02: Back To You

MIKAEL

      The door to my office swung open after a couple of knocks on the door which I'd ignored. But, the person behind the door was a persistent bastard; Lorenzo is his name. We've known each other since highschool and now he's also working for me as the head of HR department. He might be the only person who understands me even though I act like a jerk towards him most of the time. "Busy, I see" he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

I rolled my eyes and continued to type furiously on my laptop. "I see you didn't get the hint" I replied and he shrugged. "What can I say? I have a knack for making my own rules and breaking everybody else's rules"

He might be a jerk. But, he's been by my side even when I'd been banished from my pack. I am the illegitimate son of my father. It's why the pack elders ganged up against me. I was accused of murdering innocent women and was stripped of my title as alpha.

"Seriously boss, you're getting worse" he said and I frowned.

"What?"

"You've been overworking yourself and it's not healthy, you know that"

"Since when did you become my doctor, Enzo? Besides, what else am I supposed to do apart from work? Point of correction, I'm not overworking myself, I'm only working hard" I said and he groaned.

"You're still as stubborn as ever! That's the problem! Those bags under your eyes tell me a different story" he pressed further.

I narrowed my eyes and glared at him until he looked away. "My goodness, you're grumpier than ever. You really need to get laid"

"Yeah, right" I scoffed.

"You should take a break, Kael. I don't like seeing my best friend burned out. Especially because the more tired you are, the angrier you get. You'll end up scaring off your employees"

He patted my back and made a quick glance at his wrist watch. "Oops. I've got to go now. Think about what I've said, okay?!" He said and sauntered out of my office. I leaned back on my chair and rubbed a hand over my face. As much as I didn't want to admit the fact that Lorenzo was right, I knew he was telling the truth. I've been feeling more exhausted than usual lately because I've been spending too much time working. But then, Lorenzo has a knack for exaggerating things. It's not like I was going to keel over in my office.

I stared at my schedule, noticing that I was supposed to go on a business trip to Chicago in the evening. Martin, my secretary had been stupid enough not to inform me about it. He's such an idiot! "Martin!" I called out and in a flash he was inside my office, holding a bunch of files. "You c-called me, s-sir" he stammered.

"Why didn't you tell me about the business trip to Chicago?" I said and his eyes widened.

"S-sorry, I forgot! B-but, the arrangement has been made" he stuttered, refusing to make eye contact with me.

"Send me the details" I said and he nodded immediately and went back to his desk.

Shortly, I received an email from him. My flight was scheduled for 07:45PM. I still had about two hours and fifteen minutes until then. I leaned back on my seat, suddenly feeling very exhausted. I closed my eyes and exhaled, thinking of what it would feel like to actually relax and let my guard down for a moment. But I knew that I couldn't, the last time I let my guard down, it had nearly cost me my left eye.

....

By the time I opened my eyes, I felt disoriented. I slowly sat up, rubbing my eyes slowly. I had slept off. I couldn't remember doing that. I must've been more exhausted than I thought. I rose to my feet, realizing that I was forgetting something. Something very important. I stared at the wall clock and my heart sank. 8:30PM.

Fuck! My flight!

I rose to my feet, anger settling deep in my bones.

I picked up my phone and dialled Martin's number.

"H-hello, sir"

"What happened?" I asked.

"I tried to wake you up b-but Mr Harris asked me to leave you alone"

Fucking Lorenzo!

"Did you tell him that I was supposed to catch a flight?" I asked.

"Yes, I d-did"

I growled and slammed my hand on the desk.

"I'm sorry, s-sir. I t-tried. I really tried but-"

"Well, you should have tried harder. You're fired"

"W-what? No, sir! Pl-"

The line went dead.

Letting out an angry yell, I pulled my hair hard. I grabbed my phone and suitcase and went downstairs. My driver was waiting for me downstairs.

I scowled at him and placed my suitcase inside the car.

"I'm driving today. You can go home" I said and he frowned.

"But, sir-"

"Just go home, you're not fired yet"

He stiffened and got out of the car. I slipped into the driver seat, slammed the door shut and put on my seatbelt. I turned on the ignition and zoomed off, leaving the bewildered young man frozen to a spot.

I was heading towards Lorenzo's home, ready to give him a piece of my mind.

I was supposed to meet a few clients in Chicago. Now, I would have to postpone the meeting thanks to Mr dickhead. Thunder began to rumble overhead and I let out a frustrated groan. Today was a horrible day. It started to rain heavily and I cursed under my breath. The rain was getting heavier by the minute and I was getting more frustrated by the second. Traffic wasn't good either and my anger was going to explode soon.

.....

BLAIR

I hummed to myself as I stood by the road side trying to get the attention of a taxi driver. My aunt had given me the directions to her home since I would be living with her until I got my own apartment.

I could hear the thunder rumbling in the distance. I was quite certain that it was about to rain. I breathed in the cool air and let out a long sigh. I was finally in Atlanta but I was totally jetlagged and all I wanted to do was to curl up on a warm bed and sleep for days. After five minutes of standing on a spot, I finally flagged down a taxi. Then I got in and the driver began to drive. It began to rain heavily and I was starting to doze off on my seat. But, all of a sudden, the driver stopped.

"There's something wrong with the taxi, miss. I'm sorry, I can't go further"

I gawked at him, dumbstruck.

"But-"

"I'm sorry, you have to get down"

Biting my lips, I grabbed my luggage with trembling hands and got out of the taxi. The rain was pouring buckets now and I was immediately drenched. I felt drained and miserable. Sniffling weakly, I started to move up ahead, perhaps I could get another taxi. But then, I noticed a sleek black Camaro by the road side and a man leaning against it. He looked furious. However, he was totally drenched by the rain. I stepped closer and continued to move forward, only for him to lift up his head. Our eyes locked and time froze instantly. My breath was knocked out of my lungs and all I could do was stare at the devilishly handsome man standing few feets away from me. His dark eyes were dazed even as he stared at me. He looked familiar, painfully familiar.

Then it hit me and my breath hitched.

This man was the man in the photo. This man was the man who had made me run away from home with hopes of escaping him. This man was Altan, the man mum had told me about. Tears filled my eyes and a lump formed in my throat. I guess I ended up running to him and not away from him.

Two cars immediately swerved around us. Someone got out of the first car and called my name.

"Blair?"

I gasped when I saw her.

"Aunt!" I said and she beamed.

"Come on, get in. You're soaked to the bones".

I got into the car but turned to look at Altan. He had gotten into the other car with a different man driving the car. Our eyes locked again and my heart started to thump harder. Aunt drove away but I wasn't even feeling the cold. I had become numb.