Mr CEO’s Little Bride

Long lost Friend.

Ruby’s Pov;

Dad went to his room first to freshen up before coming down for dinner.

We all had dinner- it was a lovely family moment.

*

*

” I wanna watch cartoons,” Michael whined.

We were all seated on the couch in the living room, watching a movie.

The movie has ended and they were about to show another, but Michael kept insisting we allow him watch cartoon.

“Go to your room and watch it. There’s no place for you here” I groaned angrily.

He pouted angrily and made a sad face.

” Just let him, Ruby” Dad said in a soothing tone.

” But Dad, I don’t wanna watch cartoon” I cried out.

” Then go to your room” Michael said.

I glare at him in anger.

” He’s your younger brother. You should give in to him. You should always let him have his way and make sacrifices because you’re the eldest” Dad cautioned.

I made an angry face, as I angrily changed the channel, looking for a cartoon channel.

I was still looking for one, when I switched to a certain channel and stopped.

Something caught my attention.

Hold on; Isn’t that Dad’s company?.

” Dad” I called, as I turned to look at him and he was staring back at me

I increased the volume and adjusted back to the chair.

Even Michael has stopped whining.

I focused my gaze on the TV as I watched the ruckus.

Dad was in an interview with some reporters, I think it’s earlier in the day

Wait…what are they talking about? What do they mean bankrupt?.

I gasped as I turned to look at Dad, and without saying a word, I ran up the stairs to my room.

I got to my room and slumped on the bed – weeping.

I knew it. I knew it. I knew something was amidst. I knew something was wrong.

Why didn’t he tell me? Why did he keep it a secret from me? Why?.

” Ruby” I heard a gentle knock on the door, followed by Dad calling my name.

What does he want now?.

I’m so mad at him and I don’t think I want to talk to him.

” Ruby, please open up” he begged, trying to get the door open, but it was impossible because I had locked it from inside.

I didn’t even remember I did.

He knocked for a long time, pleading.

I has stopped sobbing.

I shouldn’t make it hard on myself and him too.

It wasn’t his fault. I guess he was a victim of fraud. We all know how these things work.

This is the time he needs us most, I should be there for him; not crying and whining like a kid. He has always seen me as one, and I hated it. This is the time to show him I’m no longer a kid. I’m now mature – an adult.

I cleaned my eyes and got up from the bed, heading to the door.

I opened the door and stood face to face with Dad, staring at him.

He stared back with an apologetic look on his face.

” Can I come in?” He asked softly.

I nodded and walked a bit away from the door, creating enough space for him to walk in.

He went to the bed and sat down and I joined him.

I placed my head on his shoulder and allowed us enjoy the peaceful silence.

Dad was sad, and I know it . He’s only trying to be strong, but I know it’s hard.

That company is everything – it’s his legacy.

He has invested alot in it to get the company to where it is today – money, time, energy, resources, years of hard work, name it; and now, it’s all almost gone.

One of the best companies in town is almost down in a space of how many months.

” Do you wanna talk about it?” I asked, slowly raising my head from his shoulder to look at his face.

He heaved and turned to look at me also.

” I don’t think there’s anything to say – I got duped and the company’s bankrupt, that pretty much sums it up” he said with a sad smile.

” It’s okay Dad. You still have Michael and I – we are here for you. We are gonna fight this and pull through together. All hope isn’t lost yet” I said with a reassuring smile.

He nodded and smiled back.

That smile meant alot to me – a whole lot.

Dad is the only one I have apart from Michael. I love them both very much and would do absolutely anything to make them happy.

Absolutely anything!!.

*

*

” Honey, honey” Tracy yelled, calling her husband who was upstairs.

Mr Martins hurried down the stairs, wondering what the problem is.

” What is it?” He asked her as soon as he got there.

She pointed at the TV. Mr Martins looked to see the biggest shock of his life.

” What?!!” He exclaimed as he went closer to the TV.

” This is Staffers” he said, looking back at his wife.

” Yeah. I saw it and thought he looked like your best friend you told me about. So, I decided to call you to come see for yourself”

” I wonder what happened to his company though” Tracy said, sipping from her wine as she crossed her legs against eachother.

” Oh, no! This isn’t good. I have to contact him right away” Mr Martins said in panic.

” Thought you said you lost contact with him?” She asked him.

” Yeah, I did; but now, I know the name of his company and can use that to contact him. Excuse me” Mr Martins said and hurried up the stairs.

He got to his room and picked up his phone, calling his secretary.

” Goodday Sir” the secretary greeted, as soon as she picked up.

” Yeah. I want you to switch on your TV right now and check the company that’s showing on it. I need information on it by tomorrow” he said and hung up, then sat on his bed.

Staffers! He called slowly.

They had been best friends right from high school till college.

They were almost inseparable and had planned their lives together.

Staffers had helped him in setting up his company before leaving to set-up his, and couldn’t get in touch till date.

He’s so glad to have found him, but sad because it’s in a bad situation.

He wondered how his wife was still able to recognize him.

He had left immediately he got married to her and he’s not sure she saw him up to three times.

God!! He couldn’t wait to meet his friend again after so many years.

*

*

Mr Staffers Pov;

I was getting ready for work that morning when my phone rang.

I stopped what I was doing to go pick it up.

” Hello. Who am I speaking with please?” I asked.

” Goodday sir, this is Annie from De Martins company. M boss would like to meet with you” the girl said.

I furrowed my brows in confusion, removed the phone from my ear to see it was an unknown number, before placing it back.

” I don’t know your boss, so why would he want to meet me?” I asked her.

There was a short silence befroe she spoke up again.

” Perhaps, it’s related to your company” she said.

My eyes widened as I became interested.

” When and where do I meet him?” I asked, with an unexplained emotion.

” I’ll text you the address” she said and disconnected.

De Martins! Sounds familiar. Sure I’ve heard of it before.

I racked my brain to think where and gave up when I couldn’t remember.

*

*

Annie also called Mr Martins to tell him of the progress of things. He was overwhelmed and told her to fix the meeting right away, while he hurriedly went to dress up.

Annie placed another call to Mr Staffers, telling him the meeting was in an hour’s time and also texted him the address.

Both Mr Martins and Mr Staffers hurriedly prepared for the meeting, but only Mr Martins was aware of the situation.

*

*

Mr Martins got to the restaurant they were to meet.

He had came with only few guards, because he doesn’t want attention.

He was hardly seen in the public these days, and it was for the best.

He had almost retired from the company, with his son talking over from him.

” Your best table,” he said to the receptionist he met there.

She directed him to a special table at the far end of the room.

It was far from the rest and decorated.

Mr Martins walked to it, sat down as he eagerly waited for Mr Staffers to arrive.

He had told the receptionist to direct Mr Staffers there when he comes in.

He was so eager to meet his long lost Friend.

Few minutes later, Mr Staffers walked into the restaurant.

He went to the receptionist to ask for directions. She figured out he was the one Mr Martins was referring to and directed him to the table.

Mr Staffers thanked her, as he hurried his steps to the table.

He got there and stopped right in his tracks, when he saw the person he was coming to meet.

” Martins” he called in shock, his eyes bulging out of their sockets.