[Harris Lancaster! Get your ass over to my house this minute!" The voice commanded and hung up immediately.
Harris slammed the receiver, inhaling deeply. His father's voice could sour any day. What now? Scanning the office, Sammy was nowhere in sight. Where the hell was that guy?
----------
The elevator halted on the top floor, and a figure rushed out, clutching his bag tightly. Pausing at the office entrance, the only one on the entire floor, a knot tightened in his stomach. Maybe today meant losing his job, he was just five minutes late.
Five minutes, but with Harris Lancaster, that was unforgivable. The boss's unpredictable moods were notorious. He stood by the door, trying to compose himself. Taking a deep breath, he knocked firmly on the door. The sound echoed through the silent hallways, met only by more silence. The door was automatically programmed and couldn't open until someone pressed a button from inside.
Undeterred, he knocked again. Maybe the boss had left without him. Shit! He was a dead meat. His shoulders sagged as he turned to leave, the weight of anticipation heavy on him.
"Who the hell is that?!" The voice thundered from within, irritated.
No, the boss hadn't left. His face lit with hope "Sir, it's Sammy!"
Minutes passed before the door flung open. Harris stormed out with a frown.
"Get the car ready! We leave now!"
~~~~~~~ At Lancaster's mansion ~~~~~~
Harris entered his parents' mansion, a place he dreaded. He only came because his mother coaxed him, avoiding his father's usual lectures.
"Am in here, son!" A loud voice echoed from the study. Gideon Lancaster sat on a huge couch, twirling wine in his glass, grinning at Harris's arrival.
"I thought you wouldn't come," he said.
"Well, I'm here," Harris replied, sitting next to him.
"I didn't recognize my own son on arrival," Gideon half-laughed. "You've changed a lot. Your features more masculine.Girls must be drooling over you." He grinned displaying his entire teeth
"That can't be why you invited me. Yeah?" Harris said coldly.
"No," Gideon frowned. "Let's Skip pleasantries. You know Veronica Peters? Your close friend from college. The one you liked?" He raised his eyebrows teasingly
"I do."
"Good news! She's back in town tomorrow." He declared
"I'm so happy for her," Harris said sarcastically. "And how's that beneficial to me?"
"A lot. Since you've failed to get a partner, maybe, as your old crush is back, you guys could rekindle your love," Gideon shrugged fixing his gaze on his son.
Harris blinked, digesting the bomb his father just dropped. His father was desperate for an heir.
The door creaked open, and Bethany, his mother, a plump lady, with short hair. Who always wore a smile on her face, walked in with a tray of drinks.
"Father, the company is thriving, and its future is secure. No need for matchmaking," Harris interrupted.
Beth joined, "Harris, we want what's best for you. Take your time, but consider the possibilities. You both were perfect back then."
Harris, cold and slightly irritated, replied, "I appreciate your concern, but I've got my own path. I prefer we don't rush things."
"This is about the Lancaster legacy. It's not just about you; it's about the future of our family empire." Gideon's tone got more serious
Harris leaned back, a slight smile on his lips. "I get it. You've built an empire. As for legacy, I'll ensure it continues, with or without a traditional family setup. You don't need a child for your legacy to continue."
"You..." Gideon pointed. "How dare you speak to me like that? You've become so stubborn. Look, the earlier you get a wife and have a child, the better. So you could teach them the business strategy."
"Calm down, boys. Harris, love and companionship brings richness to life. It's not just about the business; it's about happiness too," Beth intervened.
Gideon persisted, "Veronica is a remarkable woman. Educated, ambitious. She'd be a nice companion. You must marry her! You must do as I say!"
Harris smirked. His parents never cared about his happiness. immediately he graduated from college, they threw him into the business world. He never had time for anything. Now, they're choosing a wife for him.
Beth added, "We're not pressuring you. We just want you to consider her."
"Harris, go pick Veronica from the airport tomorrow! Then take care of her from there on." Gideon ordered with an air of finality
"And if I choose not to?" He asked, raising his eyes to his father.
"Don't dare me, boy!" Gideon gave him a piercing gaze.
Harris leaned forward, "I appreciate your concern. If there's nothing else, I'll head back." He concluded and left them
Banging the door, he moved towards the car, parked under a tree.
