Rise Of The Heart

Micheal's POV

I tried falling asleep again but my heart kept pondering back and forth.

" I built this firm right from scratch, I can't afford to lose it now, no matter what". This was my last thought when my phone rang.

I peeped to see who was calling at that time. It was my girlfriend and fiancee, Benita.

"Hello babe, what's up?"

"I have called over 5 times but you didn't return any". She said,

"Oh shit! I am sorry babe, I was unaware that my phone had been ringing before".

"Are you okay?" She asked

"Am good". I responded.

"Alright babe, be good and take good care of yourself, bye for now"

"Ok babe, I will see you in the morning".

She hung up. It was then I realized that I had been lost in thoughts for the past 35 minutes.

I managed to maneuver my mind from thinking again just to catch some sleep.

I have a lot of activities in the morning.

***

I came to my office quite early today. Although I do report at 9:00 am prompt. But because of the thoughts that have been bothering me lately, I just felt like coming so early to get them off me.

As I flipped my laptop open to check something, I had a knock at my door.

" Come in," I responded.

" Good morning sir!"

" Good morning, What can I do for you?".

Ok sir, " We have a document from Prescott Ltd. It is about the deal they brought to us initially, you haven't reviewed it and they need our response urgently."

"Ok, I will review it and send my approval before the week runs out. Tell them to be patient with us".

" Alright sir"

That was my PA Lucy, she's too lackadaisical about her job. I have been trying to cope with her sucking attitude, that would have almost cost my firm big time in the past.

I have informed my HR department to recruit someone else for me, but they haven't done that yet.

Immediately after Lucy left, I went straight to my documents. I was trying to arrange some files when a notification came in.

It was a letter from Livingston Realty Ltd.

They were trying to persuade me about their interest in buying the majority of shares in my firm. If they had their way, my ownership of the firm is gone.

I don't know how they found out about the huge and ravaging crisis that HRG Ltd was encountering..

" Good morning Mr Michael, we're still interested in buying out HRG Ltd shares. We will wait patiently for your consent".

I was struck immediately, I just remembered that the bank had given us a deadline to pay off our debt or they would initiate a legal process.

" Should I accept their offer?"

" What can I do to pay off our debt, and save my firm?"

The deal that put us in this pandemonium and crisis was a juicy offer at the beginning, but unfortunately, it was a poisoned chalice. Had it been I knew about the possible outcome, I wouldn't have accepted it. That's life for us, very unpredictable.

"I have to rack my brain and get us out of this mess". That's the only way forward. I told myself.

I thought about my brother Jones, he had some connections up his sleeves. Maybe if I acquaint him with the current issues confronting HRG Ltd who knows, he may be of great help to us.

But then, Jones has been a pretentious person, I've never trusted him before because of his indulgence in some illegal deals. I condemned him for his most recent involvement with some realtors. They scammed a company about $900,000. I had to sell one of my cars and property in New Orleans just to bail him out. Although I couldn't provide all the ransom, he had to contact some of his buddies for help. Fortunately, they came up for him.

Since that incident, I had to distance myself from him. I became an introvert and the effect is somehow backfiring now.

But then, my available options are at its barest minimum. As at the moment, I just have to mellow and seek his assistance.

" He's still my brother, I know he can't neglect me in a time of distress like this"

That was my thought, so I made up my mind to call him.

I picked up my phone from the front desk and scrolled through my contact list. It's been a while since I called him so his contact was not on my recent call list.

I called his number the first time, but no answer. I called it again and it connected.

"Hello Joe"

"Hi Mike, What's up, you don't check on your kid bro again".

" Not What you think bro, I've been engaged with some activities".

"How are you doing?"

"Cool bro, hope it's the same with you?"

" Am good man"

"That's awesome"

"So Joe, there's a little challenge we're facing. I don't know whether you can be of help to us".

" What's it, Mike?"

" We were caught up with some crisis. I will be extremely delighted if you can put a call across to your colleagues in the banking sector to assist us".

" Alright bro, I got your back, you were there for me when I needed help the most. Denying you this assistance now, won't speak good of me"

" Okay Jones, I will be anticipating your response".

" Okay Mike, have a great day". Bye

" Bye Jones"

I ended the call. I was very happy because it seemed as if a burden had been lifted off me.

I was sincerely hoping for a positive reply.

I took up from where I stopped. I went through the documents from Prescott Ltd.

Their offer was quite juicy, but I was not ready to let go of my firm.

A knock came through my door. I lifted my head and said, "Come in."

It was one of my staff specifically from the HR department.

" Good afternoon sir". She said

" Afternoon, I responded."

" Okay, Sir we have got someone that can replace Lucy. We have gone through her Credentials and she met the job description perfectly. I came to inform you to know when to schedule an interview for her."

" Oh, that's awesome, you can bring her in immediately."

" Okay, sir."

The lady went out and about 15 minutes later I had a knock at my door again.

"Come in"

The door opened and I saw a lady adorned with a beautiful brown drop-down gown. I was immediately struck with the smell of her perfume; a flowery scent mingled with fresh strawberries. She flashed a smile towards my direction but I hastily threw my face away so as not to be lost in her beauty.

