The grand Boardroom of Cole Enterprises was made of glass, steel, and silence. But Bryan Cole barely glanced at the view. He was focused on the stacks of reports in front of him—his posture sharp, his gaze sharper.
At 30, Bryan had it all: A company of his own, a billion-dollar contract, his face all over magazine covers, a schedule packed with meetings with investors and luxury events. Yet to those who worked closely with him, he was known as "The Cold CEO". Always in control, never emotional, rarely seen smiling.
"Mr Cole you have a meeting with the boards by 1pm and you also have a meeting with the investors by 3pm. Also, your mother asked me to let you know that she would be present for the board meeting today" Jordan said.
"Okay," He replied without looking up.
"Get me a cup of coffee, no sugar," he said and then stood up.
Minutes later, Jordan came in with the coffee and then dropped it on his table.
"I want the board meeting moved to noon, and the meeting with the investors moved to 2pm" Bryan instructed
"Okay sir, I will inform them" Jordan replied and left the office.
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"Sir Mr Cole asked that the meeting be moved to noon today, which is just 30minutes away," Jordan said to one of the board members
"Okay, no problem I will inform the other board members."
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(The Board Meeting)
As Bryan entered the board room everyone went silent. Yes, his presence has that effect.
"Is there any matter we need to talk about?" Bryan asked
"Yes Bryan, the press has been waiting to hear from you," His mother said
"Mom, I don't get you. What do they want to hear? Cause I don't think there has been anything going on with the press for a while now"
"When are you getting married? When do you plan on introducing a lady? Those are the questions" A board member said
" I already told you all, I am not getting married anytime soon. I'm still very young for marriage" Bryan said
"What do you mean by young. You are a successful businessman, all you need is a woman by your side" His mother said
"Mom I know you are the one saying all these things, not the press" he retorted
"If you don't find a wife before the end of next month your position as CEO will be at stake," another board member said
"We already came to a conclusion that a single man cannot run this company, if you don't gar a wife then forget about being CEO" his mother said and then left.
All the board members packed up their files and then left in accordance.
"Sir I also think you should get a wife, you are not getting any younger," Jordan said with a slight smile.
"Oh so you also think so, then why don't you just marry me, or maybe my mother should marry me herself" he said in a serious tone and then left.
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Jordan followed Bryan as they walked towards the private elevator.
"Sir the investor just cancelled the meeting, he says he would rather have a meeting with your mother"
"What nonsense! What right does he have to do that?" Bryan snapped
"Sir I think its your mother, she already asked everyone not to report to you if you don't fulfill her request" Jordan said.
"Oh my God! I don't like this, I don't. What right does she have to pressure me to get married?"
"Sir u think she has every right, she's your mother after all" Jordan said
The elevator opened almost immediately.
"You can take the rest of the day off since we don't have any other thing to do," Bryan said facing Jordan
"Where will you be going sir?" he asked
"That's none of your business" Bryan retorted and then got into his car.
"The Bar please," he said to the driver
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The bar was dimly lit, humming with low music and expensive drinks. Bryan sat in the VIP booth with his best friend Damon Grey.
Damon was already halfway through his third drink.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you drinking?" Damon asked
"How can I drink at this time, when my job is on the line" Bryan said looking displeased
"I don't understand, what do you mean by your job is on the line?"
"My mom and the other board members already concluded that if I don't get a wife by the end of next month I will be relieved of my position as the CEO" Bryan said
"Wait, what! Isn't the company yours? And also what right do they have to decide" Damon asked
"Yes the company is mine, but my mom and the other board members have a right to decide because they all have shares in the company. Now they want me to get married" Bryan said
"Oh wow, so that means you have to get married"
"How do you think that will be possible? I don't even have a girlfriend. You know I am the type that can't stay with just one woman" Bryan said looking disturbed
"I know that. No one said you need a girlfriend before you can get married." Damon said looking into his eyes
"What the hell do you mean by that?"
"What I mean is that you can easily hire someone to be your wife for the main time. You offer her money and some other things, she agrees and then you keep your job. It's a win-win situation" Damon said sipping his drink
"Bro that's ridiculous, why would you even suggest such a thing. What kind of lady would even accept such" Bryan said
Damon shakes his head. "Bro, don't you get what I mean? You don't have to be close to a girl before you get married, all you have to do is find a lady, offer her some money, get married and keep your job. That's all"
"I really can't do that, I can't beat to marry someone I don't know or love" Bryan said sipping his drink.
They sat in silence for a moment, the background hum of music and clicking glasses filling the spaces between them.
"I think I found a perfect match for you"
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Across the room, a woman had just walked in— long curls spilling down her shoulder, dark jeans hugging her figure, a plain blue blouse that somehow looked elegant. She didn't look like she belonged there. Yet she owned the space.
Bryan followed Damon's gaze.
"She looks broke," Bryan said flatly
"She looks interesting" Damon corrected "And I think interesting is what you need"
Bryan scoffed. "Not from a bar"
He left almost immediately after talking.
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Leah Rivera stepped up to the bar counter, gripping her small purse.
"Water please," she said to the bartender, forcing a polite smile
He raised a brow but poured it anyway
"I heard this bar is hiring" Leah asked the bartender
"Yes it is, but no one has come to apply yet"
"Oh I'm here to apply tho, where can I meet the manager?" Leah asked
"Just go through this door, the room on your left, the manager should be there"
He said with a smile
"Okay thanks" she said and then followed his directions.
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Leah met with the manager and they discussed for a while before he stood up.
"I hope you can resume as early as 5pm tomorrow" He said while they shook hands
"Yes sir, thank you sir" She said and then left through the door she came in.
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"So did you get the job?" the bartender asked
"Yes I did, I will start by tomorrow 5pm sharp" she said and then left the bar.
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