Chapter 48: Chapter 48

THE LAST RUN

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

CALEB’S POV

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

I am already fifteen minutes late for the meeting. I can't wait to see the shock on their faces when I arrive. From what my personal assistant has told me, the whole family is in the boardroom, waiting for my arrival.

I am also intentional about my dress code. Instead of the usual suit and tie, I decided to wear a shirt and ripped jeans; I look like the normal average guy, which to me is perfect. Brad, my chief operating officer, had earlier objected. He is from the school that believes that corporate events have a dress code, not me. I wear what I want to my own company. It feels great to be at the helm of so much power at this point.

The demise of Angela still hurts but before her death, she had asked me to promise her that I would celebrate her life and not mourn her death. “Enjoy your life, live for both of us,” she begged me. This has made me try to see the positives in every situation. I refuse to see her as dead, but rather she lives in another world. It makes it easier to bear.

I have also packed out of the mansion for almost a month now. Living with my pregnant wife was just torture, especially when I think of her in another man's arms. Her bump is enough proof.

I and my senior staff members made our way through the elevator ride to the last floor where the board meeting would be held.

We all walk in and I see the whole family seated, waiting. They all acknowledge Brad and ignore me. I know they think that he is the new owner of their company’s shares.

“What is he doing here?” David scowled when he saw me. “This is a serious meeting. Why did you bring your help along?” he rambles on

“Calm down David.” his father admonishes him. Turning to Brad, he asks him why he brought me along. “He shouldn't be here,” he says, shaking his head in disapproval.

“If you don't want him here, then we would all take our leave,'' Brad says angrily.

“It's alright, let's be seated so we can start with what we came here for,” Sophie interjects.

“Thank you,'' Brad says and we all sit on the left side of the board table, facing our opponent.

“First off, we are from the Delacroix company and we are fairly acquainted with ms. Sophie here.” Brad nods towards her and she acknowledges him with a smile.

“I'm here on behalf of my boss…” Brad stops mid-sentence as David cuts in

“You mean you are not the CEO, what's with this whole secrecy, and does the heir not have a name. Is he disabled or a lunatic.” David howled insults at Brad.

“Stop embarrassing us for goodness’ sake.” his mother shouts at him

“These people are clowns. They work for a ghost or a mirage, you can't tell me otherwise.” he finally takes a seat

“As I was saying; before I introduce my boss; I would like you all to take a look at this statement.” He handed the document to my secretary who shared it with all present in the room.

“What's this for?” Sophie’s father asks as he opens the file

“That's the number of shares of this company belonging to my boss.”

“This is ridiculous, your statement here states he controls 45% of the company's shares.” the patriarch says angrily and closes the file before him

“Everything in that file is valid.” Brad insists

From where I was seated I could see that David was perspiring, reality was beginning to hit home.

“15% of the company's share belonging to one David Fernandez was sold to an unknown buyer almost a month ago, the buyer is my boss.”

“I need the company's share record and fast.” The patriarch loosened his tie, from where I was seated I prayed he would not have a heart attack at least not yet, because there was more to come.

“That's not all, we also bought the 25% share declared at the open market last week. Making my boss the owner of 45% shares of the Fernandez group of companies.’

“You must be joking.” David shouted, “we would never relinquish our control to an invisible man.”

“And who says he is invisible.” Brad countered

“He must be a coward then, stupid Mr. anonymous.” he threw the file carelessly on the table sending some papers flying off in different directions

I took the cue and started walking towards Mr. Greg Fernandez, the CEO of Fernandez group. I knew all eyes were on me as the room got quieter and the air became still.

“Stand up.’ I said to him “this seat does not belong to you anymore”

“What are you doing Caleb?” Sophie rose to her feet. “That my grandpa you are talking to and who the hell do you think you are,” she shouted

“My name is Caleb Thompson, the grandson of Harry Delacroix and only son of his deceased daughter and heir Selena Delacroix. I control 45% shares in this company while your grandpa has only 30%, this seat belongs to me now.”

All eyes turn to Brad for confirmation. “It is true, Caleb is my boss and the document states his name there.” I could bet that was the first time they connected the name to me

“You can't do this Caleb, please.” Sophie pleaded.

“I'm not the enemy here, your uncle David is whom you should thank for your family's downfall.”

“Keep quiet you fool, you are still a peasant notwithstanding your newfound wealth.”

“One more word from you and I will call the police, I have all the evidence to prove you sent thugs to burn down your company.”

I watched the blood drain from his face and he stormed out of the room.

“Grandpa, don't leave your chair,'' Sophie pleaded with her grandpa.

“It's no longer mine darling. It's time I finally stepped down.”

I sat on the seat once it was vacated but the thrill I thought I would feel was absent, the whole Fernandez family had left the room, nothing was exciting about revenge, it was just a circle of sad tales.