Welcome to the council

Monday was supposed to be a very memorable day for the company because Miles was to be sworn in as the new CEO. Well it was memorable and unforgettable because we mourned the death of Mr. Pitt. The inauguration was postponed to the next day which is today and the new manager was to be chosen today also.

I was in my office lazing about as there was no work to do. Miles had a council meeting concerning the new manager of the company.

I got a message notification from Bryan and it read:

I’m sorry about Saturday, congrats… we should celebrate later.

Congrats on what? I thought. I was about replying when the door

swung open and Miles walked in. Jesus Christ, he has no

manners.

“My father wants to see you” he said.

He stood there holding the door knob, was he waiting for me? He

would have walked away on a norm and I would come running after

him. I owe whoever changed his attitude towards me a lot in life.

I stood up almost immediately, straightened my skirt and walked

towards the door in order not to keep him waiting.

“What for? Am I in trouble?” I asked on our way to his father’s office.

“No! he just wants to have a word with you” he said.

His office was on the sixth floor which was the last floor and it was out of bound for workers except those given exclusive passes. That must be why Miles didn’t ask me to go with them the day I first met Bryan and Dr. Parker, they must keep a lot of company secrets here I thought.

Miles made a stop in front of a huge door boldly written CEO and he gave a gentle tap on the door. While we waited for the door to be opened I stood there admiring the piece of art before me, the door was so pretty from top to bottom. The knob was made of pure gold with a little touch of the finest diamonds I had seen. I would be exaggerating if I said the door cost more than the whole company but it seemed true.

I was still caught up in my thoughts when the door was opened which made me snap back into reality. My eyes met with that of Miles’ father almost immediately the door was opened which made me fidget a little then he gave me a warm smile.

“come in” he said in a very welcoming tone.

“Good day Mr. Bryon “I said trying to sound formal as possible.

“You must be Ms. Paige Ryan, I have heard a lot of things about you. Miles has told me a lot”

Things? What things? This should be my last day working here I said to myself.

“Have a seat” he said pointing at one of the empty seats close to his table.

The place was dead silent for a while before he let out a heavy sigh, he stood up from his seat and backed me before he spoke.

“It’s not a new thing to everyone in this company including you Ms. Ryan, that we lost one of the most important persons in the company Mr. Pitt”

“We sympathize greatly sir” I said immediately.

“This has left the position of the manager vacant and it needs a replacement as soon as possible, irrespective of the fact we are mourning the death of a colleague, how would you like to be the new manager of The Bryon’s company?” he asked turning around to face me

This is what Bryan was talk about but how did he know? Oh the council meeting I totally forgot. I was dumbfounded for few minutes, the promotion escalated quickly like I wasn’t expecting such. Dr. Parker could have taken the position, why me? I thought.

“Well?”

“yes, I would love to work as the manager of the Bryon’s company” I

said.

Wait what was I doing? I should be mourning and not letting my selfish desires take control. One thing still wasn’t clear who wanted Mr. Pitt dead? was it because he was the manager of this company? Mixed feelings began to swim in slowly. I was scared,happy and sad at the same time. Scared of why Mr. Pitt was killed, happy I got promoted real quick and sad we lost a worker.

“Call everyone in, let the agreement be finalized” Mr. Bryon said.

Right now? They really don’t waste time here, they get whatever they wanted immediately.

Before I could count my fingers, the room was filled with the board members. Bryan was here too, I noticed his presence because he was the last to walk in and I’m guessing he did that intentionally to get my attention. He gave me a soft smile which I returned back, my smile turned back to a plain facial expression when Miles father cleared his throat to speak.

“We all know why we are gathered here. One; the inauguration of the new CEO and two; the appointment of the new Manager”

The process was a little bit long but shorter than I expected, I took an oath in the process to never spill any of the company’s secret or else the grim ripper would come knocking Mr. Bryon said and everyone laughed. This man was fucking hilarious I really didn’t see why Miles didn’t like him or get along with him because his jaw barely moved an inch in attempt to laugh whenever his father made a joke. Mr. Bryon invited me for a party at their place saying it was top secret for Miles and I, then he ended the ceremony saying

“I may be retiring today as the CEO of this company but that doesn’t mean I’m gone forever, I’m still the owner of this company and will be till I breathe my last. Just take it that Miles would be my mouth piece, so any report on breaching of the rules would be treated accordingly”

Miles showed me to my new office which was close to his new office too. It wasn’t opposite because there was no space, the CEO’s office occupied a very large space.

After that it was time to pack to my new office. I really didn’t have much, in fact I had nothing just my personal belongings because I was no longer the secretary I didn’t need any of those files they would be for whoever would replace me.

Shortly after I was done with packing Miles came into my new office to remind of the party which he called dinner.  I locked up and followed him downstairs to his car and we were off to his place.

I wasn’t surprised at what I saw at the Bryon’s residence, I even expected more. They had a water fountain statue of a man who Miles said was his granddad, the fountain was in memory of him.

