Love is Like A For*bid*den Fruit

Chapter 2

Thomas’ Point of View 

I woke up to the continuous beeping of my alarm. I opened my eyes and saw Edgar standing there with a smile on his face. I liked the gesture and woke up from my slumber. I checked my mobile phone and it displayed the time as 8 in the morning, on a Monday morning.

“Good morning Edgar”, I wished him and left towards my washroom. I had a habit of sleeping in my boxers and Edgar as usual sighed with an expression stating that nothing can be done about me. Edgar has been in my family from the time I was in my diaper and he has been my caretaker, handler and even my driver from the time I started walking.

Edgar is in his 50s and is just like a father figure, as my father was never there to help me in any part of my life. My father on the other hand just loved sleeping around with different women all around the globe. I wouldn't be shocked if he brought a girl or guy of teen years and told me that it is my sibling from another mother. My mom was a saint and she passed away because of ill health. I guess that is what has given him the ticket to sleep around with women, who fall for his charms and handsomeness. 

I hate to agree with the fact that Mr. Leon Strauss, my father, was a hunk in his prime years. Women would fall to his feet and would feel themselves blessed, if they got a glance from my dad. However, it was my mother who tied him down to the family and made him what he is today.

She is the reason that our family business, Strauss Pharmaceuticals, has reached its peak time and has branch offices in almost all metropolitan cities around the globe. She was actually a college graduate in genetics and made use of her knowledge to help dad come up with the idea of opening a pharmaceutical company. Her main goal was to make our medicines reach every nook and corner of the world, especially for the people who cannot afford big budget medicines.

My mom and dad were college sweethearts and my dad’s education was in pharmacy and chemical development. Both the great minds came together and started this company from the scratch. It's been more than 30 years now and our company has reached its peak these days.

Mom worked hard to prepare and even deliver our medicines to every nook and corner of the world, but no medicine could save her from Alzheimer’s. She suffered during her ending years and finally gave up on her life and us, and passed away when I was in college. Dad acted all mighty and tough for the first few years, but he then started drinking and neglecting the fact that he had a son, a daughter and also a business to take care of. I stepped up as soon as I completed my college years and took hold of the reigns of my company and 10 years later, I have brought the company to greater levels.

I have forgotten the fact that I have a father and he is somewhere, which I definitely don't know about. All I care about is taking care of my sister and to make sure that she doesn't end up with some random guy, who wants nothing but our business, and nothing related to the happiness of my sister.

Yup. It's true. I have loads on my plate and cannot falter from my responsibilities. With so many thoughts in my mind, I started finishing my morning chores and took a shower and came out of the washroom in nothing but a towel. Edgar was still standing there and waiting for me to dismiss him.

"Edgar, how many times have I told you not to wait for my instructions and you can take your leave, when you feel like your work is done here” I said to him and he sighed.

“Young master. You know very well that it’s like a habit for me to wait for your instructions. Anyways, get ready and come out, as we have many deals to discuss today. It’s already 8.30am, and we need to leave towards the office” he said and left to prepare for my breakfast.

My normal breakfast routine was just oatmeal and some fresh fruit juice. I need to stay fit and even in the right shape, and so I took my physique and health very seriously. I had a personal gym designed in the ground floor of my house for the only purpose. I took out my 3 piece grey suit and got dressed and set my hair in a neatly combed manner and left towards the dining area.

“Young master, the food is served” my butler, Mrs Costov said and I greeted her. I had my food and directed Mr. Edgar to take out my car. He left by bowing and I said my farewell to Mrs Costov and left towards my car. Mr. Edgar was waiting for me at the entrance and we left our way towards my company. We reached within a few minutes and I went towards my private elevator.

I greeted my assistant Sasha Peterson and went towards my cabin. I called Sasha, “Sasha, get me my day's schedule. I need to prepare for all the meetings and also remember to prepare the conference room for the meetings. Order some snacks from the local vendors and also for some beverages. Remember to keep a bottle of water on the desk. Overall take care of everything required for the meeting”. I ordered her and opened my laptop to check the day’s schedule.

“Sir, I have mailed you the day’s schedule. You have meeting with Cooper Pharmaceutical CEO, Mr. Cooper and the next meeting is with the board members, regarding the recent developments in the field of pharmaceuticals. Sir, there is an important meeting with the Manager working for our New York branch and you may have to leave for New York tonight or tomorrow, as per the requirement of the meeting. That is it for the day sir”, Sasha replied in the intercom and I disconnected the call.

After completing all the meetings and day’s schedules, I asked Sasha to prepare my private jet to fly to New York tonight, as I will be leaving tonight only. However, I strictly instructed her to not reveal about my plans of flying there, to anyone working in our New York branch. I wanted my arrival to the office to be a surprising one, as it would give me a clear picture of what exactly is going on there.

I told Edgar about my plans and he packed and got my private jet ready to fly towards New York tonight. He brought my luggage from home and picked me from my office at around 7.30 in the evening. We left towards the airport and my jet was all ready to fly me towards my destination. We left at around 8pm and me and Edgar reached the place at around 4am in the early morning. A car was waiting for us in the airport and we left towards my private home and reached at around 5am. Me and Edgar freshened up and relaxed till 8am. My home was very near to my office and I had already booked a car to move around freely in New York.

I woke up, as usual, for the sound of my alarm at around 8am on a Tuesday morning and saw that Edgar was all ready with my suit for the day. He kept the blue colored 3 piece Armani suit and left towards the door to prepare my breakfast for the day. Even though we both were feeling jet lagged, we didn't wish to delay the day’s work. I went towards the washroom and completed my morning chores and came out. I got dressed in the suit and left towards the dining area.

We both had our breakfast and left towards my New York branch. It was almost 9am, when we reached the office. I was greeted by the receptionists and I could feel them stare at me without looking at them. I am used to such staring and laughed internally and left towards the main office. After checking some works I strongly felt like going towards the lab area. I got dressed in a safety suit and wore some mask and went inside. I was scrutinizing the area and that is when I saw her. I kept staring at her, but I guess she didn't see me as I was wearing a face mask and safety suit, which covered almost all my body, except for my eyes.

She stood there in a lab coat and a black trousers. She was wearing a white full armed tee inside her lab coat and the sleeves were visible from her sleeves of the lab coat. Her hair was tied into a ponytail and her dark brown eyes were looking sad and foggy. Her skin was shining, even though she looked gloomy and hungover. Her eyes could draw you into her world and would make you get lost in it. I could make out the tiredness that was visible from her eyes. What might be the reason? Did she cry herself to sleep or overworked through the night? I felt a strong urge to go to her and caress her cheeks and ask her what was the problem. However, I composed myself and checked everything else and started moving towards the door. Something made me wish to stay there and look at her work, but I had some work to take care of. I somehow managed to drag myself outside the lab and made my way towards the office.

I checked everything there and observed the way the workers were doing their job. I carefully understood about the medicines that were being developed and even tested in different stations and thoroughly checked everything. My work was done here and I had to leave for my London branch in the afternoon. I completed my work here and finalized everything and finally made my way towards the exit. No matter what I did, I couldn't say my goodbye to the place just yet, but had to do so. Somehow I managed to leave towards the airport and towards my jet. Finally, we landed in London that night