Chapter 2 The conference

MR HOLLOWAY'S LIVING ROOM

The room is elegantly decorated, with tasteful artwork adorning the walls. MR. Holloway, sits in a plush armchair, reading a newspaper. MRS. Holloway enters the room carrying a tray of tea.

(settling the tray on the coffee table)

"Darling, have you given any more thought to the marriage arrangements between Chester and Serena?" Mrs Holloway asked

"Yes, my dear. I've engaged the Andersons' wedding planner, and they seem quite pleased with the choice. they have such refined taste; I'm confident she'll have a vision for the perfect wedding. Mr Holloway said looking up from his newspaper.

The door opens, revealing Chester their son, dressed impeccably in a tailored tuxedo. His vibrant smile and confident demeanor light up the room.

"Good morning, Dad!" Chester greeted,

"Chester, my boy! You look dashing and handsome in that tuxedo. Your mother and I were just discussing the wedding arrangements with the Andersons." His dad said,

"Yes, Chester, we were just saying how fortunate you are to have such a wonderful match. Serena seems like the perfect partner for you, dear." His mum said excitedly,

Chester approaches his father, shaking his hand with gratitude.

"Thank you, Father. I'm indeed lucky to have found someone like Serena. Her charm, intelligence, and grace are truly unparalleled. I cannot wait to embark on this new journey with her." Chester said faking a smile.

"We have every faith in your choice, Chester. The union of our families will be a grand celebration, one that will be remembered for years to come." Mr Holloway said proudly,

Chester nods appreciatively.

"We should all sit down and discuss your ideas soon. It's important to make sure that this union is celebrated in the most befitting manner." Mrs Holloway said,

As Chester leaves the living room, his parents watch him with pride and astonishment.

"Our little boy is all grown up, isn't he?" Mrs Holloway said tearily,

"Indeed, my love. It feels like just yesterday when he used to run around the house causing troubles, Now, he's all set to marry into one of the most prominent families in town." Mr Holloway said,

They grip each other's hands, brimming with excitement and anticipation for the days to come.

STARBUCKS COMPANY

Chester, sat alone in his lavish office, surrounded by stacks of business files and an organized table. His mind, however, was far from the matters at hand. With a heavy sigh, he absentmindedly flipped through the papers, his thoughts wandering to his impending arranged marriage.

The concept had never felt real to Chester, Growing up in a household where business matters took precedence over personal relationships, he had observed his father's lifeless marriage with his mom, Love and happiness were mere things mentioned in fairy tales or movies he'd never paid much attention to. And now, he found himself into a similar situation, with a girl he didn't even know, in an arranged marriage he didn't care about.

Chester had grown accustomed to a life where his own ambitions and desires took precedence. He had worked tirelessly to climb the ladder, carving his path through pure determination and dedication. The thought of someone else, especially a stranger, damaging his plans was simply harsh to him.

As images of an unknown woman filled his mind, he scoffed, tossing a file onto the table with a touch of frustration. "Whoever she is, she better stay out of my lane," he muttered to himself, his voice laced with anger.

Chester was a man who valued control in every aspect of his life. His success in the business world had always come from his ability to make calculated decisions, devoid of emotions and distractions.

The idea of sacrificing his freedom for a predetermined union irritated him to no end. How could he be expected to walk hand in hand with a complete stranger, pretending to be in love? The thought made him cringe.

Chester shook his head, attempting to shake off his murky thoughts. In his mind, business had always taken precedence over personal satisfaction.

As he resumed his review of the files, his determination returned, fueling him once again. He immersed himself in financial projections, market analysis, and contracts, as if they were the only things that truly mattered. The arranged marriage would come and go, but his career aspirations would forever remain steadfast.

As the heir to the Holloway empire, he was determined to make his own path, with or without companionship. Love is just a distant fairy tale.

Chester leaned back in his plush leather chair, mentally preparing himself for another busy day at Starbucks headquarters. As the CEO, he constantly found himself engrossed in meetings, conferences, and an endless stream of paperwork. Today was no exception.

Just as he was about to dive into the stack of documents piled high on his desk, his secretary, Raine, entered the room with a sense of urgency. She dropped the files on the table and quickly approached Chester, her high heels clicking on the polished marble floor.

"Good morning, Mr. Chester," Raine greeted him with her usual professional demeanor. "Here are the files you requested for the upcoming conference. They contain the necessary information that needs to be discussed today."

Chester nodded in acknowledgment, glancing at the files briefly before returning his attention to Raine. He appreciated her efficiency and attention to detail. "Thank you, Raine. Anything else I need to know regarding my schedule today?"

Raine pulled out her iPad and briefly skimmed through her notes. "Yes, Mr. Chester. You have a conference starting in the next hour. It's an important meeting with our shareholders. They are particularly interested in discussing plans for uplifting the company and expanding our reach in the market."

Chester furrowed his brows, realizing the significance of the upcoming conference. He knew this was an opportunity to inspire confidence in the shareholders and solidify the future of Starbucks. "Thank you, Raine. Please make sure everything is set up for the meeting. I want it to run flawlessly."

Raine nodded, a glimpse of a smile appearing on her face. "Absolutely, Mr. Chester. I've already instructed the team to set up the conference room accordingly. It will be ready for you in an hour."

With a nod of approval, Chester focused his attention on the files Raine had just placed on the table. He delved into the information, reviewing the projections and proposals. Time seemed to slip away as he lost himself in the details, his mind racing with ideas and strategies.

An hour later, Chester entered the conference room with a calm and composed demeanor. The shareholders filled the spacious room, their expectant eyes turning towards him as he took his place at the head of the long table. Raine discreetly stood by the side, ready to assist if necessary.

Clearing his throat, Chester addressed the room, his voice filled with confidence and determination. "Good morning, everyone. Thank you all for joining us today. I appreciate your continued support and commitment to Starbucks."

The room fell silent, every shareholder waiting with anticipation for Chester's vision for the future of their beloved company. Chester knew he had to seize this moment, inspire, and rally everyone towards a united goal.

With eloquence and passion, Chester presented the plans and ideas he had formulated. He discussed market trends, consumer preferences, and upcoming innovations in the industry. The shareholders listened attentively, occasionally nodding in agreement or exchanging glances of excitement.

As the conference progressed, energy and enthusiasm filled the room. Shareholders began contributing their ideas, brainstorming ways to uplift the company and maximize its potential. Chester skillfully ended the conversation, encouraging collaboration, and creating an atmosphere of growth and progress.

The conference became a dynamic and engaging exchange, with everyone involved looking at a brighter future for Starbucks. Chester was proud of his team, his shareholders, and himself. They had come together, driven by their shared commitment and determination to make Starbucks an even greater success.