Anthony:

"So, how was the stock devaluation?" I asked.

Another boring meeting. Another worthless event to happen in my life. An employee was looking through the weekly records and in the stock exchange, documenting everything. He look at me with a smile.

"The stocked devaluation dropped by 3% in the food department, but it rose by 8% in the manufacturing department and 16% in the sales department. Overall, it rose 35%. The gross rate as risen as well."

The rest of the meeting members were pleased. Some of them were getting up and jumping up and down while I was still sitting down with a cold stare on my face. Most of the meeting members must have saw my facial expression, because they sat down. One of them looked over at me.

"It seems that Celestial Corp. is doing great sir. Ever since you perfected the antigravity device and applied to cars, sales have increased dramatically."

"I see." I said with a cold, blank stare on my face. "That's excellent news. How is the jet propulsion technology coming along?"

"It's coming along just fine sir." Another committee member spoke. "We came across some problems, but we can overlook those."

I turn my head toward the man who spoke and shook my head.

"No. If there are problems, no matter how small, get them fixed. I do not want to hear later that a malfunction has occurred within the generators."

I stood up and looked down at them.

"Let me be clear. Until the problems are fixed, the jet propulsion generators will not be used. Understood?!"

They all answered at once.

"Yes sir."

I stood there for a few minutes and turn my head to look at the empty chair right next to mine. I kept staring at the chair for a few more minutes before I turn back to the rest of the board and sat down. I caught a few members looking at the empty chair then back to me. They knew why it was empty. I cleared my throat.

"Is there anything else to discuss?"

"Yes sir. There has been a lawsuit filed against one of our employees."

My eyes squinted, which made some of the other members nervous.

"One of our employees?"

"Y-yes sir." He stumbled, then continued. "For harassment."

"Harassment?!" There was a base in my voice which scared some of the members. Other shook their head at the man for bringing it up.

"Y-y-yes sir. It was filed because Mr. Jones was sexually harassing Mrs. Wilson."

"Jeffrey!" Another member yelled but it was too late. I was already mad.

"Oh really?" I said through gritted teeth. "Is Mr. Jones still here?"

Tony, the member who yelled at Jeffrey, hastily replied. "No sir. He was fired this morning."

I calmed down a little. "Very good. Has she filed an inquiry?"

"Yes sir. We looked into it and it was plausible. We didn't want to make it a case for you, but someone had to bring it up." Tony said while turning his head to Jeffrey, glaring at him. Frank, who was sitting beside Jeffrey, popped him in the back of the head.

'Shouldn't have made Jeffrey a board member.' I thought to myself.

"Give Mrs, Wilson a raise." I said. Then I turn back to Jeffrey.

"Jeffrey, you're demoted for almost f***ing things up. And you have been removed as meeting member and returned to a desk job effective immediately."

Jeffrey got up, furious. I stood up and crossed my arms.

"Do we have a problem, Jeffrey?"

Frank and Tony stood up as well. Tony has been a friend of mine since we were kids. He's been there for me when I needed it.

"No sir." He said through gritted teeth.

"Then you're dismissed." I said while nodding.

He stormed out of the room with everyone watching. I turned towards Frank.

"Frank. Follow him and make sure he won't cause a problem."

Frank nods and begins to leave the room but stopped when he heard me speak.

"And Frank? Find Mrs. Wilson for me. Tell her to meet me here in 30 minutes. I'll tell her of her promotion."

"Yes sir." He said as he left the meeting room.

I slumped in my chair and put my hand over my face.

"Alright. The next meeting is within a week. All informations and updates will be sent to my office and I'll look into it personally."

I stood up and the rest of the meeting members stood up as well.

"I'll be leaving for a few days on vacation. I need a break. If there's any news or mishaps of import, send it to my computer at my vacation home in Beverly Hills. This meeting has been dismissed."

The board meeting members all left save one. Tony came up to me as I slumped back into the chair with a sigh. He placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Are you alright Anthony?

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He always knows when I'm either stressed or sad. He been through a lot with me. He understood me. He understood what I'm been through.

"Not really. It's been stressful. What with the stock devaluation drop by 3% and that mishap with Jeffrey. Plus the tension I get from the other board members, it's a lot to take."

Tony nods, understanding. "It's a lot to take, which is why I'm glad I'm not CEO..

I chuckled, making me feel better. Probably is way to make me laugh.

"Yeah, but you did turn down the advancement of Vice President."

He looked at me with a stern expression. "We both know why I did."

I looked down. "Yeah. You're right. That spot will always be vacant. For her at least."

