Love You As You Are

14 | Mr Stark

“The meeting isn’t over yet,” the lady at the top reception counter smiled at us. “Would you like a cup of tea while you wait?” Miles was pacing around aimlessly, with headphones covering his ears.

“No thank you,” Anthony spoke up, sitting down on the lounge. “How long until the meeting’s over?”

“It shouldn’t be longer than thirty minutes. Or less,” I eyed Miles as he finally took a seat across from us, lying down with his arm covering his eyes.

“I don’t think I want to know what’s going on with him,” Anthony murmured, looking at Miles. “Maybe we should let him go,”

“Go where?” I turned to him, almost too immediately.

“I don’t know, to town or something,” he shrugged. “It’s obvious he doesn’t want to be here. Look how restless he is. You shouldn’t have pressurised him to come with us,”

“You’re blaming me for all of this?” I furrowed my brows. “Because I knew who he was or what we were going to find out last night,”

“I’m just saying. He clearly knew what he was dealing with, and you didn’t give him a chance to pull out,” Anthony mumbled just as the doors opened and a group piled out. They looked young, some even younger.

I recognised a face similar to young Sirenio among the group, though he was taller and buff. He had neat locs braided backward, his sides cut and faded. A lady followed him, parting from the group.

“Ludo,” the guy spoke up, his voice deep and gruff. “Where is he?”

“I’m not sure, sir,” the receptionist said quickly picking up her telephone. “I can check for you,”

“No it’s fine,” he said looking at his watch. His eyes swept around the floor before they landed on us. “Did you see to them?” he asked, gesturing to us.

“Yes sir, they’re waiting for the meeting at two o’clock,” the lady said. Both the man and the woman walked over to us.

“Hi,” the man smiled, reaching for Anthony’s hand, shaking. “I’m Eugene Sirenio,” he introduced himself.

“Anthony Roman?”

“Roman?” he frowned. “Like-“

“The one and only,” Anthony said, dropping his hand. He shook my hand next.

“Eugene,”

“Emmanuel Stark,”

“I’m Irina Sirenio,” the woman introduced herself shaking both of our hands.

“Nice to meet you,”

“Would you like anything while you wait? I think it’s going to be a while before we begin the next meeting. The press is here, since the announcement last night, so things are a bit hectic,” Eugene explained to us, his eyes finally locating Miles who’s yet to see his siblings. “Is he okay?” he turned to us, eyeing Miles from the corner of his eye.

“He’s fine,” Anthony said dismissively as the woman crept closer to take a look at him. “Just…uhh, birthday jitters and…stuff,”

“It’s his birthday?” Eugene repeated, his face slacking for a second. Sadness reflected from his eyes before it was gone with a blink. “That’s weird. Two of my siblings are also born this day,” he said. The woman poked Miles’ shoulder, startling him. His eyes zeroed in on the woman, hardening.

“Hi,” she said with a smile. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Miles didn’t say anything as his eyes darted between both his siblings. He sat up slowly. “Do you need a place to lie down. We can organise something for you,” the woman went on.

When Miles didn’t say anything, she got nervous, turning to his brother. “I’m Irina and…that’s my brother, Eugene,” she said then. “What’s your name?” she smiled gently at him. The silent treatment was clearly making her uncomfortable.

“Miles,” he spoke up after a moment too long.

“Nice to meet you, Miles,” she said her smile widening. Now that I’ve seen both the male and female version of his siblings, the resemblance between isn’t obvious, but there are vivid features that you’d have to look twice before noticing. They were more prominent between her and Miles. “Would you like a cup of tea? Or…snack perhaps? Or even…a cake?” at that, Miles frowned turning to us. “They told us it’s your birthday today. Happy birthday,” she said. Miles’ eyes hardened. “O…kay. If you-“

“Irina, I need to talk to you,” young Sirenio said walking over to us.

“One second,” she said. “If you need anything at all. Even a…private area to lie down, you can use my office, okay? Just have the receptionist show you, okay?” Miles didn’t reply. She backed away slowly, eyeing him with a frown before turning to her brother. “You wanted to talk to me?”

“Yeah, take this and…give it to father,” Ludo said handing her an iPad. She read through it, her face frowning in confusion.

“Ludo, where did you get this?” she asked him.

“I got it from…a friend,” he said smiling sheepishly. “You have been blessed. Now you have a chance to show this to dad,” Eugene looked over her shoulder.

“Who did this?” he asked. “Dang. This is good,” he scrolled down.

“I told you, a friend,”

“Well…does the friend have a name?” Eugene asked young Sirenio.

“It’s…a…he who shall not be name,” he said. The two looked at him like he’d grew a second head.

“What am I supposed to do with this?” Irina inquired.

