Redeemed Legacy

Chapter1

As I sat in the air-conditioned office, I nursed my morning coffee, its warmth a feeble comfort against the storm brewing in my mind. Richard's incessant nagging replaying like a broken record in my head.

My boyfriend, Richard, had become a disturbing force in my life since I secured a position at Davis Company, a company located in the heart of New York. At 23, freshly out of college, luck had favored me with employment in this multibillion-dollar empire, a stark contrast to my humble beginnings.

The joy I felt when the employment letter arrived was tempered by the realization that the CEO urgently needed someone to fill the role of secretary. Despite initially applying for an accounting position, I accepted the secretary role without hesitation. I just want to work, so I can support myself and also contribute to my sister's heart transplant.

But my boyfriend, Richard, has not been making it easy for me since I got employed. He has been possessive, talks authoritatively, and argues over little matters, and yesterday he became violent. He slapped me hard on the face over an argument that could have been resolved amicably.

The money issue even added to my thoughts this morning and I can't do anything but depend on my salary, which is meager compared to the amount the hospital demands we get the transplant done, now that we have gotten a donor.

The sound of the telephone jolted me out of my thoughts. I picked up the telephone and my boss's voice echoed in

"Can you please come to my office, Josephine" says Mr Davis, the CEO of Davis Company, which I am,, the opportunity to be his secretary.

Mr. Davis is always dedicated to his work, making sure things are done at the right time with no delay, he follows his schedule strictly, strikes great deals with his clients, and works hard to make sure his workers are at the top of their games, which in turn makes the company envy of other companies in the country.

As his secretary, I always make sure I deliver on my job description, follow his orders strictly, and position myself as a trustworthy and hardworking secretary. I never allow what I am facing to dictate my performance at work. Mr Davis often praises me for my diligence at work, and I do not allow it to get into my head but strive to keep working hard.

Recently, he has been moody, and I can bet it, something has been bothering him. I care about my boss and I hope he settles whatever has been disturbing him and regains his former self.

I knocked on his door and I heard a mumble from the other side that signified I had to go in.

I stood in his gigantic office, well-decorated by experts. It screams taste and class. I do not expect anything less from a man of his caliber. There are rows of awards lining the shelves which show the company's accomplishments. He is truly a man of great worth.

I saw him on his feet, facing the window. No doubt there was a burden that had preoccupied his mind and he seemed lost in it.

He faced me and beckoned me to have my seat. I sat waiting for him to join me.

At this point, judging from the tension in the room, I sensed he wanted to discuss something important with me.

But what can it be? My boss is not the one to pull a drama when he needs me for an assignment. Having this kind of tense environment with him is something to be curious about.

Shortly after I sat down, he came to join me and sat in his executive chair.

I could see some dark circles in his eyes, probably from lack of sleep and too much thinking.

He looked me in the eyes as if wanting to discern my emotions before uttering the words.

“I need your help, Josephine,” he says.

Confusion rings in my head, he could have just told me through the phone or passed the message immediately when I entered his office. He is my boss and my job is to do work for him.

“You need my help?“ I said the word as though it was alien and something I had not heard from my boss's mouth before.

But now, he said the words in a tense way that makes me want to be sure if truly that is what he meant to say.

“Yes I do” he replies affirmatively.

“For what purpose sir?” I ask.

He took a deep breath and began, “I have been planning my retirement and at the same time I have been thinking about whom to hand the company to”, he says

Relief swept through me. That should not be a problem because he has a son who will take over the business, even if I don't like his son because of his arrogant attitude and nonchalant way of living, he is still his son, and will be the next CEO of the company.

“Yes I have a son,” he says

As though going through my mind

“But he is not fit to be the CEO of Davis Company” he continues

“George's reputation in the outside world is not befitting him for the company. He goes clubbing almost every day of the week, spends lavishly on drinks and women, and brings down the company's reputation. He is often in tabloids for scandals surrounding his affairs with women,” he says

Dejectedly, my boss says all this concerning his son, which makes me blank on what I can do to relieve his pain. It is heartbreaking to have a son like George who brings nothing but pain.

“2 weeks ago, I had a meeting with the Board of Directors of the company to discuss my retirement and presented George as my successor. None of them agreed because they know about his reputation, “ he says

As much as I love the way my boss unburdens himself to me I still find myself not worthwhile listening to his problems because I am just his secretary. So I sat, glued to my seat, and watched him continue his story.

“So we came to a conclusion of giving him a duration of 3 months to change his ways of life, or he forfeits being the CEO of the company and if he does not change he will be replaced by someone else,” he says

I was curious to know the person who would replace the CEO's son, so I asked the question,

“Who will he be replaced with?” I ask

“Richard will replace him,” he says

Richard is the CEO's nephew, which makes him George's cousin. There is something weird about this guy that I can't lay my hands on, but apart from that, he is a good choice for the company, being devoted to the company, hard-working, and having a reputable character.

He manages to keep his way of life from the press so nothing much is known about him in the tabloids, compared to George, who makes news for himself anywhere he goes. So Richard would be a better option if you asked me.

“But I still want George to be the CEO of the company, he has lots of potential buried within. Since the Board of Directors has given me 3 months for him to prove he is fit for the post, I planned on making him settle down by arranging a wife for him. I know he does not have a stable woman in his life, but getting him married will give him a sense of responsibility and probably redeems his reputation, so the Board can see him as someone fit to lead the company” he says in one breath.

My boss confuses me more because I do not know where I fit in.

He looked at me squarely, and he popped out the words that would change the course of my life.