Whispers And SCREAMS

Chapter 1. A twist of fate

The breeze of a cool Wednesday morning hit me as the driver opened the door for me. I walked in long strides escaping the paparazzi towards the door to our new hotel. I had an interview in half an hour and the paparazzi would take almost fifteen minutes of my time.

Rose my personal assistant came to greet me as I made my way towards the elevator.
"Morning sir, Mr. Serrano asks to see you now." She told me as the elevator opened and we walked in.
"He will have to wait until after the interview." I said without looking at her.
"He said that he will be doing the interview instead." She replied. My jaws tightened as a cold shiver ran down my spine. I felt myself turn a bit red from anger. He did it again. My father did it again!

My father, John Serrano or the famous Mr. Serrano was a successful businessman and people worshipped his footsteps. He inherited most of his fortune and I worked my ass off and broke a thousand bones to make sure he earned more. This new hotel was my idea and my project. I worked on sleepless nights for 13 months to get it where it was right now. He had promised to acknowledge me this time. With pride and a title other than his son and money. I was supposed to do the interview and the headlines were to be " Another successful project for the Mr. Serrano and his son" But instead my father chose to take the interview and win the glory when he did nothing at all.

The paparazzi were not there for me, they were waiting for my father. They probably didn't even know who I am!

"This way sir" Rose said to me. I loosened my fists only to feel my fingers ache for I had tightened my fists so hard. I let out a heavy sigh as I walked into one of the hotel's conference rooms which was where the interview was to be taking place. "Drew, the man himself" I heard my father calling from across the room. There were people fixing cameras and tables for the interview. They all turned to look at me as I walked towards my father. A man of medium height and a bald head and a lot of moustache. He looked younger than fifty four,his real age but wealthy enough that one would smell money from his cologne. His tummy was an explanation of his extravagance. He opened his arms to hug me as though of a dad hugging his little son. I stretched my hand for a handshake instead when I reached him. As annoying and selfish as he can be he was still my father and I had just as much respect for him as I did with my late grandfather.

"Loosen up a little bit my son, life is too short! Brief me on some small details about this project, just the important ones." He said to me as one of the sound men came to fix the microphone for him. It wasn't like me to ask questions so I did as he asked and briefed him on the small details he asked. I watched him walk towards the table set for him. He turned to me again and asked "What is the name of the hotel again?" My jaw dropped a little and my frown became visible then he smiled and walked away. That was my father, he jokes on impossible things and at impossible times.

I stood beside the cameraman, which is where I always stood in each and every interview and watched as the interviewer , interviewed my father. She looked to be well trained and she knew what she was doing. My father always had his ways with words and he seemed to have the answers to each question she asked.

I left the room before my father left and before he could say anything. I took an elevator to my office which was on the topmost floor, the 23rd floor. From there I had a clear view of the Hudson river and the busy town on the other side. People would pay a fortune just to appreciate that view. The grand opening was on the next Saturday but the hotel was already trending.

"Come in" I responded at a door knock and Rose walked in. She was a year or two older than me but she knew her place as my assistant. She was just as good at her job as the money I paid her. "Your father asked if you are free to have lunch with him this afternoon since he will be flying to Miami this evening until the grand opening day." She asked.
" I am working through lunch so tell him to have a safe flight. Anything else?" I asked as I turned my gaze from where I was standing at the window to look at her. 
" Oh yes, you have a meeting with the sales and advertising committee in five minutes" she said.
"Show them in"I answered as I returned my gaze to the glass window.