TYLER'S ENIGMATIC REDEMPTION

Dressed in the latest Stuart Hughes diamond suit, seated on his executive chair was Tyler Artemis, a renowned billionaire. He was the CEO and founder of Artemis group of companies, A company that was flowing with honey. He raised the company from scratch through the help of his beloved mother, Neelam Artemis.

Tyler was quite handsome with his curly blonde hair and charming blue eyes. He had a skin tone of gold and a well structured pink lips. He was a pretty handsome but stern boss. Every one in the office admired his beauty and his wealth but his cold and icy nature scared them away. His cold and Icy nature matched the size of his fortune. Everyone around him wished he was a little lovely.

The reasons for his being so cold despite his pretty nature had a lot to do with his upbringing. The only child of a wealthy merchant and an Estate Owner. His father was a wealthy merchant who never shared in the upbringing of Tyler except financially, he was too focused on his business and travelling. His mother on the other hand, was an estate owner. She owned lots of estate and she was a big name in the society, she also had a lot of companies and was a politician, she sure made more money than his father yet was there for him once in a while.

Tyler was raised with so many privileges, he had everything materially but was fully deprived of love , attention, affection and everything any one would wish for emotionally.he was home-schooled till he became a man. His stern nature came from the away he saw his father grow a serious disdain for the less privileged and ill treating everyone around him. That only made him dread his father more and built his hatred for people. Though his mother wasn't always there all the time and she didn't always show him how much she loved him, she always made him remember that she was his mother and he was her son, that alone gave him the enablement to love her.

He didn't have friends, he was totally deprived of that too. His parents believed that he shouldn't mix up with other kids, moreover he wasn't in their class. He grew up disliking everyone he came across. He had just one person he called a friend, the son to his nanny who of course was the only person his age he knew growing up. Charles was his friend and the only friend he ever wished to have. Well, Charles was pretty different from him. he was outgoing, nice and very humble.

Right in Tyler's office was Charles, seated opposite him. Charles was a handsome black American with his curly hair, great evidence that he was biracial. He was wearing the latest Yves Saint Lauren suit, he was a massive trader and writer. He did a lot of travelling and he had just been back from Spain. He visited Tyler for the first time after his trip to Spain.

Reminiscing their past lives, Tyler started "Bro, you remember when you never had the chance to percieve a Gucci Jacket?" he asked sarcastically

Charles laughed so hard, he did remember those times actually. He knew exactly where Tyler was driving at. He knew Tyler was so proud his life is better at the moment.

"Man, I remember those times. You always had new clothes and you'd give me your old ones and say; don't wear them here, my daddy would know it's mine and you'll be dead" he laughed hard again but this time a tear fell off his eyes.

He continued, "Man, I thank God for this place we are right now. We all sure knew that it'll always be good for you but I never thought I'd have a future but you picked me along."

Tyler stood up and said "You know quite well that I lived a pure horrible life, I mean asides the privileges. I'm happy you're my friend, I sure mean that Bro"

Charles stood up, moved to Tyler and gave him a great teddy bear hug. Tyler most certainly didn't return the hug, he didn't like things like that and Charles knew that. But Charles was of the habit of doing it regardless. And Tyler would only let Charles do that to him and no one else. Asides his mother, the only person in the world Tyler knew he loved so dearly was Charles. He wanted it to remain that way for the rest of his life. He barely smiled but he was handsome regardless and Charles was the only one who could crack him up a little in rare occasions actually.

"Get off me Bro, You'll rumple my shirt" Tyler demanded

Charles got off him, smiled and said "You know you really need things like this to make your life better everyday"

"Huh?" Tyler exclaimed

"You're welcome" Charles replied sarcastically and laughed out so loud, Tyler could only force a smirk.

While they were having their moment, there was a knock on the door.

'Who is it?" Charles demanded

"Clara Whitlock please" came the voice from without.

Charles turned to face Tyler, giving him a 'should she come in' kind of look. Tyler looked away, his stern boss mood was activated.

