Sure enough, when 6:30 came around, Alex was sitting in his spot, scarfing down meatballs.
“I’m curious,” Dunham said with a slight smirk, “Whatever happened to ‘don’t expect me for dinner?’”
Alex looked up momentarily, slightly annoyed that he was being interrupted from his meal
“FineIadmitthatyouwererightandIwaswrongIjustwasupsetabotutthewholethinganddidn’twanttobeprovenwrongdoyouforgiveme?" He took a deep breath and plunged back into his meal.898Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAPzBO1ZZT
“God Alex.” His sister, Jessica replied. “You are SUCH a pig. Sometimes I wonder how we can be twins.”
It was a valid point. Alex and his sister may have been born minutes apart, but they were quite possibly the two most opposite people on the planet. Alex had red hair that he liked to keep short, while Jessica had long brown hair. Alex preferred to settle his arguments with harsh words, while his sister preferred a more subtle approach. Jessica was popular, and Alex, well, Alex didn't NEED that many friends. He was just fine having Sam as a best and only close friend.
“What can I say?” Alex replied, having finished his third helping. “I enjoy food. Especially Dunham’s meatballs. Besides, you’re enjoying them just as much as I am.”
It was true. While she was not as ferocious as her fraternal twin, Jessica seemed to have given up most of her usual polite mannerisms in order to eat as many meatballs in as little time as possible.
“So, Jess,” Alex began, “have you started on your essay for language arts?”
Jessica sighed. “Alex, I can’t keep giving you my essay to copy and then change the wording around a bit. I think our teacher is beginning to notice. Why don’t you just do it yourself?”
“It’s a persuasive essay.” Alex said. “I hate those. An expository one wouldn’t be much better.”
“Maybe It would be easier to do them if you actually listened back in middle school when we learned how to do them.” Jessica countered. “You’ve never really gotten that. Everyone sees you’re smart, but you seem not to care.”
“Anyways,” Dunham interjected, defusing the possibly volatile situation, “Just a reminder to wear your best on Saturday. The board has called us to a meeting to discuss some matters involving the company.”
Alex choked “What!? This is the first I’ve heard of this! When did they mention it?”
“It’s been on the calendar for, like, 2 weeks now Alex.” Jessica said, a note of irritability creeping into her voice. “Do you ever pay attention to anything?”
Alex appeared to think for a second, then shrugged and went back to his meatballs.
“Alex,” Dunham said, “this is serious. The board is getting impatient with your antics. If we can't prove to them that you can control them, they will very quickly make you nothing more than a figurehead, or worse, replace you.”
That was the crux of the matter. Alex may have thought his father was a jerk along with most of the board; but deep down, the last thing he wanted to see was his father’s company fall into another hand.
Alex sighed. “Fine. When we go to this meeting, I’ll keep it together, and act professional.”
“Oh, and by the way Alex,” Jessica put in, “wearing your best means wearing a tie.” She then laughed at his look of utter mortification.
Dunham smiled and said, “Don't worry you two. I highly doubt that the board would seriously consider removing you from the head of the company- at least not at this time. Now, if there is nothing else I would appreciate help cleaning up dinner. Afterward, I want you both to head upstairs and get to your homework. I expect it will be a long day tomorrow.”
Silently he prayed “let the meeting go well. don’t let things get out of hand.”
@0@0@
At 8:30, Saturday morning, Dunham, Jessica, and Alex got into the families black BMW, and drove to the main campus of Samson Aviation Industries. Along the way, they discussed what the meeting was all about.
“Dunham,” Jessica began, “what do you think the matters are that the board wants to discuss with us?”
“To be honest, I don’t know,” Dunham replied. “If I had to take a guess, I’d say they’ve decided to begin grooming you two to take over your father’s place as CEOs. Right now, all the company has is a temporary placeholder elected by the board. It would also give them the chance to stop your antics, Alex.”
Alex and Jessica’s father had left explicit instructions in case he ever went missing. One part of the instructions was that Dunham became their legal guardian until he was found. Because it was such an unusual instruction, even for their father, Dunham had to fight tooth and nail just to get it approved.
Another part stated that if he was declared dead, the company would immediately go to their name- making them owners, and joint- CEOs of the largest aviation company ever invented along with his personal savings. Which explained the man the day before.
“Dunham,” Jessica said with a smirk, “I don’t think it’s the latter. I think that even the board has given up on Alex. It would seem that between the two of us, he inherited most of dad’s genes.”
“I don’t really care whatever it’s about,” Alex said, tugging at the tie he had grudgingly consented to wear. “All I care about right now is getting this over with so I can get out of this stupid suit!”
They drove for several minutes in silence, when Alex asked, “Do you think they found dad and wanted to tell us before anyone else?”
Dunham gave it some thought, then shook his head. “No. As much as your father hated the publicity his position brought him, I think he’d want you to know of his whereabouts as quickly as possible. Even he admits the news has its uses.”
“So he isn't back yet?” Alex asked
Dunham sighed. “No, I don't think so.”
@0@0@
As they walked in, they were met by one of the security officers. He was large, officially dressed, and all business.
“I am here to escort you to the conference room.” He said without a hint of emotion. “If you will follow me, I shall show you the way.”
“Wow, really nice welcome.” Jessica muttered sarcastically.
No one argued. The hostility emanating from their escort did not bode well.
The group entered an elevator and quickly rose to the top floor. As they rose, they were treated to a truly amazing view of the city. Below, they could see the traffic creeping over the Main Street Bridge. Below the bridge, the blue water sparkled a brilliant blue.
