Chapter 25: Chapter 25

BEST SERVED COLD

The tension at the Fernandez mansion had increased considerably, the quest to become the heir had begun officially. Two weeks ago, an official announcement was made by Gregory and Rosaline Fernandez of their plans to retire during a banquet they hosted for their employees.

Their children and grandchildren were already aware of this but it came as a surprise to the employees who knew how passionate the couples felt and ran their business.

“That's not all.” Gregory continued. “I know you all might think that the next CEO would be our first child but you are wrong.”

The whispering that followed the announcement took some minutes to die down.

“I wonder what he has up his sleeves.” Sarah, who had worked at the Fernandez mansion, whispered to her colleague who only giggled.

“This couple never fails to amaze me with their ridiculousness.” Sarah continued, she had the habit of saying things that could get her in trouble.

“The boss is looking at you now, you better stop,” Annabell warned her senior colleague and friend.

Sarah shrugged her off but instantly stayed calm when she noticed the cold stare David gave to her.

“I hope you never take reign of the company,'' Sarah muttered and willed herself to listen to what her boss was saying.

“The floor is open to all my children and grandchildren to prove their worth before they can become heir. I toiled day and night to build this company to what it is today and I need someone with wits and a good sense of business to take charge.”

David puffed his shoulders; he felt no one in their family could compete with him; he had the range and the connections to get what he wanted.

“As I speak to you now, the top two,  gearing for the position are Sophie and David, the others couldn't meet up to the rules of participation and had to drop off.'' Greg waved his hands in the air to dramatize what he was saying.

“Sophie, David. Come up to the stage,” he waited for them to join him and continued. “These two have proved their worth with their business acumen and passion. We are at the final stage of their task.”

“What is the task about?” someone asked from the crowd

“You seem to be in a hurry to find out.”

Laughter filled the hall and died down almost immediately. “The task would remain a secret except for those involved.”

Rosaline took the microphone from her husband. “We would give out more details as things unfold, as for now, eat and merry.” raising her wine glass  “To the future.:

The guest echoed their response. “To the future..”

From where Caleb stood he observed David and Sophie, The smug look on David's face irked him and he wished he could give him a knock to reset his mindset but all his worries shifted back to Sophie, she looked pale and her eyes downcast. Caleb understood the feeling very well, he also knew what was at stake here.

******************

PRESENT-DAY

“You seem to have an opinion these days, what do you know about business and how to run one, son of a peasant,” David growled at Caleb.

Caleb shrugged refusing to be ruffled by David's words, none of them knew about his wealth and inheritance. The other day he had flown with his grandfather's private jet for a quick business meeting in Nigeria. He wanted to source the best cocoa for their chocolate factory. It was his first visit to Africa and he vowed to return but this time for leisure.

He was still trying to get used to being the boss, he was treated like royalty and with respect, something that rarely happened to him before. It was just sad that the rich were more respected than the poor folks. Since becoming the CEO he has stayed at the best hotels and interacted with great minds. The business world was surely a world of its own and most of the ladies he had acquainted with flirted shamelessly around him. It felt weird but good.

“He doesn't have anything to offer. Why waste your time talking to him?” Ella interjected, she hated Caleb more each day and hoped he would be kicked out of the house soonest. “We have to leave as soon as possible, remember that dad has made an appointment for us with the manager of Delacroix textile.”

“I heard the new CEO  is unknown, I wonder why he is hiding,” David replied. Caleb listened to them as they rambled on, if only they knew he smiled to himself.

“It's almost time for the meeting. Let's go.” Ella took her purse from the couch and strained the creases from her skirt.

“Can I tag along?" Caleb asked all eyes in the room fixated on him, it was as if he had grown horns suddenly.

“You must be out of your mind,” David yelled.

“Take him along,” Rosaline said to her son, he likes being humiliated, that's for sure.

Ella smiled inwardly, she would ensure that she embarrasses him at the office, how dare he want to associate with people above his social class.

“Let's go then.” David hurried to his car.

****************

AT THE OFFICE

“Wait for us here, you can feed your eye to the beautiful structures and refined gentlemen and ladies in the area.” Ella mocked Caleb. She was wearing a  black blouse and a red straight skirt that clung to her curves. Her lips were colored with a nude lip gloss that highlighted her cheekbones. She was beautiful and charming but her personality was a bitter one.

“Do as she said, you are too broke to come into a building of learned and refined minds.”  They both strode off leaving their driver who had heard what they said, slack-jawed.

Caleb moved away from where the car was packed; he didn't want the driver to hear his conversation. He made a call and waited.

A few minutes later David and Ella strode to the car, they were both wide-eyed and grim-faced.

“Let's go,” David shouted at the driver as they piled into the car.

‘What just happened?” Ella managed to say as they sped off. “I feel so humiliated.”

David didn't answer immediately, he couldn't understand why it happened. trying to sound unbothered he spoke. “Their loss not ours.”

“The manager just asked his secretary to send us away, he didn't even bother to see us.” Ella moaned

“And to think it was the new CEO that gave the order baffles me, what did we do to him as I have not even met him.”

They both brooded all the way home with exasperated sighs. From the rearview mirror, Caleb watched them, this is just the beginning he smiled to himself