The struggles of a Son

Julian’s POV

“I trusted you with this Job! We invested millions into this project, only to discover the electrical gadgets for the project have still not been shipped from China! What is the meaning of this!” My father’s barks echoed in his office.

“Do something about this now!” he commanded, throwing the papers in the air at me. With my fist clenched, I stormed out of his office. Crisis kept rising in Texta Condos, and yet, as CEO, he piled all the blame on me. 

Relationship between me and my dad has always been like this. Despite him being the final sayer in every project we embark on, he still points fingers at me when there is an issue. According to him, my task here is to foresee all these challenges before we start the project.

When would he finally allow me to take up the affairs of the company? Practicing as a protégé under him has become more tiring than I expected and it doesn’t seem to be ending soon.

Since childhood I have been bending over to cater for his every whim! But I guess I’d never receive the recognition and love I craved for from Dad.

Texta Condos is the leading brand in Clothing Fashion, with numerous awards. This was also another reason dad placed so much pressure on me to make sure everything was prim and proper. His pressure wasn’t the issue, his recognition was. 

Thinking of all these, I channeled the fury boiling in me into my work. 

After some hours, my father stormed my office again, blaming me for the transfer of one of our most influential models to a rival company.

“How could you fail to secure Jaden Blakes?! He has influence on majority of our target audience! And he’s now partnering with Fleeky Glam!,” He exclaimed, slamming his iPad on my desk and making his way out.

Devastated, I called out for Lucas,my personal assistant.

“Find out what happened with Jaden Blakes!” I ordered, taking back my seat.

“Understood”, Lucas replied duteously before reminding me, “Boss, we have a fashion show this evening”.

“Can you cross check the time for the arrival of dignitaries?” I requested

“Right away, Boss,” Lucas responded as he motioned towards the door, taking out his ringing phone as he stepped outside.

At the fashion show, my presence commanded steady honor from partners and other colleagues in the fashion game, an attestation to my staunch stature far from the inexplicable storm of injustice from my father.

After several days of condemnation, I couldn't resist the lure of alcohol which promises forgetfulness of all the weighing burdens my father inflicted these several days. With every remembered stress, I kept reaching out for whiskey until I was entirely lost in my senses.

Regaining my senses, my eyes flung open , revealing Giselle,who was sleeping heavenly. Giselle's presence is peace, always calming down all the chaos in my mind. Her arms wrapped around me rescues me from the raging storm within me. Her bright blue eyes, the lightest shade of blue I have ever seen, shines through my body seizing all the sadness in my heart.

Mesmerized by the sleeping beauty, I started kissing her from her neck down her tempting body. I pulled down my trousers to display my swollen shaft. With no shame,I mounted upon her and kept moving in and out of her as her satisfying moans filled the room.

I was awakened by a throbbing ache of a hangover getting out of bed but I had to head quickly to the office and get things done. I followed the normal routine I have grown accustomed to and headed out.

In the rush of the hour, I was stuck in traffic when my phone lit up with a notification. It was a message from my mom. I clicked on it, revealing the content of the message.

Mom: Hello dear. I have just been informed about Gwen’s return. Have you already heard about it?You know we have to support her right. Her lover abandoned her, even neglecting to provide for her basic needs. Everything she did in the past is now history. Gwen is family. If you can adjust your business schedule and make time for her. Don't forget to add a gift.

I glanced at the message, a heavy heave escaped my lips while my gaze shifted back to the traffic which had now started moving. Gwen has always been a childhood friend because our parents were pretty much close. Our relationship took another turn in high school after a lip kiss from Gwen. Relationship with Gwen was impromptu and I never really loved her but she wanted me most of the time and I mostly needed her company. I wasn't really hurt when Gwen eloped with another man; rather what disturbed me was my pride which was rubbished by my father. 

Decision to marry Gwen began when she accompanied me to a corporate dinner. Gwen’s dad,who is also one of our business partners, suggested we marry since we looked good together. Dad started becoming keen on this matter, reminding me of it with the least opportunity till I gave in. 

Back then, marrying Gwen didn't seem like a problem to me after giving it much thought. “Afterall, I have known her since childhood. Plus dad would be happy with me and probably hand over the presidency to me”,I thought to myself and gave in easily.

But today, marking my third year in matrimony with Giselle, all these memories flooded my mind. I picked up the blue box which I retrieved from the wardrobe earlier today before my departure. Opening the box revealed a gorgeous necklace which would perfectly suit Giselle's taste. 

