My CEO 51
51 Nexus Global
(Winona)
Jayden and his mother step out. Both look solemn. The room collectively relaxes.
Jayden glances at me as they go to their seats.
Wait! Jayden sits beside Judy. He doesn't take up the head seat. She looks like she's lost a billion dollars and picked up a quarter. Is the company broke? I should not enjoy this so much because it directly affects my daughter.
But we've been okay without billions so far, we can live without it. I'm not so sure Judy can though. It's more the lack of power and prestige that will clip her wings.
Her fall from grace could be spectacular and I'm here for all of it.
They don't say a word. Jayden just puts his hand up to quiet the buzz. The elevator doors close again and the numbers light up. It's going up? Is there even an up from here? Maybe Heaven? I look quizzically at Lance next to me.
"Helipad on roof. Someone's arrived by helicopter," he whispers.
Holy shit. This is really happening. Lucky I bought the townhouse outright because I may not be able to afford rent or mortgage payments after today.
The elevator pings again and the number for our floor lights up. You could hear a pin drop in here right now. The tension is thick. Even the board members seem to be in the dark about who this is.
The doors slide open and he steps out. I stare at him, absolutely mesmerized. I don't know this man, but I do think I'm looking at a carbon copy of Jayden in thirty years.
Those exact blue eyes. Wavy hair but all white. A fine cut of suit looking every bit as fit underneath as Jayden is now.
Wow! I don't know who he is, but I do know without a doubt, he is a Brennan.
I glance over at Judy and Jayden. He's looking puzzled but also is studying this man intensely. It can't be his father, he's dead. Judy is actually open-mouthed.
The shock on her face is clear. I think things just got julcy. I look at Lance and he looks at me and shrugs. He has no clue either. Nobody does from the looks on their faces. Except for Judy. She definitely does.
I see our mystery Brennan's eyes lock onto Judy's and she holds his gaze a second and then looks away. Her face is flushed, and she has her hands bunched tightly in front of her.
I wish I could take a photo so I could use it to cheer myself up when needed.
My own delight aside, if this man has Judy in such a quandary, he must be like God or something. Maybe the Devil himself has arrived in human form for all I know.
"Good morning, everyone." His deep, clear voice booms out across the room and he stands at the head of the table i guess you're surprised to see me."
I notice everyone looking around at each other with curiosity. From what I can tell from body language,
51 Nexus Global
something expert marketers are expert at, no one has any clue.
His voice, richer and more mature but nevertheless Jayden's voice, sets my heart racing. There's just something in his tone that screams 'obey me or else'.
He's taller than Jayden, just a little, and broader. He owns the room. I think he'd own any room and probably every woman in it.
It's not sexual attraction, it's his aura of authority. He commands respect. I think I'll be out of a job by the end of this. I'll be nothing but an annoying bug under his foot.
If he is now majority owner, no doubt he will have a first-born heir in line for the fortune. So, Jayden will probably fall down the pecking order as well.
By the way this man just stared at Judy after he said 'surprised to see me, I don't think she ever made the pecking order. But she holds his gaze till he looks away from her and addresses the room again.
"Thank you all for coming and I apologize for the lack of information surrounding my arrival." He paces the floor at the end of the table. "By now you all know of the hostile takeover. Majority share of this company is now owned by me, Gus Brennan."
I hear sudden intakes of breath and there's definite shuffling in seats. Okay, now we know something. Well, not me, I'm still oblivious to why this name matters. Judy is looking down at the table.
"My late baby brother, Gregory, built Brennan Industries to the powerhouse you see today in this country. own and run what our forebears started in Europe and the rest of the world where I've expanded, Nexus Global."
Holy shit! Nexus Global? No way!
This company is a household name. The level of ownership and marketing is what dreams are made of. Trillionaire dreams. There are a mere handful of mega-rich players on the world stage, and this man, Gus Brennan, is apparently one of them.
"Of course, my name is carefully shielded for obvious reasons. My privacy and safety, and that of my family, must be top priority. I remind you all here today of the confidentiality clause you agreed to. We have extensive means to follow up any leaks." He paces the floor slowly, every step measured and intended.
I get the feeling this man probably timed his own birth down to the exact second. His words continue to hold the room captive.
"I will use the f
full extent of the law to bring those who are not loyal to the Brennan name and businesses to justice." He pauses and scans us all. "For the lucky ones."All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
I give a shiver. It's not the cold.
Mentally I'm packing up my office.
I don't have a snowball's chance in hell of seeing this day out working for Brennan Industries, let alone Nexus Global.