Episode 3

   Thompson's POV

"Bunch of losers!!! I don't even know why I have to accept this visit in the first place!!!."

I stood walking frustratingly in the office when a beep from the door dropped. I cared less about whoever was at the door, because that was the least of my problems.

"Sir, the board meeting has arrived," the secretary said.

"Where is the P.A.?" I asked impatiently, because I really needed to get out of here. I'm losing it.

"Am here, sir. We have to get going, otherwise, we are getting late."

"How many hours are we going to stay in the meeting?" I asked no one in particular.

"Not up to an hour. It's just to seal up a deal with the electronic company," the P.A. replied.

"Oh, that's good, because I don't know what's wrong with me right now."

I quickly picked up my phone and walked out of the office.

"Ah, the son is here. I never thought so," the manager of the electronic company said as he saw me enter the boardroom.

"I have not less than thirty minutes to spend here, Mr. Dave."

"I never thought so." The manager to the electronic company said as he saw me entre the board room.

"I have not less than thirty minutes to spend here Mr Dave." I voiced out as I sat down with the P.A.

"Sorry, Thompson. So, your father and I had been dealing on this contract, but we have not come to a conclusion."

"Mr. Dave, my P.A. has given me the last meeting, so I want to hear yours!!!"

"Okay, we are debating on taking forty percent profit of the business if it matures."

"What is your company's contribution to the business? Can you remind me again?"

"Installation of all the electrical appliances needed to start up the company."

"And you sit down there and tell me that you're going to take forty percent? Mr. Dave, I hope you have not duped my father by giving him hopes that his companies are for charitable organizations, huh?"

"No, and what does that supposed to mean, Thompson?"

"I hope you know that in business, transparency, equity, and justice are needed for any business to thrive?"

"Of course, I..."

"Good, you take twenty percent of the share. Deal or no deal?"

I said with a stern eye.

"Common Mr. Thompson. Your father didn't even go..."

"One more word, I will cancel the deal. You know, you must be a thief."

"Okay, I'm sorry. It hasn't gotten to that. Your father and I were just arguing on..."

"Mr. Dave, I said deal or no deal?"

"Deal."

"Good. Do sign the papers."

The P.A. said to him as he threw the papers for him to sign.

I hurriedly went out of the meeting, straight to my car. Looking at the time, it's past nine. I just have to go home, because I was not in the mood to work for today anymore. I can't actually place why I feel so horrible today.

I arrived home, not wanting Granny's trouble. I tried sneaking in to avoid her sermon.

"I told you, you will have a bad day. Tell me, why are you here? You left almost two hours ago."

"Granny, I'm sorry. I've got no time for this. I have to go and relax. Besides, I worked a whole lot yesterday. So, taking a break today is not a bad idea."

My frustration tried setting in.

A silence ensued. She sat at the dining, looking at me. I tried asking why the look but words were not forthcoming.

"Yeah, today is gonna be a long day. Maybe I should have stayed in the office!!!"

"You know, it's good you share with me how your two hours went. I really want to know."

"Granny, don't even try to give me that look."

"Common, young boy. You do remember I nurtured you since you were three. And you think you are going to hide something?"

I felt weak, and that's why I hate to talk to her whenever I want to vent my anger. But, why the hell am I even angry?

"Granny, I don't even know why I'm angry since morning."

"Okay, can you come here."

I strolled back to the dining, took a seat, and had to release the air in me.

"So, who called you firstly today?"

"Who else if not the wife to Empire."

"Hmm, that's a good call."

"Granny, don't even start."

"Have you asked yourself why your dad used your name as the name of the empire instead of Duke."

"I don't care, nanny!! I won't forgive them!!"

"So, tell me more. What other thing happened at the office?"

"Nothing, just signing of a deal."

I replied. Oh, it hit me - I had an encounter with a random girl.

"Okay, I know you usually get angry at your parents, but it seems today is off from it. Any other thing you want to tell me?"

"Well, I met one insane girl while driving into the company. Saying she's always looking for work. I brought her into the office, asked her what she wanted. She said a job. But nanny, she looked so horrible, giving me a suspicious mind."

"So, what did you do?" 

"I ordered her out immediately."

"You did what?"

Ok, I have to slow down or else today entirely would be horrible.

"Nanny, I..."

"Thompson, I never raised you to be loose and talk down on people!!!"

"Granny, she seems like a spy and..."

I tried defending, but she wasn't having it.

"Shut up, you this boy! Tell me, did you look at her in the eye for two minutes? 

"I...I... didn't get to see her face properly because..."

"Boy, am so disappointed in you. Who really raised you, because I was not the one."

"Did you ask yourself if she was in pain? Did you think about that? Huh? Do you think everyone is as rich as you are, Thompson!!?"

