The Heiress CEO

Prescott Industries. A shining star in the business world still owned and controlled by its founding family. Silas Prescott was the ruling monarch of this kingdom, a kingdom carefully nurtured and grown. At fifty-three, some considered him past his prime, but those who knew him knew he was as sharp and dangerous as ever. Nodding to the reception desk, he made his way to the executive elevator and rode it to the top floor. Silas stared at his reflection as the doors closed, noting the gray at his temples which was in stark contrast to his black hair, but even that was slowly gaining a gray sheen. It was an unwanted sign he was getting older. Numerous times he considered dying it. However, every time he brought it up Ava gave him the same response: I like your gray. I think it makes you look distinguished. She then would run her fingers through his hair and kiss him, passionately, stirring him like no other woman could. Silas shook his head, trying to clear his mind as he adjusted himself. As much as he loved his wife coursing through his thoughts, it wouldn’t look good to walk around the office with a raging erection. The doors opened and he walked out. The executive floor was much quieter than other areas of the building as it only had offices and meeting rooms for the Board and, of course, the CEO, which was currently his, but wouldn’t be much longer. “Mister Prescott, here are your messages,” Julie handed him a small stack of post-its. She had been his secretary for a long time. Almost sixty, she loved the work and was quick and efficient. In some ways she was like a mother, constantly worrying about him. After finding Ava again, she definitely seemed to worry less. “Julie, are you finally going to retire after I’m gone?” “I don’t think so. My children are grown, my husband is long gone and it’s quiet and lonely at home. Besides, I have a feeling the new CEO may need a good secretary. Care to put in a good word for me?” “I’ll see what I can do,” Silas chuckled, retreating into his office before anyone else noticed his arrival. Today was a big day and he didn’t want to be bothered with unnecessary things. He looked at the chair Thomas often occupied during his tenure as Silas’s assistant. Silas sighed. The office certainly seemed bigger and emptier without him. Thomas retired ten years ago to spend more time with his family and many thought Silas would follow suit given his devotion to his own. However, the timing hadn’t been right. That would change today. Alexis and her brothers had been interning with the company for the last five years, learning the departments and earning various responsibilities. After today, they would be in charge and he could devote his time to Ava and their younger siblings. He was definitely ready. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was barely creeping toward nine, which left him four hours before the Board meeting to officially hand over the company. Four hours. It was going to be a long day. * * * Brayden Willard smiled as he approached the reception desk, “Hey, Eve. I had a good time last night.” The receptionist blushed, ducking her head in order to compose herself. Last night, several of the younger executives had gone out to celebrate, anticipating Silas Prescott would finally step down and name his successor. It had been rumored for years he was working toward his retirement, though it took longer than most expected. Some complained about Silas’s reluctance to step down even after his right-hand man, Thomas Conroy, retired, but none dared to openly question him. Even in his fifties, his eye for business was second-to-none and the company continued its steady growth. However, the younger executives were eager to make a name for themselves and step out of their elders’ shadows. Brayden was the foremost of those vying for a change of guard and firmly of the opinion he was the right person to lead Prescott Industries into the next decade. He made his ambitions quite clear and knew Silas was keeping an eye out for talent. There was no doubt in his mind his time was coming, hence the celebration the previous night and accepting Eve’s advances. He would need a dedicated woman for his secretary. “Oh my god! They are here!” another receptionist suddenly gasped, fixing her skirt as she looked at the door. Eve seemed just as excited as her compatriot, “Are you sure, Gail? Is it really them?” Frowning, Brayden turned as a large Rottweiler suddenly burst into the lobby. He nearly jumped onto the receptionists’ desk as it circled the perimeter and almost barreled into him, “s**t!” Barking, the dog announced its presence as it trotted