Shadows of Affection

Only this morning when she got out of bed, Samantha had thought that today would be a wonderful day, having just returned from her studies in Finland, she felt so happy waking up to the glorious Arizona sun. Five hours later and having been stuck in traffic for twenty minutes now, she didn't think the sun was glorious anymore, "why does it have to be so hot?", she kept murmuring to herself.

Despite, setting the car's AC to the lowest temperature she was already getting uncomfortable sitting in the car and honking at the vehicles in front of her. She missed Finland already but was happy to be back home.

She was on her way to DeNill Publication, a magazine company owned by her father, it was one of the biggest in Phoenix and she was officially resuming work there today.

After several more minutes of navigating through traffic, Samantha finally parked in front of the building. It was just as intimidating as its owner. Although her father owned the place, she knew she wasn't going to get any special treatment as he was a stickler for professionalism. She was coming here to work her way to the top and prove herself.

"I would show them that indeed I am Samantha Davis, brilliant daughter of Davis DeNill, when because famous and rich," she said out loud staring at the building before walking into it.

...

"Good morning Floyd, how are you doing?"

"Morning Boss." Floyd replied. Pulling out a chair to sit, he proceeded to serve himself from the breakfast served on the table.

"Have you settled the ladies from last night?" Charles asked. While taking a sip from his cup of coffee.

"Mhhmm" Floyd gestured, indicating his mouth was full, only when he was done chewing and had swollen the food in his mouth did he reply.

"I told you there was nothing to worry about, I already made them sign the non-disclosure contract before I brought them here. And just for extra measures, I had them blindfolded during the drive, so they have no idea where you live." Floyd said stuffing more food into his mouth.

"I can't just help being wary of the press. They are always looking for dirt to dig out on people. I can't forget what they did to my dad and how we almost lost Newville." Charles said with a sigh.

"I understand your fears, Bro, but be rest assured that is not going to happen to you on my watch." Floyd assured him. Putting up a serious face since they started the conversation.

His role as CSO went beyond just security, it also extended to ensuring Charles's privacy. Which was why he was responsible for picking up the girls that Charles took to bed.

Charles enjoyed wide sex and would always take on a least two girls at a time. It was his duty to ensure that none of these bedroom secrets ever got out. So, he always made the girls sign a non-disclosure contract as well as pay them handsomely. The consequences of trying to break the non-disclosure contract were extreme. If necessary, it was his duty to enforce such consequences.

"We are flying back to Arizona this afternoon. Mother wants us to have a family dinner this evening. and I have a meeting with some researchers before then" Charles announced interrupting Floyd's thoughts.

"In that case, I will be going home to see my folks after the meeting. There will be enough security at your parents' villa to handle things for the night. I'll be back tomorrow morning." Floyd informed him.

Charles wasn't happy about this, he always felt safer having Floyd by his side, but then he knew Floyd needed to be with his family too. Over the years of their friendship, Floyd has become his support system, one he depended on for a lot of things. Staring at him, he prayed in his heart that nothing would come between their friendship.

"Hey man, you are staring" Floyd said snapping his fingers in Charles's face. "If I didn't know better, I would think you are crushing on me with that look on your face," Floyd added laughing.

...

"Good morning and welcome to DeNill Publication, how may I help you ma'am?" The lady behind the desk asked.

"My name is Samantha, I have an appointment with Mr Davis, he is expecting me."

"Take the elevator to the third floor, you will find his office by the third door to your left", the lady at the front desk informed her.

Stepping into the elevator, she noticed she was getting steers but she was used to it by now. Being beautiful comes with its disadvantages, she thought.

As she approached her father's office, she could hear his shouting echoing through the hallway.

"I need ideas, if we continue like this we are going to go underwater, give me ideas ....", "Get out of my office and don't come back till you have something"

A middle-aged man scampered out looking angry and stressed, she sighed, her father had that effect on people.

"Good morning the world's most amazing father".

Walking into the office, she found her father standing by the window with a blank look on his face, trying to get his attention, she hugged him from behind.

"You know you would look so handsome if you smiled often" she teased. That got him smiling, and turning around he hugged her, she couldn't help but agree with her words, for he was really a handsome man.

"How are you, my darling? Are you ready to begin your journey here at DeNill?" He asked her pulling her out of the hug to stare into her face.

"Yes, I am Dad, just show me the way and I will walk in it"

Mr Davis walked to his chair and sat down. "Please have a seat dear." He said pulling out an ID and a file from his top drawer. "These are your contract papers and ID, I got them from HR, please fill them out and have them submitted before noon." He informed her smiling.

"And mind you, here at DeNill, there is no right direction, you just have to choose your path and walk in it."

