Another failure

The rich aroma of mahogany and the subtle glow of the large screens filled Hugo Fernandes' expansive office in the towering highrise. The view beyond the panoramic windows, a testament to the global empire he had built. Unfazed, Hugo's gaze remained fixed on the displays hovering before him as he orchestrated the next moves of his vast conglomerate. 

His concentration, however, was interrupted by a light tap on the door. His secretary, a figure moving gracefully in the background, entered with a tablet in hand. The sleek device displayed Marcus Fernandes, his eldest son, caught in the midst of a public spectacle that threatened the pristine reputation Hugo had meticulously crafted for his company and family. 

Hugo's eyes narrowed as the video played out, showcasing Marcus's heated exchange with the team principal. The use of the Fernandes name, a powerful asset in their upcoming global campaign to promote their first smartphone , irked Hugo more than the public embarrassment itself. 

Maintaining his composure, Hugo addressed his secretary, "When did this happen, and why bring it to my attention now?" 

The secretary, well-versed in Hugo's stoicism, replied, "I know you prefer not to be bothered with matters concerning Marcus, but this time, there are potential ramifications. We're on the brink of launching the HF01 globally. The family name will be omnipresent in our promotional campaign. These videos circulating could taint our brands image, even if only slightly." 

Silence hung in the room as Hugo pondered the situation. His mind, a calculating engine, assessed the potential damage to the Fernandes brand. After a moment, he came to a decision, his tone unwavering, "Take any necessary measures to have those recordings expunged from the internet. If you need to contact Zuckerberg or Dorsey, do so. And I want Marcus here within 24 hours. Get it done." 

The secretary, a silhouette of efficiency, nodded and swiftly exited the room, leaving Hugo to return to his work. In the vast expanse of his office, surrounded by the trappings of power, Hugo Fernandes continued to manipulate the intricate chessboard of his corporate empire, determined to protect the legacy he had built. 

The luxurious confines of Marcus Fernandes' Monaco residence welcomed him with an air of opulence, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within him. The glossy façade of a successful racing driver, carefully crafted for the public eye, crumbled as he stepped over the threshold. His dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver, nurtured since childhood, now lay shattered at his feet. 

Closing the door behind him, Marcus let out a deep sigh that resonated with the weight of disappointment. His property, a testament to his perceived success, felt cold and unwelcoming. In this private space, away from the prying eyes of the media, adoring fans and haters, he dropped the mask that shielded him from the world. Another failure gnawed at his soul. 

His father's shadow, vast and unforgiving, seemed to loom over him. Marcus's passion for speed, cultivated during childhood when his father's ofton brought him to check on his vast collection of exotic planes, had found its expression in racing cars. But dreams of joining the elite ranks of Formula 1 now seemed like distant echoes. 

The ache of defeat settled in Marcus's chest as he relived the futile efforts he had poured into his racing career. Countless hours spent in simulators, meticulous study of tracks, and an insatiable thirst for improvement had all led to this moment. A moment of truth where he had to confront the harsh reality—he had reached the limits of his talent. 

Collapsing onto the couch, Marcus felt the silent tears that betrayed the fragility of his pride. The dream he had clung to, the chance to prove himself in the GP2 series, had crumbled into insignificance. The weight of his father's expectations, the relentless pursuit of excellence that defined the Fernandes legacy, bore heavily on his shoulders. 

In the solitude of his Monaco sanctuary, Marcus grappled with the reality that haunted him—he was, inescapably, his father's son. The legacy he longed to leave, the pride he sought to instill in his father's eyes, seemed elusive. Yet, even in this moment of despair, a flicker of determination ignited within him. He yearned to break free from the comparison, to forge a name for himself. In the midst of shattered dreams, Marcus harbored a silent hope that one day, he might achieve something that would make his father, and himself, truly proud. 

The shrill ringtone of Marcus phone pierced through the air, a discordant melody amplifying the turmoil within him. Ignoring the call, he deftly declined it, the dismissive gesture a testament to his desire for solitude. The persistent caller, undeterred, insisted on reaching him, and the phone began to ring once more. 

Annoyed, Marcus contemplated letting it go to voicemail, anticipating the predictable messages from so-called friends with their hollow inquiries about his post-racing plans. They never took his racing career seriously, always considering it a passing whim. Today, he had no intention of entertaining their attempts to drag him into another ostentatious venture. 

Yet, the relentless ringing persisted, each iteration a reminder of the outside world intruding upon his sanctuary. As seconds stretched into an eternity, Marcus begrudgingly glanced at the screen. The name displayed was "SS," a coded reference to Secretary Sandra, aptly likened to the infamous Nazi German paramilitary. Sandra had always been the bearer of unwelcome news, a harbinger of realities Marcus preferred to avoid. 

He sighed, steeling himself for the forthcoming conversation. In the realm of the Fernandes empire, Sandra was a formidable figure, a conduit of his father's will. Whatever message she bore, Marcus knew it would be laden with the weight of his father's expectations and, quite possibly, the repercussions of his recent public debacle. 

After a few moments spent collecting his turbulent emotions, Marcus reluctantly picked up the phone. He anticipated that whatever Sandra had to convey would do little to improve his already soured mood. 

"What do you need, Sandra?" he grumbled, the edge in his voice betraying the lingering frustration. 

"Mr. Marcus," came Sandra's response, her tone as flat as ever. In the two decades she had served as Hugo Fernandes' right hand, she never once addressed Marcus with the formality of his surname. Such respect was reserved only for those she deemed worthy, a privilege that had eluded Marcus throughout their interactions. Her keen understanding of Hugo's personality was evident in her unyielding demeanor. "Your father, Mr. Fernandes, expects you in his office in California in 24 hours. Your tickets have been booked, and you are expected at the airport in 2 hours. He expects you to be on time." 

Marcus bristled at the abrupt demand. His father had summoned him on short notice before, usually for some social event where his presence was required to maintain appearances. However, this time felt different. There was an urgency that left little room for preparation. 

Before he could voice his protest, Sandra interjected with a reminder of his financial dependency, her words carrying a subtle threat. "Don't forget who pays for your lifestyle, Mr. Marcus. It would be in your best interest to stay in your father's good graces, if that is still possible, of course." 

Suppressing his anger, Marcus found himself seething at the veiled disrespect. Sandra wasn't merely his father's secretary; she was his omnipresent enforcer. Her influence extended wherever Hugo went, ensuring that his decisions were executed seamlessly. Fearing an escalation of his emotions, Marcus responded with a calculated coldness, "I will be there," and promptly hung up the phone. 

Almost immediately, his device buzzed with an incoming email. Opening it, Marcus found a succinct message from Sandra containing a one-way ticket to California. The urgency of the situation dawned on him; he needed to pack swiftly and make his way to the airport if he intended to catch the flight. 

As he mechanically folded clothes and tossed them into a small suitcase, Marcus couldn't shake the confusion gnawing at him. Why would his father summon him now, at such short notice? It couldn't possibly be related to his recent outburst—his father was adept at brushing aside such incidents. With no known social events on the horizon, Marcus pondered the purpose of this abrupt summons, a mystery that only deepened the shadows cast upon his already tumultuous emotions. The imminent flight loomed, a journey into the unknown, carrying the weight of uncertain expectations and the unspoken tensions between father and son.