CHAPTER 02
ZEUS:
"Good morning, sir," greeted my secretary as I entered my company.
"Good morning," I replied in a formal tone, ignoring the pleasantries. There's nothing wrong with being aloof and detached. It conveys strength and toughness, earning respect from others and preventing loved ones from taking advantage of you. Weakness, on the other hand, invites abuse and keeps you at the bottom, seen as a failure.
I used to be weak, but with time, I realized that my attitude needed to change. Being weak all the time didn't make sense. It was time to shed that part of myself and embrace a different approach. I couldn't let myself be taken advantage of anymore.
Sitting in my swivel chair, I closed my eyes for a moment, but her smile immediately flashed in my mind. I quickly opened my eyes, frustrated with her constant presence in my thoughts. I wanted to erase her from my heart and soul, to stop thinking about her every second of my life. She was my weakness, a foolish weakness. I clenched my fists, feeling overwhelmed by emotions as memories of the past haunted me, shattering my heart once again.
"I hate you," I whispered coldly, staring at her picture on my table.
I hated her, but my love for her was more powerful than anything else. It was an unhealthy love, deeply passionate, even though she had cheated on me multiple times. Every time I asked myself if I wasn't enough for her. It hurt me deeply, but I couldn't resist her. I forgave her and tried to rebuild our relationship.
And yet, she cheated again. This time, I summoned all my strength to push her away, despite the pain it caused me. I refused to settle for less than what I deserved. I remembered who I was and realized that bending over backward wouldn't bring the love and attention I craved. I had been down that road before.
My senses snapped back to the present when my secretary entered my office, and I glared at him for his sudden intrusion without warning.
"U-Uhm, M-Mister Heldos, y-you..." he stuttered nervously, fueling my anger.
"You're fired!" I shouted with a ferocious voice, my beastly nature on display.
I saw the pity in his eyes, but I didn't care. I didn't want idiotic people working for me. Heldos Corporation had standards, and having someone like him would bring shame to my company. My other secretary quickly grabbed her phone to find a replacement. It wasn't a big deal; there were always people lining up to work for my firm.
Just as I thought I could continue my day undisturbed, the door to my office swung open, and my friend, Lienzo Sullivan, walked in, waving cheerfully at my staff. Damn him. What was his purpose for coming here again? To disturb and annoy me? I glared at him even more when he sat in my front chair.
"Hey, Zeus! What's up, dude?" he greeted me casually.
"Shut up, Sullivan! I have important things to do," I replied in a baritone voice, trying to maintain my calm.
I could see his eyes mentally rolling at my response. "Oh, come on! We're both billionaires. You can leave your work to your employees," he retorted.
"I am not like you," I shot back.
He leaves a loud guffaw, his laughter echoing through the room as he heaves a deep breath. "Well, well, Zeus. Are you coming tonight?" he asks, abruptly changing the topic.
I raise my eyebrow, perplexed by his sudden shift. "Are you asking me out? I didn't realize you swung that way," I reply, feigning ignorance.
He shrieks in frustration, his voice piercing the air. "You bastard! Don't tell me you forgot about our deal last week!" he exclaims, his face red with anger.
"If I remembered, would I react like this? You dumb s**t," I curse, dismissing his accusation. "And those words you always spout? Just empty plans, drinking and smoking your life away."
He giggles, dismissing my words as if they hold no weight. "Yeah, right. Let's go to a party. It's been ages since you last set foot in a club. Is it still because of Geor--" his words are abruptly cut off as
I glare at him, my gaze intense and unwavering.
Lienzo playfully zips his mouth shut and chuckles. "Damn! You're the one with the highest IQ among our friends, yet the dumbest when it comes to love," he mocks relentlessly.
"Shut your mouth!" I yell, my frustration mounting, but his laughter only grows louder.
"Chill, dude. I'm just stating facts here," he says, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Facts? f**k you!" I retort, my irritation reaching its peak as I stand up and storm out of my office.
Lienzo continues to follow me, calling my name repeatedly, but I pay him no mind. He's f*****g annoying. I keep walking, leaving him behind as I push through the office doors, my mind clouded with anger. I need to clear my head. The encounter with Sullivan ruined my mood. As I make my way outside, I suddenly notice a woman collapsed near the entrance of my company. The security guard stands there, bewildered, not knowing what to do.
