10 Years Later
A black Bentley Bentayga zooms into the premises, and stops right in front of the highest skyscraper building in the city which serves as the headquarters of the largest enterprise in the country - Donovan Group Enterprise.
A young lady who looks like she is in her early 20s, steps out of the luxury car. She is wearing an exquisite knee-length black corporate gown paired with a simple silver and diamond bracelet and matching earnings, she is also on a pair of black Christian Louboutin red-bottom heels. Her hair is parked in a slick ponytail, which displays the waist-long length of her silky black hair. Her gray eyes carry a charismatic aura, yet her innocent dimpled smirk makes her presence both comforting and intimidating.
She is flooded by a group of reporters, whose attempt to ask her some questions are met with futility as she works into the building and hands her Birkin handbag to her personal assistant, while various camera continues to shutter.
Reporters:
"Miss Zekiele Donovan, please answer us!!
Miss Zekiele Donovan, over here please!!
Miss Zekiele Donovan!!!"
"Preye, I hope the conference room has been set up for the Press Conference" Zekiele asked Preye, her personal assistant.
"Hmmm… Yes, yes Zekiele, don't you trust me, I made sure everything is in order before you got here" Preye said.
She has known Zekiele for years now, and she knows one thing that Zekiele hates is being behind schedule, so she ensured to set everything properly for the press conference so that they can start immediately Zekiele arrives.
Zekiele had saved her years ago during the Celestial Purge, and helped her when she thought she had lost everything and had no one to rely on. Zekiele took her in, gave her this job, and pays her a huge chunk of salary which affords her the means to live a lavish lifestyle in the Human Realm, and still take care of her family who reside in Aquaria, in the Celestial World.
"Okay, good. Tell those in charge that we are starting the press Conference now." Zekiele responded.
"They both took the elevator to the floor where the press conference is to be held. As they walked into the press conference room, everyone fell silent, and all eyes were on Zekiele. Zekiele walked majestically to the front of the hall where three chairs were placed behind a large table. She sat down on the chair in the middle, and then ushered her personal assistant, and the head of public relations to sit as well. She then gestured to the already seated reporters to ask their questions.
Reporter 1: Miss Zekiele Donovan, it has been 10 years since you took over your family business, after the demise of the late CEO, your father, and in these ten years, this is the very first time you are attending the company's press conference. Does your presence signify a major change in operations for the company?
"That's a nice question. Well, you see, you are quite right to an extent. Normally, I would not be here today because the company has an able representative to handle matters relating to the press and media in general, but indeed, today is special because my presence shall mark a new era for the company. And besides it is time to take all matters into my hands, no more delegation." Zekiele responded with a subtle smirk.
Reporter 2: Miss Zekiele, this new era… what is it about? And what are the probability that it would not have any drastic effect on the profits of the company?
"It is my pleasure to announce that The Donovan Group Enterprise shall be spreading her wings by having an expansion through a partnership with an international foreign company, TL & Co Groups. With this partnership, we aim to broaden our horizon and expand our business to more countries." Zekiele responded.
As Zekiele finished speaking, the hall erupted with numerous murmurs, and the reporters were looking at each other in shock.
Reporter 3: Miss Zekiele, this partnership is quite shocking considering the fact that TL & Co Groups is an international foreign company that emerged few years back after the head of the company acquired several companies, and then conglomerated it into a single company, thereby being one of Donovan Group Enterprise' biggest rivals in recent years. Irrespective of the massively huge profit the company is bound to obtain from this partnership, is this partnership not more of a risk to the future of the Donovan Group Enterprise?
"What is business without risks? As the saying goes, no pain no gain. This is business, and not just ordinary business, this is business that transcend borders, therefore for us to stay at the top, we must make allies, and probably while making allies, we are bound to make enemies as well, but our goal is to make more allies than enemies irrespective of whether they are our rivals or accomplice, while also making more profits in the process."
"So yes, this is a huge risk the company is taking, but there are always risk especially when you want to take a giant stride to progress. But to keep your worries at bay, I must remind you that the Donovan Group Enterprise is not a baby in this game, we know what needs to be done, and we shall do what needs to be done. Afterall, what is that saying? Yes, one eye on enemies, and two eyes on allies." Zekiele responded with a wide grin.
"I think I am done with playing my part here, my personal assistant and the head of public relations will take over and answer all further questions. Thank you." Zekiele said as she stood up and walked out of the Conference Hall.
Reporters:
"Miss Zekiele, please hold on, one more question. Please hold on, ma.
Ma, we still have tons of questions for you personally."
The reporters tried to get Zekiele's attention, but she had already strolled out of the hall. She took a sharp turn and then walked into the elevator. The elevator took her to the rooftop of the building.
Zekiele stood at the rooftop for a while and then went close to the railings. She looked down at the moving vehicles that seemed so tiny from up there, she could feel the air of the bustling city and the noises from the cars' honking. She wanted to stay here for a while but she had a lot of work to do.
She let out a little laugh which never seem to reach her empty eyes. When has she not had a lot of work to do?
Zekiele immediately turned around and walked towards the private elevator at the other end of the rooftop, which leads directly to her office. As the elevator went down to the floor below the rooftop, she kept on staring at the distant view of the bustling city from the glass walls of the elevator, and all that could come to her mind was…
"What a fleeting life."