Cracked Sources – B01 E02

The CEO, Mr. Akin, gave a big
announcement today. Mark his only son was set to take over the mantle of CEO
from next Monday, and he wanted his hardworking employees to know ahead of the
press conference scheduled for later that day.

The announcement saw lots of toasts,
cheers and admiration to the exemplary leader stepping aside for the next
generation to take over – Mr. Akin was without doubt a wonderful man, a
visionary, and a father figure to the entire staff of Akin Chambers, going by
the way everyone gave applause and cheers with ease, his exceptional style of
leadership made them the number one law firm in the country and beyond. Most
people held hope that Mark was cut from the same cloth as his father, for the
purpose of continuity and sustenance of everything built over the years.

Taking to the podium, Mark spoke about
his commitment to continuing his father’s legacy by taking the firm to greater
heights. He retold the well-known tale of how his father founded the company
from a one room law chamber to the magnificent sky scrapping complex it was
now, but added an intimate detail that most people didn’t know. He said, “It is because my father held the love
of every stranger he ever come across in this life close to his heart that’s
why this firm is standing here today. I too will always hold that love in my
heart, and do what’s best for the firm.”

His statement was met with loud applause
everyone was pleased with how he spoke and the confidence with which he flowed.
His first directive as CEO wasn’t really met with that same level of fanfare –
He announced that all departments were going to experience an ‘overhaul’ which
he would personally oversee.

As he descended, murmuring filled the
atmosphere. Every time an overhaul had been announced in the past years, most
go on edge. This was because it meant reopening all existing personal files on
all staffs (without exception), those who got employed or promoted unjustly,
had their favors taken back, and those due for promotion uplifted. Everyone,
especially The Circle members wanted to see how the new CEO handled the
process, that would tell them exactly what the kind of man he was.

***

Andrew had been looking around keenly for
the perfect opportunity to approach the new boss, to tender his own goodwill
message without any disturbance. He found his chance and moved to seize the
moment completely.

“That
was a very good way to make an impression,”
Andrew said.

“You
think so?” Mark asked with a smile.

“I
know so,” Andrew stretched forth his hand.

They introduced themselves, and continued
talking uninterrupted for the next ten minutes with much laxity that’ll make a
passerby assume they’ve been friends for a long time. Mr. Akin turned around in
laughter, and caught sight of both men in the distance from where he stood. He
excused himself from his friends and walked towards their positions.

“I
see you both have found each other,”

Akin spoke, and was greeted with a
fanfare of laughter. He wondered what the reason for their hefty laughter was.
They put an end to their incessant laughter and responded in affirmative to the
elderly man despite each wearing a partial bewildered look that bagged the
question, “What did he mean by that?”

“This
is the crazy, but magnificent lawyer I trained, I told you about, son,”
Barr. Akin placed a pat on Andrew’s shoulder – by his right hand.

“Really!”
Mark exclaimed

“Yes.
He’s the one,”

“Then
I’m blessed to have found you before my dad introduced us.” Mark
stretched out his hand for a shake

“The
pleasure is all mine,” Andrew tried hard to sound humble.

“He
could help out with that case,” Mr. Akin suddenly
wore a serious face. His statement took away the laughter that was on Mark’s
lips, it left only the residue of a smile. Mark found himself wondering why his
father trusted Andrew so much as to spill personal family secrets in his
presence.

Andrew knew it was time to exit, and
excused himself, to give father and son the chance to discuss what they obviously
need to have discussed. He walked to the bar to get a drink. As he sipped his
drink, he looked around to see if he’d catch sight of her, but she was nowhere
in sight. He continued to drown himself, shot after shot. After a while his
phone beeped, the screen display reflected on the mirrored ceiling above
calling his attention to the call that had almost rung out,

“Anna!”
He read out the Caller ID as he picked up,

“Hello
darling!” Anna’s words dropped softly into his ear, her
voice caused him a little chill.

“Yea
baby. Where are you?” He looked around peradventure she wanted
to tease him and play the infamous game of hide and seek

“I’m
home, couldn’t make it …,”

“OK.”

***

Anna stared at her phone’s display for
the second time, to make certain it was network and not Andrew that cut the
conversation. She wondered why he’d perform such a rude act and subsequently
refuse to pick up. “Is it because I’m in his house?” Her thoughts
became fiercely vocal. She began to weigh her options – To leave before he
returned sounded most meaningful. Her many thoughts were interrupted by the
unique sound of his car-horn at the gate. His fast arrival suggested he wanted
to surprise her with his presence. He knew she wouldn’t be expecting him, and
he loved the way she felt weak around him whenever he surprised her.

“I
don’t like surprises like this. This is taking it too far,”
Her weak complaint betrayed the strong calculator she posed to be moments go.

“But
I do, and this is one of many surprises. You better get used to them,”

His kisses followed and they blocked
every resistive word she had planned to say to him; with his soft but right
touches that followed, she became helpless, and peace crept into her heart; he
was her man again for the night.