Billionaire love in shadow

Who are you? Tony was in his office, sitting comfortably on his executive chair and reminiscing on how the day would go for him. He raised his head and his eyes looked straight at his father's portrait. “What a legend” he thought to himself as he gazed at the portrait more and kept reflecting on the memories they shared together and how he always wanted the best for him…. A knock on the door snapped him back to reality, “You can come in” he said in a steadier tone. It's Sarah, Tony's secretary, who just joined the company two months ago. She approached his seat with boldness and many doubts in her mind. “Good morning sir” she said calmly as she dropped the file on the table. With no response from Tony as he keeps jotting down his day's activities. She proceeded with her words, “The Manager asked me to drop this document for you to append your signature.” Tony raised his head to drag the file to his front, opening each page and picked up his pen to start signing before Sarah interrupted. “Sir, I would like you to verify the source of these supplies before you sign the documents” she said in a trembling voice. Tony looked up in fury, staring at Sarah in displeasure, “who are you to question my authority?” “I am sorry Sir, I don't just want you to sign a deal that will lead the company into debt,” she said with a bit of confidence. This made Tony more angry, and he yelled, “Ohh…. You mere secretary now knows how a big company runs their business…..what exactly do you know other than taking files around?” he said with his eyebrows raised. “I tried to verify the address on Google Maps, it's untraceable, and the company is not on the Government registered suppliers lists.” she said with a little courage in her tone. Tony was a bit calm with Sarah's confident expression, “Really…, is that also part of your work to poke your nose at what you aren't called for. Is that part of your job?” Tony asked as his piercing eyes looked straight into Sarah's eyes. “I work in the interest of the company and that is why I checked through the documents that required your signature before bringing them to you. I am just looking out for the company's progress,” Sarah responded. Tony's eyes narrowed into slits and more tension in his voice, “It will be good for you to maintain your lane, so you won't find yourself dismissed from your work earlier than your expectations…. Now get out of my office”. He yelled as he raised his right hand to show Sarah the exit door. **** Sarah reluctantly left her CEO's office and felt disappointed with how everything turned out. She is just a smart lady looking out for others. Her loyalty to the company makes her put on courage and call her CEO's attention to the deal. She is now scared of losing her job earlier than expected if Tony signs the deal. “I am just watching out for the company not to be duped” she mutters to herself silently as she leans on her desk. She started flashing back to how everything played out with her CEO, and felt so bad about why he couldn't even take his time to listen and verify her findings. “I don't want this company to end up like my uncle's company, I cared so much about my job” she said silently to herself. Her cheeks are getting red with tearing eyes as she keeps reminiscing on the awkward moments she just had. "Hello miss Sarah '' Caroline, the office assistant's voice took her back to reality. “Why are you sleeping during work hours?” She asked. Sarah quickly controlled her emotions before raising her head. “Ohh… I am fine, I am just relaxing” she responded as she stretched her hands to revive her strength. Caroline's curiosity didn't let her accept that all is fine with Sarah, especially when she has been off her seat for a while. She moved closer to her, “What took you that long in his office?” She asked. Sarah was surprised with her question, rolling her eyes in displeasure on what exactly Caroline was looking for, “It doesn't matter, what do you want?” she asked in a firm tone. With Caroline looking sideways, she responded, “I am just checking on you, as a caring co-worker.” Sarah re adjusting herself on her seat and using one hand to pull her draw out. “I am fine, as you can see, I am back to work” she said as she prepared to continue working. Caroline gazes at her unimpressed, clearly showing her dissatisfaction from her shallow explanation to her question. “it Is okay,” she said as she made her leave. *** Tony was in the middle of his office making calls and acting frustrated. He angrily smashed the phone on his sofa, walked around and picked up his phone as Sarah's warning echoed in his ear about the deal he wanted to sign. He opened his Google Maps and started looking for the supplier company's address, but was unable to locate it. Checking the list of registered suppliers that the government approved. This supplier company is not there. He stays calm, and thinks of Sarah's words. “She might be right, this supplier is untraceable” he mutters. “But it's my manager who recommended them and I trust his decision”. He kept saying all sorts of things to be sure whether the deal was right or not. Mr. Ted, Tony’s manager, had been working with Tony's father before he was dismissed. He is the one who has been guiding him on how to run the company since he took over his father's company. So many times, he made decisions regarding the production, guided Tony on how to address the board of directors and staff to command and maintain his authority as a young CEO. He acts like a father and provides guidance to him. This makes it unbelievable that he can make any decisions that will jeopardize the company. Tony has contacted several people who know about their raw materials suppliers, but none of them knew this new supplier his manager introduced him to. Although they offered them a discount, which is the most exciting part of the deal. The discount is too true to be real, and being unknown to others makes Tony more worried. “Definitely, she may be right,” he thought to himself. . He picked up his phone, “Meet me in my office now” he said to the respondents.