"Granny..."

"Will you shut up, you this little kid!!! Now, you have to go apologize to that girl. Now!!"

"Nanny, I don't even have her contact. How do you expect me to do that?" My hands lifted in the air.

"I don't care. Am giving you ten minutes to source it out, or this house won't contain us!!"

I stood up, paralyzed. Thick darkness covered my eyes. Granny has always been my weakness. I can't even act strong.

I stood hallucinating on how to deal with the situation before she pounce on me.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

"Yes, boss. Am I..."

"Get the profile of the girl that came to my office this morning."

"Sir..."

"Do the goddamn instruction I told you to do and send it as an email!!!"

My voice echoed.

"You stop yelling because they never told you to behave abnormally!!" She lashed out from the kitchen.

"Now that I'm getting the number, what do I tell her?"

"You have to apologize to her."

"Granny?"

"What?"

"You don't mean that?" I asked, hoping it was a script.

"I was never a joker when am angry, and you know I won't start now."She answered, halfway from the kitchen.

Okay, I've got to do this, or else hell will let loose.

But wait a minute - apologize? Like seriously, right now? Why do I really have to have a bad day?

Three minutes later, a message popped up on my phone.

Opening it, I scrolled through the profile.

June? Why would someone answer such a name? The name was the least of my problem.

I didn't know, but something caught my attention - her picture.

Looking at the face was actually the least of my problem.

I scrolled to where her contact was.

Okay, I have to do this....

"Remaining five minutes, Thompson!!" Her voice echoed from the kitchen.

"I don't know what to tell her. Can we stop doing this, nanny!!!"

I lashed out my frustration, my hands all clenched.

"Tell her you are sorry for treating her that way two hours ago!!"

"That's why I have a secretary to do that!!"

"Get lost, Thompson!!!"

June's POV

I had to quickly turn the receiver's button on, not saying a word.

A few seconds later, I heard that voice.

"This is Thompson's Empire."

Wait, what? That voice? Tell me I'm dreaming?

Okay, I must be hallucinating.

I stood frozen, stiffened to the ground.

My lips were tied.

All I felt next was the only phone we have, slipping out of my hand.

"Who was that?" I heard my mom ask, but I didn't respond.

"Okay, you are scaring me. You look like a ghost, honey. Even if it's someone who wants to kill us, just say it out."

She repeated, this time trying to sit up.

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Are you okay?" I said, trying to help her out, but I didn't remove the shock I was in.

"How can I be fine when am asking you who was that?"

"Mom, it's the Thompson's Empire."

"Okay, is that why you should be this way?"

"Mom?"

"What? I mean, you went there for a job?"

"Mum, you wouldn't understand. If I tell you how I was humiliated, calling me a mad woman, you will pity me!!"

"Hei, come here." I heard her say as tears started coming out. I had no choice because I really needed comfort now.

"Hei, I believe you are a mad woman today, but it won't be long. Look at you. You are really a beautiful soul, both in and out."

"Mum, please stop this."

"I'm not hyping you, my angel. You don't know I see those boys disturbing you every day."

"Mum, stop!!"

"It's okay. So, what did he say?"

"I was shocked, even up till now. He didn't say anything. He was waiting for my reply when I cut the call."

"It's okay, honey. It's well with us."

"When, Mum? I feel helpless. I look at you, I look at Dad, I look at myself. All I see is the three of us dying a miserable and wretched life."

"No, even if I die now, I'm happy you and my husband tried to keep me safe. I will..."

The phone started ringing again interrupting. Maybe it's Dad. I quickly rushed to answer. But my blood started getting hot again.

"Mum, it's him."

I rushed to show her as my heart panicked.

"Answer him, darling."

"Mum, please can you do that, please?" I rushed my words, trying to stuff the phone into her hands.

"Pick the call before it cuts off. You do that. Be courageous."

She gingerly resisted the touch.

I breathed in and out. Okay, I have to do this.

I picked the receiver's button.

"Hi."

"This is Thompson's Empire."

That baritone I never forgot.

"E...ehm, good morning, sir." My shaky voice displayed.

"Am I speaking with June?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'm sorry for how I treated you early hours of today."

Huh? What did I just hear right now? The memories rushed back again. Drops of water came out of my eyes.

"Are you there?" I heard him say as I tried being strong, but my voice betrayed me as I tried responding.

"I have heard you, sir."

I don't know, but silence ensued. He wasn't talking, neither did I have anything to say. I mean, what do you expect me to say to Thompson's empire himself, who shakes the whole of America.

Seeing he was not saying anything...

"I have to go, and thank you, sir."

"Hold on, June." His voice thickened.

Mmm, June?

"Can you come back to the office tomorrow?"