Wave to the Sky (Omegaverse)

Chapter 15: Strike

CAELUS' PoV

"Do you really think so?"

"Absolutely," she affirmed. "Jun was like a brother to me too. He was so kind and understanding. I saw how much he adored and loved you. He loved you right until the end, Caelus."

Her words brought tears to my eyes.

"Why did he have to leave?" I managed to ask through my tears. "He was my everything."

"To be honest, I don't have the answer to that question either," she admitted. "All he ever wanted was for you to find happiness."

"I know," I said, wiping my tears away. "I don't know how, but I promised him I would."

"Only time will tell. When Dad passed away, I felt like my world had ended too. It was incredibly tough, but then Mom married your Dad, and I met you. Slowly, things started to get better for me. I suppose what I'm trying to say is... it's not the end yet."

I smiled through my tears and nodded, grateful for her words of comfort.

[Three Hours Before the Stag Party]

Perched in my office, taking in the sprawling cityscape, it had been a week since my last visit to my father. Thankfully, Cassandra was there to manage things in my absence. My relationship with my father had always been distant; he was often distant physically, and our connection lacked the warmth I craved. With Mom gone, Charlotte, the head housemaid, became my pillar of support.

Dad groomed me to assume the position of being the President at FunHouse, and his efforts were not in vain. Upon inheriting the position, I relished the power and autonomy it afforded me. I felt invincible, endlessly chasing after more influence. But as I ascended the ranks, life became a blur of ceaseless motion. It wasn't until I met Jun that I realized the need to slow down. His departure hurled me back into the fast lane, yet this time, I wasn't driven by a thirst for power. Instead, I sought solace in climbing higher, hoping to drown out the pain of losing Jun and our child.

"S-Sir Caelus," Mirabel's voice broke through my thoughts as she entered my office. I swiveled my chair to face her.

"Yes?"

"Sir Carl wanted me to remind you about the stag party tonight," she informed me.

"Oh, that," I replied, exhaling heavily.

"Should I inform him that you won't be attending?"

"No, no. I'll go. It's my soon-to-be brother-in-law's stag party, after all," I replied. Our conversation was interrupted by a manager from the operations department bursting in.

"Sir Caelus, we have a situation," he announced, furrowing my brow in concern.

"Excuse me, I'll take my leave," Mirabel announced, exiting swiftly.

"What's the issue?" I inquired. "I hope you're not making a mountain out of a molehill."

"Our workers at one of the factories are on strike," he explained.

"On strike?!" I echoed, taken aback. It was the first I'd heard of such unrest.

"Yes, sir," he confirmed. "They've set up camps outside the toy factory and initiated a hunger strike."

This was maddening.

"What are their demands?" I asked, rising to my feet.

"They're demanding to speak with you, Sir Caelus."

I steadied my nerves. What on earth was happening?

"Inform them I'll be there shortly," I instructed. He nodded and exited my office. Grabbing my coat and keys, I made a brief stop at my secretary's office.

"Is there any problem, Sir?" she inquired as I entered.

"Our workers are on strike," I informed her. "I'm heading there now for a discussion. Inform the management team to meet me there promptly."

"Understood, Sir," she replied, reaching for the phone. I left her to it, making my way to the elevator and descending to the basement parking lot. Slipping into my car, I drove straight to the toy factory, bracing myself for what lay ahead.

From a distance, I could already discern the makeshift camps erected by the protesting workers. Banners adorned the gate with bold statements:

"WE ARE NOT ROBOTS."

"IF WE ARE ESSENTIAL, TREAT US AS SUCH."

Pulling up in my car, I was met with a cacophony of angry voices and waving signs as soon as I passed the gate. Stepping out, I was immediately approached by a manager.

"What's going on?" I demanded. "Fill me in."

"The workers are demanding a salary raise and additional benefits," she explained. "They claim they're receiving only minimum wage."

"What?! How did this happen?" I seethed. "Never mind that now. I'll deal with whoever's responsible later. I need to talk to them."

"Are you sure, Sir?"

"Absolutely," I affirmed. "And get a nearby restaurant to deliver food for our employees. They must be exhausted and hungry." With that, I marched towards the gate. "Open it," I instructed the guards, who complied. The protesting workers turned their attention towards me, shouting their grievances. I understood their frustration. As I stepped out, something splattered against my chest – red paint.

"We are not robots!" they chanted in unison.

Raising my hands in a conciliatory gesture, I signaled for calm. I didn't want this to escalate into a confrontation. I cared about these people and their welfare, and I was here to resolve the issue.

"I'm not here as your friend," I began, the murmurs rising in response. "I'm here to offer a solution. Give me a chance to show that we care about you."

"We're not buying it," came the response.

"Please, hear me out first," I pleaded. "Behind my back, some in management have been up to no good. I apologize for only finding out now, and I thank you for speaking up. I'll investigate to protect your welfare. You're the backbone of this company, and without you, FunHouse wouldn't be where it is."

With their attention now focused, I unveiled my plan. Their cheers and jubilation filled the air as I promised to rectify their wages and implement a raise. They agreed to meet again the next day, gratitude evident in their expressions.

"But don't leave just yet," I urged. "Food is on the way. Take care of yourselves."