Merrick

The text that I got yesterday is very much on my mind as I finish my workout and get ready for the office. It keeps repeating in my head on my way out and also when I reach my office building. I've never met Ashton in person before, though I've heard about him a couple of times from my father and Anthony. In fact, I remember he came to meet my dad once a few years ago when I wasn't around. Despite having professional rivalry, my dad always tried to keep a cordial relationship with him. The truth is that he worked really hard to put our company on top, but it could never really be successful in kicking Ashton's brand off the pedestal.

That's the reason why I decided to achieve something which was his ambition, but he couldn't. I know Ashton hasn't built his name totally on integrity. He isn't the golden businessman that he tries to project himself as to everyone. People know about his ways of dealing and the dirty tricks that got him to the top. But they also know better than to mess with him because of his reputation. I was aware of what I was doing when I decided to extend our partnership with Miller enterprises. I snatched Ashton Grey's biggest business partner and now I have to face the consequences.

As I am signing some documents sitting in my office, the intercom beeps. I click on it to respond and Nancy lets me know that Anthony is at the door.

He walks in and I see Aiden following him.

"My son wants to say something to you, Merrick," Anthony clears his throat, and I look between him and Aiden in confusion.

Aiden hesitates, and I notice Ashton narrowing his eyes at him. After a moment, he speaks. "Mr. Addington, I am really ashamed about what you witnessed yesterday." He clenches his jaw and looks at his father again. "I shouldn't have been drunk in the office and I shouldn't have talked to you in a way I did. It was highly disrespectful and I regret it. I don't know..." He sighs and then proceeds. "I know there can't be an explanation for what I did. I just want to let you know that this won't happen again. Hope I'll manage to get your forgiveness."

I nod, looking at him. "That's fine, Aiden. I am glad that you realized your mistake. I am no one to be concerned about your personal issues, but as long as you have any problem relating to me or my colleagues, feel free to report to me."

He shakes his head, agreeing to what I said, but somehow I can sense that he is doing all this more for his father than for himself. Aiden waits for a moment for his father's next instruction and when Anthony doesn't say anything; he begins to leave.

I call his name and stop him on his way, and he looks back at me. "And yeah Aiden, no matter what, it's highly appreciated if you try to maintain the office decorum."

A frown appears on Aiden's face, but he quickly dismisses it when Anthony glares at him. He diverts his gaze at me and affirms. "I won't give you a chance to complain next time."

"You better not," I say.

"I don't know what am I going to do with him." Anthony sighs after Aiden leaves the room.

He sits across from me and I can see the worry in his eyes. "You should talk to him. After all, he is your son, Anthony, and he definitely seems to have some issues. I am not sure if it's work, me or something else." I go back to looking at the papers as I ask him. "Have you tried talking to him?"

"Yeah... I wish I knew when he was going to get serious about his future. You know what? Mothers should be charged for encouraging such brats." He looks at me and lets out a frustrated sigh. "Tara spoiled him with all her love. That's why he never listens to me."

"Try being more like your wife then." He frowns and I laugh. "Just kidding. What I meant is to be a little softer with him. Be the father he needs, not the one you want to be. If something is bothering him, being a parent only you can help."

I lean back in my chair and look at him. "Children don't need their parents' advice on building a career that they aspire for them. They just want your support in the decisions that they make in their own lives - for themselves. Give them that freedom. Let them figure out their future by following their heart's desire."

He doesn't interrupt, so I continue. "My dad always appreciated my motivation for being a part of this company and saw my potential. He never forced his choices on me." A smile appears on my face as I reminisce about the moments I and my father shared together. "That's the reason I could pave my path through this business to get to the position I am in now."

As if realizing the purpose of my words, Anthony looks at me with a strange smile on his face. He then nods and says. "You are right. I'll talk to him."

There is a knock on the door and Sarah comes in then. She walks over to me and hands me some catalogs. I nod and take them. I then look at Anthony and raise an eyebrow at him, knowing he would tell me what is this about.

"These are the new packaging designs. Just go through them." He shrugs as I turn the pages. "The presentation was really impressive." He says and I smile. "We have the product launch party in the month-end and I am pretty sure we are gonna rock it."

"It's kind of exciting and also nerve-wrecking. I just hope everything goes well." I say honestly. We have worked really hard on this and I just hope our latest product launch that is scheduled this month goes smoothly. It's going to be our biggest series and I don't want to let my father down.

Anthony shakes his head. "Oh, come on, you know that nobody can match our level this time. Not even Ashton." He says and I stop for a second, hearing Ashton's name. My body tenses when I am reminded of that text again. "So how do you find working with Miss Miller?" I look back at Anthony and watch him staring at me intently.

