Chapter 2 Thomas' POV

"Right this way, sir" My guards helped me clear a path through the small crowd of angry employees whom I had issued job termination letters.

I could see from their angry faces that they were pissed at what was happening, but there was nothing I could do. I found them insufficient in being able to carry out their jobs properly and I had no other choice but to send them away.

At first I had tried to send them away by slashing their salaries more than half, but that didn't work. When I saw that a few stubborn ones still remained, I decided to send them out of my company and recruit people I was sure would be able to do their jobs well.

"Please, let me speak to the boss" I heard a woman say as I made my way with my bodyguards to another passage which lead to an alternative exit.

"I'm sorry, but you can't" the guard said.

I looked at the lady and for a second, our eyes locked on each other. She had an unmistakable beauty, I had to admit, too bad she was being kicked out of my company.

"Please, I really need this job, I beg of you".

Her words gradually trailed off as I went down the hallway to the door which my father had constructed just Incase something like this happens. He was a man that always thought ahead.

"We'll be at the restaurant in five minutes" my driver assured me and I smiled.

Meeting with my father's confidant and most loyal friend, Mr. Layson, wasn't exactly how I had intended to spend my afternoon. He most probably wanted to inquire about my fiancee which I had promised to introduce to him.

I sighed exhaustively. Why my father had put the condition in his will that I must be engaged in other for me to have complete power over the company was such a pain in the ass. And worst of all, he made Mr. Layson in charge of seeing that I fulfill said condition.

"We've arrived, sir" my driver announced.

I glanced at the fancy restaurant with an annoyed look. I wished the drive had been longer. I composed myself immediately I got out of my vehicle and walked in with my bodyguards.

I saw Mr. Layson already seated at a beautifully decorated table and made my way to him.

"Fabulous, isn't it, this restaurant?" Mr. Layson asked as I sat down opposite him.

"It is, but I've been to far better ones" I answered.

"I'm sure, especially due to your reputation as a playboy, but I'm happy you've changed" Mr. Layson said.

Waiters came to our table with food, which made me conclude Mr. Layson had ordered ahead of time.

I had to admit, I was a bit anxious. Not so much that I was scared shitless, there wasn't a man who could do that to me, but everytime I had met with this man, something undesirable came out of it.

When my father died, he willed the company to me under certain conditions. Desperate to gain ownership of the company that's rightfully mine, I had lied to Mr. Layson, telling him I was engaged and I would reveal her when I felt the time was right.

He trusted me to fulfil my promise and I guessed from his urgent call that his patience for me was beginning to run out.

"Do you know why I called you to join me on this lovely evening?" Mr. Layson asked while he used his knife to meticulously cut a piece of steak on his plate.

"No, I don't have a clue" I lied then took a bite of my salad.

I feared Mr. Layson had figured out I've been serving him lies. I needed to keep up this facade to make sure I am not discovered.

"Oh, is that so?" He asked again, taking his time to cut the steak on his plate, which was beginning to get very annoying.

I swallowed a bile in my throat. There's no way Mr. Layson had found out I was lying to him, only if someone I trusted had gone to reveal everything to him, but that was impossible because the only person who knew the truth was my sister and she was currently out of the country.

"Yes. I honestly don't know why you scheduled a meeting on such short notice. I'm really busy, you know. I hope there's no problem" I said, maintaining my calm and cool demeanor.

"I hope so too. I have been waiting for you to present to me the woman you're engaged to, but you haven't done so. It should interest you that I still have enough powers to take back yourcompany if I feel it's not in good hands " Mr. Layson took a bite of his steak after such a long time of trying to cut it.

A frown appeared on my face. Mr. Layson was actively trying to threaten me and I didn't like it.

"I'm sorry, but like I said earlier, I've been quite busy with a lot of things in my company and I sort of forgot what I was supposed to do regarding the matter of introductions. However, I promise to set things in motion as soon as possible" I reassured the old man.

"Honestly, this issue had actually slipped my mind until I stumbled onto some things in your room" Mr. Layson said when he was done chewing his food.

I was confused.

"What do you mean my room? Were you in my house earlier today?" I asked.

"Yes, I was. I was moving some of your father's things to a store house and I entered your room" Mr. Layson explained.

"You mean you broke into my room" I corrected him.

My frowned deepened and it was pretty much obvious I didn't like where this conversation was going.

"That's a harsh way of putting it. I merely wanted to check if you had any of your father's things in your room and I came across your disgusting contracts which you used during your playboy days to cajole women into taking a part in your lewd sexual desires" Mr. Layson made sure to keep eye contact with me.

"I'm engaged, there's no need for that anymore" I replied.

"Well, give my regards to your fiancee, I look forward to meeting her" Mr. Layson cleaned his mouth with a napkin then stood up. "You have until tomorrow."

I was taken aback by Mr. Layson's demands. He had given me an ultimatum which I had to adhere to.

As I sat alone at the table, I thought of several ways to get out of this problem. I would make sure to keep him distracted for a couple days, but that wouldn't solve the problem permanently. I needed a lasting solution.

I suddenly remembered the beautiful woman I had seen crying in my company earlier and I smiled sinisterly as I thought on how she would be a perfect puppet.