NATE's POV

"Good morning my sweet brothers" greeting Mike and William cheerfully. It was a stormy morning, lightening threatening, the rain pouring and the sky dark blue. A perfect morning. One of God's most beautiful creations.

"Somebody seems happy this morning" William mused out loud, giving me a funny look. He was at the island eating an omelet and some fruits. I knew it was Mike who cooked. William couldn't cook to save his life.

"Really? I don't think so" reaching for the pot of coffee and pouring myself a cup of black goodness.

"Please. You seem almost... happy. And in all my years of working for you I never once seen you crack a smile on an early morning" this coming from William.

"Well I am just so happy I could cry" my heart on my chest and sobbing in a theatric fashion. Though William had a point. I never smiled in the morning. Morning is game day each and every day, 24/7. I guess I was saving all my emotions and take it out on all my employees.

"Very funny. You know, New York has some of the biggest theaters, you should consider auditioning" Mike snorted.

"After you. But to answer your question William, I am so happy because today is the day that I am going to be reunited with my grams and I am just so happy" wiping away an imaginary tear.

"I thought you hated them." William yelled looking at me disbelievingly.

And it was true. The feeling I had for my grandparents could only be described as chaotic. In fact I hated any product that came from their loins. It would be my pleasure to see them rot and wither in pain. I wouldn't mind at all if someone beat them up or caused them some form of emotional and physical and financial distress. Heck, I will bail them out of prison and get the best group of lawyers for their defense.

Honestly they had been in power for far too long. It was time someone stepped in as the new alpha lion. Someone like me.

"I do. That is why I am going to see them. Last night I was finally able to convince two of the hospitals shareholders to sell me their rights.

"How did you manage that? I thought none of them were selling?" Mike asked. He along with a couple of my finest executives and lawyers to fine comb any shareholder willing to sell.

"Maybe they just love me." I said in a fake offensive voice.

"So they are satanic worshippers then?" Mike asked in a sarcastic voice. At this William snorted.

I rolled my eyes "Anyway, I just had E send them a couple of documents and I let the rest of them in on the fact that the hospital will soon be going out of business." pouring some cream in m coffee.

"Are they?"

"No." shrugging my shoulders and stirring the coffee. I placed it down and took a sip. Sighing at the liquid goodness. I looked up to see Mike and William giving me a look. A knowing look. A look that read that I was the spawn of evil. I couldn't blame them, this would not be the first, tenth or fifteenth time I had used my ... skills to get what I want. And it certainly wouldn't be the last.

"What?! They didn't know that. I didn't exactly force them into anything. I just sent them a couple of charts and graphs that showed the hospital was going downhill."

"Is it?" Mike asked giving me the stink eye.

"It soon will. Well, I gave them the evidence and their minds did the rest" It wasn't my fault that some people were just so gullible and stupid.

"You are impossible." William sighed shaking his head.

"I do try." winking at him. "Well after providing the information" continuing my story but was once again interrupted by one of the boys.

"The damning evidence" Mikey corrected.

"Yes. I let them in on the fact that I will be running the hospital out of business and sponsors. Give it a couple of months or a year at most they will be losing money and them being in the red wouldn't be such a good idea"

"They are going bankrupt?" William asked.

"They soon will be" in a cryptic voice.

"So they decided to sell?"

"Yeah. Spineless fools" I muttered. But I had to thank them for that otherwise I wouldn't be in.

"Well here is to the spineless fools that gave you the chance to wreak havoc to your grandparents" William lifted his orange juice.

"Hear hear" we chorused.

"So when are you going to take over?"

"In about an hour"

"How many shares did you get?"

"Eleven percent"

"Only eleven?"

"That is not much" Mike said in a disappointing voice.

"Oh don't worry. I have a feeling that by the time I am done I will have the entire shareholders and the board on my side"

"I am afraid to ask how" shaking his head. But I could see a small smile playing at his lips.

"By coming in as an Angel" using voice that priest used during masses.

"An angel?" looking skeptical.

"Yes and E has convinced a couple of the shareholders to step down" gulping the last of my coffee.

"Say what?!"

"That is impossible."

