Chapter 4 New CEO

Caleb had received a text from his father, while he was with Hayden requesting his presence.Thier car was stuck in traffic for what seemed like a long time and by the time it cleared,the hours were late.He decided to postpone his visit till the next day.

"Please return to the mansion" he instructed his chauffeur.He picked is phone to inform his father of his change of plans when his eyes caught a text from the doctor"the patient had returned and is receiving proper care".

"What was her deal" he scoffed.

He dropped the phone after texting his father then his gaze drifted to the sky, basking in the beautiful scenery he thought to himself "maybe being back home isn't so bad after all".He smiled as the night air caressed his skin.

The next morning,Caleb had dropped by his parents mansion,one of the maids came to welcome him while the others ran to a corner whispering amongst themselves.

"How can he be so devastatingly handsome". One of the maids giggled

"I could get lost in those dreamy eyes forever" Another chuckled holding her hands to her chest

They all returned to their duties as they sighted Linda Caleb's mom in the lounge.

"My son" she screamed in excitement running to hug him,his dad also came out and they both showered him with pleasantries.Caleb had spent most of his time in the United States so he wasn't very close with his parents.

"Come have a sit " Linda gestured rubbing his back.

"How was your flight" Claude Caleb's father asked him.

"It was okay "

"I have prepared all your favorite dishes, come and eat something". Linda beamed as she dragged him to the dinning area.A buffet was already set,yet the maids were still trooping in with all sorts of dishes.Caleb knew the grand welcome was only temporary,his parents hardly had his time when he was little,his dad spent most time at the office while his mom preferred partying, skincare and shopping to a quality time with her son and seeing the loads of expensive jewelries on her he guessed she hadn't changed that much.

" Have some meat, why do you look so pale?, you should have come back home sooner" she nagged.Caleb laughed in his mind,his mother hadn't paid this close attention to him before, perhaps it's good to disappear sometimes.

"Now that you're back,when are you settling down?" Claude asked pouring himself a glass of wine.

"We will see " he replied indifferently

"I am not getting any younger Caleb,I will soon leave the chairmanship position to you"

"Have I not been working diligently at our branch in the United States before you called me back here?" Caleb retorted

"I know that son, that's why I need you to use your expertise here"

"I am appointing you as the new CEO of DELISH" Claude declared.

Caleb gazed at his father,who was busy munching on a grilled chicken unperturbed.He knew what he was trying to do and he wasn't going to give in easily.

"Give me six months" he demanded

"Six months for what?" Claude spat

Linda focused on her eating,she chose not to interfere with their conversation.she took a bite of the freshly baked souffles on the table,then she washed it down with a chilled glass of orange juice.

"If I am going to lead the company,I need to know how it really works,not just from behind a desk,but from the people who keep it running everyday."

"So what are implying?" Claude frown

"You know what I mean dad"

Though Caleb lived mostly in the United States,his parents knew his stubborn streak all too well.Claude aware that Caleb's mind was made up realized he had no choice but to concede,it took years to get him to come home,he wouldn't want to pressure him away now.Still he was going to use it to his own advantage.

"I will consider your request only on one condition "

"What is it" Caleb asked raising an eyebrow

"You have to go on a blind date that I have set up for you"

Caleb attempted to stand up but his mom stopped him, giving him a pleading look.

"Fine! Just one date" he reluctantly agreed

"She's the daughter of a business partner,I am positive you will like her" Claude grinned

Caleb scoffed the whole conversation had made him lose his appetite already.But Linda eyes were on him like a hawk,urging him to eat more.she ordered the maids to bring in the strawberry cake she had asked them to bake.

"Here sweetie have some of this" she said as she cut a slice and fed it to him.

"Since you will be resuming work tomorrow, it's only fair you go on the date this evening". Claude proposed.

Caleb didn't have the strength to argue anymore.

"Whatever,the earlier the better " he muttered under his breath.