Chapter 1 - Introduction
Present
A sleek black Range Rover stopped before a stylish looking skyscraper. On the top of the building stood letters proudly in black - The Radiance Industries.
The driver of the car got around and opened the door of the back seat to help his boss out of the vehicle. Another man raced to the caur trunk and brought out the wheelchair before the master got out of the car when a pair of perfectly polished black shoes kissed the tarpaulin ground.
The trio entered a spacious foyer, where the ceiling was as high as that of a Catholic church. The floors were white marble, and an imposing chandelier shimmered from above. Crystal flower vases stood very proud on every corner of the sitting room that screamed opulence and at one side was the reception desk
Though attached to a wheelchair, it was the magic of aura he carried around him so strong and superior that people's feet worked on their own accord to stand up and greet the great boss though he hadn't even noticed their presence.
No sooner he entered the workplace grandeur his employees walked around him for various advice and discussing work points.
His speech was elite and distinguished when talking to his employees. He was suave, stylish and elegant in his behaviour and mannerism. Shivers went down the speaker's spine hearing his commanding and chivalrous voice. He was compelling at the same time with radiance shining in his eyes
The navy blue suit he was putting was flawless, perfectly tailored and the muscles of his hands were strong, bulging out to which the aristocratic suit did little or no justice. He felt debonair and handsome in every aspect. One could easily estimate he was lean, tall and easily more than six feet if he could stand up but the irony is nobody is above fate. Stephen met with a dangerous accident a few months ago and both his legs went paralyzed.
Walking beside his wheelchair in a short red skirt and six inch pencil heels was his secretary who was trying to balance the notepad on her hand and coffee on the other with a cellphone getting to record everything that he was speaking.
The oak wood door which automatically opened with sensor support had letters written in bold - The CEO when his wheelchair entered the threshold. Greeting him ahead was a floor to ceiling glass window which gave a view of the busy city life.
To the side of the room was a huge bookcase with various sorts of files and books neatly placed one above the other. On the other side was a mahogany desk with a glass top on which various documents and folders were systematically placed for his perusal.
Stephen was reading the files and signing the documents hurriedly because shortly he was going to host a meeting. Today after almost a decade, Radiance industries is on the top and one of the fastest growing firms in the manufacturing industry with its products ranging from electronics to sanitary pads, from a small pin to a giant machinery.
Radiance industries now aims to capture the European market too. It was a phenomenal presentation that took off from his laptop just a couple of days ago in the process of convincing Oyster Inc a European firm with its branch in Minneapolis to join him in the fusion.
As he was deeply reading the matter on the file, there was a knock at the door. The secretary walked in and greeted him. "Sir, your dad arrived. He wants to meet you immediately."
Stephen pulled out a low groan holding his head. "Tell him to wait, you know I have a meeting and it is very important." Till an hour ago he was editing the minutes of a presentation for his Minneapolis firm regarding an expansion project. Radiance industries was on the brink of successfully merging both the Chinese and the U.S. market. For the longest time, the two markets operated separately from one another, without ever realizing their potential as a mass conglomerate market for consumer products. But Stephen had succeeded in nullifying the traditional terms of business to coalescence.
"Sir, he says the matter is important and he wants to meet you in an emergency. He wouldn't wait at any cost." The secretary pleaded her helplessness.
'Fucking old man! He wouldn't allow me a break at any cost.' - Stephen thought. "Send him in!" He commanded before he growled and then closed the file in front of him.
Seconds later polished black shoes in powerful steps clicked heavily on the wooden floor and a gray haired man occupied a seat before him in poise with his right leg ankle resting on the knee of the left.
"Dad, I told you I'm not interested in marriage. Why do you always keep persuading me on the same matter?" The patriarch did not speak a word as reply. In return he only extended a manila envelope on which in black ink were neatly written letters in cursive handwriting - 'To my grandson Stephen Collomen.'
"This is the letter written by your grandfather. It contains the contents of his will. I know you have no interest in marriage but unless you marry and beget an heir within the next two years, you will not have any inheritance as the Collomen heirloom." Mr Raven Collomen the father of Stephen clearly stated.
"Damn it! The old man had gone nuts. What about the years of hard work I put on this business? I invested my flesh and blood here. A small one million dollars firm is now the fastest growing manufacturing industry in the universe with a turnover of 100 millions per annum." Stephen said in rage, stamping his palm on the crystal clean glass desk and sending the papers on it flying in the air.
Raven shook his head. "No, he is not. He wants his business to live and stand for future generations too."
Stephen shook his head and ran his hand on his neatly gelled black hair, unable to find a way to convince his father. Little did he know his dad was the architect of this master plan exercised by his grandfather to get him married.
But he was a man who takes his decisions independently. Nobody has the right to dictate terms to him. Will Stephen agree to what his father says? The suspense continues.