Beneath the Chairman's Facade

Chapter 2

Dennedy Hacker was always to be found staring through the tampered glass window of his business office in Paris. His office was so high up that looking down, he could only see the fluffy clouds that blocked the view of the ground. He was like this whenever he was deep in thoughts worrying about the business enterprise his father had finally passed on to him last year. He was a multi billionaire but he had the strong urge to grow bigger and bigger and spread through the world.

A knock on the door distracted him as his model looking personal assistant, Flora Hayes waltzed in. Flora was attractive. She had ocean blue eyes that could suck in and it actually made it easier for men to take her seriously at her work. She slapped a hefty blue file on Dennedy's main desk. He had not yet bothered to turn.

"The amended contract is finally here," Flora began to say in a sultry cool headed voice. "Your splash of signatures across the pages and construction of your banks in Switzerland will begin in earnest." Dennedy made no reaction that he had heard her but Flora knew him well enough to know that he did. She folded her hands casually. "Will you be going to Switzerland, then?"

"Not until the foundations have been finished." Dennedy finally turned to her as he lit a cigar and brought it to his lips.

"Oh, so you are remaining here?" Her tone might have sounded a bit too hopeful.

"No, I think I'd be returning back to the US."

"But why Sir? Everything is smooth sailing there."

"Yet when my father briefly turned his gaze away five years ago, he had a centi billion stolen away from him. I trust my subordinates sure but I won't leave room for my trust to be taken for granted."

How could she forget about the scandal that rocked America five years ago when a mere manager had embezzled money amounting up to hundred billion from the company. The bastard had been eager to opt for plea bargain while endlessly claiming that he got defrauded of the stolen money. All his property was confiscated when he went to jail but of course it was barely enough to restore the harm done. The company suffered a huge loss that year.

Dennedy blew out smoke. "The thieving bastard is out on parole," he casually informed, "twenty years, yet he's a free man in five."

"You have what it takes to put him back in prison."

"But why would I? The man still has my money. I never bought his BS about losing it. He must have been waiting for this moment to start enjoying the money that he stole."

"Just five years, don't you have a hand in that?"

"I want him to feel like he's truly free. In due time, I will send his sorry ass back to jail but not before I've recovered my money," Dennedy's face contorted. His thoughts had obviously strayed to something else. He just remembered the con man had a faithful wife who had watched him get arrested. She seemed so innocent then but would she still be when Evan Miller started lavishing the embezzled fortune on her? She was in it Dennedy had no doubt and the fact made him fume.

"We've been working together for three years. I don't see why you can't call me Flora when it's just the two of us."

"Arrange my flight for this evening Miss Hayes. I'm putting you on paid leave so no need to come with. You may leave."

Flora reddened, "of course Sir." She did not know if Dennedy was doing it on purpose but he had once again rebuffed her advances.

"Also…"

Flora paused, the click of her heels stopping with her, bating in hope with her. Was he going to tell her something sweet? Tell her he liked her too, maybe?

"Get me everything you can on Natasha Miller."

***

Natasha breezed through her secretarial tasks while in a state of surreality. Even if she had anticipated the unexpected that usually accompanied life, she had never expected this betrayal from Vea of all people who she had known since first year of high school, way long before Evan came into the picture.

No wonder Vea was trying to make her think bad of Evan all these years. All the talk about him being s*x starved and cheating on her while in prison. Of course she would know since she had orchestrated it. Since she was the one sleeping with Evan.

And how did Evan intend to explain this? Not bothering to call her or come home after his release. Just where the hell had he spent the night? With Vea, no doubt. Her phone suddenly rang, effectively interrupting her troubled train of thoughts. She checked the caller ID as her heart rate skipped. Her shoulders sagged with disappointment to see it was just her brother Vellen, not Evan. She answered the call anyway, moving to the office balcony to get some much needed privacy.

"Vellen, I've told you not to call me during work hours," she hissed into the phone. Vellen was nineteen, same age as Evan's younger sister, Allie. Natasha was the one singlehandedly sponsoring both their education. But while Vellen was in his second year of college, Allie had been stuck in high school for the past two years. Allie totally had no interest in her education but she refused to drop out either to find employment.

"Mom says you aren't picking her calls."

"Vel seriously I'm at work. I told you not to call me if there's nothing serious. If I get fired right now, do you really want to handle the burden of a student loan?"

"We need to talk. Wasn't your husband released from jail yesterday? I know that's why Mom's trying to reach you and you are ignoring her because something unexpected happened. I knew Evan was going to f**k it all up."

"Vel, not now and I'm really not interested in your 'I told you so's."

"Mrs Natasha Miller."

Natasha quickly ended the call and cowered under the gaze of her boss, the CEO of the company. His name was Jarvis Eene and he was blocking the balcony's only exit. Taking personal calls during work hours was against the company's policy and was sufficient grounds for termination of employment.

"My office, now!" Jarvis said with a low tone before stalking off. It was hard for Natasha to not suspect that she was in big trouble. When Natasha reached, Jarvis was already sitting behind his big desk.

"I apologize Sir," Natasha began, "please give me another chance. I promise I'll work hard."

Jarvis' glare softened. "Natasha, you have to understand that you are not above the rules here. What you did just now was embarrassing and will give the company a bad reputation. If you'd done that kind of thing when the chairman was here, you'd be blacklisted for life and if he finds out I let you off easily, I'll be blacklisted for life."

Natasha chose to take the berating in silence. Too many worries were on her mind and she did not wish to add joblessness untop the pile. Her breath hitched on mention of the chairman who was known far and wide for his ruthless business sense. The chairman had left the company five years ago to oversee a branch opening in France. They said in his regime, at least one person got fired daily. It was good for Natasha that the dreaded chairman was so far away.

"The chairman will not know Sir," Natasha promised solemnly. "Please don't fire me. I really need this job?"

"Are you sure about that?"

Natasha nodded fervently.

"Very well, I forgive you on one condition. The chairman is coming tomorrow. You must receive at the airport."

Natasha's eyes widened. "Me? Me?… I am not worthy of such honour."

"Either get fired definitely by me now or risk getting fired tomorrow. Natasha, I think you should take your chances," Jarvis gave her a sad but cocky smile.

Damn! She had let herself get shuffled into a tight corner. Her colleagues broke the 'no calls' policy often and usually got away with it. But Natasha had been a mere secretary for the last five years with no promotion in sight. With the Chairman's return, if anyone was to get fired she was the most disposable. She had just been set up to be a scapegoat. At the realization, Natasha blushed. Had she always been this gullible— Evan, Vea, Allie and now Jarvis? Had she always been used and considered disposable?

She felt a sudden urge to tell Jarvis to shove it all up in his shoddy ass but before she could act on it, her phone began ringing again. She blushed all the way down to her neck.

"Answer it, you'll be toast by tomorrow anyway," Jarvis said smugly.

"Hello, please who is this?" Natasha inquired of the unknown caller, not daunted by Jarvis' obvious attentive eyes and ears.

"Am I speaking Mrs Natasha Miller."

"Y…yes?"

"My name is Officer Lopez, I am your husband's parole officer. I am calling to let you know that your husband Mr Evan Miller is in our custody and can only leave on your permission."