One Night With Mr Braxton

” Tell me? Are you that desperate to lose the empire?”

Asher pondered over his mother’s question on his way to the office. There was an emergency shareholders meeting scheduled of which he planned to grace the event with his much needed presence.

Recently, there’s been a surge of rumors gaining momentum in Braxton international which he believed gave head to the unplanned meeting scheduled for the day.

Asher repeatedly tapped his fingers on his lap, desperately trying to reel in the anger he was feeling. After his mother’s bold statement, he’d simply walked out of the house without a single word.

Despite the many colorful words thrown at him for his apparent nonchalance and alleged unseriousness, he curtailed his anger and focused on the more important things.

He needed to once again reinstate his power as the CEO of Braxton international and literally itched to get some basic things addressed before things went out of hand.

Asher soon arrived at the office and with gallant strides, headed straight to the venue of the meeting with an expression capable of rendering one momentarily disabled.

He was in no mood for jokes nor did he seem forgiving.

” Good day Sir! ”

The voices of the top leaders of the company stood up and greeted him in unison as soon as he walked in. Asher took his seat as the arrow head of the company before acknowledging them with a nod.

” You may sit. Let’s begin.”

One of the director’s, after exchanging glances with others, cleared his throat and turned on his microphone.

” Good day everyone. This meeting I believe was scheduled to address some ground breaking news going around the corporation. Mr Braxton, with all due respect, we the board of directors has in one accord, called this meeting to hear directly from you. As the directors and shareholders of Braxton international, we believe and reserve the right to know about the happenings of the company in general.”

In consensus, there were affirmative nods of agreement which urged him to move forward.

” News reaching us is that the ownership rights to the company are being threatened and you are currently at the losing side of that battle. How do we reconcile this?” He asked, speaking directly to Asher with confidence. Definitely emboldened by the support from other board members.

” Surely, he was going to play their tune today. He was in a questionable situation after all. ”

This was the thought of the directors as they awaited the reply from Asher. Upon hearing the news, they had taken out time to investigate the matter and although they weren’t concrete in their findings, all fingers pointed to the fact that it could be true.

Of course they weren’t sure and so, couldn’t take any drastic measures or sanctions but nothing hindered them from questioning him themselves. They were so used to being dominated by him that they couldn’t pass up such a rare opportunity to have him answer to them.

” Mr. George. You must believe that you are in a position to query me.” The cold and unbothered voice of Asher said. ” Allow me to correct that impression. You are dismissed.”

Shocked gasps left the mouths of the directors gathered in the meeting.

” M-mr B-braxton, you cannot do that!” One of the others voiced out, not expecting such a reaction from Asher.

” I kid you not, Mr. Jackson. One more word and you’re next. Anything else?” Asher said with a bored tone, openly daring all to test him.

” This cannot happen! We are shareholders of this company! You should at least give us some respect and recognition for all we do! Don’t we have rights anymore? What is this intimidation?!” Another voiced out, having had enough.

” Dismissed. Effective immediately.” Asher said without care, waiting for any more people who would want to join the bandwagon of fired directors.

The meeting room grew cold. Everyone was fearful of losing their position in such a leading company.

” Anyone else have reservations concerning my leadership in the room? Anyone?!” Asher waited a second before he continued. ” Make no mistakes. This is Braxton international. I am Asher Braxton and I will not stand for any sort of insubordination! Do well to remember that. For all your sake.”

” Y-yes sir!”

The men felt a mixture of awe, fear and properly hidden anger. Who would have believed that even in such dire situations, Mr Braxton was still pretty much confident and staunch in his management.

Could the rumour be untrue? If not then how was he able to exude such strength even in situations where his powers were being debated by the business world. News travels fast and they were certain in a matter of time, every eye would be on him if they weren’t already.

How was he still standing and unbothered? This must be why he was tagged mad. He wasn’t the least bit normal. Was he even human?!

” Good. I believe we are done here. As you were.” Asher ordered and walked out of the meeting room, not bothering to cast a glance at the newest unemployed men in town.

” Don’t tell me you are going to leave it be? Don’t be intimidated! He’s hiding something! That man is hiding something. Can’t you see? He’s hiding something! Where are you going? Wait a bit! Let’s discuss other plans!”

While their dismissed colleague was still speaking, they all headed out of the place, murmuring underneath their breath, no one ready or interested in getting on the bad side of Mr Braxton.

Meanwhile, Mrs Braxton was in her study, making a phone call.

” I apologize on behalf of my family. A lot of things are ongoing and I can understand how it may seem but I’d really love for her to return. Preferably to my place.”

” It’s alright. You don’t need to apologize. I don’t know what transpired between them but I think it’s best we meet and discuss things in person.”

” Oh yes! I understand. Unfortunately there’s a lot going on and I may not be able to meet with you as soon as possible. What do you propose?”

” I think it’s best to push back every plan for the union until a later time. It’s best we discuss this in person, understand our sides and play our parts. Don’t you think so?” Mrs Steele said confidently, happy to be in control of things once again.

” Yes, that’s right! I understand. I’ll be returning to the country in a week’s time. I will see you then.”

” Till then, Mrs Braxton.”

Two beeps sounded and Mrs Steele was in a great mood. She’d finally heard from the Braxton’s and was affirmed of their need for Emma. Prior to the moment, she had done a little bit of research in order to familiarize herself with her latest catch and what she found pleased her to no end.

She couldn’t wait to secure such a big shot to her side. Things were beginning to look up for her and she couldn’t be more happier. One week was enough to prepare awesome strategies for getting through to the Braxton’s and simultaneously prepare Emma for the role she had to play.

Mrs Steele was waiting for news from the men but so far, there’s been nothing. It didn’t bother her but she was definitely looking forward to having news that sealed that area of things. Emma was a focal point of Braxton’s project and obviously needed proper training.

*****

Emma was in a cab, headed towards her studio. After the blowout With Colton, she needed to get a plan. A plan to fund her dreams of becoming a famous designer. She also needed to get strong on her own.

So far, life has taught her a lesson about trusting people. It only ended up in disappointment and agony. A feeling that her life was being characterized by all through the years.

She believed that the only sure way forward was one she was able to create from self sufficiency. She was no longer legally required to be with her family and being basically unknown for over twenty years of her existence, she knew if she was going to make it, she had to put in the work.

Starting from getting a job to fund her living to projecting herself as a designer with or without her family’s influence, she knew she had work cut out for her. Fortunately, she wasn’t a stranger to working hard to get things done. For the major parts of her life, she’d been trained to cope in impossible situations and make something out of nothing.

The only downside to that was the fact that every credit or profit made from her work and sufferings were given to another. It was a never ending cycle for her, doing everything to keep her family satisfied and also preserving and persevering in the pursuit of her own dreams.

Emma was dropped off at a familiar apartment building and with hastened steps, she rushed towards the direction of her studio. It didn’t take long before she noticed the crowd of neighbors surrounding her studio entrance.

Her feet picked up and she struggled to get a closer look at what the problem was. Her heartbeat quickened when she saw the door open and people looking in with pity.