They reached the top and stepped out into a long hallway. The guard gestured to a set of closed wooden doors at the end of the hallway. They walked to them and the guard held them open for the group.
Inside, was the main conference room for Samson Aviation Industries- a long glass table with chairs situated around it. Most of the chairs were already occupied by board members deep in discussion. As they entered, the discussion ended and all eyes turned to them. An awkward silence ensued where neither party knew how to continue.
Finally, a single woman stood up. She flashed a rather fake smile and addressed the group.
“Thank you for coming to this meeting. If you are ready, please have a seat and we can begin.”
Alex, Jessica, and Dunham each took a seat as the woman cleared her throat and began: “As you three are most likely aware, Samson Aviation Industries started from the ground up about 17 years ago by your father, who at the time held only a bachelor in Aerospace engineering, and had never taken on a business management roll. Needless to say, most people thought that he would fail in his endeavor. This proved false, as the military surprisingly contracted the company early on to design several military craft. This early contract was very fruitful, and is one of the reasons the company is so prosperous today.”
“Excuse me,” Dunham interrupted. “I think we all know the history of the company. Why bring it up now?”
The woman gave Dunham her fake smile again and continued. “It is only to praise Mr. Samson’s achievements. He was a smart man who had the mind to create technology that was several years ahead of what others were using; methods for building and powering aircraft that left other companies in the dust.”
“She said was.” Alex noted. As if, his father truly was dead.
“However, despite his many achievements, he was not without his faults. He took unnecessary risks that jeopardized the company on multiple occasions. He had personal projects that took up valuable resources, often turning out a miniscule, if any, profit. He also had his,,, well, for lack of a better term, disappearances. He seemed to revel in the fact that many would call him insane, and would frequently pull stunts that put him and others in danger. The testing of the Albatross Mk. 2 is just one of several examples.”
Despite the tense situation, Alex had to stifle a chuckle at that. One of his father’s last projects before he disappeared was to create a VTOL private jet that ran on hydrogen instead of conventional jet fuel. What he’d failed to mention to the board when proposing it was that he designed it to also have the speed and maneuverability that rivaled many combat jets. When it came time to test the plane, he had insisted on the board going on as well to see its capabilities- and then jumped in the pilot seat himself. What began as a normal test of the takeoff capabilities quickly turned into an airshow with the jet as the main event. Alex still laughed when he thought of their faces when they disembarked. The board members pale with vomit stains on their once immaculate suits worth thousands of dollars, and his father grinning like a fool in an old jean jacket he had owned for years.
“For an adult, this behavior, while unbefitting of someone his caliber, was kept under control by the maturity gained through age. However, growing up in his household, you were still exposed to beliefs that certain things frowned upon in most societies are in fact, perfectly fine. Furthermore, what he did not, and was incapable of teaching, is the maturity to control such impulses. It is this reason that the board has decided that when your father is declared dead, your family will not be given primary control of the company.”
“What!” Alex shouted. “You can’t do that!”
Jessica and Dunham, while they didn’t shout, looked equally outraged. This was not the move they had expected.
One of the others seated at the table, an aging man with white hair, stood up. “On the contrary, Mr. Samson, yes we can do that. While your father had no right to hand over his position through his will, it is perfectly within our rights to deny your family the rights to-”
“My father built this company from absolutely nothing!” Alex interrupted. “Without it, none of you would be where you are now. Is this really how you say thank you?”
They shifted uncomfortably. Another woman stood up and faced them. “We appreciate what your father has done for the company, but the board’s decision is final. You will remain the owners of your father’s share of the company; just without voting rights. As long as you two are alive, we will continue to send you your share’s worth of the profits.”
Dunham stood up, his face absolutely livid. “I can’t believe this. You’re not only violating the trust you’ve been given, but you’re also violating company policy. Section 47, article five clearly states that you cannot fire a CEO without a hearing that they are personally present at, so long as they are alive at the time.”
The first woman smiled and said, “The board is not violating any company policy. As long as Alexander Samson Sr. is considered alive by the court, he will continue to be CEO, and his family,” she nodded at Alex and Jessica, “will be next in line.”
If this was to ease any of their worries, it was unsuccessful. The court had announced that if their father wasn’t found within the next couple of months, he would be declared legally dead. After that, there would be nothing stopping the board from assuming control.
Alex stood up. “This is unbelievable. My father isn’t even dead and you’re already making plans to take over? How sick are you guys? I’m out of here.”
And with that, Alex turned and walked out of the conference room. Jessica lingered long enough to give the board members another dirty look, then left after her brother.
@0@0@
Dunham lingered, watching them go.
“What did you expect?” one of the men asked Dunham as the elevator doors closed. “Did you really think that we’d give two control of the largest aeronautical development company in the United States? You’d be joking yourself Dunham. Their father was insane enough. We’ve heard stories from their psychologist about how they constantly bicker. Putting them in charge would tear the company to bits!”
“You don’t know that,” Dunham said. “For all you know, they could’ve been great CEOs.” He sighed. “I guess my hunch was correct about you all. How you are all money-loving control freaks with a bad case of OCD. What surprised me was that you didn’t even have the decency to wait until he was confirmed dead. Alexander won’t be happy to hear about this when he comes back.”
The man gave Dunham a sneer. “There was no point in waiting. Alexander Samson Sr. is as good as dead, and the company will soon be out of his family’s control. The best part is, there is nothing that you, those two delinquents, or anyone else can do!”
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