21. Adam
21
ADAM
I wake up to the same silence that's been haunting me for what feels like years. No messages, no calls, nothing from Destiny. The weight of uncertainty settles on my chest when I drag myself out of bed.
I’m not sure whether I should be angry with her for not returning my calls or worried that there’s a sinister reason behind her actions.
"Fuck this," I mutter, heading to the shower.
The hot water does little to ease the tension in my muscles. I can't shake the image of Destiny at the airport, Avery in her arms. What the hell is she playing at?
I spend a few minutes just enjoying the heat of the water, allowing my mind to go blank. After a few minutes, I get out and dry off.
Glimpsing my face in the mirror, I grin. At least I don’t look like I’m worried. Over the years, I’ve mastered the art of looking unbothered and aloof no matter what’s happening.
Dressed and ready for the day, I grab my phone, thumb hovering over Destiny's number.
No. I need to let things play out and wait patiently.
In the kitchen, I pour a cup of coffee, the rich aroma filling the air. My appetite's gone, replaced by a gnawing worry I can't quite shake.
It’s something I’m used to by now after years of building SynapseX, but this is different. This time I’m worried about my child, my flesh and blood.
Still, I know how to compartmentalize and focus on my work. I have to.
My phone buzzes. For a split second, hope surges through me, but it's just a reminder. I have several meetings scheduled for the day.
Disappointment tastes bitter in my mouth.
"Get it together, Ryder," I growl at myself, opening my laptop.
I scroll through my emails, barely registering the words. My mind keeps drifting to Destiny and Avery. Where are they? Are they safe? The questions circle like vultures, picking at my concentration.
Adjusting my jacket and tie, I force the thoughts away.
Time to focus on SynapseX.
I grab my keys and head to the office. Work and all those damn meetings will keep my mind off this mess.
The drive is fast and buildings blur past me. When I arrive at the building, I stride towards the entrance of my company, my mind already on the day ahead. The familiar glass doors loom before me, reflecting the morning sun.
Just as I reach for the handle, a cacophony of voices erupts.
"Mr. Ryder! Do you have anything to say about the scandal surrounding SynapseX?"
"Adam, what can you tell us about your relationship with your wife?"
"Are the rumors about you and Destiny having a child true?"
Fuck. A swarm of reporters materializes, microphones thrust in my face, cameras flashing. My jaw clenches.
How the hell did they get past my security?
I try to push past them, but they're relentless, blocking my path.
"No comment," I growl, shoving a particularly aggressive reporter aside.
"But Mr. Ryder, the public has a right to know!"
"Is it true you're covering up illegal activities within your company?"
Their questions blur together, a dizzying assault on my senses. The scent of instant coffee and desperation wafts from the crowd.
I feel my control slipping, anger bubbling to the surface.
"Mr. Ryder, come on, just a quick statement!"
I whirl around, fixing them with a steely glare. The crowd falls silent, cameras still clicking away.
"I'm not condoning this type of behavior," I spit out, my voice low and dangerous. I glare at the crowd of so-called journalists and the spattering of paparazzi.
God, I hate these fuckers.
Without waiting for their reaction, I turn on my heel and push through the doors, leaving the stunned reporters in my wake. I can hear them talking to each other, like gossiping mothers at a school soccer match. Pathetic worms.
Loosening my tie as I enter my office, I press the intercom on the table, ordering fresh coffee from Claire.
She hurries into the room with a steaming cup and a blueberry bagel, my favorite.
"Thanks."
She nods. "Your meeting with the board of directors is in about five minutes. Most of them are already waiting in the conference room."
I sigh softly. Great. Another headache-inducing situation to deal with. "Good. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Let’s make them wait a bit."
She returns my smile and hurries out of the office, no doubt to take care of countless more tasks that make my day easier. I’m glad I hired her, she’s a reliable assistant.
After enjoying the coffee and meal, I wash up and return to my office to go over the notes I’ve prepared for the meeting. I make some adjustments—they’re probably aware of the horde of camera-holding twats at the entrance and want to discuss that as well.
How boring.
A quick message to my head of security to sort out that situation and I decide I should probably go to the meeting.
I enter the conference room, making sure to look every bit the part of a capable CEO—which I am—as I take my seat at the head of the table.
The board members are seated, their faces a mix of concern and curiosity. I can practically smell their anxiety and it’s nauseating. Their weakness and uncertainty makes my skin crawl.
"Right," I say, leaning back in my chair. "Let's get this over with."
Steven, one of the older board members, clears his throat. "Adam, we need to address the biggest elephant in the room. These rumors?—"
"Are just that," I cut him off. "Rumors. Nothing more."
"But the press outside—" another board member chimes in.
I hold up a hand, silencing him. "I'm handling it. My PR team is on it as we speak."
The room falls silent for a moment. I can see the doubt in their eyes, the questions they're too afraid to ask.
"With all due respect, Adam," Marcus leans forward, "we've worked hard to rebuild our reputation over the past year. We can't afford another scandal."
I lock eyes with him, my jaw clenching. "You think I don't know that? Everything I've done has been to protect this company."
"And the rumors about your personal life?" Steven asks, his voice hesitant. "The... child?"
My hands ball into fists under the table. "My personal life is just that. Personal. It has no bearing on this company or its operations."
The room erupts into murmurs. I can feel their confidence in me wavering, and it sets my teeth on edge.
Everything I've built, everything I've worked for, is hanging by a thread.
"Enough," I growl, slamming my hand on the table. The room falls silent again, this time with a lot more tension in the air. "I've steered this company through worse storms. This is nothing more than a blip on the radar. I suggest you all focus on your jobs and leave the PR and worrying about rumors to me."
Their silence is pleasing, letting me know that none of them have the courage to argue with me. Good. They may be the board of directors, but they know their places. As they should
I stand up, buttoning my jacket. "Now, if there's nothing else, I have actual work to do."
As I walk out, I can hear them whispering behind me.
The doubt in their eyes grates on my nerves. I've spent the last year rebuilding everything, and now it's all threatening to crumble. The press trying to dig into that dead heap of bullshit about the ‘scandal’ again isn’t helping either. Idiots.
I walk back into my office, my footsteps echoing off the polished floors. The way the directors looked at each other as if they were unsure of my capabilities is frustrating, but I refuse to let it show. They're underestimating me, and that's a mistake they’ll realize soon enough.
My hand reaches for the crystal decanter on the sidebar. The amber liquid splashes into the glass, its rich aroma filling the air. I glance at my watch. It's early, sure, but fuck it.
The first sip burns a path down my throat, smooth and satisfying. I savor the taste, letting it ground me as I settle into my chair.
"Mr. Ryder," my assistant's voice crackles through the intercom. "Your 11 o'clock is on her way."
"Got it," I reply, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice.
I lean back, fingers drumming on the armrest. The whiskey's warmth spreads through me, steadying my nerves.
Those bastards on the board think they've got me cornered? They've got another thing coming.
I'll weather this storm like I always do, and I'll come out stronger for it.
Let them doubt. Let them whisper. I'll show them all why I'm the one sitting in this chair, why I'm the one who built this empire from the ground up.
I set the glass down and pull up the latest financial reports on my computer. Despite the complications, things are starting to look up. Profits are rising and investor confidence is returning to its previous mark.
A smirk tugs at my lips. They think they can take this from me? Let them try.
I take another sip of whiskey, the taste of victory already on my tongue. Things might be rocky now, but I've weathered worse storms.
And I always come out on top.