CHAPTER SIX (Stop the Media)

Lucas 

Throughout the night, I couldn't help but push my problem aside like it wasn’t something to worry about and watch her sleep, she became my worry at the moment. I find myself worrying about what’s going on in her beautiful mind. I felt pity each time I turned to see her sleep talk. It makes me wonder how much the substance had filled her bloodstream.

Morning finally came, and she mumbled as she adjusted her position. Whenever I want to stop looking, the more I feel something stronger than my inner body draws me to her brown eyes. I exhaled gratefully when I noticed she was finally conscious and away from her environment. 

But for some minutes she kept looking deep and tears rushed down her eyes. I blame Mr. Philip for stepping in at that moment. I felt a sharp pain pierce my heart as her tears dropped. The same pain that I got when her eyes met mine last night. My heart melted like molten lava. I wanted to hold her in my arms and reassure her that she was fine and everything will be alright. 

For reasons she knew best, she fled from the room and my eyes to the bathroom before I could part my lips.  When she finally ran out of the room, leaving me in awe and contempt inside the bathroom. I remained dumb for a few minutes, I couldn't believe I held her, I have never touched a female gender so compassionate except for a handshake.

She said something about the media, is she working for a media company? Why was she struggling with that man yesterday? Is someone trying to tarnish her image?

I sat down on the bed, robbing my forehead and the mixed feelings of my father's email once again recreated in my head. I picked up my phone and texted Mr. Philip, soon he stepped into the room.

“You send for me, Master.” Mr. Philip stepped closer to my position. I left my seat and strode slowly to the window. I scanned around, trying to be sure that she'd reach the last floor in one piece. 

“I want to know where and who that lady works for and why she was at the VIP lodge last night. I need details of everything about her in 30 mins”

“Absolutely sir,” Mr. Philip turned to go but halt immediately he heard my voice again. 

“Find out the media teams that were outside this morning before first publish by 10.”

All this while I was still looking through the window, wondering why she was still standing like a pillar of salt after the car drove out. 

“I'll do just that, sir.” he turned and left the room. There and then, the thought of my father's words came flooding in, and the feelings of being used to achieve greatness, fame, and more money joined hands with the anger that I can’t do anything and tormented me. My father was the rightful person to become the next CEO as the eldest in Dowell’s family, but due to his age, he decided to train me to take up the mantle for him.

Although it was a tough one to convince the board of directors and the other families that founded TFCG, he still excelled. The other family wanted my father to take the position, knowing well that his age is against him. Their secret reason was so that the power and fame will rotate speedily to their family. 

But he fought his way to put me in that position. His fight for family power makes me wonder if he only comes to this world to secure a name. Nevertheless, I have to accept my fate and do what my family requires of me, though I dislike it. I love my work, but pursuing fame isn’t what I wanted in my life. But to make his effort not to go to waste I decided to follow his tract.

According to my father, TFCG was founded by 3 friends, Dowell, Williams, and Starts, and Dowelll happens to be my great-grandfather. The company started as an interior-producing company, and over the years lots of investments were made and shares became higher each year. 

The company became popular, lots of companies were created through it, and it became the leading company in the country. Since the days of my great grandfather, the general CEO's office has been rotating among the three families. 

The current was from the Williams family and will be retiring soon. He tries to rip us off and retain his family at all costs. It's a fight I need to join with my father to win. I will try to marry, so I can push aside the hurdle. But who will I marry? 

The door opened and I returned consciously to the normal world. Mr. Philip stepped in and I sigh gently in relief. I manage to appear strong and agile. My face did not frown nor did I smile, I deprived him to notice that I had been in thought. That's one good thing I have learned from the school of Nobles I attended in London.

"Greetings Mr. Dowell, the lady you requested for information, is Helen, she is a student and a model at Elite Modeling Agency under the management of Bobby. Her father is late and her mother is in the hospital awaiting surgery.

She was chosen by her company to represent in our Model Grand Finale. According to our surveillance team, she was on her way to Mr. Rex's lodge that night. The man that harassed her that yesterday night was Mr. Rex's bodyguard.

This morning the teams that were outside were from 4 media companies, they were inquiring about her reasons for still being in the venue after the event. They also mention that Mr. Rex was with her during and after the interview. That's all we could get in 30 mins, Sir."

Everything started falling into perfect places before me. I now understand why she said I should help her and why she kept crying instead of talking. Me. Rex has been threatening her.

"Who is Mr. Rex?" I asked, folding my eyebrow.

"He's the Managing director of Off-guard Magazine, the leading media company in the city. Sir"

That must be his reason for harassing her. I thought to myself.

"I want to buy all the news from the 4 companies, send words to them and let me know the cost  in 30 mins"

"I'm sorry sir, you can't buy" Mr. Philip returned sounding very sure. A sharp adrenaline rushed through my system hearing that from him. No one has ever questioned or countered my order.

I slammed my fist on the table with all my strength. "How dare you?"