"Nothing is impossible William, have a little faith"

"I have to agree with him, Nate. These shareholders are stuck to the backs of the Whitmores. He made a lot of those men and women. They are loyal"

"Are they?" looking at them both with both eyebrows raised.

"Okay now you are going all Secret Service on me" William groaned. "I hate when he gets like this" he groaned to Mike.

"Care to let us in your little plan" Mike demanded.

"Nope. If I tell you my wish won't come true" in a baby voice. Did I mention how much I loved terrorizing the two boys? It is one of my favorite hobbies.

"Well if you want to be there early you better leave now. Traffic is going to be crazy" giving up.

"Oh before that" reaching for my cell phone.

"Hello" the voice at the other end answered.

"Hello Walter" I said in a cheerful voice. I was so excited that I didn't mind passing it on to the Whitmore's and the Ortons.

"What do you want Dennis?" he growled.

I chuckled "I see you've not learnt anything yet, huh Walter? How many times have I said that it is Nate? Nate Arriaga" enunciating the last words.

"What do you want?" he sneered.

"Well, I just wanted to let you know that we are going to be partners once again"

"What are you talking about?" curious.

"Well more accurately your parents and I are going to be partners"

"Stop speaking in riddles. Get straight to the point" he yelled.

"Okay. Calm down. I don't want you to lose your cool. I was just calling to let you know that I have some shares in Red Heart."

"No" he whispered in a disbelieving voice.

"Yes. Great huh Walter?"

"This means -"

"That we are going to be almost a family again" I interrupted him in a very joyous voice.

"No one is selling" getting his voice back. "I know that for a fact"

"Oh someone is." I taunted.

"You lie" he growled.

"Well we will see. I might be seeing you at the meeting. Or I might not. Just remember this, I run the show" hanging up.

"Why did you do that?" Mike asked.

"I can't let my favorite people miss on my ascension to power. It would be so unfair"

Mike just chuckled. "No that wouldn't be right"

"Do you want me to come with you?" Will asked.

"Nope. I need you to cover for me at the office. I have a feeling that the Whitmores won't be there. I need you Will, to swing some of the board members my way"

"Got it. Who?"

"Try the Bosco's and the LaRue's"

"Okay Got it" typing it into his tablet. "Anybody else?"

"Nope. Just them"

"Okay. If you say so"

"I do" Grabbing my coat "Well handsome people I am off"

"To kill and to destroy" Mike smirked.

"You know it" nodding at him.

I walked down the steps and out the door. The hallway was deserted and I pressed a button that will take me to the private garage. I nodded at the attendant and sped off in black Bentley Continental GT. William was right, traffic was hectic. But I used the time to make calls and check up on how everything was doing. I had to make a couple more calls abroad and to a jet to make sure all was running smoothly.

Arriving at the hospital door, memories were rushing on me with full force. Every tear that I cried and kneeling on the hospital floor crying my eyes out when my son died. I couldn't be comforted I sobbed that day like never before. I remember the last time that I saw the Senior Whitmore couples it was not a pleasant experience.

FLASHBACK

"Hey!" walking faster to catch up with them.

"Hey. Wayne. Beth!" I yelled. The couple slowly turned their faces to stare at me. The man I used to look at me had a hard look on his strong face.

"How much more? How much more will I have to suffer? My child have to suffer"

"Dennis you are disgracing yourself. Stop it right now" my grandmother scolded me.

"I won't. My son is in that hospital! Dying!" screaming in their faces.

"That is not our problem." speaking in a debonair way that made me want to punch him in the face. But he didn't stop there he just continued staring at me in a cold and undeterred face.

"You made your bed, now lie in it"

I froze. This woman who had shared many a laugh with me. The woman who I had gone to for advice was now turning her back on me. Her oldest grandson.

Then I started laughing bitterly. Get a hold of myself I turned back to the two blood-sucking vampires

"You will rather see your great-grandson die than help me than to break one of your holy commandments" I accused.

"We have nothing to do with your son's illness. Perhaps God himself is punishing you for your sins" my grandfather added.

"No. God is not wicked and cruel. God is nothing like you. He is merciful. He is gracious and forgiving. And don't give me that crap that you have nothing to do with my son dying. We both know that you have a hand in this" I yelled.

