Ezra's POV
Staring into the shocked eyes of Harlem Tamrin, I wonder why she's been haunting my being, and why the hell I'm enjoying it. I compose myself and give her a calculated smirk. She's also still in shock but masks it with that monotone-cold expression.
"Harlem Tamrin. A pleasure to meet you again. We always seem to be meeting under the most unforeseen circumstances" she rolls her eyes slightly.
"I would have said the pleasure is mine." she says calmly standing up from where she is seated.
"But?" I raise a brow. "But not really" she states looking at me like it's obvious. A wider smirk spreads across my lips and before I know it, I'm chuckling. She looks at me shocked and even Lucas looks shocked that I'm laughing.
I collect myself, again. I seem to be losing my cool each time around this woman. "My apologies. It's just you have a way about you that I consider amusing. But it's fine, please I hope I wasn't interrupting anything?" I gesture to her and Lucas.
He clears his throat. "No, not really Mr. Roth. We just had an interview and I was having a conversation with Miss Tamrin but were done as it is. Miss Tamrin, please my assistant will communicate the outstanding, pardon me as I do need to take this meeting"
"That's understandable Mr. Lucas. Thank you again. For…. everything." she says looking at him genuinely. I flex my jaw. Who knew she could be kind to others? Not that I ever did anything to deserve her coldness, I guess she just dislikes me. Why does that make me feel weird?
She starts to leave and with one last glance at me, she walks away. I turn slightly to watch her leave. The beautiful but cold hearted.
"Sincere apologies for the wait. She's one of our few new recruits. But I think you may know her already?" I snap out of it and face Lucas. What was his last sentence?
"Uhm, yes, we've met a few times actually. You said she's a new recruit?" I ask. "Yes, we interviewed her and she has talent and we need that talent. As you know, my job is to groom this talent"
"Hmm. I see" I take a sit where Harlem was. I could feel the warmth of the chair. Her warmth. I stand up abruptly like it's on fire.
"Sorry but I can't spend much time here, I have something urgent I need to attend to. I know I came way ahead of time for our meeting so I'm just going to make this quick and let you know that Briggs Corp believes you're a good media establishment to place our bets on so we've approved your request and it came out successful. So, your company is officially a beneficiary of Briggs Corp. Congratulations, many would kill to be here." I offer him my hand for a shake which he reciprocates with a smile on his face.
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I sit in my office sipping mineral water. Have we met before? Did I do something to her? Run her cat over? Shut down her favorite supermarket? I really can't see how it adds up. I sigh twirling my glass and staring into the wall ahead of me.
I can't be overreacting right? Women see me and they WANT to be around me. But she sees me and it's like she'd rather be anywhere else. Possibly even hell.
I run my hands through my hair. I press the intercom on my desk. "Mrs. Marilyn you're needed in my office."
Mrs. Marilyn walks into my office a few minutes later with a kind smile on her face. She's about to turn 70 in a few days. She used to walk for my father but now that I'm taking over, she's working for me. And I had my doubts at first but she's surpassed my expectations exceedingly. She knows exactly what she's doing and she's great at task accomplishments. Plus, she used to babysit me.
"How are you Mrs. Marilyn? Hope you've been doing your checkups?" I say pouring myself another glass of water.
"I'm feeling like a sunflower Ezra Dear, don't worry about me. What would you need me for?" I blink tiredly at her, so much for requesting her to omit the 'dear'.
"Alright. Please tell my intel team to look into Harlem Tamrin. I want useful information by this time tomorrow. That would be all."
I shouldn't care. But the way she looked at me ; like she already had me figured out, it's unsettling.
"Alright dear. Will do. How are you preparing for your big day tomorrow? Anything that you might need assistance with?" she says writing in her notepad.
"None Mrs. Marilyn. And preparations are going just fine" I state as a matter of fact. Everything is ready for tomorrow. I just need to show up.
"Well, that's good to hear. I'll be closing soon, so I'll see you tomorrow dearie, have a splendid night. Rest well for your big day" she says walking out. I smile at her.
I'm alone again. I stand up to stretch my legs and walk over to the floor to ceiling windows that overlooks the side of the city I'm on. The office is pretty big but its nice and comfortable. Mine is on the 6th floor while dad's is on the 7th, the highest. I'm not moving in to his because I really don't like it, so its just going to be there, mostly empty.
Tomorrow, I become CEO. I'd have to take on the burden of Briggs Corp till someone takes over from me. Dad built Briggs Corp into a monster of music, art, real estate, even crypto. A kingdom disguised as creativity. Tomorrow, it becomes mine and I always wondered how he shouldered all the responsibility though. Guess I'm about to find out.
I sit back down and continue working till I'm numb from sitting. I look at the time and decide I probably need to turn in early so as to prepare for tomorrow.
Everyone thinks I've been waiting for this day. Truth is, I've been dreading the weight that comes with it. But, all in all, Cheers to being CEO.
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The chandelier light illuminates the ballroom exquisitely, dripping luxury and old money. The Briggs name sits on every lip tonight. A legacy, a curse, depends who you ask.
I stand near the edge of it all, a glass of champagne in hand, trying to look composed while every cell in my body feels like it's on fire and I might die from the nerves.
The event was supposed to be perfect, and it is. Down to every last detail. My mother ensured that. She moves like a queen among her subjects, her diamonds announcing her before her voice does. She's always been someone people shut up around when she walks into a room. She's perfect for her husband. They fit like two gloves. The said husband stands beside her, still sharp even at sixty, with the kind of presence that makes people shrink and smile at once.
They call tonight a "commemoration of leadership," but we all know what it really is: a torch passing, a power transfer dressed in gold. I'm the heir everyone's been waiting for. The one expected to expand the empire. The one who can't stop seeing a certain woman's face in every damn reflection.
Harlem Tamrin.
I spot her in the crowd, or maybe I think I do. A glimpse of dark hair, a stillness in someone's eyes, the reflection of the gold lights, and my pulse betrays me every time. I blink, and she's gone. My mind is playing tricks. Or maybe she's haunting me for real. I'd say the latter. Seems like a very Harlem thing to do. I smile into my drink.
Mrs. Marilyn stands by the side with her tablet, ensuring the guest list flows perfectly. The shareholders are happy, the press is delighted, and the photographers couldn't get enough. Yet through it all, I feel… detached. It feels like I'm watching my own life like a scene on screen.
"Ezra." My father's voice cuts through my thoughts like a whip. He places a firm hand on my shoulder. His smile doesn't reach his eyes, it rarely does. "Keep your posture. Tonight, you're not a boy. You're Briggs Corp."
"Of course." I keep my tone even. Across the room, my sister, Elissa, standing with her husband laughing with another couple. I would have walked over there but I can't stand Felix and I'd rather not ruin my mood before the night ends.
A toast is called. Cameras flash. I raise my glass and speak words that flow out of me without a second thought: Legacy. Vision and Innovation. The crowd applauds me like programmed machines.
But when I look at the shimmer of the glass, I see her again, Harlem, standing behind the lights. I blink and she disappears once more.
Applause fades, and I smile for the crowd. Inside, something shifts. The empire is mine now, but my mind? It's hers and I don't even know why.