CHAPTER XXXII

DESERTERS: ANTI-PATRIOTIC BUSINESSES THAT LEFT THE COUNTRY

Many companies expanded their horizons and gained the global public. But some businesses left the country and took everything with them. No longer generating jobs or capital to our country, even though their owners are still nationals. What to say about them? Making the country weaker and taking away our opportunities, what should we call them?

Two great examples are the company Ant., that moved to Bjuldr four years ago, and now GYE, a giant in the entertainment world, that just announced it is also moving to the same country. And, surprise, surprise, the owners are in fact brothers. Rich brothers that moved their companies to another country, it's a little suspicious. Who could say that they don't have another reason, something not so much correct, to do this? After all, for someone who betrays their own country, what else can't they do?

*

*

*

The article went on like that. It was written - poorly and aggressively - by a columnist and radialist vinculated to the Patriotic Party as they called themselves. An ultra-right party that defended alpha supremacy, the inferiority of omegas, along with many laws that fit with their moralist view of life.

"Don't do anything. He's not worthy of your time", Dev said, when he saw the article.

"I know. I won't". Thi answered, but he was trembling in anger.

"Think that we have more important things to care about", He said touching his belly. He just entered the last trimester, and things were hard. His back aching, his feet swollen, the terrible nights of sleep, the kids moving a lot, the mood changes.

"I know", he touched his belly too.

"Promise me you won't do anything".

"I won't, I promise. Although he really deserves it".

"He does. But, for now, you stay put. Okay?"

"Okay", he laughed and kissed him lightly. "Hubby".

"God, that word", Dev kissed him back, deeply.

***

Back at Ant. the next day, Thi had pretty much forgotten the article. There was lots of work to do before he could transfer his load to his second in command during maternity leave. And that morning Collin gave him a family portrait he did. He cried so much when he got it. And now the drawing was on his desk and every time he looked at it he felt like crying again. He should have left it at home.

"Are you alright?", Nate asked.

"Yeah, it's just the mood changes". He laughed drying his eyes. "I get too sentimental over anything".

"Ahhh... I remember. You really were like this last time. You cried because your favorite pen dried".

"I really did", he laughed. "I was a mess".

"It was a little funny to watch".

"I can imagine. I cried the other day because I couldn't see my feet. A grown man crying because of that", he laughed again. "But back to work. What do we have?"

Nate looked through the list of things in his tablet and the warm smile on his face became a frown.

"You're not gonna like this. Some people were convinced by that shitty article, and they are calling for a boycott. Should we do anything?"

Thierry was seeing red, but he took some deep breaths and calmed down.

"We won't do anything for now. I'll tell Émile not to do anything either. We'll stay on stand-by watching what they do next. They can just give up. We are the leader in most markets, and the only one with many technologies. Even if they want to, they can't run away from us".

"Okay", he took notes to send that to the directors that were already freaking out.

"What do we have next?", he asked and Nate answered with the next topic. They went on for a little over half an hour, when Thierry had a meeting.

***

"Why the long face?", Cael asked during lunch.

"Just some things in the office". Nate answered, sighing.

"The boycotts?"

"You already know about it? Then everybody must know".

"I just heard someone talking about it earlier".

"Argh. An says not to worry about it, but... I don't know. I think they won't stop at just that. My gut is telling me that".

"So tell him what you feel. He will probably listen to you".

"I don't want to worry him. You say that because you're not dealing with his mood changes and his high pressure daily. It's nerve-wracking".

"Okay, okay... So what are you going to do? Just keep quiet about all that?"

"I don't know... I just wanted to talk about it with someone, I guess".

"I understand babe. But if you think something is going wrong in the company, if the decision wasn't the best one, I believe you have the choice to talk and make things right. If Antoine didn't want to hear those things from you, he wouldn't have given you this position".

"You're right". He smiled. "How did my boyfriend become so wise?".

"I have always been wise", Cael said, pouting.

"Okay. Wiser". Nate laughed.

***

Nate knocked on the door and opened it. Inside, Antoine was revising some documents.

