Chapter 27: Reassurance And Distance
1514 Words
Chapter 27: Reassurance And Distance
RHYS
Tomorrow was going to make it two good months since Stella gave me even the tiniest form of attention and funny enough, she didn't seem to care either.
Guilt had gotten the best of me.
A whole lot had been on my table since my last call with Shawn, my Father's late friend, one of the members of the board of committees at the A.D Group of Businesses.
I hated how she ignored me like I meant nothing.
Just so I could at least get a chance to talk to her, I'd gone to see Cassian a couple of times in the last month. I'd walked into the academy, without solid reasons and every one of those times, she saw me. She either turned away or pretended like I didn't exist at all.
I walked into the A.D headquarters, my driver had dropped me off. I'd just returned to duty, two months ago.
Reporters, paparazzi, and the press flashed their cameras at me, the air filled with shutter sounds. They filled the front of the company, in their hundreds.
“Happy birthday, Mr Rhys!" They all chorused as soon as I stepped out. I had to smile for the public and not let the annoyance on my face become obvious. I was far beyond pissed.
It felt like a genuine wish but for all I knew, they were probably going to make money on different bloglines and social media pages with all those posts.
Some even went as far as selling those pictures for cash and crypto currencies.
I'd taken a day off at work but my secretary, Lewis had suggested I visit the company, just for pictures to be taken. Technically, one could say I'd gotten dressed and ready just so I could impress them—the press and every other person who had their cameras trained on me.
“Mr Rhys, how do you feel today?" I didn't want to respond. God. I hated all of these.
How the heck was I supposed to respond to this?
“Congratulations on your 37th birthday" Another woman nearly shoved her recorder into my mouth.
“It is 37, not 27" I corrected her. I hated foolishness and clearly, she embodied it like her skin. I didn't care if they had a camera mounted on me. I f*****g didn't.
“When did you start with this your fashion sense?" God damnit! Was I supposed to answer that too? It was my f*****g birthday and the least they could have done was ask relevant questions, which I might or might not have answered.
I had been pissed, many times by reporters, and walking out had always been an option.
I turned, signalling to the bodyguards who obviously, would disrespectfully clear them off in the name of protection.
I walked into the company, loosening my necktie. All workers smiled at me, their eyes folding in malice.
Left to me, I'd have walked out of my car with knee-length jeans and a sports top. I didn't need to play the “serious" office guy to get my name trending—" RHYS ADRIAN, NEWLY ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF A.D GROUP OF BUSINESSES, CELEBRATES HIS 37TH BIRTHDAY TODAY”
“Lewis, what's on my schedule for the day?" I asked my personal assistant, who was obviously my secretary.
“A meeting with Governor Davis by 10am, an appointment with one of our key suppliers by 12:30 PM, a dress session with Maschgiano, and lastly, a TV show by 9pm today”
God. It was my f*****g birthday. I should have been home sleeping or doing nothing, instead.
I dismissed him after he submitted a few reports on the gross earnings of the company and from the look of things, I was doing well.
It wasn't kids' play to double the share dividend of our shareholders, within the space of two months.
I knew how to manage a business. My Father had taught me, even before Dylan's Mother ever appeared in the picture.
He'd always said in his words, “whatever ran in my blood, must definitely turn in yours."
He was right. I had all of his qualities and now, even his company.
He passed it all down to me. All of it.
“Mr Shawn" I raised my voice, a bit higher than usual as the two men walked in.
That was Shawn, the pot-bellied best friend my late Father had, and beside him, was Governor Davis, a man in his forties who looked like on in his sixties.
I didn't acknowledge his presence.
I'd never acknowledged the presence of anyone involved in politics because I understood it—trust me, it was a dirty game. A game played with manipulation, bloodshed, idolatry of those above you, and on top of it all, fake personalities and records.
“Hello, Rhys" Davis extended his hand for a handshake. I'd almost ignored it completely but Shawn nodded, signalling that I should behave.
Shawn had always been like that to me, like a Father….like my own Father.
“Hello, Davis" I smiled, throwing every honorific off.
Soon, the meeting ended with him and I concluded I'd sponsor his campaign for running as president, only if he agreed I'd be the sole seller of luxury goods in the country. He had his networks and connections, he could make it all happen.
It was all Shawn's idea—for publicity and recognition. He'd suggested I give Davis an ear.
While the meeting with Davis and my supplier had been checked on the list, Lewis ran in.
“Mr Rhys,"
I reacted before he could speak.
“Maschgiano just called now, they can't make it to the appointment. They have to dress Donatello Darlington for her daughter's wedding ceremony, in the next few hours”
My lips pursed. For a second, I didn't know if I should have been happy or sad. I mean, work was already a load on its own and then, having to get dressed so I could honour some fucker for a live interview was total stress.
“I called a company we can trust. Their designers will be here, as soon as possible"He informed. I nodded, flipping the next page of the novel in my hand—it was Blaze's favorite, the one that had Kai in it.
Minutes later, he walked into the office announcing that Sophia and the designers had arrived at the same time. I couldn't hide my annoyance as I bit down on my jaw.
When would that b***h ever realize I hated her being around?
She was nothing more than a leech to me. Always looking to whom to cling, and make her source.
The day ended faster than every other and again, I was on the rooftop.
It was dark, I hadn't turned the lights on but I loved it that way.
My birthday didn't feel like a real birthday….I felt empty, just like the other ones I'd marked before I met her two years ago.
I'd thought that this year, I'd get to celebrate it with her again…with a cake, probably but I knew I'd messed up, the moment I stopped smiling whenever I saw her.
I hated this day of all days…the past two months had been rough, especially when Sophia was still around.
It was always different. My heart always tightened, each time she walked away.
On top of that, she and Louis were probably dating and I could do nothing.
I could only guess and stalk her as I'd always done…. It was hard but I didn't mind, I'd still do it.
I was done reading her favorite book. I'd spent most of the day, flipping pages until I was finally on the last.
It read “In the end, the wants of the heart always prevail. Your lust only mirrors your true wants" and it ended happily.
It was 11:50 p.m., she'd just shut out her lights but strangely, her door opened. I wasn't surprised…she probably wanted a walk, I thought.
She had a box in her hand.
She walked over, crossing into my premises through the little door that separates my house from he guesthouse.
She looked around and for the first time that day, my smile came from my heart.
It was cute to watch her sneak, I'd never thought of that.
She was sure no one was watching. She tiptoed to the front of the building, dropped the box on the floor, and then turned away.
A part of me melted. I wasn't crying, I felt remembered. I felt special. I had hope again, that she still thought of me…that I still somehow, crossed her mind.
I waited until she'd left before I dashed downstairs and f****d the box up.
A “Happy birthday," card was glued to it.
Beneath it was a handwritten letter that stated "Stay away from me still"
My eyes watered. I wasn't one to get emotional over little things.
It meant much to me..I still had the box in my hand when Sophia dashed outside.
- Writer
