"It has really been a long time Hart. " The Chairman said as he offered him a glass of whiskey. He had always been Hart's grandfather. In my opinion then, I thought since Hart hated his family, he should not have talked to his grandfather. According to rumours, the L'art book company was first named Louis Book Company. But, when Hart became the CEO, he changed the company from a family company to his own company. But, whether he loved it or not, his grandfather was still his CEO. Hart was not in a good terms too with him. I didn't know what happened between them. When his grandfather called me to make an appointment with Hart. I was shocked. I tried all my best to make sure Hart visited him. It was really nice for him to talk with his grandfather whom he had lust for many years.
"Why did you call me?" He asked, with a more angrier mood.
"Is that the first thing you will say to your grandmother after many years? You are still as rude as before. " He replied him.
"On a normal day, I should be at work right now. But, can't you just be fast with what you're saying?" Hart asked with a long face.
"Your brother is back. " He said.
"So? How does that has to do with me?" Hart asked again, this time showing emotions of disgust.
"He's getting married. He's your brother after all that happened. Do something for the family, attend the wedding. That is all I want from you. " He said in a commanding tone.
" I don't want to. Grandfather, you don't seem to understand something. You guys killed my mum. Is that not okay by you? But, now you expect me to attend one step brother's wedding? You got to be kidding me. " Hart replied as he stood up planning to leave.
"No one killed your mother. She killed herself. If only she had listened, she wouldn't have died. You're as adamant as her. I always wondered who you took after. But, today, I got to understand that you and your mother are the same. If you don't want to die like your mother, listen to me and do what I ask you to do. " His grandfather said in a slow tone. The atmosphere turned out to be darn hot. This made Hart burn with anger.
"I hate you. I hate you all. I don't want to ever see you again."
"Then, leave my company. " He replied. "Resign, let your brother take over. "
"The company is never yours. It was for my mother. You forced her to give you the company. You killed her because of inheritance. The company is the only thing my mother left. It is the only thing you haven't sold. You sold everything. Her house, her car, her properties. I was glad that you didn't sell the company. Do you think I can't build my own company. I am going to protect the company till the end and there is no f*****g thing you can do about it." Hart screamed. At this point, he started crying like a fool. As perfect as he claimed he was, he cried like a baby in front of his grandfather.
"Then, get ready to see me every time. There is nothing you can change. I am still the chairman. I can come to my company at any time. I didn't complain when you changed the name of the company. But, know this for sure. You won't get a penny!" It was really unbearable for Hart. He went out of the house immediately. Holding back his tears, like someone who got hurt but didn't want to cry because of the presence of his crush, he entered the car and drove home. His family was really a mess!
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The next day, he came to work. I greeted him but he didn't answer.
" What was that? Is he angry about yesterday. Oh! What a man! Sure holds a grudge too much. " I thought. I didn't like how the atmosphere was. So, I went to his office.
"I'm sorry about yesterday sir. " I apologized but he didn't answer me. He was focusing on his phone. I wondered what he was doing on it.
"I don't want things to get awkward between us sir. But, I thought what you said yesterday, I didn't want anything to hinder my work life. I have promised myself that I will never date any guy because I have experienced more than enough breakups. So, I hope you will understand sir. " I continued. But still, no response.
"Is there anything going on with you sir?" I finally asked.
"When is my next appointment?" He asked. I was relieved to hear his voice. But, embarrassed. He behaved like he didn't hear me talk before.
"You have nothing on your schedule presently. But, you said it that we would look for someone to plant in the Miami book company today. " I answered.
"Let the planning team do that. I'm busy right now. Get out!" He ordered me. Then, I remembered that he visited his grandfather.
"Oh! That's the cause. I'm a such a blabbermouth!" I thought.
"I guess things didn't work out between you and Chairman Louis yesterday. I'm sorry for interfering into this matter. But, I think regardless of what he did to you, he is still your grandfather. You should forgive him. That's the only way you can get his blessings. " I suggested.
"Secretary Mira, you don't even know anything. But, you are also a bad judge of character. " He replied.
"If I may ask, what happened between you and your family?" I asked concerned.
"You really want to know everything? You will cry at the end. " He said.
"Me? Not even a chance. Even after getting several carry overs in my university, I didn't cry. I think I can't cry."
"When I was young, I was very depressed. I had my parents with me. But, the truth is my father came from a poor family. But, my mother was very rich. She claimed to have loved my father so much because of his looks. But, my father loved her because of her money. My grandfather, which is my father's father, lived in the North. He was into trade but also had no money. Due to this, he threatened my mother that in order for her to marry my father, she had to will all her inheritance to him. My mother was foolish because of love. She willed everything to him. They got married. But, it was just, on one Saturday, my mother was murdered. My grandfather killed her. I reported this to the police as a young child, but no one believed me. I witnessed everything with my two naked eyes. I was five. I was not that small. I was also smart. Even after all those, I grew up despising my father and his father. Soon, when I was ten, my father married another wife and she gave birth to my brother. Soon, he died. My grandfather inherited everything. But, he sold everything except for this company. This company is the only thing that belongs to my mother on this earth. So, I fought for it. And I inherited it, I changed the name from my father's name to my name. But, my grandfather is still the chairman. If it was you secretary Mira, will you still forgive and accept everything as fate?" He asked. I knew he had a painful past. The story made me cry. I moved closer to him and hugged him.
"You have been enduring this alone for years. Poor you! Everything is going to be fine. I didn't know this was what happened." I cried.
"Secretary Mira, I thought you said you don't cry. "
"But, this is more overwhelming. What should I do? How can you erase all these things? Everything is fine. Don't worry Hart. " I called him by name. He didn't act surprise, rather he dragged me closer and hugged me warmly, but didn't cry.