11.
1004 Words
"Theo, my child, are you sure you can go to your office today? I mean, you just came." Dad said when I came downstairs after my nap.
Mr. Alderic Hudson had dropped me home from Claire's diner. I could still feel the taste of tomato soup, garlic bread and pasta on my tongue. That's how tasty it was.
I don't remember when was the last time I had enjoyed a night before. I can't remember being this happy with a person who knows about my sexuality.
I remember once as a teenager, a man caught me eyeing him. He was pretty. And I was still sorting my feelings. Trying to discover who I was. When he confronted me, he made fun of me. There were several words he had used for me. Several derogatory terms. F.A.G.G.O.T. He had called me that. I could barely sleep that night. All I did for a week was cry to sleep.
"Today is the day, I present my designs to Mr. Jones' secretary— Mr. Blue. I have worked very hard on it, Dad. If I won't go now, all my work would go in vain. Don't worry, I'll be back in a couple of hours." I said and he frowned but nodded his head, nonetheless.
"Sometimes I think you deliberately keep yourself into your work. Everything alright son?" The sudden softness in his voice made my eyes burn. The urge of saying no was getting prominent. Suddenly, I wanted to cry in his arms and be a kid again.
But I was long past that phase. I was an adult now. The adult who had to deal with his shits on his own. So I simply smiled at him. Adultery is such a fallacy. Such a lie. Such a sham. You behave like you have got everything in your control when in reality you have nothing together. Everything is always just shattered.
"I am okay, Dad. When will Mom come back?" I asked instead and he smiled, almost curiously. Almost like the question amused him.
"She'll be back in a week. A week of rest to both of us. But hey, don't tell this to her. Anyways, I'm cooking breakfast today. What do you want? Is french toast okay? I'll make some tea for you too." He said, making me roll my eyes at him.
"I will cook, Dad. I'll make the toast and waffles. I'll also squeeze out some fresh juice for us. You get ready. No office will let you enter in a pair of boxers." I said with a smirk and he laughed, shrugging his shoulders as he threw his hands out in air dramatically.
"As you wish, son. I'll be right back." He said and I chuckled, starting to prepare the batter for the pancakes. Pancakes are my specialist. Just like waffles. My mother taught them when she fought with Dad. She said she won't cook for him, so she taught me. Sometimes, my mother astounded me. When she promised him that she won't cook for him, she made sure I cooked for her husband.
~~~~~~
"Sir, someone has sent you a parcel with a note on it." The security guard of my office said to me just before my meeting with Mr. Blue was about to start.
I furrowed my eyebrows, taking the parcel in my hands.
"Is there a name on the parcel? Did the sender tell their name?" I asked and he looked at me with his own scrunched brows as he shrugged his shoulders in confusion.
"I don't know sir. The delivery boy said that the gift is anonymous."
"Gift? This is a gift? And someone sent it anonymously?" I asked, not able to believe that someone has sent a gift for me. And that too anonymously!
"That's what the delivery boy said, Sir. Can I leave now, Sir?" He asked me and I waved my hands at him dismissively and left me alone in my cabin.
I, very curiously, opened the parcel which was wrapped neatly and elegantly with a decorative paper. My eyes widened when my eyes fell on the box of couverture chocolates.
My heartbeat quickened when I saw a note attached on the chocolate box.
Mr. Roosevelt,
Since this is the only way to convince you for our next therapy, here it is. A box of couverture chocolates. I hope you like them. I have rescheduled your appointment on the coming Sunday. I know you're a very busy person hence I rescheduled your appointment on Sunday, the official holiday of Penny and Cents.
Your therapist.
Something inside me twisted excitedly as I held the note and box of chocolates in my hand. The smell of the chocolates were no wonder appetizing. But something other than its promising taste and aroma made my heart beat loudly.
"Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Blue is here. We can start the meeting. Are you ready?" My Boss said from the other side of my office and I blinked, nodding my head.
"I'm ready, Sir. Just give a minute. I'll be in your office in next few minutes." I said and didn't hear any response from him, meaning we were done here. I have to report in his office as soon as possible.
I quickly unwrapped one chocolate and tossed it inside my mouth and melted at its rich taste. There was something in his choice that made my soul lose into his.
Something about having Alderic Hudson's chocolates before my meeting made me believe that my meeting will go positive. That he is my lucky charm. I don't know why I thought that but I did. And the thought itself was enough to make me happy. In peace.
With a deep breath, I walked out of my office into my boss's cabin where Mr. Blue was sipping his juice. My lips curled up in a less fake smile this time.
"Hello, Mr. Blue. I hope you're doing well. I have my reports ready. I'm sorry for a week delay in advance."
- Writer