"Why the heck can't she call my phones? This cousin of yours need deliverance" he said with no atom of sarcasm in it, even though it sounded as one. Charles didn't reply to that. Well, he was the only person who understood his friend.

Clara Whitlock was Tyler's manager who was Charles cousin too. She was pretty and of great height for a lady. She admired her boss a lot actually but she knew he wasn't a love kind of person.

"Come in, skunk" Tyler said

Clara opened the door and went right in, she stood right beside Charles facing Tyler who was on his seat already.

"Clara, is there something wrong with my phone or did you feel like my air conditioner was better than yours that's why you probably came here" Tyler said with no glamour on his face. He was always sarcastically rude.

Ohhh Shit!!!! This Tyler of a guy would never be nice, Clara said within herself

"I'm so sorry Sir, I thought it'll be pretty better to inform you of this physically, it's not a news for a phone call. I didn't think you'll handle it better on a phone call, sir." She replied

Charles looked up from his seat facing her, he knew at once that it was a serious matter, maybe concerning Tyler's home.

"What's the issue?" Charles demanded.

Tyler on the other hand was unshaken, though he was quiet at this point. He looked at her with no trace of emotion on his face.

Clara wondered within her what a man he was, so full of ice.

She completely ignored Charles, moreover he was her senior cousin who was more like a brother to her. She knew so well than to speak when Tyler hadn't asked her to.

"Sir, can I go ahead with the information please?" she asked humbly

Charles responded to her in Tyler's place, but this time in a very stern but desperate voice, "What the heck do you want to say?"

'Spit it or Get out" came a cold and calm voice. Tyler had spoken.

"Okay, Thank you Sir" she started.

"Would you keep off the thanks and go striaght to the point?" Tyler said so arrogantly

Clara was so pissed that she had even been to his office at the first place but what could she do? He was a her boss and she was meant to be at his service. And moreover he was very attractive but horribe at the same time. He also was very hard to deal with but his beauty overwhelmed all of his bad characters. With him, you don't know when to talk and when not to cause he made all of it seem horrible at the same time. He was so hard to please.

"Sir, I got a call from home"

"Home? As per your home or Tyler's home" Charles asked

"The boss's home" she replied

Right in her mind, she wondered if Tyler could ever do better in life without Charles. He was a man of little or no words. Why does Charles always have to do the necessary conversations for him, while he sat back giving horrible stares and sarcastic but extremely rude answers.

She thought of how his reaction would be when she broke the news, she continued "Your mum's health is depreciating by the day, that's what I was asked to tell you. As at the time, she could barely eat."

She felt so bad for him already. She looked at his face to see what kind of emotion it would spell. That was bad news indeed.

Tyler cleared his throat and slouched on his chair. "Are you done?" He asked with the same look on his face.

"No Sir, one more" she replied

'Arrrrhggghhhhh" Tyler groaned.

"Do you want to tell me she's dead now?" Tyler demanded.

Right inside of Clara's spirit, she was groaning at him. He wouldn't even let her talk, and he concluded. An unsweet boss indeed!!!

"Sir, well...." Clara started.

"Spit it and leave Clara", Charles finally spoke again. He knew Clara was a bit nervous. Well, everyone was nervous when they were in front of the great Tyler Artemis.

"Okay, I heard there is a girl coming into town and your mum requested that she be hired immediately when she gets here."

"A girl? Not even a lady, really Momma?" Tyler said to himself. He has so many principles when it came to hiring his workers. He always gave most of them a hard time but the tough and good ones always get the job. But at this point, his mum hadn't given him an option, the lady whosoever she was, would just be hired immediately. He loved his mum too much to not listen to her. But who the heck was this lady?

"And did you tell them, we aren't hiring yet?" Tyler asked.

"Yes, sure I did Sir. But your mum said the girl.... uh..... lady has been of help to her so that's probably the way she could help her too. Your mum said that she'll communicate with you when its most suitable for you to reach out"

Tyler sighed and slouched on his executive chair saying nothing. He realized by Clara's last statement that he hadn't checked up on his mum in a while. He had been too busy too and his mum did respect his life so well that she only communicated directly to him when he wants her to.

