New Life : A Second Chance

After over two years of being away, Kyle had matured physically. 

Philip looked as the young man, now 18-years-old, and was immensely glad that he had started this plan. If he had not, just looking at Kyle would make one already believe that he had all that was required to be a CEO.

Even at that young age.

His features were much more chiseled now, and any semblance of 'child' was gone. 

Granted, Kyle hadn't really looked like a kid even at 12 years old but there were still some 'growing up' to do that could not be denied. 

Now, Kyle seemed to have officially stepped into adulthood and he would only age better. He looked like a young man: physique-wise and had the aura of a CEO.

His physique was also lean and with the slim fit suit - that was made popular by those idols in Country K - one could tell that underneath it, he was muscular. 

The ladies in the room couldn't help but gulp at the scene, for even the way he just stood there, it seemed ethereal. 

On Kyle's left, was his trusted PA, Sam.

As befitting the Personal Assistant of Kyle, he, too, looked rather imposing but in another manner. 

While Kyle was like a powerful figure ready to burst, Sam was like a rock, steady and firm.

He wasn't in a suit like Kyle, but merely a vest and tie with the shirt. It was a slim fitting type of outfit as well, and for a PA, Sam was surprisingly fit as well.

Sam stood by Kyle's side silently. Neither behind nor in front, but by his side. 

If anyone had noticed this, they would have known the positioning was a significant matter. 

To Kyle, Sam wasn't just a PA. 

Sam was his friend, confidant and trusted aide.

Philip was shocked for the second time that day, but again, he recovered quickly.

He snorted, and said, "So you finally decided to show up. Well, it's too late."

Kyle walked languidly towards his father, hardly glancing at Philip - as if deeming the latter unworthy of his attention.

"Father," Kyle said respectfully before sitting down.

Patrick nodded, "Son."

"You were saying? I am too late?" Kyle then turned to Philip, "Pray tell in what way I am late."

Philip shook his head, as lamenting that he had to explain something so simple and basic to a child.

"Your transgression has led to your dismissal," Philip announced pompously.

"Oh wow," Kyle said, raising an eyebrow, "Counting your chickens before they hatch? I have yet to hear any reasons for my dismissal, let alone a vote."

Philip rolled his eyes, an action not befitting such a supposedly professional man. 

He found the words coming out of such a young chick, that was hardly a threat, to be the last words spoken by a dying kid who refused to die.

"I was just listing the reasons when you entered," Philip said, "And the vote is to come after."

"Oh yes," Kyle nodded, "The supposed reasons. The first is that I hadn't even finished high school?"

As if on cue, the projector behind Patrick came to life and Kyle's DSE's certificate, and his results, were displayed. Next, was the official website of the Education Ministry, showing the top scorers for the DSE throughout the years.

Kyle was the first.

Not just the top scorer of the year he took it, but the top scorer of all times.

"Impossible!" Philip said, his eyes wide. 

He had already checked and Kyle's name was not there. Why is it there now?!

"Not believing what you see, is it?" Kyle said, "Unless you're saying I have the ability to bribe the Ministry to put my name there. If you want, I can take the DSE again right in front of you and have it graded immediately."

"Of course, if I do that, and it turns out that I am the top scorer, you and your entire family - together with all your generations - are banned from Country Tz forever," Kyle said, "Care to make that bet?"

Philip bristled and said, "I am not childish to make such a bet!"

Though he had almost agreed until Kyle added the last bit.

"And I am not so stupid as to lower myself to pander to your whims and fancies just because you don't believe what's right there in your face," Kyle said, his eyes cold.

"Then why even say it in the first place?!" Philip asked, his voice already raised a notch.

Kyle shrugged, "For fun."

"You may have done your DSE, but your disappearance …"

"What?" Kyle butted in, "In what way had I disappeared? Just because you didn't know where I was? Who are you for me to report where I am?"

Kyle turned to his father, "Dad, did you know where I was?"

"Of course," Patrick replied, "Why shouldn't I?"

"Lies!!" Philip screeched, "You kept sending those people to look for Kyle!!"

Patrick laughed, "So you had me monitored? You were spying on me? To what purpose, oh my dear brother?"

Patrick turned to the others, saying, "Not that it's any of your business, but it was a game between Kyle and me. Who better to test my men than Kyle? If they can't even find him, what use are they?"

Patrick waved at the dark suit guys at the entrance, "As a result, I have the best of the best, tempered by my own son, the next CEO."

"Of course. Since they will be my men in the future, I need to test them," Kyle said, "If they can't even beat me, then what is the use?"

"But they still didn't beat you," Patrick pointed out.

"True, but they were close!" Kyle replied, "So that is good enough for me."

The board members, hearing this, started sweating as they witnessed the might, power, and skills of the current CEO and his Heir.

In what way were they incompetent that they needed to be replaced?