CHAPTER 3

The news of Andrew's death reached his personal assistant's tenth floor office and she acted swiftly. Jeanne was a small woman in stature but very big in reasoning.

She was Andrew's personal assistant, inherited from his father with whom she had worked for many years.

She had worked for the corporation from its foundation days and got promoted through the ranks until she became what she was.

Not only was she Andrew's assistant, she was also his confidant, getting to know a lot about him.

He told her everything about him, his family, his likes and dislikes and much more.

He had also shared with her his fears should anything happen to him and his reservations about his brother. All this came flooding into her memory the moment Andrew's death was confirmed.

“Oh my God, I must get her, I must bring Brenda home." She whispered to herself.

But first there were some things that Andrew had instructed her to do should something happen to him. She started executing them with precision, mostly shredding very sensitive documents and transferring huge amounts of cash. A new CEO would be taking over and knowing him she knew her services were not needed again.

A few hours before closing time she sneaked out of her office and used Andrew's private elevator to avoid detection from the security. She wasn't sure who to trust. In her bag were the most important personal effects. She was quitting her job.

Avoiding her car, she moved discreetly out of the compound and hailed a taxi to take her to Brenda's school.

It didn't take long before she was ushered into the principal's office and after a few words Brenda was summoned for her.

Jeanne and Brenda were friends, a relationship that grew from the very early stages when Brenda was a small kid. Her dad used to take her to his office and Jean always had something for her. Now that Brenda was approaching adulthood the friendship was even more pronounced.

After a few explanations the principal released her into Jeanne's hands. She only needed to pick up a few items and bid farewell to her friend Stella who was equally devastated by the sad turn of events.

Minutes later they left in the taxi which was still waiting.

Little was said inside the car as everyone was lost in thought.

Andrew's death had come as a shock to everyone and so much needed to be done before the grieving process could begin. The drive to Jeanne's house took twenty minute and only when the two ladies alighted and the taxi had left did they start talking.

“I'm sorry about the loss. Your father was a good man." Jeanne started the conversation.

She was in her fifties but aging well with a great body that she maintained through vigorous body exercises.

“Thanks Jeanne. I feel so awful." Brenda replied.

Jeanne lived in her own house, having bought it from it's previous owner and modified it to her liking.

She had planted trees along the stone perimeter fence and more inside the compound, making the house invisible from the outside.

She had spared no expense in making the house the ideal home, with great finishing and warm colors.

Behind it was a swimming pool where she used to swim every morning before going to work as part of her exercise.

She ushered Brenda inside to reveal a beautiful sitting room with expensive upholstery and a huge TV, complemented by a wall to wall stereo. Brenda loved music but that could wait.

When they were seated, steaming cups of coffee on the table, Jeanne spoke.

“Welcome to my humble abode my child. Your father's house is not safe for you that's why I brought you here. " She said.

Brenda only nodded to acknowledge.

“Your uncle has evil plans on the company and even more evil plans for you." She added.

A moment of silence prevailed as they took sips from the coffee. It was already dark outside but inside the house a massive chandelier provided light in the enormous sitting room.

“Your father instructed me to take care of you should anything happen to him. He left me funds to take care of your studies and your upkeep. I have successfully transferred them from the company to another account. Soon your uncle will take over the company and we all know what's going to happen thereafter." She added.

“What will happen if uncle Steven takes over?" Brenda broke her silence.

Her cup still on her hands, she rose from her couch one started pacing the room.

“Everything that your father and grandfather worked hard to accomplish, every company asset, every coin the company has, everything you can think of, Steven is going to squander. In one year MORRISON INTERNATIONAL as we know it will be a thing of the past." She said.

“Your father foresaw such a situation, that's why he covered you. But right now I have reason to believe that your uncle wants to harm you. A few minutes before I left he had a meeting with his hitman and I'm sure it wasn't for drinking coffee. The hitman could be looking for you even as we talk, to kill you. But don't worry, you're safe here.” She said.

Brenda was now confused, wondering whether to weep for her father or fear for her life.

She shuddered when she remembered that the same uncle had come to school to take her home, who knows what might have happened next?

Jeanne was on her feet, switching on the TV.

“You can watch the TV, keep yourself busy as I prepare dinner." She said before disappearing into the kitchen.

“Oh, sorry I forgot, come I show you to your room, you may need to change." She said as she came back from the kitchen.

They went up the spiral stairway to the rooms upstairs but as Jeanne tried the keys on the doors the lights went off and the whole house was engulfed in darkness.

Looking through the window Jeanne was startled, someone was outside, with a flashlight, trying to gain entry.