White Ruby

1. New Chapter in Life

1. New Chapter in Life

“ She won’t get anything more from me. I think I have been very kind toward that b***h!” Craig asserted, clenching his jaw. “We have sufficient evidence against her, so you either produce results or pack your s**t up!”

“ Sure, Mr. McLean,” the lawyer mumbled.

***

“ This is Captain Tyron speaking with information about our flight. It will last seven hours and fifty-five minutes. Our estimated time of arrival at Heathrow’s airport is 11 a.m. We wish you a pleasant flight, and thank you once more for choosing our airline.”

Craig switched his mobile off while stretching his legs. He was thankful for the extra legroom and the fully reclined seat.

“ Champagne, Sir?” the young hostess showed him the bottle in her hands.

“ No, thanks!” he replied without even looking at her.

Every muscle in his body was tense. His hands felt cold, but the beads of sweat on his forehead told another story. He was waiting for the sleeping pills to give the much-wanted effect, focusing on the fact that in a few hours, he would be on solid ground again.

***

“ Mr. McLean, nice to have you back,” a fifty-three-year-old man waited for him outside the airport, holding a sign with his name. He was his father’s loyal chauffeur—a trustworthy, chubby man who has been working with the family for over two decades.

“ Thank you, Leon. How’s traffic at this time?”

“ Heavy Sir, but we should be able to make it to the offices in seventy-five minutes tops.”

“ Good!” Craig said, nodding.

The trip was quiet, giving him time to gather himself before being pushed into any unnecessary conversation.

The golden italic letters in front of the majestic building welcomed him to MCL Financials . The twenty stories glass tower resembled the other buildings in the area. On the street, people were hustling around, calling a cab, running to the subway, or hurrying for work. All were unaware of the critical deals closing behind those walls. The loud sound of honking horns enveloped him in sync with the smell of pollution.

The company’s name stood high, a few yards away from the revolving main door. While waiting for Leon to grab his luggage, Craig’s train of thought drifted to when he was in that same spot looking at the workers installing their gigantic new logo. At that age, everything seemed to be touching the sky through his eyes.

“ Craig?!”

Upon hearing his name, he turned around to face a man who was now looking at him in total awe. The man looked in his forties but Craig was sure he was older. His business-casual attire, hugging his medium-built figure, made him look much younger. His black-greyish hair was groomed to perfection, combed back leaving his small dark eyes unveiled, scanning him.

Craig furrowed his brows. It took him a couple of seconds before realizing who the man was, “Geoff Blackey!” he stated while removing his hand from the pocket to accept a very firm hand shake. “Long time no see. How are you?”

“ How am I? Look at you! The last memory I have you reached up to my chest. A quick-witted boy too shy to speak. From what I heard, that seems to have changed now!” the older man stated with confidence as if the man next to him never left.

Craig rubbed his neck, managing to form a hint of a smile with his lips.

After that brief encounter with the HR Partner of the company, Craig swaggered straight to the reception area.

Out of the elevator, he was met with stillness. Baffled, he looked at his Rolex which was showing one in the afternoon, and understood the reason behind the vacant offices. He scanned the place, taking in all the new furnishings, looking at the highly organized reception desk’s beige and dark brown tones with stacked files next to the printer. The bouquet of hyacinths filled his nostrils with its scent. He walked on a dark beige fitted carpet, which suffocated the sound of his footsteps. Looking straight ahead, he noticed the familiar plaque that he reverently glanced at from a low angle when he was only ten. Amidst the new decor, some things hadn’t changed. The golden wall plaque holding the bold inscription was engraved in his mind. He ran his fingers over the letters, C.E.O . He stood there just staring at it, taking in their meaning and the soon-to-be reality.

“ Look who finally made it here! Our next CEO.”

Craig took a step back. He was about to knock on his father’s door when he came from behind him.

“ Father!” he called, a genuine smile plastered on his face. The two hugged and held each other, finishing the gesture with a pat on Craig’s shoulder.

Alex McLean was the older version of his son. His soft, ocean blue eyes were a family characteristic, which complemented his cheerful character. He looked at least ten years younger than the sixty-five he was. He was eyeing his son remembering that little boy infront that same door. He couldn’t stop smiling, “I can’t believe you’re here. I have been impatiently waiting for your return!”

“ Are you tired of working?”

“ Nah! Not at all. But I need to slow down. I'm more then eager to leave the reigns to you. I’m sure that with your expertise and experience, the company will step up,” Alex affirmed.

