CHAPTER 17

It's been over a year since I was working as an assistant and doing things informed by my father. I was not involved in any important decision-making or planning of the company, and I was not getting why. I was asking my dad to get me involved in major things related to the company, but he always denied my request, saying that I was not yet ready. It has been fucking over a year, and I was not bloody ready. On the other hand, there was a different scenario with Joshua, who had become CFO of the company, and my own dad was not giving me a bloody chance to prove to myself why the hell he poured on me so much if this was the case; he was trusting Joshua, who was shining every day, not his own son. What's the deal with this old hag? Was beyond my reach.

When I find alone time with my dad I tried to remove my frustration it's going to be 15 months for fuck sake and my involvement was zero in any matter, it was like I was not even existed in the Company, we were in the car my dad was looking into some file when I spoke, "Dad give me a dam position in the Company I can't be your assistant forever what I was going to learn it's more than a year, Joshua is CFO of the Company, how the hell it's fair, I want to become something", "It's not right time you need experience", "If not now when dad, how can you trust Joshua not me I am your son", "And that's why you are not ready, and Joshua is talented fellow I was searching someone like him, I can be at ease", "What do you mean someone like him, you are not giving me a chance to prove myself", "Trust me when I say something you need knowledge, more experience gain that", "How the hell I will gain by being your assistant you are not involving me in any major thing related to the Company, what's your problem with me dad like seriously please tell me, I am your son right?", "You are my son no doubt, that's why I am hesitating because you are not ready to handle things yet", "Without fucking giving a chance how can you say that", "Language, you know genes is something that belongs to me I know", "What are you implying, why won't you answer dam question rather puzzling more", "I will answer in time, for time being, don't question anything, and most important don't complain trust me everything I am doing for our sake, especially for your sake". Once again, he was successful in shutting me down. I couldn't do anything, so I gave up. Thinking only gives me a headache. Again, this urge to blame or get annoyed with Joshua was erupting, but for everything that was happening, my dad was responsible. How could I blame him? Just like me, Joshua also became my dad's puppet. Why he was trusting Joshua, not me, was my biggest question; why he was so hesitant to give any responsibility; why he was concluding that I was not capable of handling anything when he could; why can't I; why the hell do I deserve a fucking chance?

There were lots of happening in Joshua's life new responsibilities, every day was challenging for him, in every media his achievements were publishing, a busy schedule, board meetings, and business parties, and what not, but he would always find time for me, 'our time', no matter how much busy he was, never ignored me, dates were frequent, surprising business trip cum romantic, outing, lots of sex everything was perfect, he was perfect idol boyfriend, because of his fame gossips were like mandatory and yes, his name was always tagging with some celebrity, once the news hit the internet immediate call or message I would receive from Joshua clearing everything, that instant the doubts which were trying to root within me would be dead.

I was whipped completely, and I don't regret it a bit. If he was going to be part of my life forever, then I could ignore every other damn thing that was happening, wrap up all my insecurities, and throw them away forever. His assurance that everything was 'ok' was enough to lead my life as 'zero' I don't want to compete with him for anything; I want him to shine and reach the sky. My only hope was that he would never let go of my hand wherever he was going, and I could be 'no one' be his admirer.

The next day, when I reached the company, there was a crowd outside, and there were press and media from almost every broadcast. What the hell was going on? At any minute, they would barge inside the company, and guards were doing their best to hold them. Somehow, I was inside; whispers could be heard from everywhere, and everyone was giving me pitiful looks. Was my dad okay? I reached my dad's floor, and again, there was a crowd; no one could easily come to this floor; directors were present; and there were lots of other potential people too. I entered my dad's cabin; he was in between files and his laptop, devastated, terrified, and angry; other subordinates were immersed in finding something; I wanted to ask what was going on, but my dad's appearance made me hold my words. The next thing I did was dial Joshua's number, and it was switched off.

One of the directors of our company, Mr. Mittal, greeted me again, giving me the same sympathetic look. I couldn't hold it any longer, so I asked him what was going on, and what I heard was shocking: a huge amount of money laundering had taken place. In the past few months, a large number of transactions have taken place. This transaction came to light yesterday. All are trying their best to find where the money was transferred but are not able to track anything. The company was on the verge of bankruptcy. What is that even possible? It was such a big company, and with the advanced technology, they were still not able to find anything. What the hell was everyone doing? It was a finance-related matter. Where was Joshua?

I was in a daze, distressed. I couldn't be any help in this situation. I couldn't help but once again blame my dad for not involving me for his own bloody reasons. I found a sign of relief when I saw Joshua entering the floor, I ran towards him, "Hey you know what's going on over here, money laundering huge amount how the hell even happened, Oh God, where were you?", "Gray we need to talk", "OK, but can you explain how a huge transaction can take place without anyone's notice", "Gray, I need to take you somewhere, and it's really important we need to talk", "Yeah, but your presence is very much needed over here like you are CFO right I mean", "Will you calm down they are doing their work with your dad guidance so it's not an issue of my disappearance for few hours and I don't think I will get another chance so shall we", "What do you mean", "We need to talk Gray it's really important so common", he dragged me towards his car and drove off. My mind was a mess; Joshua only added more to it; he should be at the company, and his presence was much required over the company; it was not a small issue; the company was on the verge of bankruptcy.

"Where are we going", "Patience baby", "Yeah you know if it was like everything was normal, I could wait for this surprise or wherever you are taking me, but your presence is much required at the company, the issue needs to be sought out at earliest right don't you think we are wasting our time?", "Gray let me be frank, this issue is not traceable, impossible, I have planned this for 7 years if I remember correctly, studying everything pin to pin so trust me it will go bankrupt and I am going to take over your dad's Company which rightfully belong to my family, so yeah your family will come to the street", "What's going on Josh?", "And we are here", when I saw where he had taken me once again I was shocked it was a cemetery.