“Give it to father, so he can make you CEO,”

“What?!” The two siblings exclaimed loudly. “But…why? It’s already been decided that Eugene will take over,”

“Well, I don’t know if you haven’t noticed, but the policy clearly states that one has to be twenty-five to be pronounced new CEO. You’re twenty-four, which is close enough. if mom weren’t sick, dad probably waited a few more years before handing over the position to either of you. We’re all know Vera isn’t here to take over as the eldest heiress to the company. Another thing, the company policy does not limit you as a woman, to take over. Plus, you’re not ready,” young Ludo listed.

“I’m not ready?” Eugene’s brows rose up at that.

“No, you’re not. The company needs someone who is level-headed and who can make crucial decisions without f*****g s**t up. You remember what you did with the LS-“

“Oh my God, that was a one-time thing. Can you let it go for f**k’s sake,” Eugene said throwing his arms up in exasperation. “Look, I’m not against her taking over, but that kinda hurts,” he said. “You telling me I’m not fit for this,”

“Well, in no way, shape or form am I telling you to not reconsider in the near future. You can take this time to learn the ropes and who knows, maybe you two can share the position. It’s possible,” young Sirenio said.

“What about you?” Irina asked him. “What do you plan to do? You finish school this year,”

“Don’t tell me you’re still into that acting thing? You know dad’s not going to like that,” young Sirenio rolled his eyes.

“What dad doesn’t know, won’t kill him,” he said. “I can’t just run around here and be…errand boy for the company. Business is not my thing,”

“Well, there’s a high chance he’ll let you,” Eugene said clasping his brother’s shoulder. “You get way more leniency than us. But we got you, okay?”

“That’s weird, coming from you,”

“What? I’m tryna change here, alright?” Eugene said. They both rose a brow at him. “Yeah, I was a d**k and whatever, but…I’ll do better now,” he said quietly. “For you guys,” he added. “I guess Vera would want me to do this too,” his voice was laced with sadness. Ludo eyed Miles from the corner of his eye.

“Vera wouldn’t want you to be a d**k in the first place,” Irina said. “But thank you,”

“What are your plans for tonight?” Eugene asked young Sirenio.

“The usual. You know our parents hosts those boring business dinners. Why?”

“We’re ditching. I know a place we can go to,” Eugene said.

“What? When has ditching dinner hosted by-“

“Do you like them?” Eugene inquired, looking to his brother.

“What? Staring at old faces that I can barely recognise? Nope,” he said.

“Then it’s settled. We leave at 5:30,” Eugene said.

“Won’t we get in trouble?” Irina asked just as the previous group that came out of the meeting room rushed back to the foyer, turning to the TV.

“Live a little, sis,” Eugene said with a smirk.

“Check this out,” one guy in the group said changing the channel. “Vera made an appearance,”

“What?” the three siblings rushed back to the foyer, staring at the news anchor. “What do you mean she made an appearance?”

“Prior to the Sirenio’s big event last night, announcing new members who’ll be taking over, today marks the seventh year since the disappearance of heiress Vera Sirenio of Sirenio Group. Rumour has it that she made an appearance at the Sirenio Foundation at ten o’clock this morning with a two hundred-thousand-dollar cheque to donate to the children’s home that was founded by her at fifteen years old. Senior Mr and Mrs Sirenio has been issuing cheques on behalf of their missing daughter, Vera,” I turned to Miles, who was barely paying attention to the news or the crowd.

“She was here,” Irina breathed out, a teary smile on her face as she turned to her brothers. “She was here. Maybe we can still find her,”

“Call the Foundation and find out what she looked like or if she left any contact details,” Eugene ordered, looking at the screen.

“Do we tell mom and dad?”

“No,” Eugene shook his head. “This could be a false alarm. We need to be sure before we tell them,”

“Okay, I guess you’re right,” Irina nodded.

Miles stood up, grabbing his bag. He’s about to walk away when one of the guys in the crowd stepped in his way. He handed him an envelope. “You have my vote,” he said. “I better not regret this,” Miles took the envelope, turning to Anthony briefly.

“Thank you. You won’t be disappointed,” Miles said. “Excuse me,”

*****

“I believe we have a proposal that needs our consideration,” Senior Sirenio spoke up from the head of the table. Everyone turned to Anthony, who stood up, along with Miles, following closely behind.

There were roughly thirty people in this meeting. Both the seniors and the juniors. It seemed to be a tough crowd. Even as Anthony presented himself to them, they wouldn’t budge. Some looked genuinely impressed and even nodded along to his presentation, so that was a good start.

“To be honest,” one of the elderly women spoke up. “I like the idea. I can see it going far. My question is, how are you going to ensure that our investment won’t go to waste?” she inquired.