My grandparents longing to be the next Kennedy or Bush political family was clouding their visions. There was so much division. Unfortunately, none of their children wanted to follow in their footsteps of politics which caused a rift between the families. My grandparents had some sway in this state. Funny how there was always tension in the family for only God knows how long. Yet now everything was up and daisy when they are bonding together to try and kill me off. To make me nothing more than a memory. A bad memory.

"Wayne let's go. We don't have to listen to this" she said in an indignant voice. Trying to turn away.

"No! You are going to stand there and listen. Since I was a child I have worked hard to make you proud. I have bent over backward to make you proud of me. For years, I studied and punished myself to be better not for me, for you! I have done every single thing to bring honor and glory to our family name. Come on. I am begging you if you ever loved me you will help my son. I know you can do it. I have lost everything. Every single thing. My son is in that ICU dying as we speak. I have no one. Please. No one will help me with the money for the surgery. I have no one. Mom and dad have turned their backs on me."

There was silence. Then Wayne walked to the door.

"Come on Beth. Dennis, I suggest that you get out of my way before I run you over"

Then he slammed the door. My grandmother looked at me one last time with a look of disgust, pity and anger on her face. I thought for a minute she would do what was right. I was wrong she shook her head and then turned to head to the door. I fell on my knees and cried. I don't know how long I was there on that concrete floor but I didn't care.

I was emotionally and physically exhausted. I had tried for so long to keep everything together. It was draining trying to pretend that I had a plan, that I could see the light at the end of the tunnel and it was so exhausting.

I wept for my son. My son who was innocent in all of this yet he was the pawn between two games. Calming myself down, I slowly made my way back down to the ICU department. Suiting up I went to the incubator that was holding my little son. The little tyke had a pair of lungs. Give it a couple of years and he will be barking orders at every employee.

I could do nothing but look through the screen. He had my eyes and he was so very small. He could fit in my palm. The doctors said he had a big heart for a small body. He looked so restless and in pain.

As I looked at him I softly cried to him

"I am sorry that your uncles and aunties and grandparents and great-grandparents would rather see you dead. See you dead than have their reputation smudged and soiled. Forgive me son, forgive your father for causing you to die. For causing you this pain. It is because of me that you are in that crib crying. Forgive me. Forgive me son" I choked.

Taking a deep breath I walked out the door. Slamming the car door I walked to the room where the meeting was being held. I already knew where the office was, I have been there more than enough time. You got to love my obsessive compulsive disorder with time and dedication. No surprise why I was so wealthy. Glancing at my wrist, in a few more minutes and second the show down of the century will begin. I can hardly wait.

I am, however, pleased to announce that my family had reconciled their differences. My Confidential Informant, informed me that from the day I left they have been getting together to have family dinners and show a united front at events. I now know how Dr. Phil feels when he reconciles a family.

The man of the hour arrived and he sat at the head of the table. Soon that will be my chair. Soon and very soon.

"Good morning" the senior Whitmore started. I got to hand it to him. He was not batting an eye. Even when he knew that I was the only one in the room.

"Good morning. Beautiful day isn't it?" I asked jovially.

"Mr. Arriaga" nodding his head at me. I had to hand it to the guy he was handling it well. Not batting an eye.

"Mr. Whitmore" I replied.

"I see everybody is late" looking at the empty chairs.

There was a reason for that. E had sent an email that the meeting was delayed 10 minutes. I needed some time alone with them.

There was a momentary silence.

"I must admit Mr. Arriaga that I am surprised to see you here" giving me a hard look.

"Oh I just bought the shares of Zschechs." I said airily.

"Really?"

"Yes. I asked and I received" pulling out a folder and sliding it across the table to the waiting man.

He flipped through them "I see."

He closed the file and looked at me "I was not aware that they will be selling" he said in a pleasant voice but I could tell that he was mad. I had been at the receiving end of his anger many times. It didn't take much to get him mad. Just question his superiority and his wisdom and he will fly off the handle at you.

"Oh yeah. I just bought it about a day and a half ago" giving him a knowing smile.

"Good morning dad" Walter Whitmore coming into the room with his wife and mother and children close behind him. The Whitmores were here. All of them. Every single one of them. For the first time I saw all my siblings packed in a room. I knew they couldn't stay away, my threat and that coupled with their paranoia got the better of them. I guess they were not that scared of me if they were able to stand in the same room I was in.