"Bring that woman to the clinic in my office. Now," I order, my voice laced with authority.
The guard nods hastily. "Yes, sir."
I take a deep breath, my mood worsening. Damn it! Why did I order that? My mind slipped, instructing the guard to take her to my private clinic instead of the nearest hospital. Stupid move.
"Hey, Zeus! Who's that girl? She's kinda hot," Lienzo remarks, appearing beside me unexpectedly.
"Hot? No, she's not," I dismiss him, continuing my walk. I can hear his groan of disappointment as I reach my sleek Royce Rolls car.
"f**k you, Zeus!" he irritably states as I start the engine.
Lienzo is, without a doubt, the most annoying and extroverted friend among our group. I'm sure he'll now head to Darth Fulgencio, one of our colleagues, to unleash his depressing presence on someone else. I shake my head, focusing my attention on the road ahead. I need to find a place to unwind, somewhere where I can forget the troubles of the day. I drive aimlessly until I arrive at a secluded seaside location. There's no one else around, and that's precisely what I need. Solitude.
As I step out of the car, my phone suddenly vibrates. I glance at it, my heart quickening when I see the name of the woman I've yearned for all these years. Georgia Craig Heldos is calling me. My wife.
Despite all the pain she's caused me, my love for her remains unchanged
. I answer the call, my voice calm. "Hello."
"Hon, are you free? Can you give me some cash? I want to go shopping," she requests without a hint of hesitation.
I clench my fists at her words. What did I expect, Zeus? Did I really think things would change? The woman I love doesn't love me back; she loves my wealth. I shake my head, ending the call. I don't understand why my affection for her runs so deep. Yet, I find myself sending her money, succumbing to the power of my love. I sigh, defeated. She's my weakness, her smile my life. She's the only person who can make a fool out of me.
The ocean breeze is refreshing, washing away the negativity of the day. I stay there for a while, watching as the sun begins its descent. I light a cigarette, allowing the smoke to fill my lungs once again. I've accomplished nothing today. I abandoned my responsibilities at the office.
As the sky grows darker and night sets in, I decide to return to my building. I no longer reside in the grand mansion; I gave it to my wife. We separated after I caught her cheating for the second time. Since then, I've been living in a penthouse at the top of my company.
I drive back to my corporation, the servants in a state of panic when they see me. I raise an eyebrow, accustomed to their reactions upon my arrival. But this time, something seems different, something has happened.
The head housekeeper peeks at me, her head bowed. "Buenas Dias, Señor," she pauses, then looks up, her eyes filled with worry. "The girl the guard brought here is not in the clinic. We had to settle her in your compartment because we misplaced the clinic key. We're terribly sorry, Señor Zeus. We understand if you decide to fire us."
I close my eyes, feeling the resentment building within me. Placing her in my bed? In my compartment? No f*****g way! I swiftly make my way to the designated area, hastily opening the door. My astonishment knows no bounds when I find her lying comfortably on my bed. "s**t!" I curse under my breath.
"Hey, you! Get out of my bed right now!" I shout, but she offers no response. She sleeps like an angel.
For crying out loud! She's the first woman to lay on my bed—a complete stranger! I glare at her with a mix of annoyance and hostility. Damn it, she's been here the whole day? This is infuriating! I shake her, trying to wake her up, but her slumber remains undisturbed.
I place both palms on my face, attempting to calm myself down. Stay composed, Zeus. She'll pay for this. I take a seat on the couch opposite my king-size bed. Yeah, she's pretty, but she's also pretty annoying. I clench my jaw and release a long, exasperated breath. God, what a terrible day!
I notice her stirring, her eyes fluttering open slowly. "Where am I?" she whispers weakly.
I mentally roll my eyes. You're in my place, you stupid young lady. She scans the room, her eyes landing on me, and freezes.
"Who are you!? What did you do to me?" she shouts, her eyes welling up with tears.
I simply stare at her, my expression blank and unwavering. Her gaze intensifies, fixed on my Greek complexion. She seems unnerved by my dark eyes.