“You haven’t given us a reason to consider this, Mr Roman,” another elderly male spoke up.

“As you are all aware that I’m now CEO of the Roman Enterprise as of…less two weeks ago,” he began. “I understand that you don’t trust that I’m more or less inexperienced, but with the right team and neighbouring companies, including...Sirenio Investments and Stark Corp, I believe changes will be made. It cannot happen overnight, but only the results of what we do can tell,” he said. There’s silent in the room.

“I do not approve,” another elderly man spoke up. “He’s an amateur. It’s pointless investing in a business that will only go down,”

“You’re not even willing to give him the benefit of the doubt?” Miles spoke up, eyeing the man.

“And who are you?” the man asked him.

“Someone who needs an answer to my question,” there are quiet murmurs in the room. I want to smile for that, but I held myself. “Unless, of course, you consider yourself above me. Considering the framed quotes around the building,” he rose a brow at the man.

“He works for you?” the man turns to Anthony. Anthony hesitates, turning to me.

“He works for me,” I spoke up, watching the relief in Anthony’s face.

“And you let him talk like that to your clients, Mr Stark?” the old man turns to me.

“Oh no,” I said. “He only talks when provoked,” I said watching the man swallow at my words. Locking eyes with Miles. “I can assure you he doesn’t speak out of turn,”

“Right,” the man says. Clearing his throat, he shifted in his seat. “I still don’t approve, considering he’s…one of those people,” he said taking a different approach. “We don’t work with them for a reason,”

“What kind of people are you going on about?” Anthony spoke, his jaw twitching. I fought the urge to walk out of it. We’re not about to hear the same crap.

“You know,” he said gesturing with his hand. “Your family didn’t let you take over for a reason. You people bring nothing but bad publicity. We don’t need that in this company.”

“What do you mean by ‘you people’?” Miles asked him.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” he said. Miles tipped his head, a smile dancing on his lips.

“Mr…”

“Santos,” the man said.

“I know who you are, Mr Edwin Santos,” Miles spoke up. “Usually, my question requires an elaboration, not an assumption that your mind is making up,” he said staring him down. “What do you mean by ‘you people’?” he repeated.

“I mean homosexual people,” the man bristled, balling his hands as he glared at Miles.

“Okay, I think that we should-“

“If you don’t mind,” Miles said, turning to his father. “Mr Sirenio. I’d like to finish what he started,”

“Of course,” he said.

“Right, you don’t like homosexual people, Mr Santos?”

“I never said that”

“You don’t tolerate the-“

“You’re putting words in my mou-“

“No, I’m asking simple questions that you clearly struggle to answer,” Miles objected.

“Get out,” the man was seething, shaking in his chair. “How dare you disrespect me in my own office?”

“Mr Santos, this is the boardroom and it’s Mr Sirenio’s office,” Miles pointed out. “You are but an employee, like everybody else. And if you’re going to start a very touching subject, then you need to see through it. All is fair in the game, after all. Wouldn’t you agree?” Miles tilted his head. Ludo snickers from next to his sister, who’s gawking at Miles in shock. “Unless you have something to lose. This shouldn’t be a problem,” the man was now panting, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the table.

“See, I don’t have a problem with you,” Miles began grabbing the remote control for the projector behind him and Anthony. “I don’t even know you and I sure as hell won’t be working with you as soon as I walk out those doors. I’m tryna help out a friend in need. A friend you’re clearly discriminating because his preference is a p***s and not a v****a,” there are gasps across the boardroom and I might have made a sound. Anthony licks his lips, his eyes on me and I know he’s trying not to laugh.

“Language, young man,” Mr Sirenio speaks up. “These are work premises, not shebeen grounds,”

“You didn’t comment when Mr Santos was discriminating against gay people. How does that make you a fair leader, when you’re silencing my voice that’s defending him, Mr…Sirenio?” shocked faces fill the room. “And you’re absolutely right. These are work premises. Meaning, no mixing business with personal affairs. I don’t see why you can’t work with gay people. Quite frankly, it’s not in the company policy, so how is it relevant to this?” he went on. “Unless you obviously don’t like gay people,” Miles smiles at Mr Santos. “If so, it’d be hypocrisy, considering-“ Miles pressed on the remote and a picture showed up on the screen.

“Oh my God,”

I can't help but gawk at the pictures on the screen. Showing different frames in one picture, there’s Mr Santos seen with multiple male partners, a few of them kissing and groping ass. The male partners’ face is blurred. The pictures weren’t inappropriate to be viewed, but they showed enough evidence that Mr Santos is engaged in s****l activities.

“Dad!” a young female turned to her father in shock. “How could you do this to mom?” she’s on the verge of crying. Mr Santos is filled with shame as he shied away from the picture and the eyes on him.

