Davis dragged me to my dad's cabin in a panicked state, and he didn't give me a chance to question him. We barged in, and my dad was also in the same state. He appeared exhausted for the day, even though it was only ten in the morning. His tie was loose, his hair was dishevelled, and he was frantically speaking something over the phone.
Davis placed the tablet on the table, and we took a seat. I was watching them not getting the hype of the situation, but I could make out that something was damn wrong. My dad kept the phone aside with a long sigh. "Mr. Richard, have you found who it was?" Is this about the directors? "No." "We can't let it slide, thinking it's only 2%." That sentence got my full attention. "Yeah, I am working on it." Davis leaned back, pondering, and I wanted to yell at them so that they would spill the beans. "Someone is purchasing the share, for now; they managed to buy 2% of the stock, and it should be stopped; we can't let this continue," Davis spoke while watching me, and I slowly nodded at the whole situation. It was my time to panic. "The ratio should not increase; it may stake the company and the CEO's positions. We may lose control of everything in the future." I knew the bloody consequences. What the hell?
"Dad, what's happening? We have no control over anything these days." The words came out laced with anger. I can't stop myself. He sighed at that. "Not knowing who it is just makes things worse." He looks so exhausted from everything. "Dad, maybe I should back out. Things were fine as you were in the position as my name suggested; everything started to flip, and this is not a good sign, Dad." He chuckled at that. "I am going to get a call from the old man; you can sprout this nonsense in front of him." I groaned at that. My grandfather, who sucks our blood by staying away from us. That guy has a real problem with humans and emotions. He won't get along with anyone, and no one can get along with that person, either. He won't let us explain anything; he always dominates the environment, and we can barely open our mouths. Nodding is our only option in front of that guy.
I don't know how he can give birth to someone like my dad, though. My grandmother was a fine lady who left us when I was 10. When she died, he left us to stay on a ranch; God forbid, that was the worst decision of his life. From that auspicious day, he never visited us, nor did he attend my sister's marriage. He has a strong grudge against my mother, as my dad fell in love with her and married her. My grandfather wanted to deal with my dad's life with the daughter of his competitor, but my dad, for the first time, went against his dad. And from then on, the last thread between father and son broke completely. He didn't bond with us either, staying away from us like a plague; especially, he didn't like my sisters, and somewhat he was ok with me because I am a boy and the one to inherit the title.
He is in his 90s and suffering from some liver-related disease and has to get dialysis often. Due to age and heart problems, he can't get a transplant, and inside, he is worn out but wants to die alone. My dad did his best to persuade him, but he didn't come back to the mansion nor want anyone around him. My dad visits him occasionally and leaves the ranch with an insult.
"We should go, Rowan; he is waiting for us." My dad's words snapped me back to reality. I never accompanied him or my sister, and why now? "Why me?" He rolled his eyes at that. "You know why, common." By saying that, he started walking. I bid goodbye, Davis, for the day, and he wished me luck. I damn well needed one. The real hell awaits us.
We were in the car, and my dad was typing something on his laptop. I sighed and faced the window, not knowing what awaited me. It's been 10 years or more, and this is the first time I am visiting my grandfather. I am scared a bit; that guy terrifies me, especially with those piercing cold eyes. My dad will be there, but I know things will never end well with that one. He wants to be miserable and wants to drag us along with him, occasionally, but he will make sure it's memorable. Like, all the memories of his since our childhood, which were plastered in our siblings' minds, haven't faded till now.
The card was parked in front of the modest house. I glanced at the vast surroundings and spotted so many workers around the ranch. He has done damn work on this ranch; too bad I can't explore, and I don't want to. I just want to get out as fast as I can from here; that's the motto of the day.
I followed my dad as he headed to the stairs. The nurse got up from her seat as she saw my dad and excused herself. We entered, and my dad sat near his dad, and I stayed far away from him and stood near the window. Just one glance at him, and I averted my eyes from the guy. He is obviously aged and thoroughly worn out from the inside and outside. He looked pale, bedridden, and breathing through a mask, but his eyes were sharp when he spotted us. I cringed at the sight, and I prayed to God not to let me live till this age and not any suffering too. The medicines, the monitor, and the drips are killing me. Somehow, I have glued my legs to the place, but I badly want to run from here. Oh god, what's that smell? Yuck.
My grandfather, with a shaky hand, tried to take the mask out of his mouth. My dad tried to help, but his hands were swatted away. He has not learned his lesson at this age, and his hatred is at the same level.
"Richard." His voice was hoarse but held the same authority. "You are losing control." That came slowly and with study, with caution. My dad glued his eyes to the floor. "You better know, alone you didn't manage anything, and I was there all along." Once again, slow words in a low voice, and I was dumbstruck on the spot. My dad didn't rebuke him at that, but he was annoyed. "I saved my empire with my power till today, and it started to slip." He coughed at that, watching the sealing intently. "Our enemies started to act, clearly grasping the situation, and you are of no use." My eyes fell on my dad, who is not taking his eyes off the floor. "I have controlled the situation for now; they were trying to purchase 10%. I couldn't find the person who was behind this purchase, but I don't think they would stop in the future." I leaned on the window as things got more interesting. "Their intentions are clear, Richard, and you have become too soft and family-oriented a guy, an easy target." Here we go again; he doesn't get bored with his sentence, I guess. My dad groaned in response, and I huffed at their exchange.