"Can I talk with you for a second?"

"Sure, come in". He put the pen down. "What do you wanna talk about".

"The boycott from earlier".

"Everyone knows about it already, right?"

"Yes... But it's not that", Nate played with his fingers anxiously. "I don't think they are going to stop with just this. I believe we should be careful".

"Do you know something?" Thierry inquired.

"No... It's just a sensation. I don't know how to describe it".

Thi stopped for a second, not saying a word and just thinking.

"I'll trust your judgment. Call the directors and we will trace a plan to deal with it and try to predict their next actions. We'll be prepared, I promise".

"Thank you". Nate said, the leftover anxiety leaving his body.

"Thank you for saying it. Your inputs are always important to me, so don't refrain from telling me what is on your mind".

"I won't", He smiled. His hands were still shaking a little.

"Good. Now, is there anything else?"

"No".

"So back to work. We have to solve that boycott problem".

"Yes. I'll call the directors and arrange a meeting in half an hour".

"Perfect".

Nate left the room and Antoine went back to the papers.

***

Nate's feeling was accurate. Soon, new articles were released featuring Ant. and GYE, along with other companies, most of them led by women, betas or omegas. Each of them is more offensive and aggressive than the one before. And a group of people was buying it and making even crazier accusations, demanding the CEOs were removed, that the companies were audited. The public relations team was ready to contradict every single story, and many people were on their side.The problem arose when a strong politician from Illaney used this story as a stepping stone to generate media for his campaign. He began publicly criticizing Antoine and used the fact that he was an omega to defame and offend him.

"I can't take it anymore. They've gone too far", he said after seeing an interview.

"Just stay calm. He is just an idiot who is not worthy of your time". Dev said, calmly. They were in the office, Dev, Thi and Nate.

"What do you think?" Thi inquired from Nate. Dev looked at him asking him not to say anything.

"Honestly?" He asked.

"Of course". Nate looked back at Dev and got his head down a little, knowing what he would say will irritate the man.

"I think we should stop just playing defensive. Say some truths for once. People should listen to what you have to say".

"An, I believe we should wait. See what they do next", Dev said.

"I agree with Nate. We are just taking the blows and waiting for the next attack. I'm tired of that. And I don't believe it's the best course of action". Thi answered.

"An..."

"I know. I'm not in the best position now to face them. But I still need to do something". He looked at Nate, a sign for him to take notes. "Call the PR team. I want an interview ready for tomorrow. I will forward an email with the contents".

"Sure".

"Call the other companies affected for back up, we need to question together they pattern of discourse and towards who it's directed. What is the objective behind their accusations". Thi said. "I want to contact political groups and NGOs that defend the rights of minorities. Also contact artists that promote the rights of marginalized groups. We will cause a domino effect in the industry. Make them all talk about us. Unite for us".

"Alright". Nate left the office.

"Are you sure of your decision?", Dev asked.

"Yes".

"Then I'll be by your side. I'll go through my contacts too".

"Thank you".

"I'll help you, even if I disagree with your choices. I'll always support you, honey".

****

"You started your career at a really young age, Mr. Rayne".The interviewer stated, waiting for a comment from Antoine.

"I started working on my projects at five-years-old. Since then, I've been developing technologies and making investments in the most diverse areas. But I opened my company when I was nine years old, with the help of my family. Initially, it was only about some small systems that I developed, as a child. But it grew with time. When I was eleven, we started producing computers and smartphones, being the first in the market to produce the last. We also helped to develop 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G technology, and better Wi-Fi connections. We dived into the entertainment industry with special effects and investing in movies, series and other cultural projects. Most of this was even before I became CEO, when I turned 19".

"Wow. That's really a lot".

"I was born in an all-alpha family in Illaney. I had to prove my value from an early age, because the destiny of omegas born from alpha families was clear from an early age and I wished to avoid it at any cost".