"Good morning son." he replied but like the Wayne Whitmore I knew he went straight back to business.

"Well, as I was saying welcome aboard Mr. Arriaga"

"So it's true. He really did buy some shares?" Walter asked before I could reply. He had a dumb look on his face and he kept on looking at me back to his dad.

"Yes. Mr. Arriaga now has 11.5% shares in Sacred Heart." he replied.

"Oh. Well, like my father said, welcome aboard" Walter turned to me with a mocking face.

"Is that why we are here? Because he bought 11%" Jonathan scoffed.

"Really? I expected better, Nate" Phoebe sneered.

Jack was quiet. He looked at me silently. 

"Ask and you shall receive" I said with a slight shake of my head. They looked confused and I couldn't have spoken faster because before I finished the sentence the room started filling up with the shareholders.

Once everyone was seated, Walter and the rest of the family was giving one another weird looks.

I smiled.

"Good morning everybody" once the room quieted down. Isn't it sad that all the Whitmores had a seat at a table and a couple of the shareholders had to stand? And they didn't even work here. Money talks.

There were choruses of replies.

"I must admit that I am surprised to see quite a couple of new faces" Wayne began. "Theresia, Jimmy, Frank good to see you" speaking to three very young boys and girl in the room.

They nodded their heads respectfully.

"You have to forgive me for asking, but where are your parents?"

"Oh well daddy just passed his shares to me" Theresia explained.

"What a coincidence my parents did the same. He wanted to spend some more time with his wife" Jimmy added his two cents.

I smiled to myself. I might have had something to do with that. You want to know the number one cause of divorce is? 

Kids. Stupid I know, but in this case it is true.  I got into my possession the information that the parents of Theresia, Jimmy and Frank have been having extramarital affairs and keeping property away from their spouses. To avoid losing half of their wealth the gave in to blackmail. Their own kids blackmailed them for the shares in the hospital. It was quite easy really, they wanted their parents to pay and were seeking revenge.  Plus, I offered to pay for their credit debts and open up a boutique in LA and Jimmy wanted an acting gig in Hollywood if they did so. They had parent issues.

"Oh that is good. We need young blood in this room" Wayne chuckled. But he had a look of suspicion on his face. His whole family did. It was too much of a coincidence that three new shareholders had arrived the day I bought some shares in the hospital.

"Well let's get started, shall we?" in a jovial voice. A voice that pretends to put you at ease. And when you least suspect it, it strikes you down.

And so the meeting began. With costs and budgets and getting the hospital on the map once again. By the time it came to an end I was ready to fall asleep. I might be a bastard but my board meetings were never this boring. Wayne was putting everyone to sleep.

"Well that concludes the meeting for today. Thank you everyone" concluding the meeting and closing his laptop.

I discreetly nodded my head at Jimmy.

"Excuse me" Jimmy piped up.

"Yes Jimmy?"

"I have a proposition"

"Okay. What is it?" sitting back in his seat.

"I propose to have Nate Arriaga as the new president of Red Heart"

I had to lean back and smile.

"I second that nomination" Theresia added.

"And I third it" Frank added.

There was silence.

"Excuse me? Are you kidding me?" younger Mrs. Whitmore screeched. She looked absolutely appalled. And everyone was shooting accusing looks in my direction.

"Theresia, Frank, Jimmy. I know you are new to this but-

"But nothing. I think. No, I know that Nate Arriaga is better suited for the job"

"What is this a hostile takeover?" Enzo another shareholder asked.

"It doesn't have to be."

"I agree. Not to sound crass, but we are a hospital but we are here to make money. Ad I believe that Nate would take this hospital beyond this point." Theresia added.

"And I am sure that he will take you beyond the point of marriage right, Theresia?" Phoebe sneered. I must mention that Phoebe was a queen bee. And Theresia used to be her minion in training.

"Excuse me?"

"Please. We can see right through you. Talking about how a good president Nate will be. What do you know about business huh?" Jonathan sneered at the poor girl. He was always so hostile. 

"Well, Jack I know that Nate is ten times richer than you. And your father. And your grandfather. So he is doing something right" she hit back. Good on you girl. 

