Chapter 8: A Mind Full of Worries
1135 Words
Andrew POV
"What is happening between the two of you?" Sophie's tone sharpened as she pressed.
"Nothing," I answered in a cold tone.
“It doesn’t look like nothing,” she replied, narrowing her eyes. “Where were you last night? Both of you. You obviously weren't here, so don't pretend you were."
Luke tensed up next to me, but I maintained a neutral look. "It doesn't matter."
“Doesn't matter?” Sophie repeated, unable to believe it. “Your father was unconscious, and neither of you were around. How does it not matter?"
Luke crossed his arms and stated defensively, "I didn't know."
"And, Luke, where were you exactly?" Sophie objected and continued.
Luke gazed at me, his jaw clenching. "I was out. I didn’t think anything like this would happen.”
"And you, Andrew?" Sophie looked at me, her face displaying a mixture of worry and annoyance. "What justification do you have?"
Her gaze didn't make me wince. "I had a lot going on."
"What are you busy with?" she said.
I didn't respond. Sophie shook her head and let out a deep sigh. "Incredible. You two are incredible."
I abruptly broke the awkward silence by saying, "I need to go to the office."
Sophie's head jerked in my direction. "Now? Are you serious?"
"Yes," I replied forcefully as I started to head for the door.
"Are you really heading to the office at this moment, Andrew?" I reached for my jacket on the coat rack and heard Luke's voice behind me.
I put my arms inside the sleeves and gave a dull response "yes."
Luke stepped in front of me and said, "You haven't slept much. You just had a hectic night, and Dad is still recovering. Take a break for a day."
I abruptly brushed past him and said, "I don't have the luxury of days off. Unlike you, I have a company to run.”
“Wow, thanks,” Luke muttered sarcastically. "I don't really contribute anything to Kane Enterprises."
In response, I blasted, "Then you should have no trouble filling in for me while I handle the actual work."
By the time I returned to the door, Sophie was standing there, softly but firmly saying, "Andrew, don't be ridiculous." She crossed her arms and stood beside the doorway. “Luke’s right. You need rest.”
I murmured as I made my way to the front door, "I'll rest when things are under control."
Luke threw his hands in the air and moaned. “You’re impossible.”
I slammed the door behind me and curtly replied, "Good to know."
The drive to the office was quiet, save for the low hum of the engine. However, my thoughts were anything but quiet.
I had an imagined scenario of my father's pale face with medical professionals all around him. The man who had always been larger than life now looked… fragile. My chest constricted at the thought.
I held the driving wheel tightly, trying to shove the picture away. But then I saw her face again, in my memory.
"Julia," I muttered to myself. Was that even her real name?
It was obvious that she was unusual. She didn’t try to impress me, didn’t fawn over me like most women did when they found out who I was. She had been… real.
I briefly questioned whether I would ever see her again. But if I did, what would I even say?
I tried to refocus by shaking my head. Worries regarding my father's well-being and the present condition of the company were more urgent right now.
The parking area was mostly empty when I arrived at the office. It was still early, and the majority of the staff wouldn’t arrive for at least another hour or two.
I reached for my keys in my pocket as I approached the door to my office.
Nothing.
I looked in my other pocket. Still nothing.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair.
Then I realized it was the club. Last night, I had left my keys there.
I took my phone out and called Luke. He answered almost immediately.
"Now what?" His tone was irritated as he said.
I ignored his attitude and replied, "I need your keys."
“For what?”
I said with reluctance, "I left mine at the club."
There was a pause before Luke burst out laughing.
In between laughs, he replied, "You're kidding me."
“Luke,” I said, my tone warning.
He continued to laugh and said, "This is perfect. The great Andrew Kane, always so in control, left his keys at a club.”
"Are you done?" I lost my temper.
He answered, "Not even close," but I could hear him moving in the distance. "All right, I'll bring them. But you owe me for this.”
I hung up after saying, "Just hurry up."
Luke twirled the spare keys around his finger as he walked into the workplace one hour later.
He smiled and declared, "Your knight in shining armor has arrived."
I held out my hand and said, "Just give me the keys."
“Say please,” he teased.
“Luke,” I said.
He tossed them to me and said, "Okay, okay. You’re welcome, by the way.”
Without saying another word, I grabbed the keys and opened the door before entering.
Luke followed me in and said, "You know, you could at least pretend to be grateful."
I put my stuff down on the desk and answered, "I didn't ask you to take your time."
He leaned against the doorframe and responded, "Wow, you're in a mood today. Andrew, what's really happening?"
"Nothing," I snapped.
Luke's eyebrow went up. "All right. Because you’re always this pleasant.”
I squeezed the bridge of my nose and sighed. "It's just everything. Dad’s condition, the company, the party last night...”
Luke smiled and said, "Oh, so this is about the mystery girl I saw you with?"
I replied, perhaps too hastily, "This isn't about her."
Luke grinned. “Sure it’s not.”
I gave him a frown. "Are you finished?"
“For now,” he said, pushing off the doorframe. “But seriously, Andrew, take a break. You’re not a machine.”
"I appreciate the guidance," I responded sourly.
Luke's smile faded as he shook his head. "I'm not kidding. You cannot continue to push yourself to the limit. If you burn out, you are useless to anyone."
I didn’t respond, and after a moment, Luke sighed and left the room.
With the spare keys still in my hand, I took a seat at my desk as the door shut behind him. I had a lot of thoughts going through my head, but one jumped out.
Julia.
- Writer