"Yes. She'll always be VP. Whether in life or in death. She would have yelled at you for raising your voice at Jeffrey, though she would have fired him on the spot."

I chuckled again. "Yeah she would have done it. She may be a gentle soul but she was strict. She almost fired half of the employees in the food department for almost giving bad food to the shelter of homeless children."

Tony laugh. "She was so mad and with that baby face, she looked adorable."

I laughed as well. "Yeah, and she would have fired everyone working on the jet propulsion systems for f***ing things up and causing them to have problems."

Tony nodded. "Yes she would've done it.

I sighed, closing my eyes. "I wish Sophia was here." Tears began to slowly fall from face. "I wish she was here with me. I miss her so much."

Tony put his hand on my shoulder, causing me to look up. "I know, my friend. I know. I wish she was here as well."

I stood up and hugged my best friend for a couple of minutes before letting go.

"Thank you Tony. I needed it."

I step away a looked out the window over looking the south side of Los Angeles.

"Life goes on though our friends and love ones are gone. Wish it was the old days where we stood by the fire and share laughs."

He steps beside me and nods.

"Indeed. Everything was great back then. But it's as you said. Time moves on. We wish we could be in the past with those we lost. When the time is great, but we have to move on with our lives. Those great times will always live in our memories. The people will too. "

I turn towards Tony, noticing he was looking down with eyes closed. I nodded with understanding. He lost someone as well.

"You're right, Tony. We need to let go. The past is in the past. We need to focus on the future." I said.

I may have said it, but I don't believe it. I could never let the past go. I couldn't move past her, no matter what I do. I just can't forget about Sophia. But I'm trying.

"Indeed. It's for the best." Tony nodded in agreement.

Tony and I continued to stare out of the window until we heard a knock on the side of the meeting room door. We both turned around to see that it's Mrs. Wilson.

"You needed to see me, sir?" She asked.

"Yes. Please come and take a seat." I said a I motioned towards the chair near the end of table.

She sat down as I sat in the end chair and Tony sat next to her.

"It has come to my attention earlier that you filed a lawsuit towards Mr. Jones. Am I correct to say this?"

"Yes sir. You are correct. But I already signed an inquiry." She said with a nervous tone.

"I know. And don't worry about it. Mr. Jones, from what I heard, was fired this morning."

Her eyes widened. "He was? I was wondering why he wasn't here today."

I nodded in agreement.

"I didn't know as well. I found out earlier, but that's why I asked you to meet me here."

She looked puzzled. "Okay."

I stood up and stepped towards the window.

"I had to demote another employee earlier. And from what I heard about you, I decided on what to do about the situation I'm in."

I turn towards her.

"I'm giving you a promotion as a new board member. You'll have your own office and your pay grade has been increased. And better yet..." I paused a folded my arms before continuing a few minutes later. "...you'll also be my new personal assistant. You'll help me when I'm in a bind."

Her eyes was wide and she gasped, surprised. Even Tony was taken aback. They weren't expecting me to do that. It was funny when Mrs. Wilson started stuttering as she spoke.

"I-I-I don't know what to say. But my inquiry. My old position-"

I cut her off as I spoke. "Will be taken over by Jeffrey. You are taking his position and getting another promotion as well. Do you accept?"

"Y-y-yes sir. I'll do my best." She bowed.

"Very good. Now, I'm leaving in five minutes to go on my vacation break. You are to keep me updated on events and production of the company. Are we clear?"

"Yes sir."

I smile. "Alright then. You'll make an excellent assistant one day."

I turn towards Tony. "Ready the chopper. I'll be there in a minute in a minute."

Tony nods. "Alright."

A couple of minute later, I leave the building walk out towards the helipad, Tony and Mrs. Wilson waiting to wave me off. Tony walks up and gives me a hug.

"We'll be waiting for you when you return. Have a good time." He said.

"Thanks. I will."

I then turn to Mrs. Wilson. "Keep an eye on him. He likes to cause a little mischief when I'm gone.

He glares at me, which makes her laugh.

"Yes sir. I will. And it's Amanda."

"Alright, Amanda."

"Take care, Anthony." Tony said.

I nodded. "I will."

I move passed them and step inside the helicopter. I waves at them as they waved at me. The helicopter takes off and I begin my journey to the vacation house.

Unbeknownst to them, it'll be the last time they see me again.

"I'm sorry, Tony. For what I will be doing." I said as I closed my eyes. "I'm sorry."

And so the helicopter continues to fly. Heading toward the vacation house further north than Beverly Hills.

An ominous message he said. What will happen? Find out next time. Don't forget to comment or vote.