He wore the oxygen mask to catch his breath, and I sighed, seeing his situation compared with the old days. I don't get this duo, like seriously, and their odd relationship. My dad is the opposite of his dad, and he turned entirely against him as he grew up. There is no comparison between them, except for DNA, which is again odd. I am really blessed; I thank him every day for being his son. He slowly removed the mask; well, he had not finished yet.
"I don't want anyone leading my empire other than Desmond." It came in a curt and absolute voice; given the situation he is in, he could still pull out a few things. "I will be on high alert till I am alive, Richard." The voice was stern and rigid. "But you have to promise me one thing." That piques both my dad's and my interest, and we went on high alert. I don't know why I was panicking. "You will do everything to keep the Desmond line running the company." He was calm, and he meant every word. "You were always against me, going in the opposite direction. I was livid, but I didn't cause any trouble other than with my behaviour." He sighed, catching his breath. "Please, Richard, this is my final wish." He slowly faced my dad, who faced him in return. Tears started falling from his eyes, and I couldn't see my dad's reaction. "Do everything and make sure no one is taking over Desmond. Will you?" He was staring straight at my dad's eyes, who didn't react for a minute, but at last, he slowly nodded his head. I am not liking this whole exchange. Once again, his mask was back, and I was catching my breath. He is on his deathbed, still blackmailing and getting his way. My dad never gave in, but he did today. I absolutely think that this whole ordeal will somehow be targeted at me in the future.
He removed his mask; I really hope he shuts up for once and for all. "Till I am alive, you need not worry, but take control of the directors, the sooner the better." Well, we are all trying, failing miserably. Can't he do something about it? My dad nodded his head. "I am working on it." For the first time, my dad uttered something, and his dad was displeased by hearing it. This old man knows how to berate someone. "It's important to control the situation, the sooner the better." Once again, my dad nodded. "I am losing control over certain things, and this is one of them." The old man uttered the words with bitterness. He ruled like a king when he was on the throne, and I completely get him.
He raised his hand and pointed toward me, gesturing for me to come. I would rather not. I didn't move immediately; I held my ground. Bedridden or not, this old man is scary as hell. I am not approaching that bed. "Rowan." My dad called me in a stern voice. I sighed and took a hesitant step. My dad got up from the chair and made me take his place; I wanted to groan at that. It's too close; I can barely handle him from afar.
My grandfather stared at me, like really stared, and I didn't meet his eyes even for a second. This was the first time it seemed like he was studying me. "You are just like your father." I knew I couldn't expect anything but taunts from him. "Too soft and familyoriented." I wanted to get up, but my dad held my shoulder to keep me in place. "But I feel like you can be useful." Wow, was that a bloody compliment? I am swooning over it. "You better hold an eye contact with me." That came in a stern voice, and I couldn't brush it off when he was so near to me. "Don't ever get disappointed in yourself; this path is full of hurdles, and it never gets any easier in the future." I slowly nodded at his boosting words; something is good rather than spiteful. "Hard work will pay you off, and learn to take control." After speaking, he watched me intently. "Yes," I slowly responded to him. He seems satisfied.
A satisfied smile was lying on the edge of his lips, with a mischievous look underneath. There was cunningness in his eyes, which flickered for a second and faded, even before I could grasp whether it was real or not. I don't like the way he hummed in satisfaction once again. I am not liking anything that's happening a bit. "Can you leave us alone? I need to talk with your father." Heck no, I am not trusting this man with my father. Being on a deathbed, nothing has vanished or decreased, especially his cunningness. I can see it; this man is up to something. "Rowan." Unknowingly, I was glaring at the old hag, who in return smirked at me. "Wait for me outside." My dad directed it toward me, and I sighed. This is not good, Rowan, especially for you. My inner me is passing me a signal. "Listen to your papa, Rowan. He will get you a chocolate on the way." I was taken aback, and when I saw his smirk grow wider, I really wanted to choke him, just making him unconscious for another decade or something. I stormed out of the room.
The door was closed as I exited, and I thought of eavesdropping, but immediately the guards were at the door on either side.
I started pacing at the door, marching from left to right. The soft mummer could be heard, but I couldn't make out a thing. I don't know why my heart was hammering at this, but it was on a roller coaster. This is definitely about me, plotting and sketching. My dad is getting involved in this ordeal. I hope he agrees only for his old man's sake and leaves me the heck alone out of this.
The door finally opened, and my dad looked gloomy. He was there for 20 minutes, and I wonder what they possibly discussed. I couldn't hold myself anymore. I was beside him, matching his pace while walking. "What was that, Dad? One-on-one thing." "Nothing, Rowan." Oh, I am not going to buy this shit. "You were there for 20 minutes, and I don't think it's nothing, Dad," I stressed 20 minutes so he could get my point and spit out everything. He sighed at that. "Discussing options." I was about to ask him to elaborate, but he held his hand, gesturing to me to stop. "Enough of questions, and trust me, ok?" I gulp at that, hesitating before nodding. This is not good, Rowan. Discussing options, like seriously? That old man has poured something into my dad's head, and it's about me.
You'd better run; that old man is not going to die before making your life miserable.