Mr Startford returned home a happy man. He believed he had handed the company over to his own son and could have peace of mind. His phone rang and he picked it up. It was his trusted friend, Kennedy.
“Good evening, Mr Stratford.”
“Evening Ken. How’s everything?”
“Everything can’t be fine, sir. You handed your company over to someone who doesn’t know the basic foundation. You didn’t tell him anything about what happens underway. It’s dangerous,” Kennedy expressed his grave fears and concerns.
“Kennedy,” Mr Startford called after a minute of silence.
“Yes sir.”
“Let things fall in place at their own time. You are there to guide him and carry out what needs to be carried out,” Mr Startford instructed.
“But sir, don’t you think handing over your company was too hasty a decision? You didn’t…”
“Kennedy! Enough of that nonsense this moment! Are you saying that I didn’t make the right choice handing my company over to my own flesh and blood? My son is no stranger.”
“I’m sorry sir. I apologize sir.”
Thus began the regime of Ethan Stratford as the new CEO of Stratford group.
Ash sat on the floor, holding a bottle of alcohol. That was his third. For the past two days, he hadn’t been himself, he was heart broken and could only resort to alcohol to seek solace. After all his love and devotion to his girlfriend, Vivian, she still cheated on him. Even when he caught her red handed, she didn’t flinch. It didn’t bother her, to her, he didn’t matter. He had waited patiently for her call ever since he was thrown out of the night club but he never received it. He had lost a girl whom he gave his heart to. He loved Vivian with his whole heart and wanted to make her his wife. He wiped his running nose with the hem of his cloth and gulped a mouthful of alcohol from the bottle.
“Ahhhhh! Ohhhh!” he cried and stretched himself on the ground. His legs kicked the empty beer bottles around him and they rolled further across the room. His phone rang for the hundredth time but he didn’t pick up. Yet, the caller persisted.
“Damn that bloody bastard! Can’t you fucking stop calling?” he cursed and staggered up. It was Nelly. He didn’t want to speak to her in that state and at the same time, he didn’t want to ignore her call. They never ignored each other’s calls.
“Hello!”
“Oh my goodness! Ash! You scared me. Are you alright? I haven’t heard from you in two whole days! Talk to me. Is everything alright?”
When there was no response, Nelly continued in fright.
“Ash? Are you there? Please, say something. You are making me uncomfortable.”
Ash sniffed and answered,
“I’m fine…”
“No, you aren’t. Are you crying? Damn! I’m switching to a video call. Pick up this instant!”
Ash looked around him, the room was a mess and Nelly would definitely…. Well, he slid his hands over the phone and accepted the call.
“Goodness, Ash, what happened to you? Look at your eyes, have you been crying?” Nelly asked with extreme concern. Sewing the tears at the corner of her eyes, Ash opened up to her.
“She’s left me. She’s cheating on me…I…”
“Take it easy dude. Is that why you are crying? My Gosh! Are those empty alcohol bottles? Ash.. cheer up, I’m always here for you. You…”
One hour later, Ash was no longer seated and crying on the floor. He had cleaned the room and had his bath, all thanks to Nelly. Theirs was a true definition of friendship. They always had each other’s backs. Nelly narrated her experience in Germany and also informed him of her safe delivery.
“Congratulations dearie. We now have a new baby! Yepieeee!” Ash declared. It was difficult to believe that he was the same person who was drowning in tears some minutes ago.
“Just before I end the call, that blog is at it again. A message was sent to my friend to defame me,” she reported.
“Forward the message to me. I’ll trace the source and get to the root of the matter.”
Ash wiped his tears and moved on. He swore never to have anything to do with Vivian again. He spent days trying to solve the blog puzzle but it seemed the person behind it all was smarter.
Mr Nathan Stratford sat in his study, a cup of coffee was in front of him. He was going through some files, the financial reports of the company at the end of the month and Kennedy was seated next to him.
“Kennedy, what’s really going on?”
“The CEO is trying his best but there are things I’m yet to figure out. I know the business was thriving this month but I’m extremely shocked at the financial reports. I expected more too!”
“Listen to yourself. You are yet to figure out some things. You are surprised as well. Is that how non chalant you have become? Huh?” Nathan yelled.
“Sir…I…”
“Be quiet. Go and find out everything and bring me detailed feedback in twenty four hours. You failed to give him the right support and you sit here talking nonsense. Be gone!”
Kennedy bowed and left immediately. Nathan sipped his coffee to calm himself. He continued going through the reports and shook his head occasionally.
“Bunch of incompetent fools I assigned to work,” he murmured. He rang the bell and a servant showed up.
“Get me a bottle of cold water.”
“Yes sir!”
A few seconds later, he reappeared with the water.
“Go and call me Ethan.”
“Yes sir!”
The servant checked and found out that Ethan wasn’t at home. He was about going back to report when Ethan drove into the compound. The servant waited a bit and when Ethan entered the house, he greeted him and relayed the message.
Ethan knocked and entered the study.
“Good evening father. You sent for me.”
“Yes, I did. Sit down. Look at this financial reports and explain to me what is going on,” Nathan said, pushing the papers to him. Ethan looked at the papers for some minutes and burst into laughter.