“See, I was told that you’d give us a problem,” Miles begins. “And I wasn’t going to show you or anybody else this, but you weren’t being fair, so I did my part,” he said with a shrug. “If you’re going to hate gay people, Mr Santos, then you shouldn’t engage with them. Then it becomes a problem for you. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re the one who made it shameful. And it’s getting tiring hearing the same thing over and over again. Really, it’s getting tiring. And if this is the stigma going around in this place, in this day and time, shame on you people,”

I don’t believe what I’m about to say, but I’m f*****g proud. And ashamed for ever assuming Miles was meek. Sirenio lost a f*****g leader and he’s right under my fingertips.

“If there’s nothing else to say,” Miles said, looking around. I see the woman from yesterday smiling proudly at Miles. “Shall we vote?” he said taking down the picture.

There’s silence in the room. Everyone shifted in their seats, looking at each other. “As a major shareholder of Sirenio Group, I vote for him,” the woman spoke up.

“Thank you, Mrs Sirenio,” Miles said with a nod.

“Acting CEO,” Eugene spoke up, eyeing Miles. We all waited with bated breaths. “It’d be an honour to work with you, Mr Roman,” he tipped his head.

“Thank you,” Anthony said, his face slowly lighting up with each vote. Before I know it, all of the juniors had voted for him, even the daughter of Mr Santos and more than half of the seniors.

Now the last word would be from senior Sirenio. He was looking at Miles suspiciously. “How do ya’ll vote for someone who can’t even keep things professional? Was the picture necessary? If they let you talk like that,” Mr Sirenio pointed at Anthony and I. “What makes you think I’d let you work for my company?”

We all watched as Miles cracked out laughing, turning his back on us, as he ducked his head. Anthony eyed him warily, looking between him and Mr Sirenio. Ludo had a folder hiding his face, occasionally making a sound.

“And you wonder why your daughter left,” Miles spoke up, turning to us then. There are gasps among the crowd.

“What did you just say?” Mr Sirenio’s face changed then, and I wonder if I’d have to intervene to protect Miles from his wrath, that he’s constantly provoking.

“You told me that a leader should be fair,” Miles began. “That a leader shouldn’t be afraid to take a drastic step when necessary. That a leader should know when to step back and when to set his foot down. You told me that there are four leadership qualities; the brain, the soul, the heart and good nerves. Isn’t that so, Mr Sirenio?”

“I’ve never met you a day in my life, why would I tell you that?” Mr Sirenio said.

“True, you’ve never met me,” Miles said. “And I wish I didn’t have to meet you right now. And by all means, acknowledge that I speak for myself, not for him. Whether or not you approve of this, the board members have voted. Right now, your vote would possibly be null and void, so it doesn’t matter what you think,” Miles said staring straight at his father. He was fearless. At this moment in time, he has nothing to lose.

“If I find that you are treating him unfairly because of what I did and because he’s gay, I have no problem coming back here to rectify that. I don’t want to be here any longer than I have to, but I don’t mind speaking against any of you who think you’re better than everyone else,”

“What could you possibly do when you don’t even own a company?” Mr Sirenio spoke up. Miles smiled at that.

“I believe you taught me exactly how to be the bigger monster,” Miles says. “I don’t remember whether it was the…lessons or…the constant bullying in school I got from my own family, because of you,” he said. Mr Sirenio blinks at him. “It could be the exact moment Vera told you that she didn’t want to be a girl and you rejected her as your child,”

“How do you know that?” Mr Sirenio asked, sitting upright.

“It could be,” Miles carried on, ignoring his father’s question. “Let me think. Oh, one Friday night when you sent men to scare Vera into changing her mind. Into submitting to you. Into making her believe that she couldn’t be the man she wanted to be. Remember those four giant males that you sent to scare your own child?” Miles shook his head. “If you don’t remember, I do,” he said.

“Remember it like it was yesterday. You didn’t even care what they’d do to her. Didn’t even bother to check on her. You wanted a perfect daughter and heiress that you could control, and you did everything you could to scare her into submission. You forgot that leaders aren’t meant to submit,” he smirked.

The silence in the room is deafening, you could hear the pin drop.

“Your birthday is today,” Irina murmured, deep in thoughts, as she looked at Miles. “You’re…” she gasped, clasping her mouth shut.

“Vera?”

“It’s Miles,” he corrected. “Vera died seven years ago,” he turned back to his father. “Stop looking for her. You don’t deserve either of us. And I don’t need a company to ruin you. I can do it right now,” he said. “After all, it was you who turned me into a fearless monster, father,” shocked gasps rotate around as everyone stared at Miles.

“I’m embarrassed for you,”

*****