
The conference room was filled to the brim.
I couldn't wait to step between the curtains and make my announcement. Yes, everyone was going to be shocked. But that was the plan in itself.
"Baby, you ready?" A beaming Annabelle asked as she came up beside me. After the events of the last six months, Annabelle and I went underground. Even though we had to go through a series of investigations, it was a piece of cake with her by my side.
Everything was pinned on my father. From his dirty dealing with the mob to the sudden disappearance of my mother and Meg.
Eric had been tight-lipped ever since the events in my house took place. According to him, he had been knocked out by one of my father's men and when he woke up, everyone had gone.
I still found it hard to believe but I decided to be patient with him. I was sure the events of that day had been truly traumatising. It was evident in the hunting look he carried around. No one would ever want to relish an experience like that.
A month after the incident, he went AWOL. Occasionally sending emails to say he was fine and needed the time off. It was understandable to me, but not to Paul who kept saying Eric needed psychological help. Whatever the case may be, I knew within me that Eric was going to be fine. He was the strongest among us, our rock. I knew he'd come out of this better than ever.
I heaved a resigning sigh.
"Did you call the investors last night?" I inquired of Annabelle.
"Trust me." She replied.
"Did we get the desired result?"
"Absolutely."
"I freaking love you woman," I whispered into her ears.
She chuckled.
"I think it is saved to say, I love you more, considering all the things you make me do."
I froze.
"Did you just say you love me, Annabelle?"
She smirked. This woman would be the death of me.
"Say it again," I demanded.
"If you are man enough to weather the storm to come, then you'll get to hear it occasionally."
"And now we'll love to announce the presence of the only surviving heir of the Harrell's dynasty, Mr Charles Harrell.
There was a series of claps and applauds as we were ushered into the conference room. I climbed the podium and Annabelle stood beside me. A show of strength and support.
"I know most of you have been waiting for a time like this for the past six months. Well, here it is." I said enthusiastically. There was a series of chuckles and laughter.
I continued.
"I won't be taking any questions from reporters and civilians alike," I said, beaming to the crowd.
Another round of easy laughter emitted from the audience as they watched me keenly.
"With that said, I'll have everyone know that I have two announcements today. The first is the fact that I and Ms Annabelle William here, will be getting married tomorrow, and none of you is invited."
I heard a series of gasps from the audience as they began murmuring.
"What the fuck. Charles?" I heard a bewildered Annabelle shriek beside me. Oh, hell's gonna break lose tonight.
Turning to face her, I went down on my knees, brought out a shining diamond ring, and said, "If you don't smile and accept this ring, our names are going to be in the tabloids for a while. Then, I'll have no choice but to abduct you and marry you somewhere in a faraway land without your knowledge. It's your choice, so choose wisely."
I know she wanted to say something as crazy as I'll kill you! Or something, but she wisely settled for, "Of course I'll marry you, sweetheart." With a deadly glint in her eyes, while offering her fingers for me to slip the ring through.
Oh, I was so dead.
I stood up and made the show of kissing her senseless before backing up unto the podium.
"Now, to my last announcement. Harrell dynasty has been liquidated. It no longer seizes to exist. In place of it, I would be building Tecficals Industries. Thank you."
Everywhere erupted in commotion and confusion. I smiled. Happy to be getting the desired effect.
I stepped down from the podium, slipped my hands into Annabelle's and walked out of the conference room.
This should keep them talking for another six months while I go about enacting my true plan.
As we slipped into the limousine, Annabelle turned to me. "We got the desired effect." She beamed up at me.
"We did. Now punch in the code. By ruling Africa's crime sector, we rule the government. Now, I am the boss."
"Yes, you are." Annabelle concurred with a deadly smirk.
"Call the president and let him know who runs the White House."
"On it." She said as she furiously punched into the keys of her laptop.
"And Annabelle, about what happened in there--"
"Let me get one thing straight, " She cuts in, "You might be the most powerful man in the world right now, but I am the boss of you."
Punching in her last few digits, she shut the laptop and straightened.
"You are so dead."
And so we come to the end of recipe for disaster.
Thank you for sticking with Chabelle until the very end.
There will be a sequel to this based on popular demand.