Bound By Fate

Chapter5

Kevin POV

Walking into Brews and Bliss café, the jingle of the bell I'm we'll too familair with rings, I looked out for a familiar face, which I don't see. She might probably be at the back, I thought to myself.

Hello welcome to Brews and Bliss café, how may I be of help today? A lady in a bright yellow apron asked

Uh, I'd love to have my usual. I said while looking at my phone impatiently.

That might come off as rude, but I'm expecting a very important call and that is one of the reasons I came down to this café, it's usually quiet even with how much customers they have. That and I was expecting Kya, to be the one to attend to me as others probably seem afraid to do that. I once heard them call me “Grumpy guy”, what a nice nickname to get from café workers

Sorry sir I do not know what your usual is, this is my first shift here. The girl in the bright yellow smiley face apron said jolting me out of my self thought.

Ah! I didn't know that. I'd like to have the Ginger tea and buttery cinnamon buns please. I said non chalantly.

Okay, anything else? She asked while she writes something on her jotter.

Nothing else. I said as I waved her off.

I'd get your order to you in 15 minutes. She said as she practically fast walked back to the counter.

I'm sure I'm not intimidating in anyway.

My phone rang loudly, earning me weird looks from the customers around the café. I really do need to change this ringtone. I can't keep having mini heart attacks when my phone rings. Putting on my ear buds for a more effective communication as I do not like to put my phone on my ears, it brings me some sort of discomfort.

Hi big brotherrr. A voice said from the phone.

Anna, where the hell are you? You said we have some things to discuss. I said impatiently.

Sorry sorry sorry, I got caught up in somethings, and that's why I'm calling to tell you I won't be able to make it today anymore can we reschedule? She said

You gotta be kidding me. Anna I dropped a mountain of work to come meet you at this café. And now you're telling me you can't make it? I said half disappointed

Sorry big brotherrrrr, I'll make it up to you. I promise. She said making her voice sound like that of a toddler.

You better have a good reason for standing me up. I said as I hung up the phone.

Not only did I waste my time coming to this café, Anna didn't show up, and the one person I was looking forward to see here isn't even around. And asking her coworkers might come off as weird. I've got a pile of work waiting for me back at my office, I better get right back to it if I want to attend the gala my mom is literally dragging me to go to this weekend.

Here is your order sir. The girl with the bright yellow apron said.

Could you help me pack it, I've got somewhere to be. I said

Uh I'm not sure we do take aways sir. She said stuttering.

You know what keep it. I said while I dropped a few 100 dollar bills on the table.

Walking out of the café to the hustle bustle of the streets of Manhattan. I went straight to my car and head back to my office. Anna better have a good reason for why she stood me up.

Welcome back Mr Stone, I thought you were gonna take a while at the café. Noah said.

Ugh! What do you want Noah? Are you going to taunt me again for going to the café to get my favourite tea? I said to Noah.

Noah is my best friend and a partner in my company. We've been friends since birth. Our fathers are close friends and business partners and by stretch that made us close. He's one of the few people that knows things that happen in my life. He also happens to by my little sister's fiancé, ironic isn't it?

Okay Kevin, you and me both know that you don't go there for your favourite tea. Noah said doing and air quote with his hands when he said favourite tea.

Of course that's the only thing I go there for. I said knowing fully well what he's referring to.

Okay okay, I'll leave you be for now. He said with his hands up, a gesture of giving up. I also should let you know that your dad is around and is in your office. So get ready to get taunted on why you younger sister is engaged and you do not have a girlfriend in your life. He said with a sly smile.

And who do I have to thank for that? I asked giving him a side eye.

Don't get in the way of love Kevin. I'm not the cause of your single hood. He said walking away.

Yeah thanks Noah. That was a great heads up. I said sarcastically

Getting into the elevator, I clicked on the 6th floor mentally preparing myself to go get another round of lectures on how my dad got married to the love of his life, which is my mom by the way, at the age of 23, and I'm 27 with no one in my life. How dainty, I really need to get myself an assistant, I make a mental note as I stepped out of the elevator and into my office.

Hello my dear Son, how are you doing today? My dad said rolling the chair back to face me.

Cut to the chase Mr stone,I know you're not here to tell me how I'm your favourite child. I said ready to get over the lecture as soon as possible.

Quite the opposite Kevin, I'm not here to remind you how I had the love of my life at 23, No. I'm here to draft you a contract that works. He said quite suspiciously.

Contract? That's new. I said, taking a seat opposite him.

Yes a contract. Since you have refused to get yourself a girlfriend, I'm proposing a contract. He said

Okay, I don't like where this is headed. I said looking at my father suspiciously

You are to get married within the next three months, if not I withdraw your inheritance and shares from the family company. He said

What! You can't do that, just because I'm not married. I said refusing

You're 27 Kevin, you will be 28 in a month. Have you seen what the news is saying about you? Some rumours are flying around that you might be gay and that is why you're refusing to get married. He said furiously. That kind of rumor isn't doing the company any good.

You think I don't know that dad? That's why I've been working my ass off day and night to make sure the company does well despite the news flying around. I said

My word is final. I've set you up on a blind date for the gala on Sunday, you are to attend and treat her well. He said strictly

But Dad you can't do that. If you're going to give me a short span of time to get married, At Least let me do it on my own. I said trying to convince him to take out the blind date

I've left you to do that but you've refused to take actions. He said standing up. See you at the gala on Sunday Kevin. My dad said walking out of the office with a smile on the face like he hasn't just dropped the biggest bomb on me.

It's enough that I'm overworked because of what the gossip blogs are saying. Now my father wants to get me into a practical arranged marriage under the guise of blind dates. Can it get any worse?

Mr Stone! Max called out to me as he barge into my office

What Max? And why did you barge in here that way? I said irritated by the lack of courtesy just shown by one of the managers in my company

I'm sorry for barging in here sir, but one of the major shareholders is in the conference room to see you. Max said looking scared

Oh! And who is it? I asked

Mr Alfredo. He said

Hearing that name felt like another bomb explosion in my head. Mr Alfredo just doesn't come into the company without a good reason for it. I have a gut feeling I know why he is here but I won't like to hear it.