and coerced into the vehicle. She was then blindfolded, which prevented her from resisting, but she could discern the moment when the vehicle departed from the village.

Unable to maintain her composure, she was seized and forced into the truck. Athena was blindfolded so she couldn't struggle but she heard when the car pulled out of the village.

The ride was stuffy, as she had to sit with three men in the back seat of the truck. The truck finally pulled up at a deserted building that was slightly unfinished. The folds were removed from her eyes. She resisted but was carried out of the trunk.

They stopped at the topmost floor, and the shirtless man spoke to another man, presumably his boss, who handed him a stack of money and bade him goodbye. With a wave of hand, Athena was dropped on the floor.

“Careful. The man who they met in the building said. He was the boss who gave directives and he had a tattoo of a snake on his neck. He stepped up to observe her. The man puffed his cigarette and addressed the shirtless man about to leave. “You didn't tell me she was this beautiful ".

“I wanted to Suprise you sir. Glad you liked it. The shirtless man answered from the staircase.

The tattooed man bent over to the woman on the floor. He smiled, showing his crooked teeth “What's the name, beautiful”.

Athena maintained a composed expression. She discreetly coughed before delicately resting her hand on the firm surface beneath her.

Uhh, it looks like she's a bit shy. Perhaps she's exhausted or needs loosening up . He trailed his fingers slowly across her bare arms.

Athena jabs him roughly on the chest, causing the cigarettes on his lips to fly to the floor.

The tattooed man dusted his clothes and mouthed to the men with guns. “ She's perfect, very perfect.