5 YEARS LATER
Harmonica swiveled in her chair as she stared at the shareholders murmuring incoherent words. To her left, Romano tapped his legs on the floor, staring into oblivion.
''I still don't understand why you would refuse such an offer ma'am. The future of this company depends on that union.'' A man who looked to be in his late 60's with grey taking most part of his hair uttered, staring at harmonica annoyingly.
''Perhaps we had made a mistake letting a woman take control of the company'' A slightly younger man said and Romano hit his hands on the table, hushing him. ''Enough!''
''If I remember correctly, you only have 2% of shares. I don't think you are entitled to an opinion.'' Romano said, smirking as the man shrinked into his seat. ''That's what I thought.'' He smoothened his tie before taking his seat.
Harmonica cleared her throat and the boardroom went silent. ''Seeing as the board members are concerned about my decision, I would go ahead and reconsider. The meeting is adjourned.'' She said and the members got up, some snickering while the others acknowledging her before leaving the room.
Harmonica sighed. It had been three years since she sat on the high table of Kyro industries. The people at the company already knew her as Monica—The CEO and deal breaker. When it came to securing deals, she was really good at it.
And somehow, her name had spread across Armstadem and other neighboring countries.
A week ago, she had approached one of the biggest foreign companies to secure a multi billion dollar deal. After discussing, they had shook hands, agreeing to partner up with them.
But last night, the CEO had called with bad news. They said another company just like theirs had also presented a good deal to them and they had somehow accepted it.
Now, they wanted both companies to partner up for the business. When Harmonica had heard the news, she didn't feel anything. She had quickly said it was not a problem partnering with a company of the same par as theirs. It was not until the CEO said that it was the company owned by Lucas stone that she almost went ballistic.
She quickly hung up the call, saying she would get back to them. But she knew her partnership with the foreign company was already lost. And after telling the shareholders that they wouldn't be taking part anymore, they had immediately started to doubt her expertise.
''Do you think I'm doing the right thing?'' Harmonica asked as she stared at Romano. Her cold CEO vibes had already faltered, only left with a hint of vulnerability.
''Look…if you are scared of working with Stone ltd just because you would see my brother, then don't be. I would always be there to protect you. However, if you don't want to go back to New York, that is totally up to you. Don't stress it.'' He said, patting her head and walking out of the boardroom, a notepad and laptop wrapped around his left arms.
Harmonica sighed as she watched him leave. She was not in the least bit scared of Lucas. She just didn't want those old memories coming back. She had moved on a long time ago. But she still hated the thoughts of going back to New York City.
''Ma'am should I clear your schedule for today?'' A woman in her late 30's asked, staring down at her. She had almost forgotten that her assistant was still in the room.
''Yes please.'' Harmonica said, resting her hands against her head. She was really stressed after all those banters.
Her phone rang and she checked the caller ID, a smile curling her lips. It was her son's nanny—Jessica.
''Hi Jessica. How is—'' Harmonica quickly paused as she sensed that something was wrong. There was a muffled cry coming from the end of the line.
''Jessica, is everything okay?'' She asked, panic already taking over her being.
''mrs harmonica, Zade is in the hospital.'' Jessica said, crying.
Harmonica quickly bolted up from the chair, startling her assistant. ''Jessica please talk to me. What hospital? What happened to my son!'' She shouted, sniffling as tears dripped down her eyes.
''OLVG hospital.'' Jessica small voice bloomed from the other end.
it was the same hospital harmonica had delivered her baby. And the same hospital her son had been going for regular checkups.
She quickly hung up the call and grabbed her keys, bolting to the garage. Once there, she hopped into
her car and turned on the engine, pressing on the brakes and heading for the hospital.
The car made a screeching sound as it came to a halt at OLVG hospital's parking lot. Harmonica quickly ran up the stairs and straight to the room her son was.
Immediately she got in, she saw her son's nanny in a corner, bawling her eyes while the doctor checked up on her son.
''Jessica what exactly happened to him?'' Harmonica asked, trying to remain as calm as possible.
''He fainted. I don't know what happened to him'' Jessica started, her voice breaking as she continued. ''One minute he was in the playground and the next, he was laying on the floor.''
Harmonica staggered backwards as she struggled to control her emotions. She quickly went to meet Dr creed who had now finished with her son's report.
''Harmonica, you need to sit down for this.'' He said, staring at her with pity. When he saw that she was unmoving, he sighed. ''Last week, I called the other branches to outsource for a donor for your son. I thought he would be able to hold up for a while. But…his kidney disease has worsened. If he don't get a transplant soon, he might….'' The doctor trailed, shaking his head in denial.
Harmonica held her mouth tightly as tears fell down her eyes. Growing up, her son had been battling kidney disease. She had been really happy that her tiny little berry had grown up to be as healthy and as big as the boys his age. But now, she didn't know what to do anymore.
As she was crying, a nurse came into the room and whispered something into Dr creed's ear. The latter's face quickly lit up and he stared at harmonica happily. ''Congratulations mrs smith. We have found a match for your son.''
Harmonica froze as she stared at him in disbelief. ''A match?''
''Yes. The person isn't exactly a donor. He had gone to the headquarters for a checkup and somehow, my contact said he's kidney matches that of your son's.'' Dr creed said.
'' Oh my God!'' Harmonica exclaimed. She didn't care if the person was a donor or not, she would go down on her kneels if she could or even pay millions if it meant saving her son.
''Can I know who this person is?'' She asked, caressing her son's hair as she spoke. The news had somehow made her legs unfreeze and she was now standing beside his bed.
''Let me see…'' Doctor creed drawled, scrolling through his phone. ''The person whose kidney matches your son is…Lucas stone.''