Episode 5

Arvan

We're all on pins and needles over who will take the helm as the new executive of the company. I can hardly fathom that my firm is thrown into turmoil by a mere omega.

At last, he emerges from the elevator. I must concede, he is strikingly handsome, and his mere presence incites an aggravating sense of unease in me. I grow even more incensed as I watch the evident desire to claim him mirrored on everyone's faces. This is exactly what I mean; he's just arrived, and already everyone is falling over themselves to garner his attention. This omega is nothing but trouble.

To soothe these inept fools, I'm the first to speak up. They maintain their distance as I approach.

"Mr. Montenegro, welcome. I'm Arvan Daniel's." Despite his grave demeanor, I detect a hint of fear and aversion from him the moment our gazes meet and my voice reaches his ears, (where have I seen this man before? His stare is...). He stays behind one of his bodyguards, hardly attempting even a pretense of politeness—not your typical omega prototype.

"Thank you! Which office is mine?" He shows no interest in the other executives, especially not me. Who does he think he is?

Caled: "This way, Mr. Montenegro. How was your journey?" He doesn't move until his guardian does. It's as if he is ensuring no one gets too close to his boss. What's with this omega? He pauses, I presume due to the murmurs of those present.

"Let's be clear, I only care about safeguarding the Montenegro family's interests, and I'll mercilessly wield all my authority to bring down anyone who even dares try to cross me," his words are heavily laced with anger and scorn, palpable almost. I had suspicions something was amiss with his other ventures, but is he suggesting we're embezzling from the Montenegros?

"Watch your words. Are you accusing us of something?"

"To accuse you, I would need evidence and, were it in my possession, the guilty parties would be already arrested and stripped of all prestige and pennies. I'm simply clarifying the stakes because I'm certain many assume I'm just another naive and gullible omega—but they couldn't be further from the truth, if you'll excuse me." I must confess, I never anticipated being addressed in such a manner. Beyond my own shock, the looks on these fools' faces are unmatched. It seems the tenure of this omega might turn out to be rather interesting after all.

Noah

I was thankful Jorge kept them at bay. Another thing I owe to Elian. Facing Arvan and that brief clash with him nearly sapped all the strength I'd gathered these past days just to stand here today.

Every fiber of my being reacted to his proximity. Thankfully, the doctor's inhibitors are still effective. How is it that I still react to him? I know this mark will never fade, but it should be as lifeless as the me from all those years ago.

Caled: "Here we are, Mr. Montenegro. May I call you Noah? We are the same age, and it feels odd to be so formal." I really cannot stand this man, and not just for what he did in the past, but because his intentions are glaringly obvious.

"No, you may not. I am Mr. Montenegro to you and everyone at this company. I have no interest in making friends. Address me solely for work-related matters. Is that clear?" His discomfort with my stance is blatant. He's used to no omega resisting him. I can hardly believe I once found someone like him appealing.

Caled: "Very clear, if you'll excuse me."

"One more thing," he stopped to look at me.

"I need all the information on the dealings with Daniel's group—financial statements, transactions for the past few years, everything."

Caled: "With all due respect, those matters are not within my purview, but rather with..."

"Then speak to whoever is responsible. I need those documents on my desk by end of day," I said, closing the door in his face before he could finish.

Ready to call my children, there's a knock at the door.

"My name is Valentina Muñoz, I am your assistant. Mr. Elian sent me ahead one week prior to your arrival." My brother truly thinks of everything.

"Come in!" She's quite young and attractive. Perhaps she's beta. It seems we are around the same age.

"Please, have a seat, Valentina. I suppose you have something for me?"

Valentina: "Yes, Mr. Montenegro. Following Mr. Elian's instructions, I have gathered all the information I believed you would find useful. It's organized by company, date, and project. Also, I've requested the necessary documentation for the investigation from all connected companies."

"I am impressed. You've done an excellent job; this will save me a lot of time."

Valentina: "Thank you, Mr. Montenegro. That's part of my job."

"According to this, two companies still haven't submitted their paperwork. What happened?"

Valentina: "I'm on it, Mr. Montenegro. Cossio and the Rose Group are the only ones yet to comply..."

"Please handle it. Tell them their deadline has passed and they won't get a minute more. There will be penalties for non-compliance."

Valentina: "Understood, Mr. Montenegro. Excuse me." She left, seemingly fearful. It's the stress taking its toll, only twenty minutes in this place and I need a little life before pressing on.

I reached for my phone and dialed my kids. Joe answered swiftly, both appearing on the screen, Zoe clutching her stuffed toy while greeting me.

Zoe: "Daddy, are you coming home soon?"

"My love, I wish I could be there to give lots of hugs and kisses but I can't come just yet."

Joe: "You won't be here for lunch then?" I've never missed a meal with my kids unless they were at nursery.

"I promise I'll be there for lunch. I miss you terribly."

Zoe: "See? Daddy will come, Joe. You said he couldn’t, Daddy."

"For you both, always. I love you. I must get back to work now, behave yourselves."

Zoe and Joe: "Bye, Daddy." A knock at the door - Jorge again.

"What's the issue?"

Jorge: "Mr. Daniel's was here. Knowing you were occupied with your children, I informed him you were unavailable. If I've overstepped, I apologize."

"No, you did well. Thank you." Which Daniel's was it, Arvan?

Jorge: "Excuse me, Mr. Montenegro."

"Jorge?"

Jorge: "Yes, Mr. Montenegro?"

"Which Daniel's came by?"

Jorge: "He claimed to be Mauricio, Caled's father, the President's elder brother." At least it wasn't Arvan. But what does that man want with me? He's never been a pleasant figure.

"Alright, well done."

Turning to my work, I can't dally if I want to be with my kids at lunchtime.

It's 11:30 now – just enough time to make it home.

Valentina: "Mr. Montenegro, the President requests I remind you of the executive meeting that starts in 15 minutes."

"Fifteen minutes? Impossible. Lunchtime is sacred to me, and I will not delay it for anything. Draft a report, please."

Valentina: "As you wish, Mr. Montenegro."

Jorge: "Where shall we go, sir?"

"Home, Jorge. They're waiting for me."

Jorge: "Yes, sir."

Arvan

"Mr. Montenegro won't be able to attend the meeting; I will represent him," his secretary informs me, visibly anxious. What sort of person is he? Are those corridor whispers true? His lunch hour is sacred but ours are not? He's an omega, no better or worse than the rest, then. His personal matters take precedence over a company he pledged to guard. His intentions are blatantly self-serving.

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