Enough Everyone!

CHAPTER 3

ETHAN’S POV

ENOUGH EVERYONE!

My train of thought was interrupted by the intercom, as I was touching my wedding band.

“Sir, everything is set for the meeting.” My assistant announced it to me.

I dropped the call and I leaned back into my seat and closed my eyes. I wore my jacket as I stood up and I walked to the boardroom with my power stride.

I sat down at the head chair in the boardroom, and the light was turned off and they gave me a copy of the presentation. I flipped through it and I was shocked, and with each slide of the presentation my irritation fucking grew.

“Stop that,” I said with irritation on my face. Everyone was looking at me with fear in their eyes. “What is this? Is this what you all have been working to take this company to the next level?” I asked while looking at all of them.

I was angry at this point because they had everything they needed and they came up with this.

Mr Russo, spoke out trying to save face. “Mr Hillside, you need to hear the last of it.”

“The last of it,” my irritation boiled over. “You all had everything at your disposal, you know what we stand for. And you had to come up with this, in the history of mediocrity your stupidity is stunning.” I said my voice raised in a condescending tone.

“We've been working tirelessly,” one girl spoke out and I don't know her. “You just need to…”

“You're fired,” I said to her and there was silence in the boardroom. “You all are here to push yourself, think outside the box and push boundaries. You all have to impress me with your ideas, not bore me with your stupidity.” I asked them out.

I threw away the copy they gave me, and everyone was sober and scared in their seats.

“It beats me why I listened to this foolishness,” you all chose to work for me, for a reason. You all have seen me work and I didn't make this company successful, by playing it safe or by half baked ideas. Success is all. about taking risks, despite all. odds.”

I stood up and I looked at all of them, “Now you all have 48 hours to come up with good ideas. Ideas that will still set this great company aside, if you can't deliver something worthy of my approval.”

They all know what is going down, if they don't come up with something worthy of the standard of my company.

“If you can't do it, you're all fired. Don't come back with your stench of failure. I font pay you all to be fucking dormant.” I said with a straight face and left them in the room.

I walked to my office really irritated by the stupidity I just saw in the boardroom. Nathan was in my office already working on his laptop with all seriousness.

“Welcome Bro,” he said and shook my hands. He removed his glasses.

“Bro, did you just get in?” I asked him calmly, running through my hair.

“Not really, judging from your look. I know but don't worry, you have me.” Nathan said with a smile.

I just looked at him, my phone buzzed and it was Abigail.

“Ethan, the numbers look good.” Nathan said, showing me his laptop. “We're doing well with our international deals,” he added with pride.

I looked at the numbers. It was good, but as a perfectionist I wanted more. “It's good bro but not good enough,” I said, turning his laptop to him. “I want to double this number by the end of the half quarter. I want to penetrate more international markets.”

Nathan looked at me in surprise, and arched his eyebrows at me. “That's high and aggressive,” he added.

“It's a jungle out there Nathan. Slack you get eaten by the bigger monster. I refuse to be eaten.” I said with conviction.

We were having this discussion, when Abigail came with her overbearing presence.

“I brought you lunch,” she said and placed a bag on my desk.

“I'll be leaving now,” Nathan declared and left.

“Thanks for the lunch,” I said without sparing her a look.

Abigail cleared her throat, trying to get my attention. “You haven't looked at me since I got here. Am I bothering you?” she asked me with a sad face.

“Yes you're bothering me,” I answered. I tend to be honest when I'm angry.

“I don't care, you're my husband.” she said and walked over to me sitting on my thigh. “You've been working too much, trying to relax.” she said, touching my hair.

I stopped doing what I was doing, “What do you want? Don't bother me here, we talk at home” I asked her.

“I want you,” she said in a low, intimate voice.

She tried kissing me but I pushed her off.

“Look I'm busy, can we do this some other time.” I told her to try to free myself from her grip.

“No no no, you're just gonna ignore me again.” Abigail whined.

“I can't do this, get off me,” I said my voice raised a bit.

She stood in anger while looking at me, “You know I've been very patient with you. But there's only so much I can take. I'm all ready for you and you just can't see it.” she said in anger.

“I'm not having this discussion with you,” I said, running my hand through my hair.

“Look whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me. And I'll be waiting for you at home.” she said, flipped her hair and left.

I unbuttoned my shirt and rolled up my sleeves, my tattoos were showing were out at this point. I had a drink of water and I closed my eyes, calming my nerves. That's when my phone.

“Ethan, you've been working a lot lately.” Uncle Donald said in his deep voice.

I smirked while I. walked towards my desk, looking at my tattoos. “I learned from the best, don't stop when you're tired, stop when you're done.” I reminded uncle Donny with a proud smile on my lips.