Charles looked up at Clara and asked "Did she give a specified position she would want the lady to work?"

"No, she did not. I guess she'll communicate it to the boss when they speak"

Tyler sat upright, picked up his phone and made to leave the office.

"Charles, let's go" he said as he went out of the office.

Charles joined him while Clara stayed back to pack in his belongings, especially his laptop.

"Damn" she exclaimed to herself, "Tyler Artemis, god of attitude, but he's cute regardless."

It always felt so funny to see a cute looking guy as that being so stern and emotionless. How does he do that? She kept wondering.

***

Scarlett had just arrived in town, her first time in the big city of angels, as they call it, Los Angeles. She was picked from the airport by her friend, Amelia who had been her best friend for years. She was going to be staying with Amelia for a while , probably until she's got enough pay to get her own place.

When she got to Amelia's place and was settled, she walked to the mirror to look at herself. She was a girl that lived by affirmations and she was about to affirm once more. She was so grateful to Neelam Artemis for giving her the opportunity to be in Los Angeles.

She was the daughter to Neelam's housekeeper back in the days, who of course, was late as of that time. Scarlett was raised in Houston, Texas by her father while her mother was away in the Artemis home trying to make ends meet to send them down to Houston for their upkeep. Her mother never wanted her to see how she was striving, especially as a housekeeper. She wanted Scarlett to grow up with the best life. But right before she died, she felt like she had not fulfilled her dream for her daughter's life, so she called Neelam Artemis requesting that good should be done her daughter after she passed and that was what Neelam Artemis was making sure of, even in her sick bed, because Scarlett's mother was the best housekeeper she ever had.

Scarlett walked up to the mirror. The mirror was a tall one that could show every part of her. She smiled at the girl standing at the other side of the mirror.

She admired her own beauty. One thing her mum taught her for the little time she was with her physically was that she was enough and she was the most beautiful girl in her own world.

Well, Scarlett was quite pretty with her long flowing black hair that got down to her deeds. Her bright and shining blue eyes and a cute kissable lips as the guys in her high school days called it.

She smiled at herself and started affirming , "I am Scarlett King, yes I am a daughter of a king. I am a queen and I rule my own Queendom. The universe is in my hands ad it works the way I want it to. I am pretty and I am productive"

She felt so good about herself and the thought of her new appointment made her feel most excited.

"Oh God.... I'm so excited to get to work. Whatever position I'm going to be, I'll surely be the best at it" she said

At that moment, she thought of her mother and wished she was alive to see that Neelam Artemis didn't forget her good works and has rewarded her for it. She was most grateful to Neelam for the opportunity she had given to her. She felt so blessed about having a job finally, she wasn't sure which part of the Artemis company she would be working but she was most excited to be working there.

Her thoughts and imagination was interrupted by her friend, Amelia. "Mama, you really haven't changed. You're still talking to yourself through the mirrors" she said smiling.

Amelia was Scarlett's best friend, they had been friend since kindergarten. They got seperated when Amelia had to travel to Los Angelos for college and finally decided to reside there after college but they kept in touch. Amelia knew Scarlett so well.

Scarlett turned to face Amelia and replied ,"Of course, I haven't changed dear. I'm still the same Scarlett you'd aways known, the strongest queen ruling her own Queendom." She chuckled.

"Well, yeah. I'm really happy you're here in the city of Angels finally and I'm most happy cause you'll be getting a job with the Artemis company. Do you even know that Artemis Group of company is everyone in Los Angeles dream job place." Amelia told her friend

Scarlett smiled, she'd always heard about the company and it was a dream to work there but she never thought it'll come to pass.

She walked up to Amelia, hugged her so tightly and said, "Its grace". they both chuckled and moved into the kitchen to make dinner.

While they were making dinner, Amelia started, "Scarlett, have you seen the boss before?"

Scarlett who was chopping onion at the time turned around confused, she asked, "Which boss please". her eyes already filled with tears from the nitrogenous nature of the onions.