"She is...she is amazing. Smart and super cooperative, I must say." I say, a bit dazed by his sudden question. I clear my throat, trying to keep my tone normal as I think about the torment that Zelina made me go through in the meeting room.

Anthony observes my face for a moment, and I fear if he is sensing something weird about my behavior. But then he nods, looking calm, and speaks. "Yeah...from the things I've heard about her, I didn't assume her to be actively taking part in such presentations. I thought she was one of those shiny dolls who just sit there and look good for their business name." He chuckles and I look down at the catalog in my hand, not exactly knowing what to do. "But she amazed me with her skills when she highlighted all the key points. She does know how to run a company, after all."

"What do you think about this blue one?" I suddenly ask him, showing one of the designs as I try to change the topic. I don't know why, but talking about Zelina feels highly disturbing right now. She is already consuming enough of my time and thoughts, so I'd rather not want her to be in my conversations, too.

Zelina

I am sipping my coffee in my cabin when I get a call from Steve. I didn't see him since the morning and I wonder where he had been all day. As far as I know, he never leaves without letting me know.

I answer his call, and I am about to ask him where the hell he is when he speaks. "Zelina, where are you?" He asks and from the honks in the background, I can tell that he is in the middle of driving.

"At the office. Where the hell are you?" I frown at his absurd question. Where else am I supposed to be?

There is a pause and after which he speaks. "I need you to get to our plant on the Bridge-hill road now." His voice sounds shaky.

"What's the matter?" I ask, already sensing something bad from his tone.

"Just get there quickly." He sighs.

"Will you tell me what the hell is wrong, Steve?"

"I don't know how, but I got the news that there broke a fire in one of our boilers in the column." He says, and I can hear the dread in his voice.

"Oh my god, what?" I ask with my blood running absolutely cold.

"Hey listen, you don't have to worry. I've called the fire station. They'll be arriving soon and I am on my way, too." He tries to console me, but I am already panicking.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Fuck...I am heading out now. I'll catch up with you." I blurt, before hanging up. Then I put all the files into the drawer and rush out of the room.

"I got something urgent. Clear all my appointments for the rest of the day." I tell Ruby and hurry towards the elevator. I can hear her calling my name behind, but I don't care.

Getting behind the wheels, I speed up. This has never happened. All our plants work efficiently and there hasn't been a day when we came across a malfunction in any of the systems. I know a fire outbreak in the chemical plant can cost us millions and I don't even want to think about the number of people getting hurt in such a mishap. No, this is bad. How will I face my dad if something goes wrong? He thinks that I am taking good care of his company and I can see how disappointed he would be if he gets to know I am ruining his industries in his absence. For me, the most important thing that I have in my hand is my father's company and I can't let myself imagine something happening to it. He is already suffering and I can't burden him by giving such a piece of terrible news.

The drive to the Bridge-hill plant is about two hours and I feel my pulse racing with each passing minute. I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, but I don't want to imagine all those worst-case scenarios right now. We wouldn't know what went wrong until we get there and I just hope there wasn't much damage done. I never miss taking the monthly reports from the machinery supervisors. Then how the hell such negligence could happen?

I see thick smoke in the air growing out of the tower as I drive through the gates with my heart caught right in my throat. People are gathered around with a fire truck standing in the middle and firefighters extinguishing the fire with a hose.

"Fuck!" I curse, looking at the sight. I get out of the car at a distance and just stare in front of me blankly. There is so much disturbance around that I suddenly freeze, not being able to comprehend what to do.

My hands shake and I don't realize what I am thinking until I feel a hand on my shoulder. "Zelina." I turn to see Steve standing next to me.

"How did this happen?" I let out a ragged breath and ask him in disbelief.

"Nobody has any idea about it. The system was on automation, so there wasn't anyone working in that department at the time. They saw nothing until the fire consumed the entire boiler." Steve looks at me and speaks. "Luckily, there hasn't been any major damage, and no one got hurt."

"Jesus! I got really scared." I whisper, looking at him. I don't realize how terrified I was until Steve wraps his arms around me and my body relaxes.

"It's okay, Zelina. Accidents happen." He says, holding me and I close my eyes. I bury my face in his chest, waiting for relief to take over, but it doesn't happen. "I think there probably was an overheating issue in the system which was neglected by the operators."

I pull back and look at him, trying to believe him. I wish what he is saying is true, but I can't shake away Ashton's words from my mind. I can't shake away his threatening cold gaze on me. It hasn't been 24 hours since the encounter I had with him and I have disasters already knocking on my door.