His assistant, terrified, asked, "Is everything alright?" He needed to be careful, because his boss always found a way to lay off his anger on him.
"Let's get the hell out of here," Harris said immediately, regretting the time spent there.
--- Lancaster Enterprises ---
In the hush night, seated in his office, surrounded by documents, Harris handsome face wore his usual frown. Sammy, his middle-aged assistant, with brown hair, stood anxiously, handing him a file. His feet wobbling from hours of standing.
"Is that the last for today?" Harris inquired, his eyes fixed on the document Sammy handed
"Ye... yes, sir," Sammy stammered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, despite the air conditioner. He could never get used to Harris's workaholic attitude.
Harris sifted through the documents, reading glasses perched on his nose. "You didn't proofread this document as instructed. Did you?" He questioned, eyes fixed on the file.
"Sir, I..." Sammy began, caught in a lie, shivering as he met Harris's gaze. "I'm sorry, sir, I totally forgot."
Harris glared at the older man; Sammy felt the ground should swallow him. It wouldn't be difficult for his boss to find a replacement. Before he could speak, a knock echoed through the room. Sammy heaved a sigh of relief.
Harris fixed his gaze at the document and gestured to Sammy. "Come in," Sammy ordered.
Jeff, a lanky man with blonde hair, entered and bowed, waiting for his boss's acknowledgment.
Minutes passed by before Harris raised his eyes to the man. "Yes, Jeff---, if I'm not mistaken, you're on night duty, yeah?" Harris inquired.
"Very correct, sir," Jeff beamed.
"Why are you here?" Harris questioned, fixing his gaze on him.
"Sir," Jeff began shaking, "please, I need a raise."
"What?" Harris asked, eyes still fixed.
"Sir, all my colleagues I began with are now with the manufacturing and top tier, but I'm still stuck here, in the marketing. Despite my numerous qualifications," Jeff complained, eyes fixed on his feet.
There was a silent pause, and then Harris diverted his gaze.
"Jeff, I have something for you." He pulled out a file and handed it to him.
Opening it, Jeff stood mouth agape. "Sir, please, no... this can't be."
Sammy stood dumbfounded. Only one thing could make a staff of this company sprawl on the floor like that—getting fired. Jeff just fell victim.
"Sir, please, I have two kids in middle school, my wife's job won't cater for us all," Jeff pleaded desperately.
"This isn't the only place you could get a job," Harris replied callously.
"Sir, I beg you," Jeff pleaded close to tears.
Harris fixed his gaze at him, his stern tone softened just a fraction. "Jeff, I've had reports of your behavior lately. Misusing company resources, disrespecting your colleagues. You've left me with no choice. Unfortunately, I have to lay you off. Clear your desk tomorrow."
Jeff's face turned pale as he stammered, "Sir, please, I can change. Give me another chance."
"Sammy! Escort him out," Harris concluded and turned his eyes to his work.
.
.
.
The following day, as Sammy was gathering the courage to approach his boss about a pondering issue, he received a call from Gideon, Harris's father. Wondering what it could be, he pressed the receiver.
"Sammy! Hand over the phone to your boss immediately!" Beth's voice demanded urgency.
"Ma'am, is everything okay?" Sammy asked, concern etching his face. He glanced over to where his boss stood. He was in his no-discussion mood. Approaching him now could bring a drastic reaction. "Ma'am, is it something I could handle? I don't want to lose my job."
"No! Sammy! Hand over the phone to him this instant!" She commanded.
"Okay, hold on." He spoke and began taking careful steps towards Harris, cursing inwardly. "S...sir...sir... your mom is on the phone."
Harris stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass window, glancing at the city, deep in thought. He didn't realize someone was talking to him.
"Sir? Sir?" Beads of sweat began forming on his forehead.
"What is it, Sammy!?" He roared at the man who retreated sharply.
"Your mother is on the phone," he said, handing him a phone.
"Didn't I tell you I don't want to speak with anyone?"
"Sir, she sounded like it's a matter of urgency," his face wrinkled with concern.
Harris stared at the man and collected the phone.
"Hello?" His voice was cold.
"Harris? Son, your father has been rushed to the hospital. I need you to come over immediately!----"