“ I’m honored that one of the biggest tycoons believes in me so much!” Craig admitted.

“ Ah! I might need to show it more, but I’ve always believed in you, son. Come on now, let us have a drink in your honor.”

Alex opened a Château Le Pin inside the office, “I’ve kept this for a special occasion. I can’t think of a more suitable one,” Alex praised, winking at his son.

They clinked the glasses. As the fine taster he was, Craig swirled the wine glass and smelled the superb aromas. He closed his eyes, savoring the perfect balance of overripe kirsch, plum, black cherry, and coconut, “This is absolute perfection. You have good taste. I tried ample of wines, but the Le Pin remains my favorite!” He praised, standing in front of the tall glass window.

“ It never ceases to amaze me. Seeing the city at my feet makes me feel energized.”

Craig could only nod at that remark. He felt like a mighty king looking over his empire.

“ How are you, son?”

“ Fine. Apart from adding an ex-wife to my list of achievements, nothing’s changed,” he replied, still staring at the open space in front of him. “I have a couple of ideas I would like to discuss.”

“ Great! We can call a meeting with the Partners on Monday. I’m sure your presence will surprise everyone.”

“ Didn’t you inform them about our plans?” Craig felt a little disappointed.

“ Not yet,” Alex admitted, shrugging his shoulders. “I was scared you’d turn me down, so I preferred to have you here first.” His mouth turned into a wide smile reaching his light coloured eyes. “I suggest you settle down and start fresh on Monday. It’s already half-past one, and everyone’s tired after a long week! What do you say?”

“ Okay. I have to pick up the car anyway.”

“ Sweet. Where do you intend to stay?”

“ I will settle myself at the penthouse. I employed a housekeeper; she should have gotten the place ready by now. I’m planning on passing the weekend at the beach house, though. It’s only a two-hour drive, I might leave late morning.”

“ Your mother loved that place…all those long days we passed at the beach,” he reminisced, biting on his inner cheek. “Anyhow, I bet it needs some repairs and a good refurbishment.”

“ I plan on making it livable again. I want to renovate it according to the plans she had done. Do you still have her drawings?”

“ Of course I do! Shall we catch up this weekend? I can bring them along with me.”

“ Yeah, sure. We could-”

A knock on the door made them turn around.

“ It must be Eleina, our P.A. Let me introduce you two, and we can start discussing some current projects. Come in, Eleina,” Alex invited.

“ Alex, have you finished eating? Oh! My apologies, I didn’t know you had guests. Can we offer you anything?”

Eleina’s attention shifted to the stranger next to the window. The inevitable resemblance didn’t pass unnoticed to her. Eleina’s eyes turned between the two men in charged silence, “I’m sorry!” she apologized again, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

“ No problem, Eleina,” Alex laughed. “He is my son. Craig, let me introduce you to our star, Eleina Vella. Eleina, meet the next in line, Craig McLean,” he announced with clear pride in his tone.

Lowering her head, she whispered, “Nice to meet you, Mr. McLean.” For a split second, their eyes met and she felt herself drawn to those penetrating blue eyes.

He gently shook her hand, holding it for a second too long. “Same here, Ms. Vella,” he returned in a low and sensuous voice, making her blush.

Blinking repeatedly, she took a step back from him, fidgeting with the charm around her neck, trying to straighten up her posture.

Oh. My. Gosh! He looks like a god! He looks so manly and…Oh my God, stop it!! He’s the new CEO. Focus! She self-reprimanded.

“ Not British? Your accent is different. Even your features betray you,” Craig remarked.

“ I’m Maltese, but I’ve been living here for more than two years now.”

“ Eleina, dear, can you please bring next week’s schedule and the file of BD Link Communications ?” Alex asked after his son .

“ Sure, right away,” finding herself out of the office, Eleina sighed in relief. She needed this brief time to gather her thoughts.

On the other hand, Craig had zoned out. Staring through thin air, he could see Eleina’s light brown eyes looking back at him.

She’s so elegant and beautiful! She looks like a model walking down the catwalk with just a hint of makeup and her hair hanging over her shoulders.

His heart was beating faster, and his lips formed a small smile which soon vanished, taking away the butterflies in his stomach.

Haven’t you learned your lesson yet? Don’t trust any of them!

