LOVE ME A LITTLE MORE (M×M)

12

"The designs..... splendid, Mr. Roosevelt. I didn't knew you had this in you." Mr. Blue said once the meeting ended and my lips curled up in a tight smile. This was a compliment. If anything, it was Mr. Blue mocking me. I knew what I was capable of. I was a good engineer and I knew it.

"I told you, Mr. Blue, Theodore is the best we have. If anyone can make this project a huge success in low budget, it's only Theodore." My boss said and I controlled my urge to roll my eyes. That's my boss for you. He'll hype you up until you sacrifice everything for him. He is the most dangerous venom in disguise.

"You have potential in you, Mr. Roosevelt. Why not start your own firm?" Mr. Blue asked and my boss's eyes widened as he looked at me and my lips curled up in a faint smirk.

"Business isn't my thing, Mr. Blue. I can't deal with so much of stress. Jobs are more secure. At least, I'll have some security. Anyways, if you're okay with the designs, can we finalize it? I'll get the documents ready." I said, adjusting my glasses and Mr. Blue chuckled, nodding his head.

"Of course, Mr. Roosevelt. Please hand me over the documents and I'll get back to you with Mr. Jones' signature. And if possible please mail me a copy of contract as well with others required things." Mr. Blue said and I nodded my head, shutting down my laptop.

"Sure, Mr. Blue. Then we're done for the day, I assume. I'll mail you a contract sample by evening. And when can we expect to hear back from you so that we can start with the project?"

"In a week, maximum? I should leave now. I'll see you later in a week." And with that Mr. Blue walked away from the office, leaving us to our own works.

When I walked back to my office, I again took the chocolate box in my hand. A weird, unknown smile formed on my face. Something about it made me happy. Maybe it was the project, maybe it was the chocolate box Mr. Alderic Hudson sent for me to convince me to come to the therapy, or maybe it was both.

This sudden happiness felt like a thick blanket of euphoria. I suddenly forgot what it was like to be sad. Suddenly the work didn't felt like a burden, nor did my life. I felt happy.

Shaking my head, I turned on my computer to mail Mr. Blue. I didn't had much work later that day. Maybe my boss was too happy that we finally cracked our deal with the mayor to burden me with more work.

"Hello, is this the clinic of therapist Alderic Hudson?" I asked, though I knew it was indeed the number of his office.

"Yes, Sir. This is the clinic of physiologist Mr. Alderic Hudson. How may I help you, Sir?" The receptionist answered and I tugged on the sleeves of my shirt.

"I actually wanted to confirm the timings for my next therapy session. Can you please check it for me?" I said nervously and I heard her fumbling through some papers.

"Of course, Sir. Please give me a minute. Can I know your good name, Sir?" She asked me and I nodded my head.

"Sure. It's Theodore Roosevelt."

"Just a minute, Sir." She said and I hummed through the phone. I heard her flipping some pages before I heard her again after a minute.

"Yes Sir, your appointment was scheduled for four days ago but you missed that one, so your appointment is rescheduled for this Sunday. Is there anything else I can help you with?" She asked me and I shook my head, forgetting for a second that she can't see me through the phone.

"No, thank you." And as soon as those words escaped my mouth, the line went dead.

For some reason, I was looking forward for this therapy session, unlike what I had been feeling from past few sessions. For some reason, I wasn't looking forward to ditch it again. For some reason, I wanted to meet him, see him. Have a conversation with him.

~~~~~~

"You're cooking." Dad said as soon as he walked in the kitchen and I looked at up at him with my brows shot up.

"And?"

"It's Sunday. And why does it look like that you're cooking a feast?" He asked me and I grinned, sauteing my vegetables.

"Why? Don't you like good food? And you always complain how I don't cook very often so I thought why not cook for my old man today. Besides I am just adding on your happiness that Mom is not here." I added. Though I wasn't exactly lying but neither was I exactly telling the truth.

"You sound very suspicious but anyways, I'll be back in fifteen minutes. I need to take bath." Dad said before disappearing into his room.

I was quick to cook the food and packing some in a tiffin box. I remember him saying he doesn't get much homemade food. That it's hard for him to cook after work and I couldn't have agreed any more.

After packing some in a container for my therapist, I put the container in a bag before serving our brunch on the dining table. Dad only came a minute later.

The breakfast went into silence. We hardly exchanged a word or two. That was the thing with Dad, things with him went with ease. We didn't had to necessarily share a conversation to be in touch. But with Mom, things were different. She wanted to know everything that happened with me on a daily basis.

When Dad didn't expect anything from me, Mom expected a lot more from me. So much more than I could give her. So much more than I had the courage to give her. And her expectations only scared me more. Because I know in the end, I'll only disappoint her.