There were flowers everywhere and they were properly trimmed to perfection, it must be lonely living here I thought and Miles was the only child. When we stepped out of the car I noticed the house was overly quiet for a party venue.

“where is the party?” I asked.

“There is no party Paige, it’s a dinner for the council members and the initiation of the new council member. Once you dine with us you remain a member till death and you are not to leak the company secrets” he said.

Did he just call me Paige? What happened to Ms. Ryan?

“what secret?” I asked out of curiosity.

Miles didn’t answer he just walked into the house and I followed him as usual to avoid getting lost. I think I triggered the evil Miles personality with my last question or was he just very difficult to understand? I got freaked out remembering his last words especially the initiation part and how I pictured it. Maybe a blood bath or I would be asked to provide the guts of someone I loved so much. What were they going to do to me?

I was cut away from my thoughts when we got to a room I assumed was the dining hall because before us stood a long table lined up with different meals. Mr. Bryon was there with Dr. Parker and Bryan. Were they the council? Like Bryan was there? That kind of explains his luxurious house and to be honest I didn’t even buy his story that day.

“Ms. Ryan you kept us waiting” Mr. Bryon said with a smile from the other end of the table from where I was standing.

Waiting to kill me and feed my guts to the demons.  Okay where did that come from I must be out of my mind.

Miles and I took a seat then a prayer was said and we began eating. I really waited for the part where Mr. Bryon would say it is time and the doors and windows would be automatically shut. Maybe the table would turn to an alter where I would be placed for the initiation but that didn’t happen because we all ate in silence for a long time.

The silence was broken when Mr. Bryon held up a cup and tapped it with a spoon which I didn’t think was necessary because the room was dead ass silent.

“Whoever dines with the council must keep the words of the council secret, Ms. Ryan you have worked hard enough and earned yourself the councils trust. On no account should that be broken because breaking the trust of the council attracts great punishment and if those who have done so were around they would have explained better. Nevertheless, cheers to the new The Bryon management” he said raising a glass of wine in toast.

When we were done with eating Mr. Bryon asked Miles to show me something and I wondered what it was. Miles walked me outside to a place, it was some sort of garage.  He handed a key to me and pointed at one of the cars. Maybe this won’t be bad after all, I mean a car! I have been working off my ass trying to get a car and now I have one, just like that. I could get used to this I thought but why was he giving me this now like I have never driven a car in my entire life and it was already late to even try to learn for the day. I needed a ride home.

“I can’t drive” I said to Miles waiting for him to offer me a ride home.

“Bryan can take you home” he said attempting to walk away.

“Just like that?” I asked following him and he didn’t reply as usual.

Right now, I was pissed, we weren’t at work so I could give him a piece of my mind. He is my fucking boss and he was older but not way older he was just 27 and he acted like he was 50 and he honestly had no atom of respect, it was the snub for me.

“why the hell do you keep doing this! You don’t keep shut when you are asked a question yunno?” I yelled which made him stop.

“I can keep shut whenever I want to and I’m your fucking boss so watch your tongue” he snapped back.

“Fine I will ask Bryan to take me home as you wish boss” I said stressing in a mocking one.

When we got back inside we met only Miles’ father and he said Bryan and Dr. Parker left few minutes before we returned. Great I will have to take a cab home now. I picked up my bag from the table, thanked Mr. Bryon for the meal and walked out without saying a word to Miles.

I was already at the gate about walking to the main street to get a cab when Miles pulled up beside me in his car and asked me to get in.

What drives this man I thought?

Elizabeth street wasn’t too far from Flinders so before I could tell we were almost at my house. We had been driving in silence since we left his place and I was totally fine with it, I really hated his weird questions.

“Do you like Bryan?” I heard Miles say through the loud music coming from the speaker of his car, so I pretended I didn’t hear him.

He turned down the music player and repeated the question which made me gulp down so hard and loud. Where was this coming from? first was Bryan now Miles. Leah was right I should have made female friends instead.

“Yeah I guess so, he is my friend” I replied.

“No strings attached?” he asked again.

“What do you even care? Strings attached or not, we’ve barely even had a real conversation. I’m always stuck up with your weird ass questions, you……”

“I care, I have always cared but with Bryan in the picture I can’t possibly do anything, I don’t want to ruin anyone’s chances that’s why I still ask No strings attached?”

We went on and on arguing and I didn’t even notice we were already at my house and the car was no longer moving.

“I know where this is going, of course you would blame it on Bryan you think he is a threat and he is going to take away the girl you love that some cliché move “ I said.

Wait did I just say that?

“Paige listen to me!” Miles kept saying but I wasn’t paying attention all I did was talk and talk, before I could tell what was happening Miles pulled me in for a kiss. I was frozen for minutes, I didn’t even try to push him away I just stayed there allowing him take full control of me.  I really needed to wake up from this dream Miles Bryon was kissing me in his car! That seemed so impossible but it was happening.