CHAPTER 5 IS THAT WHAT HE WANTED?

(Rhio POV)

Eriez was in casual clothing when I met him in the company lobby. I guess he was off from work. I’m not in the mood to listen for what he’s about to say but there’s nothing I could really do about it.  I can’t escape the truth anymore. The meeting was still an hour ahead so I spared some time for him.

“A wake will be held for your father before the cremation,” he said passively.

“Is that what he wanted?”

Eriez nodded. “It was stated in his will that his ashes be placed beside your mother’s urn.”

I agreed. They should be inseparable, even in death. “And by the way, please tell Elthon I request him for the conference at eight this morning.”

I gave him a quick nod before heading to my office. Deo was idling around as he waited for me, white folders jutting from the side of his arm. Those were the papers I need to sign and on the bottom of it all was a compilation of photos. Women.

“They’re the women that passed by the chapel via the description you made,” he said.

My eyes scanned them quickly and was beyond disappointed when I couldn’t find her image there. “Throw these out. She’s not there.”

Deo agreed and handed me another file, “Here’s your schedule for the entire day. In fifteen minutes, the conference with the Board will start. In about three hours, a meeting will follow with the Cryzastic group of trustees…”

Cryzastic? I almost forgot. “So, both companies were alarmed huh,” I smirked.

I dismissed him to savor my remaining time alone. I’m ready for every question both companies has for me. At the corner of my eyes, I caught some newspapers piled up at the side of the settee. Deo gathers them diligently for me every day. On the top of it, the big bold headline reads, ‘Business Tycoon, CEO James of Zel Cantheliz, Dies at 58. His Heir Should Follow Suit’.

It was a hate article by the company’s enemies.  Nothing new about it. I just laughed at all the ill wishing all this people did against me.  

----

The conference has begun when I entered. Elthon caught my sight first and I was glad he made it here.

Finally after five years, all their distrust towards me were expressed. They ranted about my hard headedness. How I wasn’t as level-headed as my father to even reject a few proposition that could positively boost the company. All of it boiled down to one implication: replace me from being the official CEO. The grave risk of angering the majority is the possibility of most stakeholder withdrawing their shares. But I wasn’t that afraid since I know most these people are cowards avoiding lose-lose situations.

After all, Zel Cantheliz is still at the top in the market.

I scuffed at all the shits coming from their mouths.

“Rhio is legally eligible and according to the company’s succession plan he is to replace the position his father vacated,” Elthon spoke. “Has he not proven his worth in the past five years without his father? He has tripled the stock value of the company and increased the annual sales with his strategies.”

“That is because both Eriez and you were around. What if you weren’t? This company will be doomed to bankruptcy. Rhio was just too stubborn to think straight without parental guidance,” Chairman Do spat. I have always hated the guts of that old man.

I suddenly bit my lip. Since it has come to the mention of family, I couldn’t hold the anger boiling inside me.

“I don’t need people who doubt my abilities. Go pack your asses if you think I can’t, this company can’t, thrive without you. I am Rhio Zel Cantheliz! And as long as I rule, the Zel Cantheliz will not taste defeat.”

I caught Deo giving me a quick triumphant smile. It wasn’t like me to be provoked and suddenly brag but I had enough.

“What else is there to discuss?” I sat back.

The room was suddenly tensed and some mumbling erupted. But none of them dared to speak. Only the Chairman gabbled on.

“The biggest project that Zel Cantheliz worked on many years ago needed huge funding. Your father invested on it but it didn’t meet his expectation of success. I’d just like to remind you that if it weren’t for the financial backing made by my connections and by the cooperation of Do Conglomerate, Zel Cantheliz Corporation is licking salt by now,” Chairman Do threatened.

So that’s why he was so confident. The audacity!

“Touché. Should I say thank you then?” I replied back sarcastically.

“Your father was the guarantor of that loan worth billions! Although most of it has been paid off, there is still an outstanding balance for you to worry of. And according to our agreement, the moment he dies -which happened already- and I leave this company, the loan was required to be paid in full. You can’t ditch it either since I know you value your reputation and the company’s as well. What will the media say if that was to happen? It will be a very big controversy for you.”

I gritted my teeth in anger.

“Your father had been so confident he’d live long to pay it off. Although you’ve made Zel Cantheliz stay on top, it’s still just healing from the wounds of its past. Think well, Rhio.”

He’s succeeded in irritating me.

“This conference has ended. Dismissed,” I glared at him and he took satisfaction in knowing I was cornered. If things went astray, I might end up selling one company for good. But I promised father I would make both companies succeed even more and I will.

My men that stood in the corner followed me out. Deo escorted me to the next meeting with Cryzastic Corporation. Unlike the earlier discussion, the talk with Cryzastic went smoothly. Most of the trustees were my parents’ friends so they sympathized with my recent loss.   

Eriez called me after to inform that father’s body has been transferred to the mansion. I wanted to go home immediately but the crowd that has gathered in front of Zel Cantheliz was just growing. Like in the hospital, Deo has already readied a black Limo at the back exit.

“Looks like we need to do some cleansing about the rumors spreading around. I trust you Elthon to do something about it,” I smiled at Elthon who was surprised to hear that from me.

“Of course.”

Deo, as he knew I would ask for, gave me the car keys. Seeing that my men stood still, Elthon grew worried that I am planning to leave alone. The sun was still out and indeed it was more dangerous. Eyes were watching.

“That’s a bad idea Rhio,” Elthon stammered as I got in the car. He just stood there dazed as I sped off. Chairman Do was right. I am in fact, stubborn.

But one thing’s for sure. These wheels are taking me to the right place again.

( Jasmin POV)

“Hasmin!” stepmom called me in the mock name I was usually referred to by everyone when they are annoyed or angry. Her fat body stood menacing before me. “Where did the money in your father’s purse go? There were still some cash there yesterday!”

“Ma, I bought some medicine for Pa,” I as I continued on brushing my teeth.

She suddenly hit me with the broom she was holding.

Ouch! It hurt.

“Who told you to use that money? It’s mine. Give it back!” she ranted “And it was your payday yesterday, give me some cash.”

“I ran out of money already and the rest were for…” Slip of the tongue!

“For what?!”

“I’m saving it for dad’s therapy sessions,” I whined.

Her face wrinkled. “Give it to me! Your father will heal on his own without those useless therapies. Hand it over!”

She might just hit me again so I reluctantly agreed. I didn’t tell anybody that my pay increased by 50 pesos but all that I have saved so far still went to waste. Ma will just use them for gambling. I took the notebook where I hid my money and she took them instantly.

Little Lilibeth, who just woke up from sleep, approached me groggily.

“What’s there to eat, Auntie Jasmin?”

“Nothing...” I replied passively, still annoyed at the loss of my savings.

“What? Auntie, go buy something!!!” She nagged with her high-pitched voice.

You spoiled little brat! She got the guts to yell at me!

“Well I’m not your mother. Go ask your mom to feed you,” I replied with my brows raised.

“Mom! Aunt Hasmin is scolding me,” Lilibeth screamed again, snot running down her nose as she cried.

Nadine angrily strode out of the room as she tied her hair in a messy bun. She briefly glanced irritated at Lilibeth who has dirtied her clothes yet again then glared at me.

@DEATH WISH 

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