"Shreya officially started the war," Thomas said as he entered the cabin. My eyes were fixed on the laptop screen. "Did you check the market value of Desmond's Co.?" I nodded at that. "20% dip in a day, Dante. Can you estimate the loss? Millions together are doomed." He sighed as he took the chair, and I hummed in response. We were silent; our eyes were on the screen, where Desmond's share price was shown in red.
"I think you should have handled her differently," Thomas spoke, eyes fixed on the screen. "You provoked her too much." I chuckled at that. "When you met her for the first time, I had cautioned you." I rolled my eyes at that. "You know I needed a distraction so badly; being far away from Rowan and then completely disconnected from him took a great toll on me." I sighed in irritation. "And this is not about me. She is targeting Rowan, irrespective of my polite warning." "Rowan should be more careful from now on." "Yeah, I don't think he can be careful unless I take charge of the situation." Thomas sighed at that.
Thomas took his eyes from the screen, and I did the same. "What now? This is huge, and directors will not let it slide; they will corner Rowan as usual." I chuckled at that. "I know. There will be a new addition to the directors' list of Desmond's company, and it's Mr. Mehanth." I informed Thomas, who slowly nodded. "That's good, but it doesn't solve the major problem." "You know about the upcoming development project called 'Affordable Paradise." "Construction of apartments at an affordable price for poor and middle-class people." Suddenly, things lit up in Thomas's head. "Dante, what are you planning? Your dad is going to kill you. For the past few months, he has consistently been telling you to grab this deal." I hummed at that. "That's going to happen with a slight change. Can you please inform Rowan to prepare for this bidding? Please help him." He sighed at that. "Your dad will be mad once he hears the news." "I will handle him." I waved my hand at him. My dad can wait. He chuckled at that.
"Shreya will be more furious." I leaned on the chair. "I want her to be. She always wants things under her, and she is so focused on that; she almost showed me the death gate for a few seconds in the past." Thomas was displeased. My dad and Thomas wanted to take things to court; they wanted her behind bars. I didn't want that, one, because Shreya and I had mutual consent for everything, including drugs and wild sex. I wanted distraction, and she was perfect. Two, I should be the one paying her back, and this time, I am going to settle her account permanently. "Just don't choke her to death." Thomas humoured the situation, and I chuckled at that. "No, I have plans for her." Thomas groaned at that. "I will attend the board meeting; you don't need to accompany me. Please call Rowan." And I exited the cabin.
I groaned when there were nonstop notifications flooding my phone. I need a break; I mumbled when my cell started ringing. I snatched the cell from the stand by the time the call got disconnected. I started checking the notifications, and I almost had a mini heart attack. I threw the cell on the bed and rushed to the bathroom. After freshening up, I got ready and ran downstairs. My chef had prepared breakfast, which I grabbed a little and was in the car in no time.
I arrived at the company; as the car stopped, I rushed inside the company. My dad was waiting in the lobby; he joined me, and we walked to my cabin. 'This is going to be a bloody long day.' My dad was boiling in anger, furious, and I was his main focus. As we entered the cabin, he shouted. "I knew this would happen, Rowan. I fucking knew." I grimaced at the voice. "Trust me, this is just the beginning." He fumed at me, and I hummed at the situation. "You went against Merdith's Rowan, Merdith, for God's sake." What can I say? That bitch pushed me. "Rowan," he shouted my name, and I saw him. "Did you hear me? It's just the beginning." He repeated the sentence, word by word. I don't know what he expected from me, but I never reached his expectations, nor in the present situation either. He was in rage, boiling from this news, and I was worried a little. My whole focus was on that shitty boardroom; like a hawk, directors were waiting for me. To pin me, paint with their bullshit, and repeat their slogan. "I don't think I can help you in the boardroom." He sighed. "You could have avoided this whole shit if you were braver and man up a little." He shouted, and I rolled my eyes at that.
