ARLAN’S POV.
I checked the time again and it was 1:42p. m. “Why is she not here yet?” I asked looking around again.
“Look who we have here?” Ian called out. “Saraya’s knight in shining armour.”
I sighed before turning around, knowing fully well whose voice it was.
I chuckled. “Ian, I see you’re here.”
“Of course, I initiated the meeting to see your sweetheart being usurp from her seat.” Ian said with a smug on his lips.
“You won’t succeed.” I told him in a low tone, glaring at him.
“You should stop lying to yourself.” Ian patted my shoulder, leaning closer. “Alex is not here and you’re the last person she wants to see now, after all, you’re the origin of her woes.”
I tightened my fist and Ian eyes followed. “Wow, easy man.” He said, taking two steps away from me. “See you in the boardroom.” He waved at me and walked away.
At exactly 1:56p. m, I saw her walked in. Picking up my pace, I called out, “Saraya!”
She stopped abruptly, turning to face me. Her eyes widened for a split second before she regained her posture. “What are you doing here?” she asked, looking around.
I came to a halt a few steps away. “Don’t forget, I’m a shareholder in the Newman Empire too,” I said, trying to keep my tone light.
She raised an eyebrow, her arms folding across her chest. “A share you’re supposed to transfer to my father.”
I nodded, a faint smile on my lips. “True, but until I do, I still have a say. And while I have that say, I’ll do everything I can to protect you.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer. “Protect me?” she repeated, her tone dripping with disbelief. “I don’t need your protection, Arlan.”
“Maybe not,” I replied, keeping my voice calm, “but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop.”
She let out a frustrated sigh. “I’ve handled people like Ian and the rest my whole life. I don’t need you to swoop in like some hero. Just stay out of it.”
“Saraya, you don’t have to do this alone,” I said, taking a step toward her. “Let me help you.”
She shook her head, already turning away. “You would see I don’t need your help. I will set the records straight”
Before I could say more, she walked off, her strides purposeful and her back straight.
I stood there for a moment, watching her disappear into the elevator. “You may not want my help,” I murmured to myself, “but you’re going to get it anyway.”
*
IAN’S POV.
The board members were already on seat when I walked into the conference room. With my head up high, I headed straight for the CEO’s seat and settled on it.
This aroused murmurs from some of the members, but I paid them no attention. Instead, I relaxed against the chair.
“Since we are complete, I think we should go ahead with the meeting.” I proposed but before anyone could say a word, the door flung open.
Saraya stood at the door for a second, grinning as though she had won the war. She walked in and halted in front of me. Looking at her, I leaned against the chair, sitting more comfortable.
“Get up from that chair!”
“Why would I do that?” I smiled calmly.
“Taking what isn’t yours? Have you no shame at all?” She retorted.
“And this seat is yours?” I rose to my feet, straightened my shirt and leaned closer to her ear. “Shame? You dare talk to me about shame? You shouldn’t even be here, you have no idea what is coming for you.” My voice dropped to a whisper, but she chuckled mockingly.
I straightened up, my eyes blinked with confusion and my brows twitched as I looked at her, there was something so different about her smile.
What could be so funny to her? I’m about to ruin her, and all she could do was smile.
Just then, Arlan entered. I scoffed. “I see where that smile of yours is coming from. You think your knight can save you from all of these mess?”
Arlan took his seat, ignoring my rants and that aggravated me more. “What could they have up their sleeves?” I wondered.
“You have no idea who the chess master is. If you do, you would know this game of yours is only a joke.” Saraya’s lips were smeared with disgust and pity, a look I detest.
I wanted to make her regret her actions immediately but when I looked around and saw the piercing eyes of the board members, I gulped down hard. I clenched my fist against my pants and forced a smile up my face.
“Like I said before, you have no say in deciding your fate.” I spat.
She took a step closer. “Oh, poor Ian,” She whined, adjusting my tie while she wore the most sympathetic smile I’ve ever seen. “You should prepare yourself for what’s to come. Though I doubt you’ll be able to contain it.”
The grin on her face, the way her lips curled and spread into a smile only infuriated me more, and I wanted nothing more than to see her suffer.
I’ll make you wish you never existed, Saraya.
I forced a smile that didn’t reach my face as I tightened my fist, “I’ll be patiently waiting, I’d love to see what you can do.”
“Sure, I’ll make sure you enjoy every bit of the show.” She responded with a gleam smile.
Just as my lips spread open to reply to her, a member butted in.
“In as much as we enjoy seeing you both talk, we are all busy people, and we have things to tend to. If you don’t mind, perhaps we could get down to the agenda of this urgent meeting.” He proposed, his voice leaving no room for debate.
“Sure,” I said with a forced smile, and was about to seat on the CEO’s chair when Saraya cut in.
“Don’t you dare, Ian. You would rather not ruin your beautifully crafted facade.”
I gave a nod and sat on the next seat while Saraya sat on the CEO’s chair.
My eyes scanned the board meeting before the meeting commenced.