Minutes later, Eleina returned. Seeing them about to start their discussion, Craig made himself comfortable on one of the couches opposite from them. He remained unmoving, watching Eleina talking to his father. Gazing at her thin lips, he imagined himself owning them, cupping her firm breasts under that shirt. Positioning her tiny frame on him, there, on that couch. He suddenly felt hot, and his breathing got heavier. He crossed his legs, trying to hide his erection while readjusting his seating position.

Craig tried to follow the much-needed conversation going on between his father and the P.A.

“ BD Link asked us to provide them with administrative service. We could send Julie to their company for a couple of weeks and then delegate the job to one of the clerks. Later, she can continue to follow the client from here.”

“ Okay, sounds like a good plan. Next?” Alex replied.

“ Why should we send someone from Management? Eleina can easily do the job,” Craig interrupted with his penetrating voice, making them both look at him open mounthed.

“ Craig! Eleina is our assistant. Her work is crucial for us,” Alex retorted wide-eyed.

“ It will cost us less if we send her. She can start dealing directly with the clients’ requests. That way, we would have expanded our Administration by another pair of hands,” Craig finished without effort, taking another sip of his red wine.

“ I can see your point, but we would definitely be disadvantaged here if we send Eleina at clients. She has her hands full supporting me and, now we are going to add your requests until I am out of the picture for good.” Alex sighed, defeated, taking in his son’s demenour. For a split second he self questioned his decision to bring Craig home.

Alex turned his focus on Eleina, ignoring his son’s callousness, “Can you please give us a minute? My son still needs to get used to a couple of things around here, so please, pardon him. I’m sure you will have time to get to know each other. You’ll get along just fine,” Alex reassured her, but the plea in her boss’ eyes was visible.

Working and assisting him for more than twenty months made Eleina perceptive. She stood up, closing the door behind her.

“ Craig, I know your wound is still open, but you can’t blame every woman for what your wife did to you. Eleina is a sweet girl who has shown her professionalism multiple times.”

Craig gestured his dad to stop, “No, dad. Don’t start with this psychological s**t. I meant what I said. We are here to make profits. By experience, a personal assistant can do more than just hovering over her boss. We have to make the best out of every employee. In that way, we don’t need to recruit another pair of hands which would mean an extra salary at the end of the month,” Craig said, leaving no room for further discordance.

“ If you take this approach, you will regret it. When it comes to the employees, I will still have the last word, so, no, Eleina won’t have anything to do with clients. Until you are ready, don’t even think of managing this company. Remember, I am here anytime you need to talk,” Alex got up from the couch, resuming his work at the desk.

Craig gulped the remaining wine, placing the glass on the coffee table. The sound of glass against each other audible. Straightening his suit, he gave one last look around the office and left without adding anything more.

Eleina was using the printer, giving her back to the elevators. He spared her a look, but she didn’t see it. The fresh scent of flowers was the exact opposite of how he felt after less than three hours in London.

Alex reclined back on his office chair, rubbing his eyes. A knock on the door made him adjust his seating position. “Oh, it’s you!” Alex said, relaxing once more on his chair.

“ I thought I’d find you celebrating the prodigal son’s return,” Geoff exclaimed, furrowing his brows. He took a seat in the receiving chair in front of Alex’s desk.

“ Yes, we did, but I am no longer sure it is the right time for him to be here.”

“ Why? What happened?” Geoff asked.

“ In less than a month, he accepted to return, packed his life, and flew up here.”

“ So? He has gained enough experience. Maybe he was already thinking about settling down next to you.”

“ He just divorced his wife. Coming back meant running away from the hell he was living in!”

“ I didn’t know that!” Geoff was sidetracked. He thought his friend held nothing from him. His slit eyes studied Alex.

Clenching his jaws and twiddling his thumbs, Alex continued, “No one here knows that nor that he is taking over the company. Martina cheated on him, and now he’s hurt, but he is masking it well. Remember? I was like him when my Margaret died. I didn’t want to hear about anyone, not even him.”

“ Look where it led him! He climbed his way up, making a reputable name for himself, earning his riches. He will be using his knowledge for the company’s sake. He’s intelligent and business-minded. Don’t take fault for giving him the right opportunities. He will bounce back, just like you did.”

“ It will take time and patience. But something tells me my son won’t be like me. His wife hurt him; mine left for a better place! I hope he realizes he’s making a mistake before it is too late!”

“ Let him enjoy his life. He will surely feel better here with all the opportunities,” Geoff winked. “Look at me. I have a different doll each week.”

“ I just hope you remember that dolls have to be respected,” Alex slumped his body further into the chair, bringing his hand to his forehead, massaging it with two fingers.