Andrei's POV
"Our sales got a three percent decline yesterday, my team is trying to deal with the decline but we cannot guarantee a positive result," Cherry reported to me that morning.
"PGC, our rival company recently launched a better version of the last software we designed," she added.
I looked at everyone present at my office and then, to her, she looked disappointed.
"Why does PGC always copy our designs?" I asked rhetorically.
"One more thing, PGC is now managed by a new owner," she said and it got me.
"Why didn't I get informed about this development earlier? It would have saved us from this decline we're having because we would have been prepared," I asked generally to everyone present.
"Sir, that's the problem we are having. PGC is a secretive company, they don't readily release their new developments. We only got informed late last night about their change of ownership," Eric, the head of media department said.
"How about we sue then since they always copy us," Cherry suggested.
"PGC has a strong legal team, they would still get away with it," I told them.
"May I know about this new owner?" I asked.
"Sir, PGC refused to give any updates about the new owner. The new owner is anonymous to the public and other competitors," Eric said.
"I want every single piece of information about PGC brought to me, at least the ones which were released and also, don't release any updates on global tech to the press for now," I told him.
"Yes sir."
"You all may leave,"I told them.
"That PGC looks really suspicious," Cherry said when they left.
"Yes, but that's just how the business world runs. We have to always get prepared against competitors attack," I told her.
"Andrei, I'm feeling really sad, sales is declining when it's supposed to be increasing. Grandpa gave me a chance and my idea didn't work, it isn't helping," she confessed.
Silly Cherry, how was it her fault. Her marketing plan had increased sales since the last couple of days and who would have expected PGC to steal our design.
"How is it your fault? Sales were definitely bound to decline as PGC launched their new product. But don't worry, it would only last for a few days and then, we would introduce our back up plan," I told her calmly, holding her hand.
"Yes, you are right, our backup plan. Andrei, your grandpa is so clever, I never realized we'd use our back up plan when I prepared it. I just had it because I had to, I never really planned on using it," she said.
"Cherry, no matter how good a business plan looks, you must always have a backup plan because competitors can always change it for you. Don't worry, you're still new to these things, I know you would get used to it with time," I told her.
"I would definitely heed to the advice and don't worry, I promise my team would tackle this problem. I wouldn't let you or grandpa down," she said cockily and I smiled because the problem we had now was beyond increasing sales.
We had to find a permanent way to handle PGC and for that, I would have to find out about its new owner.
"I have faith in you," I said and she felt relieved.
I kept thinking that day, first, it was about PGC and then about Brandon and dad but more than anything else, about what Daisy told me.
Daisy came to me few days ago to inform me that her dad was back. Cherry's father was back and he came to reconcile with them. Daisy told me he sincerely wanted to reconcile with them because he had realized his mistakes and because he was sick. According to her, she had forgiven him seeing his state. He was really sick, he had cancer, she told me. She had asked me to be the one to tell Cherry the news because she knew how much Cherry disliked him.
But now, how would I tell it to her considering how much pain he caused her? And he might only bring back sad memories for her. And another thing, what if he didn't really change, what if he only wanted to reconcile because he was sick and not because he felt sorry. What if he only brings pain to her, after all, not everyone can change. Some people would never become good like dad and Brandon.
My phone rang and it was Kingsley calling, Kingsley was the investigator I hired for dad and Brandon.
"Yes, any new developments?"
"Yes sir. We have been able to confirm that Eugene and Brandon are really back, we were able to track their residence but they had moved away already. Currently, we don't know their whereabouts and which particular syndicate they are operating."
"Just that?"
"And sir, it's been confirmed Miss Peterson knows a lot about them," he added.
So Stephanie really knew about them.
"Why don't you and your team try harder? If Stephanie can find out about them, why can't you?" I scolded angrily before hanging up.
Stephanie has always been the cunning type, using what she had to get what she wanted. Stephanie hated dad and Brandon as much as I did because of the pain they caused her but still, she chose getting me over seeking justice. She still didn't want to freely give me the information she had against them.
So, dad and Brandon really are back and this time in a syndicate. I had been trying hard not to believe but now I can't continue fooling myself. I had to protect my family and I have to prevent them from knowing, especially grandpa.