“As you all know that I am the one who called this urgent meeting,” I started and paused to catch my breath, reeling myself for what I was about to say next. It has to be either well perfect or the otherwise. “I called this meeting to propose a termination of Saraya as the CEO of Newsman’s Empire.”
All eyes were glued on me, surprised, of course, except Saraya. The members, dumbstruck, stared at me for a second, before murmurs between themselves.
The murmurs filled the air, and it didn’t seem like it was going to stop soon. I took a glance at Saraya who seemed to be enjoying the view.
It seemed the more I tried to make her suffer, the more she enjoyed me playing the fool.
I won’t be the fool this time, Saraya. I thought to myself.
“You might be wondering why I came up with such a proposal. I’m sure you all are aware that the company’s shares plummeted because of her and how long are we going to put the company’s welfare at risk because of just one person?” I paused, my eyes darting from one person to another as they nodded to sink in the information. “The best part is that, that’s not even all. Saraya has gotten herself entangled in an affair with her father’s best friend, which has caused my uncle his health. His health is deteriorating every day because of his daughter’s infidelity, yet she has bi intention of stopping.”
They stared at me, their eyes piercing and their ears hungry for more of the story.
“My uncle…” I paused with my hand covering my eyes as I faked a tear, sniffling and wiping it off. “He’s suffering because of his daughter, and I say we stop her. How can someone so incompetent and shameless rule as the CEO of Newsman’s Empire? I say we stop her and save our company, our sweat!”
Murmurs filled the air again, but this time, it got my breath in my throat. Whatever they conclude on would declare the winner.
To fuel their irritation towards Saraya even more, I continued. “And don’t you forget how my parents suffered and thrived to build this company into what it is now. As their son, all I want is to carry on their legacy and make sure the company thrives among all. I hope you make a wise decision.”
“It’s safe to say you’re done speaking, Ian?” Saraya questioned and rose to her feet, holding her head up high as though the day was about her.
Of course, it was, but she was supposed to be ashamed.
“Ian has said it all, and he said it right, but trust me you don’t even have to go through the stress of making a decision.” She paused and shifted her gaze to me. “I will decide my fate.”
Shifting her gaze back to the board members, she continued. “Ian is right about me being incompetent and morally derailed, but I’ve not committed any crime for me to be ashamed of.” She paused as she snapped her finger like she had remembered something very quick and looked at me. “For your information, Ian, I’m not having an affair with my father’s best friend. I’m in a relationship with him. They are two different things.”
She turned to the board meeting with a smile. “About being incompetent, I will gladly resign for my position. Though, I hope you find and award the position to someone fitting and worthy of ascending me. It would be such a disappointment to hand it over to someone beneath my feet.”
“With that being said, I’d like you all to note that my personal life is none of your business and the person I go out with is definitely out of the business room…” She landed her gaze in me, piercing through my soul. “Especially when he’s a single man who isn’t legally tied to any woman.” She looked at Arlan.
Arlan stood on his feet. “Saraya!”
“I’m not done talking, I did nothing morally wrong in regards to being with Arlan.” She repeated. “But like I said, I would gladly resign, let’s hope you don’t destroy everything.”
“You worry for nothing, Saraya. Now that the results are clear, I propose we elect an interim CEO. The company cannot afford a leadership vacuum while we sort the mess created by our past CEO.”
“Who do you propose as interim CEO?” One of the members asked.
I smiled. “It should be someone who understands the company’s roots, someone with a proven track record of dedication to its growth and I’m ready to take on that responsibility of course with your consent.”
The murmurs grew louder, everyone with their thoughts.
But as I glanced around the room, I caught Arlan’s gaze. He wasn’t saying anything, but the way he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, told me he wasn’t buying a single word I said.
Knowing Arlan had followed Saraya like a loyal dog since her arrival, and now he was here, waiting for his chance to strike.
I forced myself to ignore him and refocused on the board. “Ladies and gentlemen, this company is bigger than any one person. Let’s move forward with stability and unity. I urge you to act in the best interest of Newman Empire.”
The votes were casted and I won. My mind raced, it was the moment I had waited for.
“Congratulations, Ian.” Saraya said with a dangerous smile on her face.
“Thank you, Saraya.” I replied. “I hope you don’t have any reservation with me taking the CEO seat?”
“It’s all yours.” She pointed to the chair.
Turning to everyone in the room. “Thank you for trusting me and giving me your votes, I promise to fulfil every of my promises to you.” I ended my speech and a round of applause followed.
As the board members filed out, Arlan approached me.
“Enjoy the seat while you can, Ian,” he said quietly, his voice dripping with disdain. “It won’t be yours for long.”
I glared at him, my jaw tightening. “Careful, Arlan. You’re overstepping your boundaries.”
He smirked, stepping closer. “Boundaries don’t exist when it comes to protecting her.”
Before I could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving me seething.
I stood alone in the empty conference room, feeling empty. Saraya had taken a step ahead of me by tendering her resignation when I had planned on taking her on head on.
“It’s doesn’t matter.” I told myself. “I won and took over what is rightfully mine.” I added, swirling on the chair. “I wish Alex could see me right now.” I said with satisfaction.