The Devil's Sweetheart

After having his morning dose of teasing Leena, Devin was full-on happy mode until he received a message notification to leave for the Seattle branch office.

[DaddyPoppins: Meeting at eleven with the directors for the new retail business proposal. I am busy touring wildlife sanctuary in Africa. So, they need your presence]

"Can't he let me enjoy for ten days at least?" His grip on the mobile tightened peering at the message."Why did he travel to Africa for watching animals? He should have come to the wedding alone. All sorts of zoo creatures are roaming in here."

When Devin gazed at the message again, he began finding the contact name a little odd.

"DaddyPoppins? He has changed it again? Where does he come up with such a funny name?" Devin wondered whether both his mom and dad knew his mobile password or it is one of his brothers doing again. Devin instantly changed back the name to the original and got up from the chair to get ready for the office.

Before getting ready, he knocked on the door and entered the room to see her once.

Leena immediately stopped watching the cartoon show, her eyes twinkled seeing him.

"I am going out. If you need anything, ask Andrew."

"When are you coming back?" Leena asked, her tongue slipped even before she could control. Why is informing me? Her cheeks flushed, it's the happening way a lot of times these days.

"If you are missing, I will stay here." Devin winked.

"Get lost," Leena yelled throwing a pillow at him and even before it hit his head, Devin escaped.

...

Just when Austin saw Devin emerging out of the stairs in a professional suit, his eyeballs popped out of the socket.

"Man, you look suave. Did that monster see you in this suit?" Austin asked, imagining that narcissist's jealousy. He still had a hunch that she would flaunt her beauty criticizing Devin even if looked dapper. The first time when he met that narcissist was through Leah. Until then he didnot knew narcissism exists at ridges.

"It's not the time yet." Adjusting his cuff links, Devin suddenly remembered he has yet to get a reply from her agreeing to be a model for WD's new store in Korea. Once after the wedding, I will pester her again when she is back in Newyork.

"She would burn in jealousy if she sees you. So, where are you heading to?" Austin asked out of curiosity.

"A meet with directors." There was a little laziness in Devin's reply.

"I wonder how you manage two major companies, Vincy" Austin snapped. It was a surprise to him, how Devin shuttles between WD and The Wang Industries solemnly.

"If you have a clear vision that is well understood by your employees, you can manage multiple companies. But technically, I am only a board member of Wang Industries. So I have only one on my plate." Devin stated.

"Agree! But you are the face behind Wang Industries helping uncle." Austin has always been proud of his friend's capabilities. While all the riches went running behind the family business, Devin independently started from scratch creating a brand for himself through the fashion house WD, entering as one of the top entrepreneurs who not only succeeded but built a vast business empire with his bare hands.

But Devin didnot neglect his family's business empire. Wang Industries capsizes half the world in retail, construction, petrochemicals, technology. 

With the vast growth expansion, the sharks waiting to seize the chance have also increased but it has been protected firmly under his care. Even though Devin has not taken up the CEO position, he had been advising the company in every deal. With his immense ideologies, it soared to greater heights even before it was. Many of them knew Devin has not stepped in as CEO due to his company WD, but little did they knew he was the face behind it but to the outside world, he is just a board member who just holds shares of The Wang Industries.

...

A pin-drop silence ensued among the employees in the vast conference room when the faint rugged footsteps echoed into their ears. The glass door was heaved open and entered the man with a kingly aura, his custom suit embracing the sturdy built.

"Good morning gentleman! I would be acting as a stand-in CEO temporarily replacing Mr.Fredrick Wang. We will begin the meeting in a few moments. To respect everybody in the room, if you could, please at this moment, look at your cellphone and turn it off or into vibrate, whichever works for you. It gets unnerving when listening to the presentation. With that said, we will start the meeting in approximately one minute." His voice had a rough edge when he spoke. His whole aura changed into an authoritative professional when he is into the business.

"Morning Devin. Thanks for gathering with us. So the theme we do have come up with would be explained through the presentation." One of the directors spoke up.

Devin nodded his head in approval. 

Instantly the lights went dim when a person edged onto the billboard to start the presentation. Looking at the copy and gliding the slides on the laptop, Devin was intently listening to the demonstration.

"As this meeting is focused on retail, so we are planning to enhance our grocery quality by having a direct connection with the farmers to get fresh local products and_"

"What are the odds that there wouldn't be a problem for the farmers from the FDA when selling directly to the retailer, Mr. John." Devin interrupted raising a question. 

"Well, we have approached some of the farmers and they do agree to the deal, for their profits also would elevate with the new proposal."

"That's an absurd way to think." Devin got up from his seat and edged to the billboard taking up the presentation.

The man gazed at the floor in embarrassment for failing at his job and getting the CEO on to the billboard again.

"There are many counties in which retailers directly visit, only when farmers have licensed farms. Not all the farmers will be willing and we can not take the risk of being huge in the country. They would rather sell to the broker and let the broker take the chance. Farmers don't have time and customers want everything in their handy." Devin explained in detail putting everyone into shame for not coming up in all the possible outcomes.

"So, how do we overcome the situation, Devin," The director asked in remorse for not checking all the probabilities.

"Submit a proposal to customize an application that does exactly what you are asking. Connecting farmers to the consumer through it would benefit both."

The employees got a hint of Devin's proposal and again they were impressed by his brilliant idea. It was a realization why he has evolved to become one of the top entrepreneurs in the world.

"Meeting adjourned." He declared marching out of the conference room.

....

Working on the budget submitted for one of their projects, his hands roughly moved to point the errors. Just then he heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." 

The door was pushed open and a man entered rhe office room.

"I got to know you will be in Seattle until your friend's wedding. Why don't you visit my home for lunch?" The assistant director, William asked.

"I will try, uncle, or maybe next time." Devin smiled, his gaze landing on the folder. "What is that?"

"I_t's D_avies corporation's proposal. They want to partner with The Wang Industries now." There was a hesitation in William's voice when he brought the topic of Davies's family again.

Devin's hand briefly paused for a moment hearing the name after almost a decade. But he was not the type of person to mix personal and professional emotions.

"What's the proposal?"

"Since we have started live streaming platforms with our new application and they are into the entertainment industry, Davies Corps wanted to connect with us for their upcoming project."

"Does dad knows about it?" Devin asked lifting his head finally. As far as he remembers he wouldn't even like to talk with them.

"Y_es! He said you will deal with it."  

So the African zoo was just an excuse to escape.

"One more thing, I have been receiving personal emails from Ethan Davies requesting a meet with our company's advisor. Since your identity is kept as a secret, he doesn't know, it's you." To outside, it is just a meet, but Ethan wanted to poach him out of Wang Industries into his company, for he has been hearing his outstanding capabilities for along time.

Devin's corner of lips snickered hearing his name. Does he still request for a meet if he knows my identity?

"Check my schedule and arrange a meeting accordingly. Probably, I might be busy for an entire month." Devin has an important job other than the work now, to court his sweetheart.

William was shocked by hearing his words. Did he agree just like that? Do they know each other well?