"People please. Let us not start fighting." intervening in the situation.

"I will not pretend to be humbled. I agree with the nomination. Not to knock Mr. Wayne Whitmore, but I am better suited for the job."

"No disrespect Mr. Arriaga, Wayne is the president because he is good at his job." another added.

"Well, Aazio, if we are going to work together there is a couple of things that you should know about me. I don't do good. I do excellent. Perfection. And no disrespect that is not Wayne."

"And what makes you so qualified?" one shareholder asked looking at me in the eye.

"Well let's start with the most pressing matter. The need for space and getting our hospital out there"

"Go on Nate. I will love to see what you can do" that man mocked.

"Well, we are losing patients. At this very moment, Europe, Asia and the East is the best place to go for medical services. What happened to America? If we can bring back some of the best practitioners we have a chance. Red Heart is under the 2% bar in terms of staff and doctors. We are considered irresponsible and foolhardy. Was it not three months ago that we were being sued for malpractice and neglect? A survey was conducted and guess what, people feel that we are cold and insensitive. The key frustration, not a family hospital."

I have billions and I am an investor in quite a few pharmaceutical companies

He started clapping. "All very good. Now how do you propose to solve it?"

"Easy. We bring in the best. We bring in the sponsors."

"And where do we exactly get them?" Walter asked rolling his eyes.

"Are you good people aware of Doctor Yusif Adzagey?"

"The world's renowned cardiologists?" Dr. Simon a doctor himself.

"Who else?" rolling in my seat. I hated repeating myself.

"Of course we are aware of him. At least I am"

"What if I tell you that I can get him in this very hospital tomorrow morning ready to work?"

"What?"

"Impossible"

"How is that possible?"

"Do you know how much that will cost?"

"He will never agree to come here?"

I ignored them.

"Now let us talk about our research lab. We are heavily underfunded and unknown"

"We are working on that" Wayne quickly hastened to add. I think now he was getting a bit antsy.

"Yes. I know of your work for five years you have done nothing that is why we need Nadia Vique."

"Cancer research specialist" Theresia supplied. She was playing her part well.

"I can have her here in two days"

"Impossible"

"He is making all these promises but how do we know he will deliver them" Walter  yelled.

"I am sorry Mr. Arriaga but I have got to admit it sounds pretty far stretched"

"You are aware of the LinkDen?" the research lab.

"We are. We tried to get them to sign with us. Didn't go very well"

Yeah I made sure that they will never sign with us.

"Who the hell do you think co-owns it?"

"You?"

"The one and only. Check online ad see."

There was a momentary pause.

"Why are you doing this? What do you gain from this? You can't be making any money from this? Why are you willing to risk everything to help this hospital?"

Everyone seemed interested in this answer.

"I like a challenge" leaving it at that.  

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the means and I have the opportunity. I know there are people who have a lot to lose but I can help. I have too much not to lose. Just like I told James Cenea before I bought his hotel you have nothing to worry about. The only thing you have to fear is me. No one else. You can choose not to vote for me and wallow in fear on where your next check is going to come, or you can take a chance and see where it leads you." my words had a double meaning. If these people were smart they will come to my side. They were not my prime enemies. I had bigger fish to fry.

"It is now up to you decide whether it is worth it or not.

There was a pause.

"Well let's vote all those in favor of having Nate Arriaga as president raise your right hand." the good doctor suggested. He was a good man. And he despised the Whitmores.

Obviously, the three kids did. Then the doctor.

There was a long pause. Then a shareholder raised his hand.

Then a woman slowly put up her hand.

Then another.

I looked fondly at Phoebe. She had a small look of fear in her eyes.

Then another.

Jack started hyperventilating. I was on my way to victory.

Then another.

Jonathan was clutching his fist. 

But Walter was undeterred.

We just needed one more vote.

I looked at Bertram. I know what the Whitmores had on him. He had the last 12 percent I needed. The Whitmores used to have the major shares in the hospital with a whopping 57%. But to pay for their political campaign they sold some of their shares till they were left with 48. Not bad. But they wisely sold it to a guy they had in their back pockets. They had some dirt on him, and so they still managed control the shares.

"Come on Bertram. Don't be a suck up for the rest of your life. Just raise your hand"

He still did nothing. I pressed a button on my phone.