They have finally moved on from what they suffered from them, I can't let their old wounds reopen.
I took my phone and dialed her number.
Cherry's POV
It was lunch break that day, I stood up from my chair.
"Time to take a break," I told myself. I really had to take a break, I had been working since morning, trying to find ideas that would help our sales. I had to prove to myself that I am fit for this position and also to everyone.
I wouldn't miss this break for all the treasures of the sea because I felt I would have some inspiration after eating.
Andrei texted that he wouldn't be going out for lunch break for the first time ever since we became a couple, it was probably because of work.
Poor Andrei, he was seriously having a tough time working. He still had VIDA on his neck and now PGC to worry about, that was why I was going to make sure sales were back on track, at least then, he would have one less thing to worry about.
I thought of bringing lunch to him as I walked out of my office, he shouldn't skip meals. I called Everly so we could have lunch together, it had indeed been a while.
Everly and I talked as we can walked towards the canteen and I was almost sure I saw Stephanie.
All I could think of during the break despite Everly's many gossips was Stephanie.
What was she doing here? And why today of all days? The day Andrei and I didn't spend noon together because he said so. I mean it has always been because of me if we didn't have lunch together. What if it was because Stephanie was around?
"No, Cherry don't be like this, be optimistic. Andrei didn't go out because he was busy work and not Stephanie," I convinced myself.
"Bye bye," I told Everly when the break was over. I walked towards the elevator, the door opened, I walked in and surprisingly Stephanie who I thought was already upstairs, joined me.
"We always meet in the elevator, don't you think so?" She asked but I didn't answer.
"What is this? You brought lunch for Andrei?" She asked again but I still didn't reply.
"Don't bother, Andrei has already eaten the meal I made just for him."
"And so? Why are you so obsessed with feeding him? If you want, I could speak with him to employ you as his chef," I said trying to seem as if the words didn't affect me.
"Don't be angry Cherry. I know you're Andrei's girlfriend now but remember I have known him longer than you, we were childhood friends, he wouldn't forget me so easily.
I was shocked when he called me and asked me to come over, probably he missed me," she said proudly.
"And why should I believe you?" I asked almost angrily.
"Hush... Cherry, I don't lie, you can ask him yourself. You know I've always told you that you are not Andrei's type. He probably got bored with spending time with you or maybe, he realized you're not someone he could share his problem with and that's why he called me. We had lunch together and he shared his PGC problems with me," she said and I became angry, really angry.
"I know what games you're trying to play with me and I would do the honour of announcing that it would not work," I told her.
The first part of the sentence was true, I knew she wanted me to be jealous but the latter was a lie, it was working, I was freaking angry.
If she was lying then how did she know about Andrei's PGC problems, I mean she just came to the company.
We finally got to the seventh floor and I stepped out. I looked backwards and she was still in the elevator.
"I only wanted to give you the good news... I'ld leave now," she said, then headed downwards.
I went to Andrei's office and managed to fake a smile.
"You have to take work easy... I brought lunch," I told him. He gave a smile before speaking.
"Sorry for not spending noon with you."
"No problem... I brought lunch, have some now, let me feed you," I said, I had a plan to find out.
"No Cherry, I really appreciate how much you care but I'm not hungry now," he said, moved closer to me, held my hands and kissed them.
"Why? Did you have lunch already?"
"No, I'm not just hungry," he said and I pulled my hands away angrily.
So stephanie was right, they had lunch together.
"You called Stephanie, didn't you?" I asked very angrily.
"Yes, Cherry, I..." He was saying but I left his office.
Author's note
Hi, my amazing readers... We've come a long way in this amazing journey with Andrei and Cherry...
Truth be told, this is actually my first online story with appreciable reads and it's all thanks to you guys... I felt nervous at first but now my anxiety has been cured.
Okay, I promise to update the rest part of the story...
And... Feel free to comment and ask any question with regard to this story ( it's time for us to discuss Andrei and Cherry🙂)... Your opinion really matters...
And... Please, don't forget to vote for me....
Love you guys...