Akinetopsia

13 : Slight Changes

____

Athena don't know what to do. It's either she'll go to the cafe and meet his so called "sister" that she doesn't know he has one or give him the files she's holding to the meeting. Certainly, the second options sounds better for her.

But then,

Another phone call appeared on the screen of her phone. This time, it's a registered number.

-Ice block is calling... -

She nodded her head feeling a certain satisfaction thinking he really need her and the files she's holding.

"Hello chairman?"

she said in the most polite tone she can use. Ethan sighed on the other side.

"Don't come here anymore."

he said coldly. Athena froze on her position like a stone.

"W-What?"

Athena stuttered.

"I said don't come here anymore. I don't want to see you here."

He straightforwardly told her and hung up the call.

"Chairman why-!!"

she didn't even had the chance to ask why, he just ended the phone call just like that.

"That guy......"

Athena exaggeratedly breathed out trying to calm herself down.

So what should she do now?

Probably the first option.

******

Haven's cafe

9:27 am

Athena walked towards the cafe's entrance and searched for the someone she's looking for.

'He really have a sister...?'

It's been 3 weeks since the both of them stayed in a single house together. Almost a month but Ethan never talked to her informally nor talk about other things other than business. He'll just call her when he needed her help for his work. Nothing more, nothing less. Because of that, he never had the opportunity to open up to her.

Everything about him is a mystery.

Athena looked around, roaming her eyes and trying to find someone who look like Ethan.

She saw no one. It seems like she's not there at all.

When she stepped on the second floor of the cafe, She saw no one there but a single woman on a black sophisticated dress. The whole floor was too quiet unlike the first floor.

'Perhaps she's.....?'

Athena slowly walked towards her.

She can literally feel her intimidating aura. It felt similar to Ethan's but much lighter. Ethan's aura is too intimidating that no one would dare to stare at his eyes for even a minute. Only Athena since she got the upper hand towards him. She know she'll win no matter what.

But then it's his sister we are talking about. Athena have nothing against her making her cards weaker on Keisha.

.

"M-Ms. Mircovich?"

she called her in the most polite way she can do.

Keisha glanced at her, taking her shades off. Athena gulped seeing Keisha observed her from head to toe, raising her eyebrows and signing her to sit down.

"I-I'm sorry I'm late Ms. Mircovich, I-"

"shut it. I don't need excuses."

She said and scoffed making Athena shut her mouth real quick.

She's highly intimidating.

Athena gulped.

"So what do you... want to talk about?"

Athena looked at her cold eyes. Keisha stared back.

"I'll be frank with you," she started, looking straight into Athena's eyes, "What do you want from Ethan?"

________

"Chairman...."

Ethan flipped the report file he is holding and slammed it on the table. Everyone flinched with the loud sound it created.

It was about the Skylark Electronics.

The contractual supplier for their materials from Japan raised their price again. They already lost too much from the supplier for just a single project. Almost a billion already.

"I'm utterly speechless."

He  whispered in frustration, rolling his eyes upward and clicking his tongue.

"But chairman-"

"What now?!!"

He shouted. The director who tried to explain to him almost peed on his pants with nervousness.

"T-Trust U-U-Us!! We'll f-f-fix this problem- We are planning t-to fly to j-japan to compromise with th--"

"Compromise?"

Ethan stared at him. He was frozen stiff on his position making it easier for Ethan to see him.

"Compromising is only for losers. Winners always win. They never compromise."

Ethan said and walked towards his seat. The man started to shake aggressively because of him. Ethan's cold eyes met his. He can't even make an eye contact with the chairman for a split second.

"You presented me a rushed prototype of the product last week just for so everyone on the field won't get fired. let me be honest with you..." Ethan whispered, but because of the silence it became audible enough for everyone to hear. he tapped his cane on the ground just to take everyone's attention and snapped them from reality.

"That prototype was the worst."

he frantically said. Everyone on the room stopped from breathing the moment they heard Sunghoon's comment, as if oxygen left the whole room.

"I tried my best not to be cruel and gave you a chance to continue even though it was such a failure."

Because of Jiyoung....

*flashback*

"You should be more merciful with your company workers chairman. You wouldn't know what they are experiencing, maybe they are having a hard time that's why they didn't met your expectations today,"

Ethan stopped signing on the papers to looked at Athena who just served him his hibiscus tea. It was already late at night.

"What are you talking about?"

he asked innocently.

"Nothing.. It's just that you never gave anyone a second chance to prove themselves again once they failed you on something. You eliminate them quickly. You don't even know their stories... What's happening to them or what is their excuse. You are too perfectionist. You never thought that your office workers are humans too."

she bitterly chuckled and shook her head while saying those words.

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

" The office building is a workplace, not a school. They are professionals, not students. They applied for the job, they weren't picked for nothing. They should know how to not to mix their personal life with their job. they are not getting paid for nothing,"

Ethan answered her. Athena frowned.

"But- oh god! You're too close-minded."

Athena rolled her eyes and murmured in frustration, seeing him staring at her blankly.

"So cruel."

She said with disappointment and rolled her eyes again before she left his room.

Ethan paused for a while, thinking about what she just said.

'So cruel?'

___________

"And now you failed my expectations again despite giving you the second chance because i considered your own shoes for the first time,"

Ethan retorted in disappointment as he started to walk to the door

"Now I ain't a fool to keep you on my company anymore,"

he said, glaring at everyone inside the room that was involved with the project of Skylark Electronics.

"leave. All of you. LEAVE."

he said and walked away. Secretary Lim accompanied him, following him to the elevator.

Ethan kept sighing while the both of them were on the elevator. Secretary Lim became anxious about what happened to the chairman.

" Sir, Are you okay? "

Secretary Lim asked him like a caring father. Ethan looked at him, His glare started to soften.

There's only a few people Ethan acknowledge as his allies. One of them is Secretary Lim.

He was his private butler before he became his secretary. He was basically the one who raised Ethan since his parents were always busy with their works. He was like Ethan's father. He was always there for him, he never crossed his line, he knows his place very well and that's what Ethan liked.

Total contradictions of Athena.

"Tell Director Dawson to set up an interview for the new employees."

he said biting his lower lip with annoyance.

The elevator door opened, Ethan walked outside at a fast pace towards the car without even looking back. Everyone's eyes are on him. If you are wondering where he is, He is inside the Skylark Electronic's building. A separated building was built just for each sectors of the Skylark group all around the city.

"Wow who is he...?"

"I think he's the child of the chairman.."

"Yeah, He's too young.... Must be the son of the Chairman."

Ethan can hear them clearly but disregarded them. His thoughts was pinned to something.

"Secretary Lim, Book a flight for three to Japan tomorrow."

he commanded, walking towards the car without saying anything anymore.

____

mwihihihi here's the update!

What do you think of Ms. Sunghee? Is she a friend or an enemy? Voice out your thoughts coz i don't know it either :>

That's all for today. Probably two updates tomorrow since i'm finally free from too many works that i need to do! I'm also working on a new Enhypen superhuman au after i finished schadenfreude! Maybe at the end of the month? It's still not finalized yet so i'm still focusing on this book. Pfft- i'm so indecisive.