ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON 15

Episode 88

           Breaking News

This is Lynda Lopez at George Washington University Hospital Center where Nicholas Volkouv , CEO and chairman of Volkouv Enterprises , has been taken after the plane he and his wife Ariel were on crashed in a forested section of Rock Creek Park. I have more further news on the condition of Mr. Volkouv. Doctors say he is in a deeply comatose state with a severe concussion and rib fractures.

His wife Ariel Volkouva was very briefly missing in the crash but she has been located several feet from the plane wreckage. Her condition is critical with a severe concussion and a broken leg and rib fractures.

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Nigel looked down at his father's still face as he stood beside the hospital bed. He reached for the older man's hand and pressed it to his mouth for a small loving kiss.

Richard touched his husband on his arm and helped him sit down in the chair behind him. Almost as though he was an old old man.

Matilda and Margaret both sat in chairs on the other side of his bed. They were holding each other's hands and watching Margaret's nephew and Matilda's older son with his father.

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Jeff watched as his little brother Alan rested his head down upon their mother's slightly moving chest as she slept on.

Prince Cedric came into the hospital room along with Jimmy Klein beside him. Jeff turned to both of them and sighed. " Thanks for coming, guys," he said softly. " Appreciate it. "

Cedric smiled lightly.

Jimmy shrugged and said," What are friends for? "

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The large wood paneled conference room at Volkouv Enterprises had as somber a feeling in it as a funeral ceremony. The fifteen board members as well as the president of the company and the vice president in charge of finances were currently gathered around the long highly polished table.

Alexi sat at the head of the table, ironically enough in his father's seat, a glass of water at his left hand, his laptop at his right. Next to him was his brother Maxim who still looked devastated and distracted. They had wanted Nigel to join them but he chose to remain at the hospital in case their father awoke.  Although Nigel was going to also from the hospital work on a public relations briefing about the accident to be emailed out to all local national and international media.

Alexi said quietly," Thank you all for coming here with such short notice. As you are aware our father and his new wife were in a private plane crash earlier today. They and the staff of the plane were rescued and transported to George Washington University Hospital in D.C. There were no fatalities thankfully. Our father is ....." His voice trailed off slightly as a pained expression crossed his face. Then as quickly as the expression appeared on his face it disappeared. He continued on with a cool composure," Our father is presently in  coma. He is not brain dead. The doctors have assured us he shall recover. Eventually. "

Maxim lifted a glass of water to his mouth and took a tiny sip. He put it back down and spoke in a crisply precise tone. " His .... new wife is also in hospital with injuries and is unconscious as we speak. Although it doesn't appear she is in  coma like Father. As we all know our stock shares have dropped slightly with this accident. First five percent. Then ten percent. In order to show that there is still confident leadership at the top of the company we , my brothers and I , have proposed the following option. Temporary until Father is fully recovered. Alexi will move into the position of chairman of the board and CEO while I will become  president. Nigel ,  as you know, has health issues and will return to his position as vice president on a remote part time basis in January but he will be tending to any public relations issues pertaining to this matter. Any PR questions should be emailed to him but remember he is on medical leave after the heart transplant so do not expect instant replies from him. He is also tending to some family matters of his own. "

Alexi nodded as his long slim fingers played with a silver fountain pen he held. " Yes. The only thing to be directed to Nigel should be PR questions. The three of us, we want you all to know, as we want our employees and customers and suppliers and investors to know, that this accident does not mean that the business is at any type of standstill. The company will continue to prosper as greatly as it did with our father at the helm. The Volkouv brothers are in charge and the company will continue to be a success. "