My Mysterious Love For him

CHAPTER-2

AZRAEL:

Moving the cursor to the upright corner, saving the document, I shut down my laptop.

A deep sigh escaped me as I finally ended the mountain of document analysis for the day. Checking time on my watch it was only 2:10 AM. It was sooner than I assumed it’d take to complete the task. Pushing my chair back, I stood up, muscles groaning in protest for sitting in one position since hours together.

Pouring myself a glass of water beside the table to enormous bookshelf, I walked up to the window. Sliding the pane slightly, I stared at the night sky. Glittering sparkle of stars, moonlight slid through the darkness lilting my house cabin. I don’t mind darkness, knowing in detail of the interior I didn’t care working with lights remaining off.

Sipping the water, I roamed my gaze around even if I have seen the view countless number of time. There was nothing new, the residence was located in secluded area with greenery running for yards. Many appreciate its vicinity allowing them to admire nature, the unpolluted sky- from whatever pictures have been permitted to be published in magazines.

Though I don’t see anything unique.

The lawn was beautiful due to the systematic duties of house help spending every day to maintain them, the starry view was present due to the area being uncluttered with regular moving traffic in the area. Overall it took some one’s effort to secure its originality.

Exactly the way how life works. You have to put in your efforts to make something happen or to make it run on your will. Not the other way around.

People waste most of their life by working through the circumstances, challenges they were thrown into. I call them imbeciles.

I don’t wait for life to lead me to gain my significance instead I command the power to let it work by my way. If it meant working insane hours together each day, then so be it.

With all my thoughts bouncing in my mind, I lock my office checking one last time and moving towards my bedroom exactly at the opposite end of the corridor. I chuck my tee shirt quickly on the one arm couch getting under the warm sheets preparing to sleep.

It takes some round of breathing exercises to relax my body, getting into relaxing mode. Comfortable sleep wasn’t easily accessed, I didn’t mind it.

*****

Turning on my back, my body starts to wakeup I don’t need any sort of alarm as my circadian rhythm has always been fixed for major tasks of the day. I groan loudly jerking myself upright, with one last yawn I climb out of my bed. I prefer to make my bed every morning once it’s done I get started with the day.

Same routine follows- After bathroom necessities I jump into vigorous ninety minutes workout in my residential gym, taking a cold shower, getting ready in one of three piece suit from my walk in closet. Breakfast consisting of grey earl tea, toast with two scrambled eggs prepared by my cook.

The house help begin their duties already in early hours, the entire organization was seen by Jerry one of the rare person whom I’d trust my privacy or this place.

“Have a safe, interesting day ahead Sir.”

He greets me with his classic bright smile as I make my way outside of the mansion. I nod at him in return internally shaking my head. The man is in his early fifties one of the most reverent workers I had, positivity, goodness just oozes out of this man. Whether being his smiles or spoken words.

He’d always wish a safe day along with a new adjective. Today it was- interesting. Huh…my days are anything but interesting.

The driver opened the door for me, thanking him I maneuvered inside fiddling with my phone to read couple of e-mails that are edited by one of my assistant, confirming or making certain changes and sending them.

In next twenty minutes we reached our destination, the working hours don’t start until 9 AM but I like to reach there one hour before, to avoid the morning rush. Having enough time to smoothly get started for the long day.

The morning hassle was one of the many things, I strictly don’t tolerate.

As usual the scheduled meetings took majority of morning, it was not until late afternoon that I arrived back to my cabin. My assistant Mrs. Sherry would send my lunch soon so I got into a phone call with our next potential client from California.

‘De Lucas’ my father was founder of the company originally it was confined to only constructions. With the years as I was promoted to the position, I didn't compromise to lead its expansion. Although, my success was boomed with the introduction in IT sector.

Something father or anyone of his generation didn't even dare to think.

The development, coding behind the soft wares have always intrigued, lured me. Against my father’s wishes, I have opted for this path and never looked back. “Bridge” was my sole company that I have invested endless hours, days building its successful image. To say my father was unhappy would be putting it lightly.