My cork pulsed, pushing harder against my trousers, aching to be freed as thoughts of how I left Giselle sprawl on the bed rush through my mind. She is beautiful. No, she is beyond beautiful. Her full bow shaped lips parted in a seductive manner made me want to tease the corners of those lips with my tongue. Yet, I had to restrain myself and get back to work.

In the Walker family, the men were responsible for the corporate world while the women took care of all family issues including family meetings. Today marking my third anniversary, mom was responsible for organizing a family party as a surprise for Giselle but she opted for a small family meeting at Ridged Heights hotel restaurant and promised to take care of everything including informing Giselle about the occasion.

Later that evening, I unexpectedly ran into Gwen at the restaurant. She smiled at me, contrasting with my shocked reaction as I wondered what she was doing there.

“I thought this was a dinner with dad and Giselle”, I turned to my mom, suspecting she was the corporate behind this. 

“ Ah but Gwen is still family! I have already informed you about her bad experience in another country. Have some empathy” she scolded.

“ Julian, I- I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to ruin your dinner…. I bumped into Mrs. Walker earlier today and she asked me to join her”, Gwen replied, but I doubted it was true.

However, I just brushed it off. Ignoring them completely, I sat by the table attending to some important emails while they chit chat. Time flew by quickly with no trace of Giselle but I was deeply involved in the work I wanted to complete.

I got up and mom inquired, “Where are you going, son?”

“I need to call Lucas.” Glancing at the time , it revealed an hour had passed by. Dad has still not arrived though but with him it was normal. He mostly missed meetings like these but with Giselle, this wasn't normal. “Ma, Can you call Giselle and find out her whereabout”, my tone laced with anger 

“Why is that girl still not here by now? My goodness! She's not contributing a dime to this dinner and she still wants us to beg her to come!”

I stepped out to attend to a pressing issue at the office while mom phoned Giselle to enquire about her whereabouts. I called Lucas,who was currently presiding over a meeting in place of me.

After the phone call,  Gwen, who had been standing at the entrance for a while now, started approaching. As she got closer, I couldn't help but notice the changes– she had grown skinnier than before but that was not my issue.

“Julian..” Her voice trembled, finding it difficult to meet my gaze

“What’s the issue?”, I inquired.

“I— I really need you to forgive me”, she continued, still trembling as tears welled up in her eyes.

My mom had once informed me about Gwen’s mistreatment by her lover. She said a friend of hers told her about it but before she informed me I knew what had happened to Gwen and even the day of her arrival.

“It’s alright,” I assured her. Though my pride was hurt at the time but it happened three years ago and truthfully, I had moved on. The false accusations by my father at the office now hurt even more .

“Urrm, Auntie told me you have a gift for me?”, She asked hesitantly.

My eyes widened, astonished by what she just said. I then remembered my mother's text mentioning that I should get a gift for Gwen.

“I-I’m sorry!” She said, tears streaming down her face. “I shouldn’t have expected anything.”

I was annoyed that she was crying but couldn’t bring myself to chastise her. I still saw her as my childhood friend who wronged me.

I gave out a sigh and hugged her. “It’s okay”, I murmured, tapping her on the back. 

The only gift I had on me was the necklace meant for Giselle but Giselle was nowhere to be found. “ It won’t hurt to give this one. I can get another one for Giselle”, I thought to myself and grabbed the box from my pocket handing it over to her . Her face lit up again. 

I helped her secure it around her neck before heading inside the hotel restaurant.

“ Mom, I would like to leave,” I asked for her permission,glancing at my watch.

“Oh, I will go with you. I left my purse at your villa earlier today”, she replied, packing her bag and following me steadily into my car.”

There was a massive downpour as we made our way to Pine Avenue. The only thing which kept running through my mind was the whereabouts of Giselle and if she was safe.

Rushing out of the car to confirm whether Giselle was indoors, I was greeted by a dirty, unfamiliar rubber shoes at the front door. I wondered who the shoes could be for.

Did Giselle invite a worker to fix something?

“I knew it! Giselle has another man!”

Mom exclaimed, my curiosity swiftly changing to fury.

Giselle’s scream was heard from the bedroom, disturbing the silence which welcomed us. 

However, the heartbreaking shock set in when I rushed to the room to find Giselle in my bed with an unfamiliar man.

My hands instantly clenched into a fist, the anger welling up in me only ignited me to hurt them.