Tangled Embers

Episode4

KARL's POV

“It’s just not in the company’s tradition, you can take it up with Mr. Martinez” The bald headed man said.

We’d been at this for the past 15mins since Redhead’s interview- Zena Thompson. I didn’t even ask her name. I just focused on hitting. Jerk..

Apparently she can't be employed because doesn't have a masters degree or PH.D. That’s so 1842. Even though she tops her counterparts with her witty and practical answers. The rest of them sounded like they were reading crappy AI scripts.

And this is not me being biased. They said it themselves! For God's sake. This is driving me nuts.

This is Gen Z, people should be employed based on their functional skills, not just some fancy paper with an Ivy League letterhead.

The universe literally delivered her to me because I searched for her on the guest list. she wasn't one of dads business associates or associate's daughter. she just vanished, there was no trace of her. Does she know she has occupied my thoughts ever since?

I saw the fading purplish marks on her chest as she clutched her blouse to cover it up and I couldn't help but smile widely. It was mine. I did that. I might have caught the mine- fever but it felt good.

I want to so badly replace them and adorn her lower back curve with some more. I still have prints of her fingers clawing into my back when I fumbled with the perimeters of the V between her legs.

“Sir?” Jose called, interrupting my train of thoughts.

The interview committee were staring. Their eyes bore into me like vultures circling prey, eagerly awaiting to dissect my next move.

I’d been a little too pushy about these absurd employment metrics and it was beginning to raise eyebrows. But I still don’t get why we should give a fat paycheck to people who won’t add value to the company?

I sighed “Let’s continue” I said as the next interviewee walked in.

It sucks that even as a Director, I had little to no power. I was just a ceremonial figure,more like puppet. I just had to sit still and do only what I’m told. Just enough to fulfil my quota for the privilege of even being here.

I barely got a grip of her and now I’m losing her again?

******

Redhead- Zena was in my room walking towards me with her ever charming smile, as I sat on the recliner by the window.

I was both happy and surprised that she was here.

She cupped my cheeks and brought her head closer as I covered her hands in mine. But… she scented of Mint. The very scent I despised so much. I opened my eyes to Sierra staring down at me, our lips only a fraction of an inch apart.

I sat up alarmed flinging her hand off me “ What are you doing in my room”

“Hey baby, I came to see Dad and thought to check up on you. You looked so peaceful in your sleep” she said with a cheeky smile. Ugh.

“Well thank you for disrupting my peaceful sleep. Can you leave now?”

“Hey I just came, don’t you want to do something fun?” She said inching closer to me.

“No!” I yelled, and she flinched “the only “fun thing” I need right now is your departure. Thank you” I said curtly, flashing a brief insincere smile and reverting to a stern expression.

A slow smile crept up her frozen face “Okay grumpy pants. I’ll leave you to get your beauty sleep. Don’t miss dinner” she said and left the room.

Ugh. What a pest. She won’t leave me alone.

Great. Now I’m dreaming about her too. Red suddenly became my favourite colour. I must be sick or something. Yes, it’s stress telling on me.

I tossed and turned on the bed to catch a little more sleep but it was gone. Dammit.

I felt a surge of anger, but I couldn’t pinpoint whether it was because Sierra interrupted my dream at such a crucial moment or that she intruded into my personal space.ugh

I took a seat at the dinner table and Sierra rushed to a seat beside me. We ate in silence until Dad broke the ice.

“How does September sound? For your wedding”

He said and I choked on my spaghetti

“Perfect,” Sierra said giddily as I gulped my orange juice.

“You two look good together. And will make the perfect couple. We can even have the wedding tomorrow” Dad said chuckling

So marriage now is solely based on looks?What a mind blowing discovery.

“Oh come on Dad. It’s baby steps, allow us to savor every phase of our romance”Sierra spoke for both of us beaming with excitement.

I scoffed. Romance my ass.

Dad sneered “Nonsense, you have forever to know each other when you're married and take it from an old man, you still can’t figure it all out. Why waste any more time now?”

“ I also can't wait to have you as my sister-in-law, officially” Anton said with excitement I knew too well was fake.

He was having so much fun with this. I hated this, so much. but I couldn’t go against Dad. I’m like a cow being dragged to the slaughterhouse only in my case I didn’t bother to resist because it’ll be of no use. A waste of time. I’ve accepted my fate. I don’t care anymore. Being paranoid over things like this will only leave me devastated- even though these “things” are the major decisions in my life.