"Good morning Sir"

"Good morning young lady, how may I be of help to you?"

"Ok, am Nicole Raymond, your newly recruited secretary"

"Ok"

" Please have your seat, may I see your credentials?"

" Right away Sir, here it is".

Micheal was staring at Nicole uncontrollably when she was trying to bring out her document.

"Damn! She's so hot!" was all Michael's mind could project. She's incredibly gorgeous, without a doubt.

As Nicole raised her face to him, She noticed how Micheal kept staring at her.

"Sir, this is it".

"Oh, ok"

"is.. everything okay sir?"

"Certainly, am cool"

Micheal collected her Credentials and went through them. It was so captivating and impressive. Coupled with her beauty, it was a hell lot. She's the definition of " beauty with a massive brain".

Excellent! That was all Micheal could say.

" Am highly impressed with what you got here, it's very complicated for any employer to reject an achievement and feat like this from an employee"

" Thank you, sir, I appreciate the compliment".

" Ok, meet my HR team they will prepare your employment letter in a jiffy"

" Oh, am honored sir, I pledge to devote my best to this firm"

That was Nicole's last statement before storming out of Michael's office.

Micheal was still in fantasy land. He was trying to process all he saw.

Nicole was indeed the complete package he was looking for.

But then, the main challenge is how is he going to get her.

This was Michael's greatest fear." Confessing his feelings for her"

Nicole was given her employment letter. It was a great feat for her and also an achievement. HRG Ltd is among the top real estate firms in London. It has been her dream to work for a top-notch real estate firm. Her Love for the real estate business is out of this world, she promised herself that she will become a household name in the business. HRG Ltd has set the platform for her to surmount that feat.

" You can resume officially tomorrow. Sign the guarantor's forms and return them to us before the week elapses". That was the word of the HOD of Human Resource of HRG group.

"Unfailingly ma, I will do that without hesitation". Nicole responded.

Nicole left the office and headed out of HRG Ltd. She stood at the front of the firm and viewed the landscape and design of the firm. It was indeed magnificent. Micheal invested money in the firm.

Nicole got home. She went to her dad and broke the news to him. The first impression she got wasn't that satisfactory to her.

He just chuckled and said "Oh, congratulations dear, but I wish it was in my firm"

" Oh Dad, we've gone past this stage".

" Alright Nic, best of luck"

Nicole's dad is into real estate also. But his firm is a million miles below HRG Ltd. The mention of that name HRG Ltd doesn't sound nice to him. Although it is part of the healthy competition as regards the business. But his personal motives towards HRG Ltd were obscure. That he hid away from Nicole.

***

It was a beautiful morning. The weather was so crispy and slightly foggy. Nicole was on her way to a breakthrough as a realtor.

She came to work very early as stipulated in the terms and conditions of the job. Resuming late on the first day won't speak well about her.

She arrived at HRG Ltd very early. She headed straight to the HR department. When she came in, someone was already there to officially welcome her.

" You're welcome Miss Nicole, Please follow me" was what she heard from a beautiful lady corporately dressed

" Thank you, please after you"

The lady went straight to the elevator and Nicole followed her. It seems her office was on the topmost floor. That's where Micheal's office is situated.

They arrived at the topmost floor. The lady stepped out of the elevator, and Nicole came out too

They pass 4 to 5 offices. Nicole was just staring at each of the offices. They were indeed well decorated.

They came to the last office on the topmost floor. That was where Michael's office was.

She looked at the inscription above which reads "CEO's office".

It is now clear to Nicole that she will be seeing Michael 24/7.

Although, she wasn't worried about that. All she cared about was to work, harness and build herself into an experienced and competent realtor.

The lady pressed the button of the door and it opened. They stepped in. Inside the office were 2 doors, the left was written for the CEO. Then the right was for the secretary. They head towards the right door. As they got towards the door, the lady turned and said to Nicole " This is your office"

"O..k, thanks"

" If you have any questions or challenges don't hesitate to beckon on me"

"Alright, thanks once more"

"OK, have a pleasant day Miss Nicole"

The lady said that to Nicole and headed for the elevator.

Nicole opened the door and went inside the office.

She went toward the desk that was surrounded by 2 cushion chairs.

She saw something intriguing at the front of the desk. It was the termination later of Lucy, Michael's former secretary. It seems that she was issued the letter but it was left untouched.

"Why would she leave her termination of employment letter unscathed?"

"Did something transpire that led her not to open it?"

All these were the thoughts she had to contend with.

Nicole left the letter unopened. She went straight to the chair that was placed in the middle of the desk facing the door. She sat down and used her eyes to scan the office. There were 2 shelves at the topmost left and right wings of the office.

That was where confidential office files and documents were kept.

She saw a telephone at the extreme right end of her desk. A laptop and printer were parked at the bottom left of the desk. The interior design and decorations of the office were quite impressive.

" Not bad" that was all Nicole could say.

She went straight to where the laptop was kept, brought it out and placed it in front of her desk.

As she was about to switch it on, She heard a voice and footsteps approaching her door.

