Ides of March

The blood was trickling down his chest. He felt the tingle. He knew he was dead but he wanted to wake up. He knew he could wake up, but he was dead.

"Wake up, Julius." he heard Calpurnia calling from far away. 

"Wake up, Julius." he heard it again. 

He woke up with a jolt. It was dark and his wife's face shone illuminated by the lone lamp. 

"You alright, caes?" Calpurnia enquired coming closer to him. 

"Yes. Yes. I am fine." he drawled sleepily. 

"Caes." 

"Go on. I am awake."

She resumed twirling the greying hair on chest. "I had nightmares, Caes." 

"You are not a little girl to be worrying about nightmares, Cal." 

"I know. But, these were like really scary. I am worried."

"What were they? Demons and satan?" He sniggered. 

"You."

"Me? No wonder you called it a nightmare." He guffawed as he drew her closer. 

"No. I dont feel right. Seems like some bad omen." 

"Cal, try to get some sleep. May be you will grow into a woman by the morning."

He turned and pulled the blanket over his head. But sleep eluded him.

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"Whats with all that glances and the undercurrent, guys?" Marcus Brutus, Caeser's dearest friend asked Calpurnia mockingly. "If my memeory is right, you two have been married for more than a quater of a century! Dont give me that it happened all over again crap. I am too old to handle these." He laughed aloud as he sipped his daily morning coffee at Caesar's place. 

"Cut it Brutus!" Juilius waved his hand with a smile, "my dear wife had nightmares and she is scared for me." He rolled his eyes ,"and wants me to postpone today's meeting."

"No, Caes!" Brutus put down the cup and hunched closer. "This day is too important to heed to a woman's whim. This is your day, Julius Caesar!"

"Yes. This is the day I take what is  mine. It is too precious a thing to leave in the hands of some old mongrels. This is the day I become the emperor of Roma Global." 

"You very much deserve what you are to get today." 

"Whoa! Why so serious, chum! Relax! They wont see us coming. They wont know what hit them. Just like the old days, just like how we got those mice."

Brutus smiled. "Okay, Caes. I will leave now and attend to the arrangements of the meet. I heard the conclave is already filling up."

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This 15th of March was a monumental day for Julius Caeser, the most prominent of the board of Roma Global, one of the most powerful business empires. It was mainly admimistered by the Board often dubbed The Senate thanks to the  power and influence vested in the 13 member crowd. 

The ascent of Julius Caesar through the echelons is an epic in itself. The most powerful of the board, he was often called the elected dictator of Roma Global. Though he denounced this on several ocassions, he craved the autonomy, authority and freedom of action in both an executive and a policy formulating capacity for Roma Global. This created the friction between him and the senate. 

That day's meet was convened by Caesar to propose and pass a motion that gave him the ultimate power of veto over the Board. He had made arrangements such that it would be passed. 

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"So, that is his plan." Gaius Longius guffawed clapping his massive hands. "Brilliant, brilliant eh?"

Some members of the Board were assembled in the WAR room. These senators were opposed to Julius taking the power over the Board. They believed it was undemocratic and believed that this had to be dealt with severly if the company and the employees' welfare was to upheld as they believed that the executive authority should lie only in a corporate, collective body, and never in a single individual. 

"We have our plans too." Quintus Ligarius said as he lighted his cigar. 

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Julius strode briskly into the metal and glass office of Roma Global, a favoured addition to the mantlepiece of the city's skyline. 

He was joined by Marcus Brutus. 

"We are running late, Julius." he gasped nervously. 

"Relax.", he said and stopped mid-stride. " See. I almost forgot my cookie."

It was Caeser's habit to pick a fortune cookie on his way to his office from the glass jar that he had installed in the reception desk. He picked one and broke. It read - Watch your back. 

"Come on, Caes. You know what is at stake today. Lets keep moving." Brutus said. 

When the neared the WAR room Pompey, Julius' mobile rang. 

"Hey! Mark. Are you here yet? Dont run late on me today of all days!"

"Caeser, listen. I have something to tell you. Dont go..." 

"Here Caes, into this room. He will be here, dont worry." Brutus interjected. 

"Mark. Be here. I will call you later." Julius switched off his mobile as he entered the conclave followed by Brutus.

The Senate rose for Julius Caesar. 

He swept a glance at every face in the room with a wry smile. 

"No pleasantries today, gentlemen." Caesar growled as he paced. "I have an important agenda for the day..."

"So do we." Tillius Cimber interrupted. 

Caesar frowned with lights of confusion playing in his grey eyes. 

"You folks have an agenda? Well, thats a first!" he laughed loud. "Fire it up."

"The Board is bringing up a motion to remove you and ban you for lifetime from holding any capacity in Roma whatsoever." Servilius Casca spoke as he stood up.

"Why, this is foolish." Caesar shouted. 

"Those in support vote." Casca proposed. "Come on, brothers. This is it." He urged.

The members of the conclave who were not privy to this coup were thrown into disarray and confusion. 

The conspirators pounced on the opportunity. 

 Of the thirteen members, there were six raised hands that voted for Caesar to be banished. Five of the members dint cast their vote either way. However, a majority of a minimum of seven votes were required for the motion to be passed. 

Julius Caesar smiled triumphantly. He knew where the remaining vote would go. That member would vote in his favour for sure. 

He turned to look at his friend. 

The hand was raised.

"You too, Brutus!"