Chapter 2. Memories of the past.

     

    Storm plodded down his stairs with a Tigger's grace, holding his kimono robe graciously. His half-moon eyebrows were thin and narrowed as if he was upset about something. He bore a beeline nose adequately and his oblique cheekbone balanced above a flawless jawline. He didn't want to go down for breakfast but then he had to meet his new responsibilities.

    

    His chestnut brown eyes were darted towards James who was standing at the mouth of his stairs. Within him, he wished his late wife better explained her reason for forcing him to leave with two strangers in the name of beneficiaries. Nothing in her will gave specific reasons and since it was a dying wish, he was forced to grant.

    

    Being the CEO of the most prosperous and growing phone company, he had little or no time to move on after his wife's dismissal two years ago but becoming a father was what he dreaded the most yet here he is going to meet his children.

    

    He got to the end of the stairs where James was strutting and walked past him imploring, "are the kids there?"

    

    James increased his pace because his boss was afoot in front of him but he also felt uneasy in his suit, releasing the bow tie a bit, he started, "sir one of them is-is already in the dining room but the other ..." he trailed off, cursing Bash as he did.

    

    Storm paused in his steps and turned halfway with a raised brow asserting, "one of them?"

    

    James swallowed a hard lump, it wasn't too long that the servant he sent to get Bash informed him that the boy refused to open his door, "the boy isn't there yet sir, I think that he is a delinquent but the female is very cultured," he said.

    

    Storm's alluring baby pink lips thinned as he thought for a moment what the Butler just said to him. He turned and looked into his eyes muttering before he continued moving, "I know you are a great judge of character but don't you ever tell me what to think of people that I have never met." Instantly, James threw his face to the floor in embarrassment after hearing his boss.

    

    As Storm entered the dining area, Cassandra rose and bowed her, "good morning sir," she said with a cute voice.

    

    "Hmmmmm, "Storm hummed listlessly with a solemn face, eyeing the red-haired girl as he sat. "Where is your second?" he inquired.

    

    Cassandra remained standing and blushed as she replied, "in his room sir, I saw a servant standing outside his door before I was led here."

    

    Storm maintained a tranquilized expression and sipped the coffee before him, "what are you studying," he asked, sparing her a glance then added, "seat if you would."

    

    " Thank you, sir, I am studying theater art," Cassandra responded, fluttering her flashes in the most adorable way she know but the one she was doing it for was too busy unraveling his three pieces of blue vintage silk pajamas suit to notice her.

    

    "So you want to be an actress or what?"Storm asked tonelessly, he didn't care about the girl but his wife's will had a section where she pleaded with him to bond with the kids.

    

    "Yes sir, I am the most talented in my department," Cassandra told with her chin up high.

    

    "Worst career choice," came a response from Storm. 

Cassandra coughed, choking on a lump of bread she had in her mouth as she heard his statement.

    

    Hearing loud running footsteps, all present in the dining turned to look at the door, Bash waved his right hand as he entered saying, "sorry am late."

    

    Storm didn't bother to look at the boy who dared to come to sit beside him even with a few seats empty near the female, "I hate tardiness, to the best of my knowledge I assume that you are yet to read the rulebook so I'll let this slip," he said, lifting a piece of toast bread near his lips, he warned, "next time you will be punished accordingly."

    

    Bash thump his chest with a twisted smile on his face, "I promise you that Bash will never be late again... Storm," he chimed, winking at Storm who seemed to be frozen with a cup in his hand.

    Storm lifted his head to look at the boy that dared to call him by name, as their eyes met, his cup slipped out of his hold... He knew that face, a memory from years ago flashed in his head. "Don't forget who made you feel this way, Stormy, " said the young boy from his memory. A boy bearing a resemblance to the one before him.

    Two years ago Storm's business was going through a crisis and the only one who could help him was his wife but she gave him an ultimatum in exchange for her help. She asked that Storm impregnate her before she gives him the assistance that he needed.

    At that period Storm didn't want to become a parent. For a 29-year-old man, he didn't want to be burdened with the weight of raising a child but his wife who was 2 years older felt that her biological clock was ticking. Aggrieved, he went to a club and got drunk but his interest was piqued by a handsome waiter and the boy didn't resist him when he touched his body lewdly.

    He continued drinking after the boy told him that his shift would end in an hour. He took the boy to a nearby motel and had his way with him. When he woke up in the morning, the boy was still beside him but he snuck out leaving the sleeping boy and never went to that club afterward.

    Days later he decided to find out about the boy fearing that he might ruin his reputation but the clubhouse claimed that he resigned and they knew nothing about his whereabouts. Ever since he had been making contingency plans in case the boy ever came back to tarnish his image.

    Little did he know that the boy had always been involved with his wife. In order not to draw suspicion to himself, Storm glared at a maid standing near him and said, "do you need an invitation before you come clean up this mess?!"

    The maid popped her eyes then she ran to his side to clean up the spilled coffee and said with a quivering voice, "sorry sir."

    When she was done, a fresh cup of coffee was offered to Storm while Bash continued smiling as he ate his food. Cassandra's eyes darted between Storm and Bash as questions filled her head but she didn't dare to ask them.

    For the sake of pretense, Storm asked without looking at Bash, "what course are you studying?"

    "Fine arts, "Bash replied after hurriedly swallowing his pancake.

    Storm continued eating his food expecting to hear ' I am the best in my department' from Bash but it was not forthcoming and the one he was expecting to speak seemed more interested in the plate of pancakes before him. He stole a glance at Bash before saying, "and you are not the best in your department?"

    Bash shook his head, internally he rolled his eyes. That kind of questions came to him often because he and Cassandra were always forced to introduce themselves but the girl never forget to lie about being the most talented in her department, "not me, "he said.

Storm looked at him for a good while before concentrating on his food, 'the boy is bold, I'll give him that, ' he mused. 

    The breakfast continued in silence while Storm's mind searched for excuses to meet Bash without stirring up any skepticism. He got up and left the dining area then Proceeded to his room leaving the twosome.

    After washing up, Storm entered his walk-in closet and selected a navy blue blazer from the blazer section then Proceeded to the chinos pants section to pick a brown pair. He had a casual meeting to attend by midday and didn't want to overdress. He strode to the end of the closet to get a white polo and a pair of white Adidas sneakers.