“I know son, but you gotta have fun. You're married, don't leave her all alone, she might bail.” he said with concern.

I chucked lowly and exhaled, “Noted, I'll be seeing you over the weekend.” I told him to keep it.

“Okay son, Ethan remembers what we talked about. It's essential we have heirs to continue our lineage. I hope you understand boy time waits for no one.” uncle Donny said in his deep voice.

“Got it,” I assured him.

“Let's have dinner tonight with Abigail.” uncle said and I nodded like he could see me.

After the phone call I felt a weight on my shoulders, because I knew why this was demanded of me. My parents died young. I was the only child they have and I'm expected to have heirs to ascend to my position when I'm old. I gave Abigail a fast text which she replied to.

The dinner table was set to perfection, as the lights from the chandelier cast a golden glow. Abigail was sitting beside me, my uncle at the head of the table, his posture rigid and powerful. Nathan sat across from me watching with keen interest. The whole scenario was giving power, Class and wealth.

“So, Abigail,” Uncle Donald's voice was firm and precise, “You must be thinking about the future. The legacy and succession. You should secure your position by continuing the legacy.” he said looking at Abigail.

Abigail stiffened at the words of uncle Donny, she looked at me for help but I wasn't gonna give it. “Uhm of course, Uncle Donny,” she said, smiling nervously, her tone filled with regard. “Me and babe, we've been talking about it everyday.” she said, looking at me with a knowing look. “We've been working towards it.”

Uncle had a straight face, he wasn't convinced with her words. “This is serious business. The continuation of this family, it's by the heirs that is produced.” he said Ina serious tone.

Nathan who has been quiet all this whole time, sipping his wine leaned forward while looking at me. “Dad I don't think this is the right place, for all these talks about lineage. It's a delicate matter and besides they're still young.” he added with a frown.

“Enough everyone,” came my voice leaving no room for argument. “This is normal and traditional. It's the right thing to do, being our third year in marriage. There's no room for buts and ifs. We can't not live and forget about the next generation.” I said and everyone looked at me.

“That's better son,” Uncle said with a proud smile.

We all had dinner in absolute silence, and Abigail picked at her food and consumed most of her wine.

I walked towards the water fountain, and sat down while running my hand through my hair. Nathan joined me with two drinks in hand.

“Thanks bro,” I said and took a sip of the bourbon.

“You're welcome,” he said and looked at me briefly and back to his drink in his hand. “You don't have to listen to him, he's old fashioned in everything.” he said smiling to lighten up the mood.

“But he's right, I'm the only son I have to continue the legacy too.” I said taking another sip.

“So what, I'm here not married or with kids. I'm sure he's disappointed.” he said in a low voice.

I smiled and pushed him with my shoulders, “He's just being an adult.” I said to him, cheering him up.

We both talked about everything, because I wanted an escape from everything. We spent quality time there until I went back home with Abigail.

“You couldn't save me back there,” Abigail said immediately as we got to the sitting room.

I was having a migraine, “I don't have to answer you, “ I said and walked to the fridge to get water.

“We're not living in the dark ages, and this talk about kids is not sitting well with me. You all are just stressing me the fuck out.” Abigail said with a raised voice.

“We'll talk later,” I said and sat down on the chair.

“Fine, fine that's all you always say to me. I'm not gonna be stressed about this and you're not leaving me because of this.” she said looking at me and walked up the stairs.

My heart was aching really bad, and I took my meds for migraines. The only one who took care of me during my migraine episode was Mira.

“Sir, you don't look okay. Are you sick or hurt?” she asked with genuine concern.

“Migraines are nothing too serious, just get my drug from the cabinet.” I said to her in a low voice.

She ran off and came immediately with a sad face, “Sir, you're out of drugs.” she said with concern.

“I'll manage, I'm. a big boy.” I said with a pained smile.

I lay down and I closed my eyes for a bit, this pang of headache started when I was a teenager. And the doctors only gave me meds to combat it. I stood up and didn't see Mira, she must have slept off as it was late. I lay down and shut my eyes for a bit, and a knock came to my door.

“Come on in,” I said in a low voice.

“Sir, I got OTC drugs for your migraines.” she said, handing me a bag. She handed me a glass of water and the drugs. I took the drugs with a smile on my face.

“Thanks, Mira.” I said to her sincerely.

“You're welcome sir,” she said shyly while touching her hair.

No one has ever taken care of me, I've always been told what's expected of me and how to abide by them. I let go of the one person who took care, and saw way past the status, money and power. It's too late to think about these things. I'll have to live with my mistakes.