Mr. Ricky

"How important is this deal to our corporation? Why can't you stop being inflexible and let go of it?" Ricky Mears asked the board of directors, checking the time by his watch and tapping his fingers on the table impatiently.

The meeting was supposed to be over already, and he had a lot on his schedule. His personal assistant was already signalling him that his next appointment was in less than five minutes.

"The Raymonds company is becoming serious competition, sir. With the situation right now, if we do not partner with them in this deal, we might lose many investors and shareholders. They are beginning to ask questions, losing their trust in us."

One of the board directors said, his look pensive. The shareholders who sat opposite the board directors all had their eyes on the new CEO. They had all been used to his father, Joseph Mears who was kind hearted and considerate, unlike his son who hadn't completed his five months in the company but had succeeded in firing half of the employees. 

But in as much as they feared the twenty nine year old man, they also had to admit that he knew his way in the business world.

Before Ricky inherited his father's corporation which controlled and partnered with most of the companies in Europe, he had been managing his shipping company which he had expanded to South Africa. Within three months, he had pulled off several potential competitors from the business, taking no chances whatsoever.

Only two months ago, they had learnt of Raymonds corporation which was rising at an alarming rate, meeting up with them in the competition.

Ricky had tried all the methods to pull the corporation out of the line, but it had only continued to grow.

What they couldn't fathom was the intelligence the CEO must have applied to strengthen every deal the company had with other smaller companies. Suddenly, as though the CEO somehow knew of Mears corporation's plan to pull the company down, they had started attacking every deal they targeted.

The first had been a  billion pound worth deal, which Ricky had ignored, owing to the fact that it was only a small fry compared to the worth of his corporation.

But from there, Raymonds had kept up with getting every deal they targeted, till the last one which had been a hundred billion pound worth deal. Ricky had kept sleepless nights and strengthened his security to ensure the information did not leak.

But to his surprise, the Japanese scientists sent a curt mail while they were waiting in the board room, saying that the deal was off.

Ricky had been devastated and frustrated, and had decided to investigate. True to their suspicions, it had been one and the same Raymonds corporations that had signed the deal instead. He had sent mails, requesting audience with the mysterious CEO, but had only been disappointed as the mails kept being unreplied. 

"Ricky, the only thing left is to partner with Raymonds. We have invested too much in this, our company will suffer losses if we back out now."

The chairman of the board who was old enough to be Ricky's grandfather spoke then, heaving a sigh. He had been like a father figure to Joseph, and was among those who didn't feel very comfortable having a much younger man in power.

"Then, leave it to me. I will meet with the CEO myself today, and negotiate the deal. This meeting is over." Saying this, without waiting for another word, Ricky Mears left the boardroom with his female personal assistant trying to catch up in her heels behind him.

She was the third that had been employed just within the past five months, and though she had managed to complete three months without getting fired, he had still never showed that he was pleased with her efforts.

"Ms., prepare to leave in five minutes and cancel every appointment I made for today. Clear my schedule, we are going to Raymonds corporation now." He didn't bother looking at her as he spoke, neither did he acknowledge the employees who greeted him, nor the clients who made passes at him.

"Yes sir." Ginger, the personal assistant replied, closing the note pad and hurrying off to execute his command.

***

If Ginger  thought that her boss, Ricky made his employees overwork, she had to admit the CEO of Raymond corporation made labourers of their workers. T

first thing they noticed about the corporation as soon as they stepped into the lift was the security level. Ricky himself had to admit his corporation had no such security, which was higher than level one. The manner at which the employees walked around with focus led him left a deep impression in the business man in him.

But of course, regardless of how busy they were, they couldn't ignore his good looks; from his facial attractive and unique features to his body build, which had so little flesh in it. His muscles always seemed to stand out no matter what cloth he wore, and even in his well tailored business suit, his broadened shoulders still graced his build.

He'd had his own share of women not just because of his gorgeous look, but because of the millions of pounds he could offer them without his bank account depleting a bit. He was aware that despite his ungentlemanly heartless and ruthless personality, every woman dreamed of having him in and out of her bed.

The models he had in his bed virtually every night, especially during weekends didn't seem to care about that, as long as he could give them what they wanted.

"Sir, we are here" Ricky hadn't realised how deep he had been in thought till his assistant's voice brought him back to the matter at hand. It was only then that he realised they were in front of the lift which would take them directly to the CEO's office.

"Wait for me here. I will go in alone." Ricky instructed his assistant who stood behind him panting for breath from virtually running to keep up with his pace. As usual, without waiting for a response, he walked into the lift and waited, while it took him to the 28th floor.

Eager to meet his formidable opponent, J.K. Rayomonds.