Fate in Captivity

Chapter 26- Love Sacrifices

(Aubrey)

I am currently in a meeting right now, the managers, the team leaders and even some of the shareholders were here but I cannot focus at all. I am looking at the projector screen but I cannot understand what they are discussing and even what they are complaining about. I saw their mouths are moving, it forms words and their faces do have its individual differences in reactions and in emotions, why are they looking at me like that. I just let out a deep sigh and started fidgeting the pen I was holding since the first hour the meeting happened and now we are in our second hour. Aly suddenly told me that the board would come today so I have no choice but to held a meeting for them, but I did not expect that they would have a huge argument and until now they don't have any plan to stop. I touched my temple and started massaging it, I suddenly got a headache and looks like a body pain would come next. 

"Let us hear what the president would say." a member stated those words and I am still in trance. I don't know who in the hell is that president they are talking about but that person must no start talking and end this mess. I suddenly felt stares, they are poking on my skin hard that I became conscious about myself. I looked in front of me and they were all staring at me now, if we are in total of twenty people inside this meeting hall, then nineteen of them were straightly looking right at me, this is hell. 

"Why are you looking at me?" I mumbled and I felt Aly poked my shoulders. She went near me and whisper these words. 

"They wanted to hear your side, what do you think we should do?" she whispered and I was shocked. What should I answer? I did not listen to any word they said and I am having a mental breakdown here, I am in not in right mind to say sensical words right now. 

"I think.." I started talking, maybe stalling some words may help me gain my brain that quick. But of course, that won't happen so I looked down and started panicking. 

"I think we should let the first product advertised first." I was surprised when someone got my back, someone answered instead of me. And someone saved my ass today. I looked up and I saw people are now looking at Julius who is still explaining his thoughts and his side. After he finished, he looked at my way and winked, he is gotten crazy now. I don't know if I should feel thankful towards this jerk or should I poked his eyeballs with that winked he gave me? Ugh. 

"Are you alright?" someone asked me and it is Ken, I just realized that he is also included in this meeting. Though, I don't know why I have interns here but I guess their blood of being a board member wins against their employment status. 

"Yeah, just little dizzy." I answered and I stood up. 

"Let us have a break first." I announced and I went out of the meeting hall. I directly headed to my office and lie down on the couch, closed my eyes to rest. I felt someone followed me in but I just ignored that person. It became silent and I suddenly felt like someone is walking around the office. I slowly opened my eyes and peeked, I saw Ken putting medicines on my table without talking or saying something, I think he thinks that I am resting so he needs to be quiet. As I saw him finished doing his purpose of entering my office, he silently went out of the room and nothing came after. 

Soon enough, minutes after Ken entered another series of a person entering my office. Why do they have to bother me? I just have to get some rest, just feel peace and calm, escaping the reality I am having right now. I was about to get irritated but I heard the door was shut immediately. I did not see the person who did it but it is impossible to be Julius, because if he is really that one, he must have barged in and tell stories that I don't want to hear anymore. I just let out a deep sigh, turned to the another side of the couch and continue my resting, a deep sleep is what I need. 

(Julius)

I kept noticing Aubrey that she is not feeling well, she must have not been sleeping regularly enough since last night she went home to her parents' house, and earlier, I disturbed her sleep. She announced a break and she quickly went out of the meeting hall, I looked at Aly and looks like she is busy answering the complains and questions of the board who suddenly visited the company, we are not ready for it as we just got finished that emergency event. I looked around and I noticed that Ken is not here, I stood up and walked out of the hall, is he going to disturb Aubrey? I won't let that happen, if that would be the case. I kept on looking around but I did not get to see him or even just his shadow. I went back to the meeting hall and I saw the people are now getting tired and restless. 

This meeting is about that event happened days ago, Aubrey's company already scheduled the advertising for a new collection made by them but a sudden collaboration with our brand took place and now the investors who invests their money on the first collection is now complaining. Aubrey looked unfocused earlier that is why I took the question for her, she seemed like she cannot think straight and I don't want these old people destroy the reputation that Aubrey made for herself and for the management. 

"Can we call now the president?" I heard the lady in red asked and they looked at Aly. 

"I would go and check her out." I insists and they just nodded as I left the hall. I entered her office and I don't see her sitting on her swivel chair so I entered further until I saw her on the couch resting, or even sleeping, I think. I just slowly went out without saying anything and get back to the hall immediately. 

"We should continue, I would temporarily lead this meeting. The president is not feeling well, I hope you all understand." I said and bowed to them as an apology. They started murmuring and even complaining with themselves but I am still bowing down so they stopped and got on their seats immediately. I also get up and sat on the seat that was given to me originally. I don't have the right to seat on the center, the president seat even though I would lead this meeting. 

