Hurry up and die!
“Are they going to come out now? Are they even there?” A baby-faced reporter asked in anticipation, her slim fingers clasping her camera as she pushed herself through an eager press of journalists assembled at the grand gated entrance of the business tycoon and former politician, Declan Alexander Montgomery.
“They have to be, that is their home.” Another voice replied impatiently. “I can already picture his face on the first page of Dailymotion.”
“I have to get at least one good shot of the tycoon, otherwise my editor will swallow me alive.” Another groaned. “But to stay here all morning…aah!..”
“Be quiet, something is happening..” The eager journalists stopped talking and held their cameras ready to snap pictures of the opulent man. However, a dull groan went up from the journalists as they realized it was just the security guards sent to pry them off of the grand Montgomery private estate.
Inside Montgomery’s grand mansion, the air was cool and quiet, filled with the soft hum of maids, delicately attending to every need of each family member. The soft golden glow of the rising sun radiated through the expansive windows of the grand dining hall, bathing it in natural light. Around the large oval oak dining table were the Montgomery family members. Seated at the head of the table was Declan Alexander Montgomery, the self-made billionaire and CEO of the Montgomery Real Estates. His brows were furrowed deeply, and his arms crossed against his chest, as he glanced around the table, scanning the faces of those in the room with apparent disdain. His wife Meredith and his three sons - John, Henry and Marcus sat in their own respective chairs, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Breakfast was served, yet nobody seemed to notice, the food remained untouched.
Sets of footsteps approaching the grand dining hall, broke the thick tension hanging in the air. Declan glanced towards the dining hall doors impatiently, “It's about damned time.” He muttered under his breath, his tone flat. He watched nonchalantly as two figures appeared in the dining hall.
The lady was slender, with short dark brown hair which accentuated her sea-green eyes. She was dressed in a fitted white blouse with subtle details along the collar and cuffs, that matched the tailored navy blue pants that rested delicately on her slender waist. Her chic black heels allowed her to move freely with confidence and poise. On her left arm was a custom-made leather handbag which she opened to reveal stacks of papers, notebooks and files.
Walking beside her, was a six-foot tall, youthful looking man, with dark blonde hair, his chiseled jawline and perfectly set cheekbones matched his striking blue eyes. His him apart from most men. He wore a navy blue button-up shirt paired with dark gray trousers that fit him comfortably, his sleek leather loafers allowed him to easily move around. He took off his slim messenger bag and hung it around his chair as he took his seat at the dining table. Once seated, he nodded respectfully towards Declan. “Chairman.”
Declan looked at Luke dismissively, then turned his attention towards Olivia. She was reshuffling papers on the table, ready to give a report on the status of a real estate project run by one of Declan's sons. He waved away two maids who had just walked into the dining room to serve the two guests. “Olivia, Luke, now that you are here, let us begin.” He ordered assertively.
Olivia stood beside Declan, she cleared her throat, flipped open her tablet and began in a strong confident voice. “Chairman, I have confirmed that the Booksfield real estate project spearheaded by John, fell through. This happened because the environmental regulations were overlooked during the construction process. I'm afraid this project costs three hundred million dollars. The landowners are indeed threatening to sue Montgomery Real Estates. The press might have gotten hold of this information because they are gathered outside the gates as we speak.” Olivia's impartial expression and objective tone betrayed no personal feelings she harbored during her report. As a personal assistant, it was not in her job description to give her opinion.
Declan's look of disdain hung over John like dark clouds. His eyes darkened as they burned holes on John. “I…I can explain, father..” John shifted uneasily in his seat, he tugged nervously at his collar, suddenly feeling sweaty.” His wife had pushed him to be decisive and brave when making business deals, she had assured him this would make his father very proud of him, and put him ahead of his siblings in the race of succession. However, things didn't pan out as he had hoped. This failure was a huge setback, smeared all over him like smelly s**t, its rotten stench would not fade any time soon… “Explain yourself.” Declan's tone was cold and distant.
“It… In business, there are risks..you taught us that…I made a bold move, took a risk, the market was just right, and it would have taken a while for the environmentalists to run tests on the soil…I did not contemplate the site had a problem, I thought…” John's voice shook as he struggled to stay calm.
“You did not contemplate it? So you thought?” Declan's icy tone cut through John's words like a sharp knife. The problem, son, is you never think with your brain. You let that little thing between your legs think for you. No matter how hard she tries, you can tell your wife she will never have control over my estate.” John squirmed in his seat. The tips of his ears turned red as he stared at his father in disbelief. “I'll find a way to solve it,” he murmured quietly, his voice laced in regret. It pained him to watch his father speak ill of his wife. He knew it was not completely her fault the project fell through. “Just give me a little time, I'll find a way to recover the money, show you that I can amount to something.”
