It's been over a year since I was working as an assistant and doing things informed by my father. I was not involved in any significant decision-making or planning for the company, and I was unsure why.
I was asking my dad to get me involved in major company matters, but he always denied my request, saying that I was not yet ready. It has been fucking over a year, and I was not bloody ready. On the other hand, there was a different scenario with Joshua, who had become CFO of the company, and my own dad was not giving me a bloody chance to prove myself.
Why the hell did he pour so much on me if this was the case? He was trusting Joshua, who was shining every day, not his own son. What's the deal with this old hag? Was beyond me.
When I found alone time with my dad, I tried to remove my frustration. It's going to be 15 months, for fuck's sake, and my involvement was zero in any matter; it was like I did not even exist in the company. We were in the car; my dad was looking into some file when I spoke.
"Dad, give me a damn position in the company. I can't be your assistant forever. If this were the case, what am I going to learn? It's more than a year, and Joshua is the CFO of the company. How the hell is it fair? I want to become something." "It's not the right time; you need experience." "If not now, Dad, when? How can you trust Joshua, not me? I am your son." "And that's why you are not ready, and Joshua is a talented fellow. I was searching for someone like him, so I can be at ease." I was perplexed for a second.
"What do you mean by someone like him? You are not giving me a chance to prove myself." "Trust me when I say something; you need knowledge and more experience, gain that." "How the hell will I gain by being your assistant? You are not involving me in any major thing related to the company. What's your problem with me, Dad? Like seriously, please tell me, I am your son, right?" "You are my son, no doubt; that's why I am hesitating because you are not ready to handle things yet." "Without fucking giving a chance, how can you say that?" "Language. You know genes are something that belongs to me; I know." "What are you implying? Why won't you answer the damn question rather than puzzling more?" "I will answer in time. For the time being, don't question anything, and most importantly, don't complain. Trust me, everything I am doing is for our sake, especially for your sake."
Once again, he was successful in shutting me down. I couldn't do anything, so I gave up. Thinking only gives me a headache. Again, this urge to blame or get annoyed with Joshua was erupting, but for everything that was happening, my dad was responsible. How could I blame him? Just like me, Joshua also became my dad's puppet. Why he was trusting Joshua, not me, was my biggest question; why he was so hesitant to give any responsibility; why he was concluding that I was not capable of handling anything when Joshua could; why can't I; why the hell don't I deserve a fucking chance?
There were so many things happening in Joshua's life; new responsibilities were every day challenging for him. In every media, his achievements were publishing, a busy schedule, board meetings, business parties, and whatnot, but he would always find time for me, 'our time,' no matter how busy he was; he never ignored me, dates were frequent, business trips were surprisingly romantic outings, there was lots of sex, and everything was perfect. He was the perfect idol boyfriend; because of his fame, gossip was like a mandatory thing, and yes, his name was always tagged with some celebrity. Once the news hit the internet, Joshua would immediately text or call me for clearing things, and at that instant, the doubts that were trying to take root within me would be dead.
I was whipped completely, and I don't regret it a bit. If he was going to be part of my life forever, then I could ignore every other damn thing that was happening, wrap up all my insecurities, and throw them away forever. His assurance that everything was 'ok' was enough to lead my life as 'zero.' I don't want to compete with him for anything; I want him to shine and reach the sky. My only hope was that he would never let go of my hand wherever he was going, but if things went south, I could be 'no one' and be his admirer.
The next day, when I reached the company, there was a crowd outside and press and media from almost every broadcast.
What the hell was going on?
At any minute, they would barge inside the company, and guards were doing their best to hold them. Somehow, I entered the company; whispers could be heard from everywhere, and everyone was giving me pitiful looks.
Was my dad okay?
I reached my dad's floor, and again, there was a crowd; no one could easily come to this floor; directors were present; and there were lots of other potential people too. I entered my dad's cabin; he was in between files and his laptop, devastated, terrified, and angry; other subordinates were immersed in finding something; I wanted to ask what was going on, but my dad's appearance made me hold my words. The next thing I did was dial Joshua's number, and it was switched off.
One of the directors of our company, Mr. Mittal, greeted me again, giving me the same sympathetic look. I couldn't hold it any longer, so I asked him what was going on, and what I heard was shocking: a huge amount of money laundering had taken place. In the past few months, a large number of transactions have taken place. These transactions came to light yesterday. All are trying their best to find where the money was transferred but are not able to track anything. The company was on the verge of bankruptcy. What? Is that even possible? It was such a big company, and with the advanced technology, they were still not able to find anything. What the hell was everyone doing? It was a finance-related matter. Where was Joshua?
I was in a daze, distressed. I couldn't be any help in this situation. I couldn't help but once again blame my dad for not involving me for his own bloody reasons.
I found a sign of relief when I saw Joshua entering the floor. I ran towards him. "Hey, you know what's going on over here—money laundering, a huge amount. How the hell did that even happen? "Oh God, where were you?" "Gray, we need to talk." "OK, but can you explain how huge transactions can take place without anyone's notice?" "Gray, I need to take you somewhere, and it's really important we need to talk." "Yeah, but your presence is very much needed over here, like, you are the CFO, right? I mean," "Will you calm down? They are doing their work with your dad's guidance, so it's not an issue if I disappear for a few hours, and I don't think I will get another chance, so shall we?" "What do you mean?" "We need to talk, Gray; it's really important, so come on." He dragged me towards his car and drove off.
My mind was a mess; Joshua only added more to it. He should be at the company, and his presence was much required over the company; it was not a small issue; the company was on the verge of bankruptcy.
"Where are we going?" "Patience, baby." "Yeah, you know, if it were like everything was normal, I could wait for this surprise or wherever you are taking me, but your presence is much required at the company; the issue needs to be addressed at the earliest, right? Don't you think we are wasting our time?" "Gray, let me be frank, this issue is not traceable, impossible. I have planned this for 7 years, if I remember correctly, studying everything pin to pin, so trust me, the company will go bankrupt, and I am going to take over your dad's company, which rightfully belongs to my family, so yeah, your family will come to the street."
My whole body froze for a few seconds. I don't want to conclude anything, but his sentence is pushing me. "What's going on, Josh?" "And we are here."
When I saw where he had taken me, I was shocked because it was a cemetery.