"So, what do you want us to do?" another board asked. 

"As I said earlier, we should carry on the original plan for the first collection. In behalf of the Diear brand, I am extending my apologies for intervening with the company plan." I said to them. They already knew that I am the son of the owner of that brand, the arranged marriage and even the controversies surrounding our family. We are the hot and trending topic for this year, owner of a famous clothing brand is now focused on recycling a trash, I know I am harsh. 

"Can we believe in your words?" another board asked once again and I nodded with a huge smile. 

"Of course, but you should remember my name if I successfully fix everything." I confidently said and they are now starting to smile. Thing that is rare since the meeting started. 

"Now that it answers everyone's concerns, the meeting is adjourned." Aly said and the people starting to stood up now and leaving. 

People are smiling at me and even shaking my hands like they already approved my management skills. Well of course, I was raised to be the president from the beginning, I had trainings and became serious on inheriting the company. But things changed and I am now hearing rumors that our company would now in an edge of bankruptcy. I don't really mind actually, it is not my problem anymore and my focus is now with Aubrey, help her with the company and be happy with her forever. 

"Why are you smiling?" I snapped when Aly was now beside me and asked those question. 

"Nothing." I plainly answered and I was about to leave when she said something. 

"Thank you." she mumbled and I looked back. 

"What?" I asked in confusion. 

"I saw what you did in there a while ago and of course here in the meeting. Aubrey is really stressed nowadays and looked like I ignited more of it." she said and I chuckles. 

"Aubrey would be fine, and I believe she would much more appreciate if we worked hard for the sake of the projects. All things would be fine." I positively said to her and smiled. 

"But if you think I am now accepting you, not a chance." she suddenly said and went back to the original Aly that I know. 

"I am really serious about Aubrey, can you not trust me this once?" I asked and acted like I was pleading. 

"Nope! And not a chance! If you are serious about her just bid her happiness. Don't show up in her way." she answered as we walked back to the office. 

"But what if Aubrey would be happy with me?" I asked and she stopped. I was surprised and suddenly put a brake on my feet as she looked back at me, glaring. 

"You can't just say that Aubrey would be happy with you. We don't know anything yet and I just wanted to protect my cousin. So shut your crap up and just continue working." she firmly said and walked away. 

"She was fierce." I looked beside me and it is Ken who said those words. 

"Where were you?" I asked. 

"Somewhere, you don't have to know." he rudely answered and left me hanging. That guy kept getting on my nerves, I just want to punch him right here and right now. I just followed him and entered the office for us, Interns, I saw that he was constantly looking out of the door and peeking on someone. I looked out and where he was looking at and it was Aly, I looked at him and he is smiling like a fool. 

"No way." I exclaimed to him. 

"What is your problem?" he angst at me. 

"You like Aly?!" I yelled and he suddenly covered my mouth in surprised. 

"Shh! Can you lower down your voice?!" he exclaimed but at the same time whispering. 

"Then, is it true? Do you like her?" I asked and he grinned. 

"Stupid punk. Is that the reason why you are now distancing yourself to Aubrey?" I asked and he nodded. We sat on our swivel chair and I quickly rolled it towards him. 

"So, did you already confessed?" I asked excitedly, is this the feeling if you know now that you have no other rivalry then yourself anymore?

"Of course not! Are you dumb?" he answered. 

"Why? Still scared like a kid?" I asked and teases him out. 

"I am not scared, idiot." he answered and acted like he was about to punch me. 

"Then? What is wrong?" I asked, I am this curious cat. 

"Mom won't let me have another woman if it was not Aubrey." he answered and the foolish smile on my face faded. 

"Do you really have to follow her? It is your life after all." I said to him, like I do have the right to give advice to anyone, if even myself, I haven't got any solutions to my problems yet. 

"I don't have any choice, I know I should have my own decisions and my own life, but she is my mom- I cannot just ignore her words." he answered and now we are acting like amicable brothers. I am only seeing him as the real Ken I saw that day, the kid who just loves to smile to everybody- he is a fragile kid. 

"Well, my mom always encourages me whenever I wanted something, especially someone." I said to him. 

"Good for you, actually me with Aubrey is not in the plan in the first place. But when mom learned about that arranged marriage you got with her, that it can lead you to got the whole company. She got the greed, she is now forcing me to love her, and even trying to seduce her out. I cannot do that, Julius." he continuously said to me and I felt pity towards him. He is now living the life I had the day I knew about the agreement, it was a lonely and pointless battle with myself- it was a huge sacrifice. 

"Then what would do now?" I asked and he smiled, a painful one. 

"Sacrifice my one and only emotion that I got." he answered. 

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