A dry chuckle spread across the room. Henry, John's brother, looked at him, his eyes glinting with amusement. “You mean like you've recovered all the other monies spent on pointless projects? I'd probably have done better than you.”
“At least I'm not squandering money on cocaine and women. Look at you now, high as a kite.” John's clipped response caused a wave of silence through the room. The maids who were clearing the table hesitated, before scattering away quickly. John regretted the words the moment they fell off of his lips. Henry was unusually silent, with no special come back. His face was ashen white. His addiction was a sore wound that nobody ever wanted to confront. Of late, it had grown worse and was rapidly getting out of control. He knew, in his heart, that he needed help. He had stayed up many nights planning how he would enroll himself in a rehabilitation center at first light. Except he never did. Somehow, when morning came, and he was all sobered up, he convinced himself he could handle it and that it would be the last time, except things always changed whenever a new product hit the market. “I know I have a problem.” He responded in a low tone. The tension in the room rose steadily. John and Marcus exchanged subtle shocked glances. “But just like you. I'll find a way to deal with it. Only unlike you, I mean it. I just need a little bit more patience and understanding from you guys, and dad, I can run projects too, you know, if only you gave me a chance.”
Declan's seemingly softened expression at his son's confession did not reflect in his sharp words. “Patience? Understanding? Time? All these are things my company cannot afford. Give you a chance, you say? Have you looked at yourself? Just three days ago you spent thirty thousand dollars, and now you cannot clearly explain how you spent it. How about running your life first? And keeping your drug addiction a little more private. Do you know how much I'm spending just to keep your little problem a secret from the world?” Declan's disgust was palpable.
At the farthest end of the table, Marcus sat next to his mother. He had not bothered to join in the heated conversation between his father and brothers. He knew his opinion would not count anyway, since all his father seemed to see whenever he looked at him was his sexuality. He had made peace with being the black sheep in the family a long time ago. But now, as he sat observing, he noticed his father's attention to him.
“Nothing to say?” Declan addressed him condescendingly. When Marcus didn't respond, Declan scoffed coolly. “Like always. You always want to be the opposite one in the family.” Marcus's lips curled in anger and when he spoke, his voice was low but unusually stern. “Perhaps, if you treated us more like your sons, and not pawns at a chess game, things would turn out differently.” His uncontrollable outburst showed in his trembling hands and darkened eyes, it had been months since he spoke up against his father, he preferred to stay away from him and avoid him entirely if he could. But this time, his disrespect towards him and his brothers was more than he could bear or assume.
Declan's own anger boiled beneath his calm exterior. Marcus felt the full extent of his glare as he responded. “Sons? One is stupid, controlled by his materialistic wife, the other is lost in drugs, while you?... I have no sons.” Declan's tone was categorical and demeaning.
“Whose sons are they then, if not yours, Alexander? Mine alone?” Meredith's icy tone filled the room, her hands strongly gripping a table fork. She had kept silent all along as Declan degraded her children. But enough was enough. Tension escalated through the roof. It was time to set things right. “You and I both know, your time is quickly running out. You need to choose a boy to groom in your place. And it must be one of them. So put aside your insecurities and for once be a father to your children.” Meredith's tone was so harsh that Olivia flinched beside Declan.
Declan stared for long at his wife. Scanning through her face, when he spoke his voice was measured and controlled. “No. It will not be one of them.” His eyes shifted towards Luke. Meredith followed his gaze, at the realization of what Declan might have been hinting at, she scoffed condescendingly, before adding bitterly, “Over my dead body, will I allow you to even consider this illegitimate son of yours to take over MRE. I will let everybody know, let's see then, if there will still be stocks to be fought over, and a company left to be run.” Declan felt the full weight of Meredith's threat. He turned his attention to Olivia, his sharp eyes pierced coldly at her. His icy voice addressed her. “Remember you signed a non-disclosure agreement when you began working here. Whatever has been said in this room can NEVER leave the room. Your life depends on it.” Olivia nodded firmly with an impartial expression. “Yes, chairman.”
“Now. Please excuse us. My wife and I have family matters to attend to.” Declan stated categorically, staring at his wife with loathing. Every one stayed silent as Olivia walked away from the dining room to the conference room, farthest down the hall.
“Meredith. I want you to remember that all these designer bags you carry, shoes, oh and the vacation trips and more, are all fully funded by the company. So ruin it at your own cost and that of your useless sons.” Declan's tone was cold and distant, he glared at his wife with hatred, the rage in his voice was palpable. “And to answer your question, No. I will not give my company to the illegitimate child. So, I'm telling you now. I'm going to marry a second wife. And it would work out perfectly if it were over your dead body, so hurry up and die.”