off to explore the waiting area, sniffing and huffing loudly. Those currently waiting for appointments hugged their proposal materials and one tucked his legs up on his chair as he anxiously watched the curious canine make its rounds. Between them and cameramen setting up for the press conference to come, there was a lot of activity to distract the dog. Brayden tore his eyes away from the large, black dog and looked at the door to see two young men his own age enter. Both wore dark gray suits, though both left their jackets unbuttoned and had done away with ties, leaving their collars open. While one wore proper dress shoes, the other wore sneakers, giving a different meaning to the term business casual. Both had jet black hair and blue eyes, and though they looked identical in physical appearance, it was clear they were very different. The one somewhat appropriately dressed had short, neatly cropped hair and was clean-shaved. If not for his glasses, he would have passed as a younger version of the company’s reigning patriarch. The other had shoulder-length hair pulled into a short ponytail. He sported a goatee and another canine quietly trotted alongside him. The second dog was a brown and white Pit Bull. Its muzzle seemed to be turning gray, dulling its coat’s natural sheen. Keeping pace with its master, it showed no interest in the Rottweiler, the audience or the rather animated way its master was talking to his twin. “Hey! Dogs aren’t allowed here,” Brayden declared as the pair passed the reception desk. The gentleman with the goatee paused and smirked, “Let’s see what the boss says about that.” He laughed and continued on his way where his companion had already reached the executive elevator. Shaking his head, the other said, “Theo, can’t you be serious for five minutes?” “Nah,” Theo shrugged, “you and Lex have that covered.” The elevator dinged and the other entered with a shrug. Theo followed with the Pit Bull who calmly stepped inside the small space without a trace of fear. Holding the door, Theo leaned out, whistling sharply, “Rem! Hier!”[1] The Rottweiler’s head immediately shot up from its exploration and it bounded away to catch up with its master. Barreling onto the elevator, it was met by a disgruntled bark from the Pit Bull who had already taken a seat. The doors slid closed, signaling the end of the unusual scene, though everyone was slow to relax. “Who the hell do they think they are?” Brayden scoffed. “You don’t know?” Gail asked. “That’s Sean and Theo Prescott.” “Prescott?” “The eldest of the Prescott’s children,” she nodded. “I heard they’ve been working in different departments because their father wanted them to have business experience.” “Experience, huh,” Brayden snorted, unimpressed. “Well, a few years is hardly any time in the business world. Once I’m in charge there will be changes. They’re going to have to mind their p’s and q’s.” * * * Silas sighed as he signed off on another proposal and set it aside. His office door suddenly burst open, allowing Sean and Theo to enter after two eager canines. Raising an eyebrow, Silas watched Theo’s most recent rescue: a young Rottweiler, excitedly patrol the perimeter of the office. Meanwhile, the older Pit Bull circled the desk and sat beside him. Silas scratched the dog’s ear as his sons seated themselves, “I thought we agreed you would clean up for the day.” “What?” Theo asked, stroking his cheek, “I shaved.” Sean snorted. “Well, I did,” Theo shrugged as the Rottweiler greeted his father before seeking out its master. “How is Remington’s training going?” Silas asked, watching the large black dog that still very much acted like a puppy. “He’s coming along,” Theo proudly declared. “He’s not quite up to Ruger’s level, but that’s to be expected.” Silas nodded, petting the calm Pit Bull, now nearly ten-years-old. It had taken several years before Ava was comfortable enough to finally allow the kids to get a dog. It had been a small dog rescued from the humane society, but the kids adored it. Now that Theo had his own place he was determined never to be without a canine companion. With Ruger getting older, he naturally adopted the younger Remington and training his dogs had become his biggest hobby. “Where’s your sister?” Silas asked. “She said she had an appointment,” Sean shrugged, adjusting his glasses. “She’ll be here once it’s done.” “What appointment? With who?” “Didn’t ask,” Theo shook his head. Actually, they had asked, but Alexis refused to answer except to say, ‘None of your business.’ Silas frowned, looking at the clock. 12:30. “Don’t worry, dad, she’ll be here,” Sean assured him. “She’s not going to miss her big day.”