"Welcome on board princess, my secretary will show you to your office" he announced standing up to give her a final hug which she returned smiling.

Knowing her father, she hadn't expected much of a welcome party. "Typical Dad." She murmured, as she stepped out of the office to meet Iris his secretary.

Iris has worked with him for three years now. She was a petite woman in her forties, with a lively and bubbly personality. They had met when Iris had brought paperwork to the house for him during his leave sometime last year.

Seeing her walk in, Iris got up from her desk smiling, "Here comes the prettiest and smartest of them all" she joked. "Congratulations on your graduation and welcome to the DeNill Publication team."

After giving her a warm hug, she said, "Follow me let me show you to your office."

"Thank you so much Iris, am super excited and can't wait to land a big story within my first month here."

"Well, I believe in you and know you can, but I must warn you, the competition is stiff around here, so you have to be at the top of your game." Iris said as they both stepped into the elevator.

She hit the bottom for the second floor and a few seconds later, they arrived at their destination, which was bustling with activities.

"Can I have your attention everyone." Iris shouted. This got everyone quiet.

"Thank you, this is Samantha Davis, she is our newest staff, please treat her with love and respect. And assist her in any way you can."

Turning to Samantha, she said. "Samantha this is your floor and over here is your workspace."

"Welcome once again to the team, feel free to reach out to me if you need anything." She informed Samantha, walking back to the elevator.

Feeling a bit nervous, Samantha entered into the space shown to her, it was small but wide enough to enable her to walk around while working, as she is fond of. It had a table, with a small flower vase and flowers set on it, and two chairs on both sides. She was pulling out her laptop and other stuff from her duffel bag and arranging them on the table when a head popped in.

"Hello am David, the Associate Editor."

Samantha walked across the room and gave him a handshake. "Nice to meet you, David, I hope to have something for you to edit soon." She said smiling.

David was a tall lanky guy, with wavy short hair and a cute smile, he seemed like a cool person and she hoped they would make good friends.

"Well . . .." David said. "Except you manage to land a mystery story or an interview with one of the Charles, you may not get to work with me for the next couple of months." "Am sorry." He added taking a step further into her work space smiling.

"Who are the Charles? And how many are they?" Samantha asked looking confused.

David couldn't suppress a grin. "Meet me at the cafeteria by two, and I will give you the lead to your first big story here at DeNill."

...

"So David, now that you made me buy you lunch, tell me about the Charles."

It was lunchtime, and they were sitting in a corner of the cafeteria beside the DeNill building. It was where most of the staff had their lunch.

Samantha had used most of the time to set up her workspace and had also gotten to know some of the other staff in the office.

She was now sharing a table with Rachael, the brunette, Andy the cool guy and Micary, the gay one, who had all the latest and top gist from various industries. Their work spaces were closest to each other.

"Which of the Charles, please? Micary asked. "Tell me it's the young, hot and incredibly sexy one." He asked fanning his face with his hands.

"Both" David answered. "If she can get any of the Charles interviewed, then she has gotten her first big story of many more to come."

At that moment Rachael lifted her head from the food she had been paying so much attention to. "You know that's not possible right? None of the Charles have ever granted an interview. "Like ever." She added for emphasis.

"Everyone calm down," Samantha shouted. "I need to know who the Charles are first before we get to the interview part"

"Charles Cain is a man in his late fifties. He owns Hester, the renounced electric car company. He lost his family to a plane crash some ten years ago and since then has become a recluse. Nothing is known about his personal life, as he doesn't attend social events, is not on social media and doesn't grant interviews. He never remarried by the way and his company is worth billions of dollars." David explained.

"And then there is Charles Stone." Micary chipped in, holding both hands to his chest.

"Charles Stone is the sole heir and CEO of Newville Corporation. He took over the affairs of the corporation from his father three years ago at the age of twenty-five, after graduating from Harvard Business School. Just like Charles Cain, he is not on social media, nothing is known about his personal life and he doesn't grant interviews. But since he took over as CEO, Newville has expanded to five different counties." David concluded. "Maybe I should have asked for a larger plate, all that talking made me hungry." He complained.

"Thanks for the information, guys. Now I just have to decide, which of the Charles it's going to be." Samantha said, tapping her chin.

"Go for the younger Charles, his violent tendencies are not so high," Andy advised. "The old Charles almost had his driver run me over the last time I tried to get an interview with him."

"I guess he never got over his loss. Rachael said.

"It is settled then, Charles Stone of Newville Corporation, it is. I am going to get my first big interview. Samantha said rubbing her palms together with a determined look on her face.

A week later...

"Good morning ma'am, this is Newville Corporation, how may I help you? The voice on the phone asked.

