Chapter 32: Leave or lose!

Daniel

I haven’t slept that well in a long while, not since I lost Eleanor. Of course, I go to bed every night but last night was different. I slept like a baby and even though I don’t have a main reason, I know it has everything to do with the dinner yesterday. Something shifted in her relationship between Lila and I, and that changed something in me. The anxiety that usually clouds my mind disappeared and the outcome was the sweet sleep.

I yawned and stretched out so well till my body was shaking. I knew I had enough then. I grabbed my phone and switched it on and that was when the notifications started flying in.

“Urghhhh… life of a boss, I turned off my phone just for a few hours, and it looks like the world had turned upside down.” I muttered under my breath as I started to check the notifications.

My eyes bulged out wide when I saw the first one. It was nothing related to work like I thought. I rushed through the other ones and it only got worse.

Last night at the dinner when Lila and I were talking outside the restroom, someone was there recording us and considering the part they chose to leak, I immediately figured who it was.

It was definitely Isabella behind it. Any other person would have added the other part or traffic but only she would do this for revenge.

She only leaked the part where I mentioned the contract marriage. She didn’t then let in a word from the part where I confessed things were different now.

Just as expected, the public ate it all up and everyone was talking about it. That was the second scandal in just a week. I don’t know how I’d spin this, but I don’t think I’m getting out of this easy.

That was a pretty serious claim I made in the video and the board and shareholders aren’t just going to let it slide by.

Linda’s call came in just then and even before answering, I already knew what it was about.

“Hi Linda,” I said and there was silence for a second.

“Don’t worry, you can go ahead, I already saw the video.” I added and that was when she finally responded.

“I’m sorry sir, but the board has called for an emergency meeting and they didn’t invite you. I thought you let you know incase there’s something you need to do.” She retorted.

“Thank you, Linda. I’ll be at the office soon and we’ll talk about this better, huh?” I said and then ended the call.

Of course, I wasn’t surprised one bit. I knew the board weren’t going to let it slide. I’m still the boss and in charge because of my marriage so now that I just confessed to it being a sham, they would swing into action.

I just didn’t expect them to be this fast without even reaching out to me. I mean, courtesy demands that they atleast pretend to care. But then, I’m not surprised, most of them are envious and woikd be happy to see me out.

“That’s never going to happen though. I won’t go down without a fight!” I said sternly as I got out of bed.

I went into the bathroom, had a long shower where I had an intense chat with myself. By the time I was done, I was able to hatch a plan. Not a full one, but I got the start and that’s enough to get started. I dressed up real quick and headed out.

Lila was at the dining eating, she looked like she had a million questions when she saw me but I didn’t have the time to wait and explain. She got the hint too and didn’t try to stop me.

By the time I got to the office, the board had already convened in the conference hall and having the meeting.

“Everyone is in there?” I whispered to Linda who nodded affirmatively.

“I’ll go in now, you should go back so you don’t get implicated in this incase they win and I lost.” I said.

I don’t plan to lose but in the case that I do, she would be affected since they would know she told me and loyal to me. She might get laid off because of that and I don’t want that.

“You’re not going to lose, sir, I’m sure and even if you do, I’m still going in with you.” She insisted and I had no choice than to let her come with me.

I pushed the door open and once they looked up and saw me, they were shocked.

“I know you’re shocked to see me since this is supposed to be a secret meeting.” I let out as I majestically walked to my seat at the top of the table.

“Excuse me, please,” I said to the man sitting on my chair. He’s the highest shareholder after me and my dad. He probably thinks it’s his time to get supporters and become the boss after chasing me out.

He gently switched seats without arguing and I made sure Linda got her seat beside me too.

They all had resentment on their faces but I didn’t care. I’m not the boss just to care about their feelings.

We went on about the circulating video and I was surprised with their pushback. They were fully prepared and every of my defenses fell on a wall. They countered it all and at the end, they won.

“… you have only two options, you either step down from your position or you end the fake marriage.” One of the shareholders said and even before they called for the vote, I already knew it was a consensus decision.

They already had the real meeting before now and finalized their plan. As a matter of fact, they called this meeting specifically so Linda could tell me so I would then come, thinking I caught them not knowing it was their plan all along.

Sitting there and watching them all vote for the two options, I knew I had nothing else to do.

“It’s either I step down as my position of end this marriage. We both know I’m in this because of the company, I’m not going to give it up for anything in this world. That’s why I’m offering you an additional one million dollars to leave.” I said to Lila…