Chapter 2: Bigger Plans
Jake stepped out of his car and walked briskly toward the glass doors of Ling Corp's Real Estate branch.
The sky above was a dull gray, mirroring his mood. Emma with her nagging attitude had dampened his mood, now he was just going to have to work, trying to keep his emotions in check.
He wondered why he was still married to her even though he no longer felt any iota of love for her again. Pushing Emma's thoughts out of his mind, he headed into the office building.
As he entered the building, the receptionist greeted him with a polite smile. "Good morning, Mr. Thompson," but he only gave a curt nod in response, his mind already racing ahead to the day's challenges. He didn't have time for pleasantries.
He made his way to his office, a space that was efficient and functional, yet nothing like the grand corner office he had always envisioned for himself.
The room was small, with beige walls that seemed to close in on him more each day. A modest mahogany desk sat in the center, flanked by a simple filing cabinet and a leather chair that creaked whenever he leaned back.
Jake sat down heavily in his chair, running a hand through his neatly combed blond hair. He looked around the office for a moment, his blue eyes narrowing in thought.
When will I finally get back what belongs to me? He wondered bitterly. I'm tired of working in this subsidiary branch when I should be sitting in the head office of Ling Corp, running the entire company as the CEO.
His fists clenched at the thought. All his hard work at Ling Corp, all his effort to show his aunt that he was a true Sterling even though from the mother's side, more worthy than that adopted fool his aunt and late grandfather wanted to carry on the family business, it all seemed to be for nothing.