He sat on the couch, and I stood, waiting for this to be over so I could prepare for the next session that's going to happen in the boardroom. "I visited your grandfather." I groaned at that. "He cautioned me about the storm, and his hands are tied, Rowan." As if he would fucking help. "He is expecting your visit; please visit him when you find time from your bullshit." Nope, that's not going to happen. "He is willing to talk to Merdith and sought this out." He slowly said those words. "I am not going to back out now," I shouted at him. "I am done with her, and I mean it," I informed him firmly. He sighed at that. "This will go out of hand, Rowan, and this is just beginning," he spoke gravely. "Your grandfather has suggested something. You both marry each other on the certificate and lead your life as you are living now." I arched an eyebrow at that. "Your marriage is just on paper, Rowan. Nothing more would be involved between you two. An alliance will be built between the company, and it will benefit us." "You have become a good son, sacrificing your own without any remorse." My dad gritted his teeth at that. "My hand is tied, Rowan." "Not mine, Dad." "How are you going to come out of the situation? It's 20%, Rowan. 20% decrease in the share value, in a damn day." He shouted, and I averted my eyes.
My cell started ringing; it was an unknown number, so I disconnected the call. Once again, it started ringing, and I received it as I needed a distraction from my dad. "Hi, Rowan, it's Thomas." The name didn't ring a bell, but it was familiar. "Ok," I replied, and he sighed at that. "Dante's personal secretary, Rowan, we have met." I gave a little work to my brain, and it clicked. "Yeah, we have." He chuckled at that. "I hope you have heard about a big development project, 'Affordable Paradise,' involving a huge investment. Desmond is going to participate in the bidding, right?" I slowly walked out of the cabin. I could hear my dad shouting, which I ignored. Once I was out, I spoke. "No, that involves a huge investment, and our company is dealing with a few others." "Your company should participate in the bidding, Dante suggested strongly." When Dante's name is involved, I can't say no because it's Dante. "This will help the present crisis." I smiled at that and sighed in relief. "Ok, directors? They are a pain in the ass, and I don't think they would agree so easily when it involves a huge investment." "That will be taken care of." I should have asked how, but relief got the best of me, and I didn't want too much information about anything. If I am in the loop, that's enough. "Ok," I informed Thomas, and he chuckled at that. He must have grasped my change in mood due to my energetic voice. "Well, good day, Rowan." "You, too." With a content sigh, I disconnected the call. Thank God, for now, things are taken care of.
"Rowan." My dad bawled from the cabin, and I groaned. I entered the cabin. "It's time for the meeting. I hope you have prepared for this one; I am not going to help you this time." I ignored his comment and started walking to the boardroom, along with my dad.
We entered the room, which had full attendance. They wouldn't miss the chance, and there was a new face. I immediately turned toward my dad, who rolled his eyes in return. "Mr. Mehanth, new director, Rowan. I don't know what I am going to do with you." This time, I rolled my eyes at him. Things slip from everyone's mind; don't blame them for that.
The directors were eager and didn't wait for any formal gesture; they started babbling in their mouths. "We are against you for a reason." One from the corner started, bald with a big stomach and bloody mouth. Who he is again, never mind. I huffed. "20% in a day—what explanation do you have, Rowan?" "This is the reason why we are not giving you 100% authority to handle the company." I groaned at that. "One thing or the other keeps happening from the time you took over the company." One of the directors jabbed with words. "Millions worth of loss in a day; you better have some explanation for this." Something incoherent left me; I couldn't stop myself. "You are not fit for this role." Well, here we fucking go. "You should step down; it's high time." I sighed, wanting so badly to lean back on the chair.
The same thing was repeated by another director, mumbling, as usual, gathering a crowd against me. This is always the bloody case, like seriously, as they said, I really want to get rid of this title, but my dad and his dad would never let me. Plus, I don't want to give directors what they are craving so easily; I will fucking fight against them.