Mom walked in with some bags from different malls- she went shopping. Always.

“Oh my God ma, I almost didn't recognize you, have you gotten younger since the last time?” Sierra fawned.

“A 3 thousand-dollar skincare routine, regular spa visits, botox, and a streamlined diet doesn't sound like Child's Play to you, does it?” Mom swaggered, flexing her gold-polished nails.

“Of course not, I need to make time so you'll put me on. I want to get this glow like you” Sierra said, grinning from ear to ear.

I could feel my face twitch with irritation. This is what I have to deal with for the rest of my life?. my appetite was diminishing.

Mom gave a toothy smile “How's your father?”

“He's well, he sends his regards.”

“Thank you for all you do for GMT Groups” Dad said

“Oh come on sir, my dad doesn't fail to ring it in that Demo and GMT are family. You two have come a long way from your days of little beginning”

“Mr. Otto has indeed taught you well” Dad laughed heartily

“I must say though, I'm a bit biassed towards Karl.” Sierra said coyly.

“Oh, I can't fault you for that. You have my blessings” dad laughed, enjoying the show.

“You don't need to,” I said sharply.

“Karl, be nice to your future wife, spend more time with her than being cooped up in the office,” Anton butted in.

“Yeah how's it going at the office” dad asks, slurping down some spaghetti.

“It’s all good”, I said dismissively

“That doesn’t seem to be the case” Anton said “he’s been on the employee’s necks, this whole ultimatum thing has him on edge”

“I have it under control Anton. Thank you for your unsolicited observation” I defended.

“It’s pretty frustrating fighting a losing battle, knowing you were not even an opponent in the first place. You just resort to lashing out” Mom-Mrs Isabel Martinez -chirped in.

She was not very fond of me and she did not hesitate to be vocal about it whenever the need arises in any scenario. Like right now.

With what’s left of my appetite vanished, I let out a deep breath and stood up to leave. Sierra tagged along as I marched into the garden. Can this girl let me breathe for just 2 seconds?

“I’m on your side Karl, I’m rooting for you okay.” She said in a soft tone as she tried to pat my shoulders.

“All these would be over once we get married, you’d call the shots. Speaking of marriage,Our colour of the day should be emerald, amber and white.My custom Alexander McQueen dress is already in the works. It’s breathtaking, I can’t wait to see your reaction on our first look. Villa San Michele in Capri, Italy would be a perfect wedding venue. It’ll be the talk of the town. Everyone is doing Paris. When they see this, they’ll wish they didn’t.-

she rambled on and my rubbish-tolerance gauge was filling up very fast. There’s only so little I can take before I snap.

“It’s not happening” I blurted out to my own surprise. Her eyes went wide.

“What baby? Y… you said we’d have the wedding when we you get back”

“We? I said?” I scoffed. I could feel my blood boil “Those two don’t fit very well in that sentence. You CONCOCTED in your delusional mind that we’re having this wedding and went ahead to do all the planning. Which you obviously just need me- the prop, cherry on top to complete your absurd fantasy.”

An expression of despair spread across her face, like her world was crumbling before her eyes.

“IT. IS. NOT. HAPPENING. Ever. Get that into your thick skull” I don’t know what I’m doing right now but I need to bare it all in this transient outburst before it dispels.

“Is this what I get for waiting for you all these years?” She said teary eyed

“I don’t give a hoot. Heck, did I even propose to you?”

“Bu… but Y..you said-

“Come on now don’t get amnesia on me now will you? You did this to yourself, swallowing all of my Dad’s promises that fuel your imaginations.”

“Betrothed my ass. Go look for some ambition or hobby and focus your life on and leave me the hell alone.” I yelled

“How could you say that to me Karl?” she said, her voice breaking.

“This is just a preview of the hell you’ll face if we get married. Just go tell Dad this wedding is over. He’ll only let it go if You call if off”

“I hate you” she said, slapping me across the face and scurrying off. It was more like a pillow hitting my face, but I’m glad it got to her. Maybe she’ll feel a little bit of my frustration.

I sighted a rosebush by the fence of the garden. And my mind drifted to Redhead. She smelled of Roses. I asked Jose to fill up my office with them, just to get a whiff of her. It wasn’t the same. Maybe she had hers customized.I felt my seething anger de-escalate and my breathing calm. It's funny that only the thought of her soothes me like this. God! I want her. I needed her. A fraction of an inch is too long of a distance. What the Hell is wrong with me!