DISTANCED HEARTS
1087 Words
The boardroom of Thompson's enterprise buzzed with quiet conversations as the company’s quarterly review was set to begin. Lex adjusted his blazer, running a hand through his slicked-back hair, his eyes narrowed as he looked across the table. He missed work at the hotel today because this was more important.
His father, Mark, sat at the head of the table as a figurehead for his wife, Bianca. He took pride in being the bridge between her ambitions and the boardroom discussions. He had a talent for looking neutral while pulling strings behind the scenes.
"We need to start thinking ahead," Mark said as he tapped the table lightly with furrowed brows. "The market has been unstable. Expansion into the eastern sector is no longer something we should debate on. It is now a necessity."
Lex nodded, glancing at the projections in front of him. “We’ll have to push the new branding forward. Try to bring forth ideas to give Thompson Water a more modern face.”
“We need someone to front the campaign, Like a model or an actor.” one of the board members said.
“My sister, Laura is capable,” Lex said in a tone. “We don't need to pay an actor or model for this. She's beautiful, photogenic and media-savvy than anyone we could find."
Robert gave a small nod although there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. “Just remember, Kaira is still entitled to a portion of this company, if not all of it. Not publicly, but on paper, and it won’t look good if she suddenly stirs things up.”
Lex scoffed. “She won’t. She’s too soft. She will forever remain soft.”
Robert’s jaw twitched, the only hint of doubt he showed. “Even soft things can become dangerous when pushed into corners.”
Suddenly the door opened, Bianca walked in her heels clicked against the polished wood, and Laura followed behind her like a model out a runaway. She was glowing with pride and privilege.
“She’s not going to be a problem,” Bianca said confidently. Mark stood from the head of the table and Bianca took over while Laura sat beside her brother.
"She’s a ghost. No one takes ghosts seriously.” Bianca added with a knowing smile.
Lex smiled with contentment evident in his expression, but Robert didn’t return the smile. He had a stoic face, but at that moment, it was unreadable. For some reason, he felt bothered.
_______________________________________________________
Meanwhile, at the hotel, the day passed by a lot more quiet than usual. With Lex absent from work, Kaira found herself unusually relaxed. No sarcastic comments, no watchful eyes. She should’ve been concerned about the reason he was absent cause he never missed a day except it was very important but honestly, she didn't want to dwell much on it and just felt relieved.
At least he wasn’t nagging her again about the whole Travious Corporation saga. She’d had enough of his dramatic warnings, his assumptions, and his disturbance. For once, she could breathe.
And maybe. Just maybe, that’s why she finally picked up her phone, her heart racing wildly, and started typing in the number she had scribbled on her palm.
She didn't even know why she had written it out on her palm. But the name, Viktor Travious kept echoing in her head. The man, no, the force she had run into days ago.
That name, the memories from that day were now permanently carved in her mind.
Kaira bit her lip as she pressed “Call.”
One ring, two, three.
“Travious Corporation, Executive Line. This is Mira speaking.”
Kaira hesitated. “Hi... I... uh... Hi. I was wondering if... I could speak to... someone. About... Viktor Travious?”
A short pause followed
“May I ask who’s calling?”
Kaira opened her mouth but no words came. Her tongue felt dry.
“I’m... I’m sorry. I will call back later."
She hung up before the woman could respond.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
Why did she even call?
Why couldn’t she stop thinking about him?
She simply blamed it on curiosity, she wanted answers to the reason why her already troubled life and her dreams where she was supposed to find peace suddenly became a mess.
She stared at her phone, after mustering all the courage she could.
She dialled the number again.
____________________________________________________________________
Back at the top floor of Travious Corporation, the tension was thick in the air.
Elordi walked in on the executive receptionist, Mira looking confused. She had been instructed to focus on the Travious Corporation direct call logs and was doing her job when Kaira's first call came in.
“What's with that expression?” Elordi asked, leaning in to view Mira's computer.
“A female called asking about Mr. Viktor Travious,” she said in a low voice.
Before Elordi could respond a sudden ring echoed from Mira's tablet. They both glanced at the call.
“This is the female's number.” Mira's voice barely above a whisper.
“Answer it,” Elordi said. “And put it on speaker.”
Mira answered the call and put it on speaker. “This Mira speaking. May I know who I'm speaking with?”
Kaira’s voice faltered. “Kaira. Kaira Thompson.”
Elordi stilled. He stood immediately, grabbed Mira's tablet and put the call on hold, before storming toward Viktor's office.
Inside, Viktor stood at the window again with folded arms and tightened jaws. He stood like he hadn't moved from that very spot since the last update about Kaira.
Leonard stood a few steps behind, reviewing documents, though his eyes flickered toward Viktor every few seconds.
The doors burst open.
“She called,” Elordi announced.
Viktor turned sharply, his eyes glowing gold. “What?”
“She called the Executive line, through Mira. It’s her… I put it on hold”
Viktor’s entire being froze. For a moment, he didn’t move. He didn’t breathe.
“Transfer it,” he said in a low voice.
“Are you sure?” Elordi hesitated.
Viktor didn’t speak for a second.
Then in a soft and almost painful voice, he murmured, “If she called... she’s ready for something.”
He stepped forward. “Transfer it. I’ll take it in here.”
Elordi tapped the screen, rerouting the call to Viktor’s private line.
The phone on Viktor’s desk lit up. And his heart raced violently as he reached for it.
- Writer
