The morning sun cast a soft glow on captivating dark eyes, awakening Harris to the world. He stretched his muscular frame, stifling a yawn, grappling with an unusual sense of weakness. Stiff and bewildered, Harris had no clue why he felt so weak.
Checking the clock, panic struck. Nearly ten o'clock – Damn! He was late. Sheets flew as he rushed to the bathroom, brushing teeth and showering simultaneously. In the closet, he meticulously selected black pants, a brown shirt, matching black shoes, and a sleek black leather coat. Rushing to the men's accessories closet, he picked a wristwatch and frantically searched for his family ring with the Lancaster symbol. Frustration consumed him as he realized it was missing.
Rushing downstairs, Sammy's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Good morning, sir."
"Hmm, What are you doing here?"
"Sorry, sir," Sammy bowed his head. "I arrived at the office but didn't see you. Waited long, but you still didn't arrive. Which is not usual. So I came here to look for you," he concluded, looking innocent. "And by the way, your front door was open."
Harris masked his surprise, pondering the bizarre play of events – what the hell is happening? Front door open, a headache, missing ring, and tardiness.
"Have you seen Zeke today?" Harris questioned.
"No, sir," came the reply.
"Let's head out." Where the hell was his brother? He must have an explanation for all this. Determined to unravel the mysteries of this perplexing morning.
Arriving at the towering company skyscraper, Harris observed the lively environment for the first time in years. Clients trooping in and out, his staff busy with their duties.
Sammy's concern lingered as he watched his boss's solemn demeanor. "Sir? Sir, Can we go now?" Sammy's voice snapped Harris back to reality. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the car, wondering why he was suddenly feeling sober.
"You sent for me, bro?" Harris barged in dressed in pajamas, holding a bottle of warm milk. His messy long hair falling on his shoulder.
"Zeke, what the ---" his brother's disheveled look baffled him. "First off, why are you looking like that? And what the hell happened last night? I woke up tired, with a hangover, and I can't find our family ring. I can't remember anything."
"That's why you sent for me?" Sammy was sounding like it was an emergency. Gosh! He moved towards a couch and sank heavily into it. My head hurts, bro. I don't know about your ring. But we had a lot to drink last night. And you met a girl. He grinned teasingly. You had quite a fun last night."
"A girl?" Harris thought loudly.
"Yeah, a beautiful blonde. You even performed for her on the stage. Never knew you were quite a dancer. That could be when you misplaced the ring. What was her name again?" He asked, teasing his brother. Can't believe you could speak to a girl about random things. It's mostly about work." He gave a bleak laugh.
Harris fixed him a stern gaze. And then tried to recall the face of the girl. "I can't recall any girl."
"I can't either, was with Melissa." The red-haired beauty, he licked his lips seductively. Harris gave him an irritated look. But bro we gotta find that ring. Mother would be furious if she finds out it's missing. You know she had it specially made for -----"
Voices from outside disrupted their discussion.
"Sorry, sir, but my boss can't see you. I suggest you schedule with me a proper time. Am his personal assistant," Sammy tried to explain.
"Step aside! I don't need a schedule to meet someone in my company." The man's voice was laced with arrogance.
"Sir, I do not know what you're talking about. Please, I don't want to call security. Don't make this any more dramatic than it is already. My boss won't like this."
"Do you have any idea whom you're talking to?" His forehead wrinkled with annoyance.
"I do not need to ----" that moment the door opened, and Harris and Ezekiel stepped out. Surprised by whom they saw...
"Uncle Gregory?" Ezekiel was surprised.
"Took you long enough. Do me a favor and tell this riff-raff who I am. Can you believe he denied me seeing you?"
"Am... sorry." Harris apologized reluctantly.
"I will not tolerate insults from your lower-class staff," Uncle Greg declared, pointing at Sammy. "I want him dismissed immediately. However, to avoid such nonsense repeating itself, I want a meeting for my grand introduction. I want everyone to know who calls the shot out here," wearing a sly grin, he walked away fixing a stern gaze on Sammy.
Harris rubbed the space between his eyebrows. The reality of his father's decision has begun taking effect. Ezekiel whistled dramatically. "Seems the war has just begun."
The staff gathered for the impromptu meeting, eyes shifting between Uncle Greg and Harris. The air crackled with tension as uncle Gregory assumed the seat Harris usually sat on.
"Good day, ladies and gentlemen. I want to make an important announcement, so I demand total silence, as well as your attention. The room became pin drop silent. Harris gaze swept around the room, and he took a deep breath before continuing. From today henceforth, standing by my right. His name is Gregory Lancaster. And he is the new CEO of Lancaster enterprises." The urge to add temporarily laid at the tip of his tongue.
Hush sounds arose from the staffs as they exchanged glances. Rising on his feet and fastening the button on his coat.
He declared with ego, "I'm your new CEO, and it's time you all acknowledge it."