CHAPTER TEN (CHOICES)

"Now, we're switching over to the business news. The biggest tech company Morris Inc has announced a new CEO. He goes by the name Bryan Morris. He's said to be the only son of the late CEO.

This new development has been making waves on the Internet as everyone thinks Bryan Morris is not fit for that position. Others say he is a newbie in the business world and the company will end up filing for bankruptcy because of his inexperience.

Others believe his father made a bad decision by including him in his will - stating that he should take over the his business empire. Bryan Morris is just 21. His young age made everyone thinks he's less qualified to run such a prestigious company.

Nevertheless, everyone has got their fingers crossed, waiting to see if Bryan would successfully run the multi-million dollar company or if it'll soon be buried under the ash heaps of bankruptcy.

That will be all from our end here at PRIME TV NEWS. I'm your presenter Kelly. Good evening"

***

Bryan hit a button on the remote and the television went off. He slammed his hand over the sofa he was sitting on. A part of him wished he never watched that news broadcast. Because it just ignited a fire of doubt and uncertainty that he has been taming, ever since he emerged the CEO of his father's empire.

He's scared it'll go down the drain. Because he's so clueless . He can't even successfully run a roadside pizza outlet, talk more of a huge business conglomerate. He never had a business background. He did psychology in school but dropped out in his second year when his father could no longer foot the bills.

He wants to trust his father's judgment, but what he just heard from the news - raised his anxiety to its brim. Everyone has their eyes on him, and a single wrong move might jeopardize his reputation. And the reputation of a firm his father worked so hard to build.

Now he's stuck and wishes he could hear him speak to him again. And tell him all that he needed to know about running the empire and putting things in place. If only they had that final and crucial conversation - the coast may have been cleared and no measure of self-doubt would have crept into Bryan's heart.

"There's no point giving up," Bryan thought. If his father chose him to shoulder such huge responsibility, then Bryan has hidden potential. Bryan is willing to try every trick in the book to ensure he doesn't sail the empire to the shore of wreckage and bankruptcy.

Bryan is still skeptical and apprehensive about why his father kept his wealth away from him all the while. Those nights when they had to sleep hungry crept into Bryan's heart. Those moments when they had their generous amount of poverty. Bryan felt glints of betrayal - but again Ava's words still lingered in his heart. Maybe there's more to learn about the entire Morris family culture.

Aside from the Morris family custom - Bryan is still trying to figure out why his father would hide such exclusive details.

****

Bryan stormed out of a flower shop, wiping a streak of sweat off his face. That'll be the third shop he'd visit in the last thirty minutes.

Car engines buzzed at his ears, and the blusters and whispers of other pedestrians ambling down the block too. The skies were beginning to turn gray, necessitating the need for Bryan to get the gift as quickly as he could.

Ava had sent him the address to a party rendezvous and she insisted that he come along with a gift - the best he can lay his hands on.

First, it was a jewelry store. All that was visible were cheap bracelets and necklaces. None of them seemed to meet up with the "best" criterion Ava gave him.

Then he proceeded to a wine shop. His eyes enlarged at the long rack of liquor - nearly arranged. But his instincts swung into action. What if the person he's buying a gift for isn't an aficionado of alcohol? As much as he's not trying to impress anyone, Bryan is stuck at the cap of buying the wrong gift - on the wrong occasion.

Bryan's gaze came to terms with a store on the other side of the street. He evaded the sidewalk and crossed to the side of the road. He rubbed his neck lazily, before pushing the door. It was a boutique. The bright lights made him freeze and squint his eyes for a moment. He bit his bottom lip to hide his nervousness.

Fist gripped and eyes bulging out, he proceeded into the store. He walked to the first segment on his left. The rack had different types of bikinis hung on it. Black? Red? Green?.... Ava had told him that he was buying the gift for a lady.

Bryan stood still for a moment, contemplating if he should swipe his card for a bikini. What if she doesn't wear bikinis?

Bryan kissed his tooth loudly and proceeded to another section of the boutique.

A long tonnage of gowns - was assembled alluringly in front of him. Some of the gowns are well-designed and sophisticated. Bryan needed no soothsayer to tell him they'd cost a fortune. His eyes settled on a blue gown. It was silky and nice. Nice and fitting for a dinner date. But what if she doesn't wear a gown?

He placed the gown back in the rack and walked away. A few meters away, there was a long trail of luxurious bags. His eyes settled on a diamond bag. It shimmered differently from the rest of the bags on the rack. He ambled towards it, admiring the purse.

"Babe... This is beautiful. We should buy this" a familiar voice echoed from the other side of the counter.

"Babe, we're on a budget. This purse costs a whopping one hundred thousand dollars. That's too expensive"

Bryan creased his eyebrows, his lips widened at the voices. He dropped the bag in his hand and found his way to the side of the counter, where the voice emanated from.

His instincts were right. it was his ex-girlfriend - Charlotte, and the guy from the parking lot.