Silas growled as he paged through the list of candidates Harrison had brought to him.
He had believed that all of this would be sorted out today but the bombshell his assistant had dropped on him had thrown him through a loop.
He was back to square one.
He closed the packet and leaned back in his chair, resting his tired eyes.
These candidates were all women who fit the bill. They met the qualifications, as the families they were from were in the corporate world and a lot of them needed salvation from their failing businesses.
The problem was that these women and families could be seen as power hungry.
This was a fatal flaw that could ruin his overall plan in the long run if they decided they wanted more money or power after the contract expired. They could easily resort to exploitation and blackmail which could jeopardize his standing later on.
He sighed as he stood and gazed out the window.
The sun was setting over the horizon, meaning it was almost time for him to retire for the evening.
He had wanted all of his worries to be over today.
Thoughts of the blonde woman floated through his mind and he scowled.
Adelina.
She was still the perfect candidate.
Her desperation and lack of power made her the ideal pawn in his plan.
He mulled it over.
He would keep her close, on the back burner, for now.
The Adonis let out a long sigh as he returned to his desk and marked three of the women in the packet that he was willing to meet with.
A knock on his door resounded and Harrison peeked in.
"Hello Sir. It's almost time to close up for the weekend. I wanted to check in before I left." Harrison piped as he walked towards the man.
Silas glanced up with tired eyes as he pushed the packet towards Harrison.
"Contact these three. Make an arrangement to meet with them next week." Silas commanded.
Harrison nodded, cursing internally as he picked up the packet.
He shouldn't have checked in, now he would be stuck here for another 20 minutes making phone calls.
Harrison turned to exit when Silas stopped his escape.
"How did the meeting with that girl go?" The CEO inquired.
Harrison turned with a smile.
"It went well. Everything is taken care of and she starts on Monday." Harrison responded gleefully, happy that he would no longer have to complete secretary duties.
Silas gave a gentle nod of approval.
"Do you need anything else Sir?" Harrison asked.
"No that will be all." Silas responded, beginning to organize the paperwork on his desk so he could leave as well.
"Have a good weekend!" Harrison rejoiced as he quickly escaped before his boss could give him any additional work.
Silas finished a few emails.
He was about to grab his jacket and leave when his phone rang.
He cursed as he checked the caller ID.
"What do you want Ethan?" He boomed into the phone.
A laugh erupted from the other end.
"Do you greet all your friends like this or am I just special~?" An amused voice chuckled.
Silas growled.
"I'm about to leave work. If you called for friendly conversation, I'm not in the mood." Silas responded curtly.
"Ah my heart. You should learn to be less cold towards others." The man on the other end pouted.
Silas deadpanned.
"I'm hanging up." He stated.
"Wait I think you're gonna want to hear what I have to say~ it's about your little girlfriend." The man sang.
Silas stilled.
"Speak." He ordered.
Ethan huffed.
"All business and no play makes Silas a dull boy." Ethan chided.
"Ethan." Silas warned in a menacing tone.
"Fine. Have you searched up your girlfriend's name in awhile? There's an interesting article going around the web." Ethan hinted.
Silas quickly sat down and did a quick search on his computer.
His stare grew cold.
An article about Vivian tormenting a jewelry store attendant was making its rounds on the internet. Someone had even captured a video of her slapping the attendant.
Silas growled.
"Ah I see you just found the article. Very interesting no?" Ethan laughed.
"Take it down. Block it on all corners of the web and make sure no one can even type her name." Silas demanded, his face turning dark in rage.
Ethan Hanson was a powerful man. He owned the largest and most profitable internet security and software company in the entire world.
However, the reason he excelled in internet security software was because he himself was a famous and professional hacker. He could bring down the entire internet with a few keystrokes and no one would ever be able to trace it back to him.
Silas had become good friends with Ethan at a young age and the friendship had reaped a lot of benefits when it came to shutting up any slander that popped up on the web.
However, Ethan was a playboy at heart, and one of the most immature people in the business world. His life was about play and satisfaction and not a lot else.
The complete opposite of Silas in almost every way.
"Ah ah ah" Ethan taunted. "You know I never do anything for free~" Ethan continued in a playful voice.
"What do you want." Silas seethed.
"Boo. You're no fun. I haven't seen you in ages." Ethan grunted dejected.
"You just saw me last month." Silas retorted impatiently.
"Like I said ages. I want a fun night out with my best pal. There's a new club I've been wanting to go to. Come with me this weekend and I'll take it down." Ethan bargained shamelessly.
"I don't have time for those games Ethan. Take it down." Silas ordered unamused.
"Nope. Not until you promise to come out with me this weekend." Ethan popped.
Silas growled in annoyance.
Ethan was a great and powerful friend but he was stubborn and immature at times.
"Fine." Silas sighed in defeat.