"Which other boss would I be asking about?" Amelia queried

Scarlett got the whole gist at that point, she chuckled and said "Well, I've seen picture of him but I've never really seen him. His pictures are hot, I mean he is hot" They both laughed out loud.

"He's surely your speck right?" Amelia teased

"Girl, No!!! Capital NO" she became serious at once like something had just clicked in her mind. She continued "I'm not even his speck to start with, look at me. Yeah, of course I'm pretty and I'm a queen but The son of Artemis wouldn't look at me twice, I'm not his speck. Lets be realistic here, I'll be working under him my dear. With his hotness and everything, he probably has a girlfriend who would be up to his standard"

"Well, you've got a point but he'll probably be an every woman's dream guy." Amelia concluded

"Nope, not every woman though. I just hope he'll be nice and the company too would be nice. I'll be going there tomorrow".

Scarlett was so excited to go to the company the next day but she was also bothered especially because she had never been to a big place like that and she hoped everyone there would be nice.

"What are you thinking on, girl?" Amelia asked her but she didn't reply, she turned around putting on a fake smile.

"This opportunity is all you've ever wanted, you're a queen of your own Queendom as you've always said. You create the rules for your life and you can not be afraid. Tomorrow would be a success and I know it, every other day would be a success, Scarlett dear" Amelia said trying to cheer her up. She smiled and continued with dinner.

Scarlett couldn't wait for the next morning.

Another beautiful morning and Tyler Artemis was seated on the executive chair in his office. He had just finished a call with his manager, Clara Whitlock, who reminded him about his mother's health and the lady who would be arriving at the office that day for her new job. Charles was seated with him.

"What's up, Bro?" Charles asked.

"The girl Momma asked me to give her a job to would be here soon me soon. I hope she's worth that huge favor", Tyler replied scornfully.

"Well, I guess she is. I mean I haven't met a girl before, but Momma knows so well not to send a worthless person to you, she loves perfection herself. I believe the girl is worth it though."

Tyler took a deep breath. Charles was actually right. Neelam loved perfection herself. She always wanted the best in everything, so she would never send him something bad. His mum had great taste, he knew he got that trait from her.

"Yeah, you're right" Tyler finally replied. He continued, "Momma's health is deteriorating by the day, and I've got to see her soon, I mean we've got to see her soon". The term 'we' was a way of informing Charles that he needed him to be available as of the time he would be visiting his mum.

Tyler's phone started buzzing, it was Clara Whitlock again. He picked it up and with a steady but cold voice he said, "What have you got to say this time?"

"Sir, the lady is here. Should I ask her in please?" Clara asked.

Tyler was mute for a while, Clara was still on the call. Clara knew better to keep mute too, until he responded. She had studied her boss's life for so long. After a while of silence, Tyler hung up without saying a word.

"What's up with you?" Charles asked.

Tyler sighed and replied "The girl is here". After saying that, he slouched on his chair and said nothing. Charles called Clara and told her that she should have the girl or lady stay at the reception till Tyler was ready to meet her.

Tyler hated meeting new people and when it had to do with his staff, he always made sure they were people who would respect and submit very well to the rules of the company. He also didn't want close people, whether family members or family friends or anyone familiar with his household, working with or for him. The only family member that worked for him was Max, his maternal cousin, whom he got to know as he grew to become a man, and they never had a cousin-like relationship. And the only family friend working was Clara Whitlock, whom he employed because of Charles.

"Now, the daughter of my mum was the housekeeper, really?" he thought to himself.

"I'm definitely not in the mood to meet her now, and I've got to clear my head about my mother's health." Tyler said to Charles.

"Would you like your manager to interview her?" Charles asked.

"Uhh.... Nah. Whatever it is going to be will still come out positively because, whether she is good or not too good, she'll still have the job. Damn...... only momma makes me do things like this. I'll interview her myself. I've got to let her know what she is going into"

"Okay", Charles said with a deep breath following. Tyler was right, only his momma would let him do things he wouldn't do. Well, there was just one thing his mother couldn't make him do. Nobody on the surface of this earth would make him do it.

