Heirs

Priya waved us goodbye with a cheerful "All the best!" as she received an urgent call from her secretary and had to leave for work. With time ticking down to the meeting, we set out as well.

When we arrived at our company's building and parked the car, Marcus called, instructing us to wait at the main gate as a chauffeur would pick us up. Moments later, the chauffeur, apparently sent by the chairman's secretary, arrived and drove us to a high-class hotel. It was the kind of place we'd only seen in magazines—where CEOs and international delegates gather. For ordinary folks like us, it felt like stepping into a dream.

I couldn't help but wonder what the chairman was up to. Why call us to such an extravagant place? Was this some grand scheme to eliminate us discreetly? My thoughts ran wild as we reached the reception, where we were escorted to a luxurious suite on one of the top floors.

The room's opulence was overwhelming, but my attention shifted when Marcus, already there and impeccably dressed, greeted us with his signature flashy smile. His suit was tailored to perfection, exuding elegance.

"What's with all the flashiness today, Marcus?" I teased.

With a mischievous grin, he replied, "Oh, Ms. Kathy, you'll find out soon enough. Just wait an hour."

"Come on, Marcus, spill it! I'm not putting on this fancy suit unless you tell me what's going on," I pressed.

He winked playfully. "It's a surprise—one you won't see coming."

Maids arrived with accessories: a brooch, cufflinks, a bracelet, a flashy watch, and a chain. Reluctantly, I put on the suit myself, though the maids insisted on helping. They styled my hair as well, ensuring I looked every bit the part. I had to admit, the brooch and cufflinks were stunning.

Once ready, I heard Karun calling for me. Stepping out, I saw him equally dressed to the nines.

"For once, you almost look human," I quipped, smirking. "But seriously, why are we being dressed like this?"

Karun shrugged. "Marcus said the meeting's on the top floor, and he'll meet us there."

A butler escorted us to an elevator, leading us to the grand meeting floor. The moment the doors opened, the sheer opulence of the hall stunned us. Expensive carpets, ornate décor, and an atmosphere dripping with wealth—it was overwhelming.

The chairman, dressed to impress, joined us just as we stepped in. We followed him to the main meeting hall, where a long table stretched out with nearly 50 people seated on either side. Around the room, photographers captured every moment, and the air buzzed with importance.

We took our seats beside the chairman.

The chairman began with a lengthy speech about the company's legacy and achievements, his tone unusually grandiose. I tried to listen, but something about the way people kept glancing at us made me uneasy. Even Karun shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"As we move toward a brighter future, it's time for us to place our trust in new leadership," the chairman continued, his voice commanding the room's attention. "It is with great pride that I introduce the heirs to this corporation—Kathy and Karun."

"What?!" My heart skipped a beat. The words hit like a freight train. I whipped my head toward Karun, whose wide-eyed disbelief mirrored my own. Heirs? Us?

"What?!" My mind went blank. I glanced at Karun, whose shocked expression mirrored mine. Did he just say heirs? Us?

The room erupted into applause, but I was too stunned to process it. Somehow, Karun and I managed to save face, though we were both reeling inside. After the announcement, an after-party began, leaving us swamped by people introducing themselves, congratulating us, and barely giving us room to breathe.

When the crowd thinned, I snuck out for some air. Priya, who was also there as one of the company's CEOs, found me leaning against a pillar.

"Well, I never imagined the heir to this giant corporation would be the same person crashing on my couch after a hangover," she teased.

"Stop it! We're as surprised as you are!" I shot back.

Karun joined us, equally baffled. "What could the chairman possibly be thinking, announcing us as heirs?"

Priya chuckled. "We were all invited here for an important announcement from the NexGen Corporation. No one expected it to be this—or you two."

Before we could speculate further, the chairman's secretary approached us. "I'll explain everything," he said, his tone calm but purposeful.