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's an open secret among the high society of alphas from Illaney that omegas born from those families, legitimately or not, were auctioned for the highest bid to other families who would take them as sex objects that served only to produce dominant alpha offspring. Never recognized as part of the family, seeing their children be sold or discarded if they were not alphas, not able to leave, and being discarded as soon as they get too old, being left with nowhere to go".

"Wait, are you saying people were being sold? But the government would stop this".

"Many members of the government come from the traditional alpha elite and have their own omegas at home. If you want, I can give you a list of it".

"Those are serious accusations".

"Yes, they are. And not even the tip of the iceberg of reasons to leave Illaney".

"And what are the reasons then?"

"The laws in Illaney were all made to protect the alphas and a model of alpha. If an alpha rapes a beta and claims he is in rut, he doesn't even have to prove it. And if he rapes an omega, he doesn't have to say anything, because it is a qualified immunity. Domestic violence is not illegal, and recently an alpha that killed his partner was excluded from punishment because it allegedly happened during his rut and he couldn't control it. My oldest kids are still four years old, and my youngest are yet to be born, I don't know their gender. I could say that it doesn't matter, but I was born in a world where it matters. It matters their gender, where they are born, in which family they are born. I already had plans of moving to Bjuldr before, but when I found out about the twins, I decided that here would be the place I'd raise them. Where the laws protect everyone independent of their gender, and my kids can have a future of their own".

The interview continued, with Antoine explaining more about the prejudice and institutional and legal barriers that omegas had to face. He also showed everyone that the evidence presented by the Delaney couple in the custody battle was fake, and that he never abused his kids. He said that, still, many people may believe the forged evidence instead of his testimony, but the truth was analysed by his hired expert, police's experts as well as many online people. They all agreed that the videos and photos were fabricated.

"But people like them, who don't lack power or influence, will always find a way to manipulate the court, and cause damage", he concluded.

Émile gave an interview the next day about his relationship with another alpha and the prejudice couples like him faced in countries like Illaney. The interviews were the start of a debate that circulated for weeks, and generated protests all over Illaney. The list of renown alphas - including politicians - that bought omegas was disclosed, and the backlash was immense. People were calling for them to renounce their positions. Celebrities were openly speaking about it, showing the challenges in their own professions and calling people to the streets to protest.

"It really is a domino effect". Nate commented as he saw the news.

"Illaney is in a complete uproar". Antoine said. "I hope something changes after this".

"I hope so too".

The next day, the Equality Party contacted them. They were small, but have been gaining attention with the protests.

"I don't want any relation to any parties or to have a political affiliation at the moment". Antoine answered them.

"We understand. But we believe your support is important at this moment. The elections start in seven months, and your name is enough to sway people's opinion. We will email you our government plan and the politics we support, we hope we can change your mind".

"An, what are you gonna do?" Nate asked after hearing the conversation.

"I don't know. I'll check the documents they will send us, and decide after".

"You didn't want to involve yourself with politics".

"I still don't want it. I'm not good at politics".

"Yeah...I don't think it suits you either", he let out a small laugh.

"I can hear the mocking on your voice", said him with a stern look.

"Sorry, but the image in my mind is... peculiar", he let out another laugh.

"Thanks for the mockery. You're lucky you're my friend".

***

"Reading in bed?", Dev said, kissing Thi's neck.

"The materials the Equality Party sent me".

"And?"

"It's interesting. Their politics and laws they are trying to pass are all good. I just don't know if they are... possible. The political environment in Illaney right now is extremely conservative. Even among betas and omegas, many will vote in conservative candidates like the Patriotic Party. Their chance of being elected is already low, the chance of approving any law or politics is even lower".

"Yeah... Their prospects aren't the best". He said looking at the documents. "But what you decided to do?".

"I don't know. I'm almost due. I want to think only about the twins for now. But after..." He bit his lip. "Maybe I can help. Unite the omegas. My story is a successful one, I had an understanding family and my own talents to rely on. But most went through much more, and I could help shine a light on their stories. Maybe..."

"Hun, I think you already know what to do".

"Yeah... I probably do". He smiled. "After the kids are born, let's go back to Illaney".