1. Noah

CHAPTER 1

NOAH

N oah ran an agile finger along his desk and inspected it for dust. It was clean, and he grinned to himself in satisfaction. Everything appeared to be spotless for his father's return.

He tried not to pace as he waited. The last thing he wanted was for his father to think he was nervous, or worse, excited. Instead he sat, attempting to look busy.

This was the year. He could feel it.

His father was going to pass down the torch and Noah would finally become the true CEO of Birch Industries. It was a job he had been doing successfully for years now, yet his father Richard still officially held the title.

The door opened and his redheaded receptionist Olivia entered, announcing Richard's arrival.

His father flew through the door, not bothering to thank Olivia. Typical.

Noah smiled and stood. "Father," he greeted.

Richard reached out a cool, tan hand, "Noah."

Their handshake was quick and formal.

"It's nice to see you. How was your trip?" Noah asked with enthusiasm.

His father had been on what seemed to be an eternal vacation for years now. Using his vast wealth to island-hop across different continents with women who looked nothing like Noah's late mother. His most recent excursion had taken him away for four months straight. It was exactly why Noah expected him to announce his retirement tonight.

"Good," Richard replied stiffly, moving over to the windows to take in the view.

Noah joined him, looking out onto the cityscape. His view of the skyline still never ceased to amaze him; it was the best in Olympus City. "Where did you say you were again?"

Richard shrugged his finely suited shoulders. "You know, after so long, the islands all start to blur together," he replied.

This was normal of his father, to disappear for months without any form of communication. And upon returning, supply no details of his personal life.

Not knowing what to say, Noah grabbed last week's numbers off his desk and passed them to his father. "I know you usually get them sent to your email, but these just came in an hour ago."

Richard reviewed the numbers, nodding his approval. They were the best so far this year and Noah was happy to be able to deliver the news in person.

"Everything looks good." Richard patted him on the shoulder and handed back the papers. "Is everyone ready for the meeting?"

Noah wasn't bothered by his dismissive tone; his father had always been that way. And after so many years it no longer bothered him. Especially today. Nothing could dampen his good spirits.

Besides, his father rarely provided him with physical affection, so he took the pat as a good sign.

"Yes, everyone is already gathered and waiting."

Noah gestured to the set of double doors and they exited his office to meet his team in the conference room.

Sophie, his head of marketing, caught his attention, as did the red dress she was wearing. She offered him an encouraging smile.

Noah gave her the slightest upturn of a smile in return. He wanted to maintain a formal atmosphere today.

"Good afternoon, everyone," Richard greeted.

The small team offered formal hellos in response and Richard took his place at the head of the table. Noah took the now-unfamiliar seat next to him. It felt odd for him not to be the leader in this environment.

His father asked a few questions before the finance team gave a presentation on this quarter's numbers along with their goals for the upcoming year.

Noah began to shake his leg unconsciously under the table. He was getting antsy as he waited for his father's speech.

Next, Sophie presented the team with new marketing strategy ideas. Noah barely heard a word she said, though his eyes couldn't help but notice the way her new dress accentuated her curves. Most of the staff had dressed in finer clothes for the CEO's arrival, but she looked particularly nice today. He wondered if there was somewhere else she had to be then remembered what she'd told him about needing to leave early for her friend's baby shower.

Usually Noah had strict rules about leaving work early, but Sophie had caught him in a good mood when she asked. Besides, the numbers this week were record-breaking and he knew her work running the marketing team had played a huge part in that.

Finally, Richard stood for his speech and Noah's palms became slick with sweat.

No matter how long his father spent gallivanting on tropical islands, he was a true businessman at heart, and his aura demanded respect.

Sometimes Noah wondered if his presence demanded the same.

His father's speech was short and to the point. He acknowledged the areas in which the company was thriving and highlighted some areas that needed attention. Overall, he genuinely seemed impressed with his staff's work.

Noah's heart rate increased when Richard finally mentioned his name. He sat up straighter.

"Before we wrap up, I would like to say a special thank you to my son for his excellent work this year." He paused as his staff gave him a round of applause. Noah felt a blush cross his cheeks; his father rarely spoke like this.

"You all know how important family is to this company. So as a proud father, I just want to say that I couldn't have done a better job myself. Keep up the good work, everyone. I'll see you again next quarter."

Noah adjusted his tie, ignoring the sense of suffocation that was starting to wash over him.

That was it?

The team began to pack up, dispersing quietly. Noah did not move.

Sophie's blue eyes conveyed sympathy as she passed. By the looks of things, Noah wasn't the only one who'd thought he might be getting a promotion.

He waited until everyone had left to address his father, who was packing up his own things, unaware of the disappointment on Noah's face.

"That was all? There was nothing else you wanted to announce?"

Richard barely glanced up as he answered. "I believe we covered everything of importance."

Anger swept through Noah, his body heating in response. Years . He had been doing his father's job for years now without the official title of CEO. He deserved this.

"Not even your retirement?" Noah gritted out.

Richard looked up, a dismissive annoyance in his narrowed eyes. "You can't be serious, Noah. Did you not just hear my speech?"

Noah stood, unable to be confined to a seat any longer. "Yes, I did. You said you couldn't have done better yourself. You applauded all the work that I've done this year. Work that should have earned me the title of CEO a long time ago."

Richard shook his head. "Your work is not the issue here, Noah. Maybe you should start focusing on building an image befitting Birch Industries."

Noah balked. "What's that supposed to mean?"

His father set down his briefcase. "It means, if you want to become the face of this family-oriented company, you need to actually have a family. I will not have some free-spirited bachelor ruin the perfectly curated image I've created."

Fear squeezed Noah's chest. "I didn't realize having children was a requirement."

His mind reeled as his father stared at him. Was Richard insinuating that Noah existed only because of the lengths his father was willing to go to in order to curate their image?

"Did you even mean what you said in the meeting?" Noah blurted out.

"All I'm saying is that maybe it's time to grow up. Find a suitable woman and settle down. It's not like you have to love her. Just show me that you're able to portray an image befitting of the company and then we'll talk."

Noah's hands balled into fists. "You say it as if it's nothing."

Did his father seriously expect him to get married and have children in order to become CEO?

Richard approached the door. "Because it is," he responded.

He left without another word and Noah stayed, leaning over the table, trying to catch his breath.