His phone beeped. "Excuse me one second" He glanced on his phone and I saw elation in his eyes. It was a picture with three words, "taken care of"

The he raised his hand so fast. I swear the Whitmores eyes were bulging out of their sockets. Never in a million years did they think that he will have the balls. Well technically he didn't. I just took care of the problem for him.

I had done it. I had all the votes.

"Well motion passed." Jimmy spoke up happily.

I glanced at Wayne Whitmore. He looked so shocked. His world was crumbling down.

"Mr. Arriaga is now the new president"

"Congratulations, Mr. President" Theresia smiled at me.

"When do we make the announcement?"

"How about right now?"

"What?"

"Turn on the tv" commanded Whitmore's secretary. She did so and there on the local ten o'clock news was a reporter standing in front of the very hospital.

"Earlier this morning, Red Heart Hospital has come under new management. the shareholders have voted to make Mr. Nathan Arriaga the new president of Red Heart. This decision was taken to increase the health of patients and bring up productions. This Mary Patrick reporting from Red Heart Hospital"

It went back to the news room.

"Thank you Mary. Well I wonder what it says for Wayne Whitmore's campaign for senator. New management so close to election time. His opponents are going to tear him apart and roast him about this issue. Not looking good for you Wayne old pal"

"You did that?" one of the shareholders laughed.

"Yup?"

"How did you know we will vote for you?" a lady asked astounded.

"Call it a hunch"

"Well here is to good hunches" she replied.

Kiss-up.

"Congratulations"

"Why don't we go out to celebrate?" Jimmy offered.

"Yeah"

"Drinks on me" Theresia giggled.

"You are gonna pay for this" Phoebe quietly growled at the young lady. She was livid. As was all her family.

"I don't think it is good idea to threaten Ms. Nesbit Mrs. Duncan. We all have secrets in Room 817 at Downtown Suites. And we all lose money for our spouses" in my most gentle voice.

She froze.

"Don't we?" smiling at her, she looked scared. Absolutely scared. "Like Theresia said, let's go out for brunch and celebrate"

Some people came to give me a hand-shake and a pat on the back and tell me what a pleasure it will be to work with me.

The room emptied out till it was only left the Whitmores and me.

I started to chuckle. My grandfather was about to commit murder in the first degree. He looked irate.

"So Phoebe. Tell me did I live up to your standard? Did I impress you?" swinging in my seat.

She didn't say a word. She was far too scared. I knew her secret. And she knew that I knew her secret. And what will happen if her dear husband found out what she did? That will be too good to be true. I had to schedule some time and go and visit him.

"Like I told you this morning Walter" standing up. "I am running this show. And to think that with only 11.5% I still managed to become president and own all your asses. And look it is not even 11 o'clock. I really put a new meaning to I came, I saw and I conquered" I laughed. Staring at their pathetic faces I laughed so hard. 

By the time I am done, you all will be committed to this very hospital

"How could you? How could you do this to your own grandfather" Beth cried standing up.

I remember asking her a similar question.

"I have nothing to do with your future losses. It is all on you. Did you ever think that God is punishing you for your sins, Beth?" I asked pointedly.

She gasped. I see I was not the only one remembering that day.

"Well I will leave your family to it. I am sure you have a lot to scheme and plan about.

"Speaking of scheming, Tony Petrolia asked me to give a message to you. He said I should tell you that he is back. And he is coming for you." looking him straight in the eye.

"What?" this was the first time that I saw actual fear in his eyes ever. He sure has pissed off a lot of people.

"Yeah. My lawyers found a technicality in Tony's trial and he is out a free man. I think Tony will be landing in New York this evening. And staying right next door to you. You know the house that Winslows moved out of?" supplying them with information with relish.

He started breathing heavily and clutching his chest.

"Wayne!" his wife screamed.

"Dad!"

"Grandpa!"

"Oh are you having a heart attack because your old friend is coming into town?" I mocked.

"Stop! Can't you see he is having a heart attack?"

"Can't you see I don't give a damn?" wearing an impassive look on my face.

"Why are you doing this?" Beth cried. Real tears in her eyes holding her husband.

I answered her question walking backward out the door

"Why shouldn't I?"