"Yay! I'll pick you up tomorrow at 9! It's a risqué type of club so dress accordingly." Ethan bubbled quickly hanging up to accomplish his task.
Silas groaned as he placed his phone on his desk.
Today has been full of unfortunate surprises.
He glanced at his computer once more at the article of Vivian and clicked refresh.
The web page put up an error message as the article no longer existed thanks to his friend's unique talent.
He breathed a sigh of relief and shut off his computer for the evening.
He quickly grabbed his coat and exited the office, passing by Harrison who was still on the phone with one of the wife candidates.
Harrison glanced up at his leaving boss, betrayal lacing his eyes as his boss left him behind at work yet again.
"I'm home!" Adelina called as she stepped through the the front door, plastic bags lined up on her arm.
She shuffled towards the counter and deposited her numerous groceries onto the counter.
"Big Sis!" Her siblings cheered as they ran to give her a hug.
"How did it go?" Mina asked eagerly, looking up with wide and hopeful eyes.
Adelina smiled as she ruffled her siblings hair affectionately.
Leo looked over at the grocery bags.
"What's in those? Did you go shopping today!" Leo chirped quickly rifling through the plastic bags in search of whatever treasures were inside.
Mina smacked her brother on the shoulder.
"That's not what you should be focused on right now stupid!" Mina chided.
Leo rubbed his shoulder.
"What's wrong with asking? I'm sick of convenience store meals." He groaned.
Adelina laughed at her quarreling siblings.
"It went well! I got the job and it even pays better than expected. You two might be able to go on that field trip now!" Adelina answered Mina, putting her hand up to stop Mina from hitting her brother again.
"And to celebrate-" Adelina continued, pulling one of the bags off the counter to pull out a pack of meat. "I bought some meat and vegetables to grill tonight!" Adelina told them brightly.
Leo cheered and Mina threw her arms around her older sister.
"Yay! You're the bestest sister ever!" Mina declared happily.
"Can we really go on the field trip now?" Leo cried with excitement.
"Yep!" Adelina answered with a smile.
Leo threw his arms up in a cheer.
"Well judging from Leo's face, it looks like you got the job!" Adelina's mother commented as she exited her room.
Her face was pale and sickly but it was filled with happiness for her daughter.
"I got it! We won't have to worry about bills and rent anymore." Adelina smiled at her mother.
Her mother perked up.
Adelina looked back at her siblings.
"You guys go get the vegetables washed and prepped. I'll get the meat started after I change!" Adelina instructed.
"Yes ma'am!" The two accepted their orders and quickly got to work.
Adelina walked towards her mother's room to change, the older sickly woman following closely behind her.
"I'm so proud of you. I never thought you would be able to work in a proper business again after everything that has happened. I was so worried for you and it's great that you are finally where you belong." Her mother said with teary eyes.
Adelina flashed her bright white teeth in happiness.
"I still can't believe it myself." Adelina chuckled as she picked out a more comfortable outfit for grilling.
"This is wonderful. Now you won't have to work all those odd jobs anymore." Her mother breathed out in relief.
Adelina paused.
"Actually, I am still going to keep a few." Adelina sighed as she found the rest of her clothes.
Her mother furrowed her brows.
"What do you mean? You have a full time position now. There's no reason to keep working yourself to death sweetie." Her mother questioned.
Adelina hesitated. She still had medical bills to pay off, her siblings tuition to save up for, and she wanted to upgrade their living situation in the near future.
However she couldn't openly tell her mother that. She didn't want to worry her family more than she needed to.
"I just want to keep a few as a backup, just in case." Adelina reassured with a smile.
Her mother furrowed her brows in thought and then smiled brightly.
"My daughter is so proactive." Her mother gave her a tight hug with her frail arms.
"Your father would be so proud of you!" Her mother whispered into Adelina's ear.
Adelina felt tears well up in her eyes at the thought of how her father would react.
"Thank you mom." Adelina hugged her mother gently back, mindful of how she could feel the bones of her shoulder and spine.
Her mother held her for a moment before she pulled away.
"Go get changed and we can start dinner!" Her mother smiled as she left Adelina to change.
Adelina dropped her smile as her mother left the room.
She still had so many bills to pay. She would need to keep a few jobs. She knew a few wouldn't work because of the hours.
She contemplated which jobs would work.
She could probably keep the convenience store job, it wouldn't interfere with the hours.
She would have to quit her milk delivery job and grocery store clerk position.
She could consider keeping her sewing job if her mother would be able to assist her during the work week.
Adelina frowned.
Then there was her weekend evening job.
She could keep that one, it paid very well for the short amount of time she had to work.
However, it was her least favorite job out of all those she had worked.
Her shift had been canceled tonight, but she had work tomorrow evening.
She sighed and shook herself out of her thoughts.
She shouldn't think and worry tonight. She had taken a huge step forward today and it was time for celebration.
She quickly changed and flashed a bright smile as she exited the room to have a nice evening with her family.