She swallows hard. "Help! Help! I've been kidn*pped!" she screams, her voice trembling.
"f*****g annoying," I respond.
"Kidnap my ass." How ironic.
Who does she think she is, getting kidn*pped by a multi-billionaire?
"Instead of thanking me for saving your f*****g life, you accuse me of k********g you? Who do you think you are to be kidn*pped by me? f**k off," I assert, my voice laced with superiority.
Her eyes widen, and she swallows even harder. "Then where am I?" she nervously asks in a calm tone.
I rise from my seat and answer, my voice cold. "Find the answer to your stupid question for yourself." I rudely retort before slamming the door shut.
Afterward, I tilt my head back and massage the bridge of my nose. I summon the head housekeeper to the hall, and she arrives promptly.
"What is it, Señor?"
"Take care of that girl and make sure she leaves," I instruct before turning around and walking away.
With determination in my eyes, I stride purposefully towards my office, ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. As I enter the room, I'm greeted by a disarray of documents scattered across my desk. Without skipping a beat, I roll up my sleeves and embark on the task of restoring order to this chaos.
Methodically, I skim through each paper, my discerning eye quick to identify anything that falls short of my high standards. Subpar proposals are swiftly discarded without a second thought. After all, I have built my reputation on excellence, and there is no room for mediocrity in my domain.
Summoning the individuals responsible for these subpar proposals, I spare no time for their protests or excuses. They may work under my corporation, but they must understand that success in life comes through unwavering dedication and adherence to my instructions. I am a firm believer in the power of discipline and accountability.
Having successfully rectified the situation in my office, I leave behind a space that now exudes efficiency and professionalism. With a sense of accomplishment, I stride confidently through the hallways, each step resonating with purpose.
As I make my way towards the dining area, my eyes scan the surroundings, ever vigilant for any signs of disregard for the established order. Much to my chagrin, I am confronted by the sight of a woman unabashedly enjoying a meal. Instantly, a surge of anger courses through my veins. Who dared to grant her permission to partake in sustenance within my territory?
Resisting the immediate urge to take action, I pause for a moment, allowing my acute observation skills to sharpen my understanding of the situation. To my surprise, I overhear her engaging in a conversation with one of the maids. A tinge of curiosity replaces my initial anger as I contemplate the nature of their interaction.
My earlier impulse to reprimand the woman is momentarily suspended as my mind entertains a different possibility. Perhaps there is more to this woman's presence in the dining area than meets the eye. Intrigued, I decide to approach cautiously, keeping my emotions in check, for now.
As I draw closer, I find myself eavesdropping on their conversation, my curiosity piqued by the woman's words. Here words send an electric jolt through my senses.
"You know what? I'm actually a journalist. I fainted in front of the Heldos Corporation because my editor-in-chief wanted me to interview a man named Zeus Nichollo Heldos," she reveals.
Tch. Using me as bait, huh? But for what purpose? To attract more readers to her articles and blog posts? To elevate her publication's prestige and gain capital? It's amusing. Young lady, you're one of the journalists I declined to be interviewed by.
"At first, I thought it was an exciting opportunity, but I've been searching for him for three consecutive days, and I haven't been able to find a single piece of information about him. It's frustrating. I don't even know what he looks like," she continues, frustration lacing her voice.
So this woman is clueless, naive, and, above all, foolish? What kind of journalist is she? Clearly lacking in research, relying solely on internet dissertations.
"But you know what? I imagined him to be an old man, maybe around eighty years old. A temperamental old man who wears glasses because his eyesight is failing," she chuckles.
My eyes darken at her words. What a judgmental woman. The anger within me intensifies. This girl is insane.
"What is it?" she adds, a hint of amusement in her tone.
I stride toward her, my voice deadly serious. "Old man, huh?" I ask.
She turns to face me, her eyes widening with fear.
"Young lady, I am the man you've been searching for. And I demand that you leave my building immediately!" I thunder, my voice echoing throughout the dining area.
Her eyes flutter, caught in a momentary paralysis, before surrendering to the weight of disbelief and sinking to her knees.