"You can't keep blaming the CEO for everything that's happening." My head turned to the voice so fast I couldn't help myself when I heard the voice talking for me. "We are regulating him, not giving full authority, plus we dare to completely blame him. How fair is it?" Again, the same person questioned, watching every director. My dad was also in shock like me. "20% decline a day; you don't want him to take the blame." One of the directors questioned the new one. "Of course, he will take the blame and work on it. Why does he need to step down from the position?" The new guy rebuked. "Millions worth of losses in a day. All the reason for him to step down." "We are the same guys who enjoy when the company makes huge profit because of him. No one complains at that time." I want to hug and kiss the guy so badly. "He is unfit for the position from the beginning." "Well, no one is fit, but they will, as they gain experience; we can't replace them for one mistake." "We have given him plenty of chances." "Never once gave him full authority. Plus, I have gone through the financial statement of the company, and he has done a fantastic job so far without gaining full power of his position. That's a highly commendable thing." I was enjoying the debate for the first time; it's about me. Someone is fighting for me, fighting for my position. "That's not a highly commendable thing. With his father's help, this company is floating somehow." "Well, it's none of our business, and he is young and talented; he can manage things." He retorted. "Mr Rowan, what's your plan for the company?" I thought about the question; suddenly, Thomas's words started ringing in my head. I felt too giddy.
"My team and I are thinking of bidding for the development project, "Affordable Paradise Project." The room burst into laughter, except the new guy. My dad was in shock. "You've got to be kidding me?" "You know the investment for the project and who is all involved in the bidding?" "Trust me, we would never get the project." "Once again, you are wasting your time as well as ours." I sighed at that.
"Good," the same guy spoke. "I have my full support; please proceed with the idea. You can't expect the result without trying." He gave me full support, and I was genuinely boosted by his words. "Gentlemen, you can't expect him to give his 100% by holding him and regulating him. You don't have any right to hold him if you don't support him." He spoke to the room, authority reeking from him. My dad never silenced the room with this authoritative tone. "Rowan, you should go with the idea. If they are against it, they will resign from the position, but don't hold back for their sake." I nodded earnestly.
"We could bring the company down in no minute." A director stood up from the chair and roared the words. I really panicked at that. "They can try all they want; don't mind them." The new guy's confident words had some effect on me. Wow, who was this guy? I am in love with him. One by one, directors started walking out of the room. At last, the new guy nodded at me and walked out of the room. I sighed in exhaustion without even opening my mouth. This was a hell of a day.
My dad was still confused when we left the meeting room, and he had so many questions on his sleeves but didn't direct them toward me. "What was that about the development project, Rowan?" "I informed in the meeting, Dad." He abruptly stopped his steps and faced me. "I thought it was a lie to cover up for now," I smirked at that. "Nope, we will bid for the project." "That's a huge deal, and you know who all is bidding, right?" I don't have any idea, and I don't care. Dante will take care of everything. "Let me handle this my way for once, Dad. You should chill for a while." He grumbled something, "Can't you discuss it with me?" "I am going to handle this; leave it to me." Once again, I clarified to him, and he just sighed in return. He doesn't trust me, and it's not my fault. Maybe partly it's my fault; well, what can I say? I can't help it.
As I was checking the mail, my cell started ringing. "So?" I chuckled at that. "Everything went well, if you are asking about the meeting and other things along with it." Dante hummed at that. "I am still in shock, but good one." "Good," was all his reply, and I sighed at that. "We are attending a party tomorrow." I was taken aback at that. "Oh." Left from me, but there was more. "We need to solidify the relationship," he further added. I hummed in understanding. "All the high-profile delegates would attend this party." He enlightened me further. "Ok, I am always ready for free food and drinks." I gave him the green signal, and he chuckled in return. "I never thought dating would be this easy." "You are lucky, and I am an easy-going guy," I boasted about myself. "That you are." He inclined at my words. "So, see you tomorrow, and I will pick you up." I hummed in return, and the call was disconnected.
I leaned on the chair, dropping the work for a while. Rewinding Dante's words, dating is never easy. Constantly, you should prove your worth to your partner; pour more effort; do your best for the sake of your partner; adjust according to their moods; lend a shoulder; make them happy most of the time; give gifts; take vacations; and yeah, so on. Dating is never as easy as he thinks; things are smooth between us is because it's fake, and reality is totally different. When he dates someone for real, then he will come to know the reality of dating. I am really curious: would he be patient and entertain the bullshit of his partner?