It was Micheal. He placed a knock at the door and Nicole responded

"Come in"

"Good morning sir"

"Good Morning Miss Nicole, how are you doing?"

"Am good Sir"

"How do you find this office, hope it is impressive ?" Micheal asked.

"Well, it's quite impressive sir," Nicole responded.

"OK. May I see you in my office, I have some documents I want you to work on for me" Micheal said and headed for the door.

Micheal was dressed in a black Italian suit. He was wearing a black Bruno Domino's Shoe. He's a fashion freak.

"Wow, He's looking hot!" That was all Nicole could say.

As Micheal was completely out of sight, Nicole shut down the laptop immediately, and placed it back into the drawer and headed towards Michael's office.

Micheal was busy searching for a file on his shelf when he had a knock at his door.

"The door is open, you can come in".

Nicole came in and said

" Am here Sir"

Micheal brought out 5 files from the shelf and told Nicole to look into it.

" Here, I want you to work on these files, go through them thoroughly and come out with something interesting".

" I left this work with Lucy, my former secretary. But she wasn't competitive and up to the task. I would like you to give a top-notch execution for the assignment"

" Is ok sir, I will give my best. You can count on me".

"Alright Miss Nicole, I am counting on you to do a perfect job".

" I will get to the job sir. Let me get going ".

" Miss Nicole, can I... Never mind you can get going".

Micheal has something to say to Nicole. But he couldn't do that. He still has to conceal his feelings for her.

Nicole was aware of what Micheal wanted to do. But she keeps wondering what's restraining him.

"He's a handsome, rich and successful young man. He's a big gun in the real estate business. He can get any lady he wants by the tip of his finger".

" But shying away from approaching the lady is an impediment".

" Does he have issues with ladies?".

"Has his heart been shattered before, that birthed these walls?".

These were the thoughts Nicole was trying to decipher. She was extremely surprised that Micheal had shortcomings.

Yet she couldn't understand whether the problem was actually from Michael or the Ladies he'd dated before.

Nicole quickly left Michael's office and headed to her own. As she entered her office, she looked around. Her thoughts went straight to Lucy.

" Was she the cause of Michael's change of attitude towards ladies?"

" But she was a good person. I remembered when I initially came to this organization, she welcomed me very well".

"Never mind, we will see how things go over here". That was the last word that proceeded from her.

Nicole went straight to the work Micheal gave to her. She brought out her PC from the drawer, switched it on and waited for some minutes for it to load.

As that was done, she went through the files Micheal gave to her. She saw some asterisks on some parts of the files.

" I guess this is where the issue lies. Let me get it done". She said,

She went straight to MS Word. She started correcting the errors that were omitted.

A notification for the company popped up.

She went straight and clicked it. As she does that, the notification comes as a reminder about a message that was sent before.

" Good day, Mr Micheal. We're still waiting for your candid response about our interest in buying a share in your firm"

Nicole was surprised to see a message like that.

" Is Horizon Realty Group in crisis?"

" Why will a notification like this come up?"

Nicole was still confused about everything. She didn't know whether to say this was the reason for Michael's strange attitude or not.

Everything was a mirage to her.

She continued her work. She ensured that every error was corrected.

When she was through, she sent the document to her printer and printed everything out.

She proofread it thoroughly to ensure that there was no trace of error again.

As she was done, she stood and went to Michael's office. When she got to his door. She started from the window and saw Micheal troubled.

His countenance wasn't that satisfactory. He had deep issues he was battling with.

Nicole stood for some time, before knocking at the door.

She knocked it again and again yet Michael didn't answer.

She thought to herself. " I have to get in".

As she entered, Micheal could hardly notice that she was there.

" Sir, these are the documents you said I should work on".

"Sir...

" Oh! Miss Nicole, I am very sorry. I was lost in some thoughts".

"Is everything okay Sir?" She asked.

" Nah, it's nothing, I can handle it. Moreover, Thank you for your care".

" My pleasure sir, but you can still share it with me if you want. Remember, a problem shared is half solved".

As she said that Micheal laughed. Nicole was happy inside for making him smile.

" Wow, you're also caring and compassionate at the same time, I Would love to see another interesting side of you that is hidden."

" Nicole blushed, she couldn't look at Michael's face at that moment".

" Are you ok Miss Nicole?".

" Am fine Sir". She responded.

She dropped the files on his table. " I think I should take my leave" She left immediately without Micheal's approval.

Micheal chuckled when Nicole left.

" gosh what's she thinking, I was just flattering her".

"My goodness, why am I flirting with my secretary? But she's ravishingly hot!

But then, I don't want her to see me as a pervert".

This was Michael's thoughts at that moment. As Micheal was still thinking about Nicole, his phone rang

He checked to see who was calling.

It was his fiancee Benita. He picked up the call.

" Hello babe, how are you?"

" Am good"

" How's work at the office?"

" Awesome".

Micheal replied to her.

" I just called to check on you". Benita said

" That's thoughtful of you babe". Micheal responded.

Micheal was indeed the romantic type. That's one of the reasons Benita fell for him despite his wealth.