"My name is Samantha Davis, calling from DeNill Publication. I sent a mail five days ago about scheduling an appointment with Mr Charles Stone, but am yet to receive any feedback."

"Am sorry ma'am, but Mr Stone is currently unavailable."

"So when would he be available for a meeting, please?" Samantha asked. She was already getting desperate as all her efforts to contact Mr Stone met roadblocks.

"I really can't say when he will be available but you can always call back. Enjoy the rest of your day." The voice on the other end said and ended the call.

Burying her face between her hands, she let out a sigh, she had known this was not going to be an easy ride, but the blocks at every turn were having a strain on her patience.

"I thought going about this the professional way was going to work but right now it seems I need to try other means." She thought to herself. Picking up her phone, she called Luke.

Luke and Samantha go way back to high school. He had also wanted to be a columnist but when he couldn't get sponsored for college, he ended up as a private investigator.

"Hello Bro, how are you doing?" Without waiting for a response she continued. "I need a favour from you, could you help me get information on Charles Stone, CEO of Newville Corporation? He has a pretty private life, but I'd appreciate it if you could get information on how best to speak with him in person, please?"

"Hey slow down, Sis. Am doing fine thank you. I have heard about Charles Stone and his very private life and I must tell you this is no easy job."

"Please Luke, remember you said I could always come to you if I needed a favour."Samatha pleaded. This was her last bait, if this didn't work, nothing else would.

There for silence on the phone for a couple of minutes before Luke finally spoke. "Alright I'll see what I can do, I'll give you a call when I have something."

"Thank you so much, Bro"

"Anything for you Sam, I owe you for everything you have done for me," Luke replied. "Take care of yourself and be good."

Samantha ended the call smiling; she was still wearing a smile when David walked into her workspace.

"How is the unravelling of Charles Stone going? Oh, she is finally smiling, did you make any headway contacting him?" He asked.

"Let's just say what appeared like a dark cloud just saw a slight reflection of light." She said still smiling. "I am buying lunch, are you ready to leave now?

"I can never turn down an offer of free food." David replied laughing. "Let's go have lunch."

....

As he stepped out of the elevator, the entire room went silent and then there was scampering. Everyone hurrying off to their respective offices. Within seconds of his arrival, the whole building had become aware of his presence. Charles Stone, CEO of Newville Corporation was not someone you would want to mess with. Young, and dashingly handsome with well-chiselled features, blue eyes the colour of the sea, and a dashing smile. Charles was known for his professionalism and no-nonsense attitude. All his staff feared him greatly even though he was one of the highest-paying employers in the city.

Charles walked straight to the conference room of his Chicago office with his Chief Security Officer (CSO) Floyd beside him. Floyd was not just his employee but also his best friend, who has carried out so many behind-the-scenes activities for him. This morning they were meeting with some suppliers from China, to discuss incorporating their technology into Newville.

As he entered the room, all the people present stood up, "Good morning gentlemen, please sit down and let the meeting begin". he announced.

Charles wasn't one for long talks, so thirty minutes later he had had enough and announced "I think we can call it a day here, I will review the rest of the presentation and get back to you" His secretary who had been part of the meeting packed up the documents, "Your meeting with the kainn's is in two hours", she told him.

"Reschedule all other meetings to Arizona. I can have some via Zoom call. Floyd and I are returning to Arizona. I have to go conclude on some matters that need my attention." he informed her walking out of the room.

Charles and Floyd had just returned to Phoenix and were picked up from the airport by Charles's driver.

"Drop me off at the office so I can get my car and then take the boss to the Stone's Villa," Floyd informed the driver as they both got into the Cherokee Track Hawk jeep.

"Maybe you should come to the house, mom would be delighted to see you, you missed the family dinner the last time," Charles suggested when they got close to the parking lot at Newville.

Floyd opened the door and stepped out of the car when it came to a stop. "I miss her too and will surely stop by one of these weekends but please I would rather just go home man; I'll see you tomorrow morning." He gave a mock salute as the car drove off.

Looking around he had a feeling of being watched, but there was no one in sight so he walked to his Porsche parked at the far end of the parking lot. As he walked, he hummed his favourite song. He was in a happy mood knowing he would have the night to himself. He should probably get laid tonight, he thought.

When he got to the spot he had parked, he checked around for anything that may seem out of place. Attention to detail was one of his strongest skills. When he noticed nothing, he got in and drove home.

"Hello Samantha, meet me at the Shark, I think I may have some information on the CEO." Luke whispered into the phone. He was sitting in his car parked at the Newville parking lot and had seen Charles's driver drop off Floyd. When he noticed Floyd looking around, he had to hide under the wheels to avoid being seen.

For two weeks now he had been working on literally digging up information on Stone. Finally, he had something tangible to report to Samantha.