Every new venture would include De Lucca as a suffix or solo priority but my company was the first in history of our family to be named differently. He had hard time formulating reasons to convince me otherwise. I’d have done it in much easier way with fewer words if not for him doing everything to halt my goals.

I don’t understand what is there to worry, my every success would come down to one assumption- being son of a successful man, nothing must have been difficult for me. My hard work, the hours of dedication I’d put into would be side lined conveniently. Father would be way more than satisfied to eat up all the glory.

Until I branched out my company. With the years, progressive economic numbers, my hard work finally witnessed the appreciation. It wasn’t like I needed some random people singing my praises but I don’t tolerate them showing the audacity to question my dedication.

Another reason my parents distanced themselves for not being their puppy to dance on their tunes. I never will.

A series of knock on door cut the chain my thoughts, I replied them to come in. As expected my assistant stepped inside with lunch, I took the seat on couch getting down to eat. Today, it was simple tofu salad, I pick up the spoon wiping it by tissue paper.

“Sir, earlier Mr. Marcus has ringed me requesting an urgent meet up for today. Your schedule until evening is unoccupied.”

I place the spoon in the bowl pondering about the information. It wouldn’t be unimportant if Marcus wanted to meet, knowing well I dislike being disturbed during my working hours.

“Please book his appointment and thank you for bringing my lunch,” I state with a straight face.

Ineffective of my expression, she smiles, “No problem sir, enjoy your meal,”

After the quick lunch, I resume my work concentrating on the new algorithms of latest software. Not satisfying at all. Again a knock is heard, expecting his arrival, I keep going through my papers commanding him to enter.

“Good afternoon, brother,”

I briefly glance at him acknowledging his greeting, I gesture with my hand to take the seat. For few minutes his fingertip wrap on the desk table, I have no intention of initiating the conversation so I don’t bother.

“Brother, can I have your attention for couple of minutes. I want to discuss something important.”

I stop skimming across the paper, leaning back in seat I stipple my fingers in front, nodding him to continue. He sits upright meeting my eyes directly. Just the way I have taught him. Marcus was the only sibling I could say, we get along decently among our family.

Unlike Rosaline, our younger sibling she was a successful model and unsurprisingly the glamour of the industry has blinded her morality. Our parents equally fueling her misguidance. After my personal venture I had no hopes my siblings would go against our parent’s wish to maintain our bonding but Marcus proved me wrong.

I was secretly glad of it. Although we don’t share jovial sibling relationship, he never fails to include me in every important aspect of his life. Even visiting my place every alternate weekend. I wondered, how he was immune to our parents scheming influences.

“I’d like if you could attend luncheon organized by Raya’s family two days from now. You have previously missed our engagement due to your business trip, so this could be a great opportunity for you to meet my fiancé. Please brother, I’d be delightful to receive… your blessings.”

“Okay,”

“I don’t want to hear no-wait, you agreed? I assumed it’d take hours of persuasion, debates…” he trails off.

I simply get back to work. He stays silent only the turning of pages was echoed in the room, I don’t mind someone’s company as long as it doesn’t affect the task for the moment.

“Brother, this would be to gamble my expectation. But it’d mean a lot for me, if you’d be my best man on wedding. You know I can’t trust someone else for the position.”

“So, I’m your only option. Fine.” I spare him another glance to affirm my decision.

He sighs quietly, standing up from the chair.

“Not because you’re the only option but I want your presence on most important day of my life,” he clarifies drawing my attention to him.

“Father would argue with you on this statement. The day you were appointed CEO of his company should be the most important day of your life,” I remind him sarcastically. Although my facial expressions remains the same.

He chuckles, “Yeah, he’d. So, uhmm I’d take your leave for now.”

A brief smile tugs my lips, “Marcus, I honestly appreciate your importance for me,”

His shoulders sag a little with a genuine smile he nods, exiting my cabin.

'Let’s just see what this luncheon would end up into,' I mutter to myself closing another file.