"I've got a lot on my mind right now, especially concerning momma's health. Whatever her name is, she should be fully ready for the interview in the next thirty minutes. For now, I've got to chill.

"Right!" Charles exclaimed. "I get you, Bro. Take your time though," he said. He knew quite well that Tyler did think a lot about his mother anytime she came to his mind. He loved her so much and would never actually want to lose her. He wasn't so fond of her, so he really didn't like being around her, but she was the one person he loved so much during his whole life.

Tyler reminisced about his childhood. He remembered how busy his mother was, he remembered that she cared about him even though she wasn't always there physically. She was always making sure his nanny, who was Charles' mother, never took her eyes off him. Charles' mother actually raised Tyler as hers. That's why he grew to love Charles. Besides his mother, if Charles' mother were alive, he would probably have loved her more than he loved his mother. That was more reason why he never played with Charles.

He thought of reasons why he should give the young lady a job. He believed it so hard that his mother would never give him a bad egg. He thought about how hard his mother had worked for his family and he decided it was okay that his mother did her the favor.

After a while of thought, he put a call across to Clara telling her that he was disposed to meet the lady.

Scarlett was seated at the reception when Clara came out to meet her again. "Follow me," Clara ordered, and moved towards the elevator.

Scarlett was confused, she didn't know who exactly Clara was talking to her. "Do they throw orders on people like that?" She asked herself. She wanted to call Clara back, but the confidence wasn't there.

Clara, who was close to the elevator, turned back to see that Scarlett had not made a move. She sighed and asked sternly, "Didn't you hear me?"

Clara stood by the door and placed a call. All Scarlett did was to admire the whole scenario. She realized how poised not only Clara was but the way things were done there. She couldn't wait to start the job too. Right before she knew it, the door was open, Clara stepped aside and led her in.

"Go in" she said.

Scarlett was short of breath, the office looked more like heaven on earth. She had gone places, but none looked like that. This one was a blast. She looked inside the office and saw two men. One sitting in the executive seat, she could tell he was the boss without even seeing his face. And the other by the couch. She loved the whole place, she looked at Clara again, the kind of look that was saying, are you sure I deserve to get in here?

"Young lady, step in, I need that door shut right now" came a cold, sweet and calm voice. It was obviously the boss's voice. She turned to look at Clara, who tilted her head towards the office again, letting her know that she should be there.

Scarlett got in, and the door was shut after her went. Clara was gone. She stood tall right in front of Tyler. Tyler didn't look at her, his eyes were fixed on his laptop. Charles couldn't help but stare at the beauty he had seen in his very life before. Scarlett was so pretty, he couldn't help but stare at her accentuated curves, which were probably defined by the body coat dress she was wearing.

"Momma's got good eyes" he thought to himself.

"Good day Boss", Scarlett finally spoke because nobody was saying anything to her. And she knew better not to sit until she was asked to do so. Charles waved at her and got back to fiddling with his phone, though still partially staring at her beauty.

"Sit", Tyler finally spoke, still without looking in her direction. Charles wished Tyler could see what a beauty Scarlett was, from the crown of her head to the solees of her feet. Well, he knew Tyler never looked at women twice, he was never interested in women or love.

Scarlett sat right opposite him, she was nervous already. She didn't want to feel that nervous during her interview and she didn't know her boss would be cold, he was too pretty to be cold. She took a deep breath countless times and finally said, "Thank you"

Tyler finally closed his laptop to focus on the interview. He finally raised his eyes to look at her. Lo and behold, she was a good one physically.

She looked very good she passed her first test. He believed his workers should know how to always look good, never to be caught unfresh. She was also poised. He gave her another point in his mind. Regardless, he still didn't feel impressed. Right in his head, he said to himself, "She had better sound poised and as good as she looks". He always wanted substance in his workers.

"Your name?" He asked, looking her right in the eyes. Tyler did that a lot of times. He looked at people in the eyeballs. He was cute but intimidating, and he really didn't care.

"Uhh...uhh.... My name......" She stuttered. Tyler interrupted her, saying, "You do.

Noi don't know your name, really? Get yourself together and answer my question"