A pen with Aurora's name

Author’s pov

  Lucas sat in his office, his long blue sleeves neatly folded at the ends. He occupied his usual spot on the tenth floor, surrounded by documents waiting for his signature. Each time he glanced at the name engraved on his pen, a deep breath escaped him. It bore the name of his ex-wife, Sweet Aurora. He had arranged for the pen to be customized with her name when he signed a contract with the pen supplier four years ago, a gesture of affection he once held for her.

  Pausing for a moment, memories flooded Lucas’ mind, forcing him to revisit his past. No longer did he wake up early in the morning to make their favorite coffee. The wireless earpiece he used to wear at the office was absent, and his melancholic mood did not go unnoticed by his childhood sweetheart. He lightly tapped his finger on the table and turned his gaze towards the window. Trying to distract himself from his thoughts, he pondered, 

  “How long will I continue to dwell on Aurora? Perhaps divorcing her was an overly harsh decision. But why would Aurora choose to abort the baby we had both eagerly anticipated? Isn’t it irrational? Or perhaps I should have delved deeper into the situation. I had no idea when she left; her number was unreachable. Nevertheless, my connection to Aurora remains strong…” Just then, his phone rang, and he hurriedly made his way to the table to see that it was his best friend Dan, who was always globe-trotting.

  “Dan, where have you been? If you were here, it would be easier for me to make sense of what I’m going through,” Lucas lamented. However, he noticed that Dan was laughing.

  “Why are you laughing? This is a serious matter. Since she left, I can’t stop thinking about Aurora. I’ve even secretly organized a search team, but she seems to have vanished without a trace.”

  Dan chuckled before responding, “How many times do I have to tell you, let’s go to Miami! The beaches are teeming with beautiful women. Why do you insist on one particular woman? Oh, before I forget, I called you for a reason, and I don’t want other issues clouding that reason. I’m currently with a stunning young model. You know how every fast-growing relationship starts with a few little white lies. So, please, I need you to send me your private helicopter and I will claim it’s mine.”

  “Dan, when will you ever stop…?” Lucas began, but was quickly interrupted.

  “And end up like you? Thinking of one particular lady?” There was a playful tone in Dan’s voice. “Lucas, I still can’t fathom why someone like you, with all your financial resources, would limit yourself. If I were in your shoes, I’d spend each of the 365 days in a year with a different lady. Life is short, my friend. It's important to have fun. So, are you sending the helicopter?”

  “This means you’ve been deceiving this woman,” Lucas stated, trying to make his point.

  “Of course! I’ll be bringing her to your office. I told her I had a meeting with my business partner. She’s currently swimming while I made this call. Lucas, you have to see her; she has the most alluring hips. Hips that I adore,” Dan chuckled mischievously. “Please, play along. I’ll send you the location.”

  “Wait… wait,” Lucas tried to interject.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll get back to you,” Dan concluded, ending the call.

  “When will Dan ever change his ways?” Lucas smiled and strolled around his desk, hands casually tucked in his pockets. Just as he was about to complete another lap, the door swung open without a knock, accompanied by the beeping of his phone. The phone’s sound grabbed his attention first, and he knew there was only one person in the building who would barge into his office without warning. None other than Marian.

  “Could you please knock?” he asked.

  “Why should I? I feel like this place is my home. Do I knock when I want to enter your room at home?” She tossed a stack of files onto his desk. As his phone rang once again, he reached out to answer the call.

  “Dan, I’ve seen it.”

  “Please, do it now.”

  “Can’t I ever refuse you? You’re like a brother to me,” he attempted to smile.

  “If I can’t make it to your office tomorrow, I’ll be there a day after tomorrow. It all depends on how things go today.”

  “I’ve told you, everyone is the architect of their own life.” The call ended, and Lucas directed his attention back to Marian, who had already taken a seat in front of him.

  “Marian, oh sorry, sweetheart,” he said.

  “What are you thinking about that always makes you forget to call me by my pet name?” She gazed into Lucas’ eyes, her lips painted in their usual shade of red.

  “Before I forget why I am here, these forms are applications from auditing firms that have applied to audit the company’s accounts.”

  “Are you still searching for a firm to handle it? I’ve already agreed with a firm, and their representative will be here in a few days. Why are you still looking?”

  “Babe!” Marian lowered her voice and attempted to elicit sympathy from Lucas.

  “I’m searching for the best firm to handle the job.”

  “Sweetheart, it’s not your responsibility…”

  “Stop saying that. Whatever affects you affects me. The millions of dollars diverted from your company will be accounted for. That’s why I want you to consider these firms. Their representatives have already arrived. Please, give me the authorization to interview them.”

  “No,” he turned his face towards his laptop and began typing. Dissatisfaction washed over Marian’s face as she rose from her seat, playfully swaying her hips, and approached Lucas, gently touching his chin.

  “What’s happening? You’ve been so down lately. What am I doing wrong?”

  “It’s not about you; it’s about my company. Take these applications off my desk. I’ve already signed a contract with a firm to handle the job. I don’t understand why you’re stressing yourself over something I’ve already taken care of.”

  “How can you be sure this person coming is competent enough to trace the missing funds? Please, grant me permission to interview this individual.”

  Lucas swiftly grabbed his phone, as if suddenly remembering something he had forgotten. He dialed his pilot’s number.

  “Mr. Paul, I’ll be sending you a phone number. Head straight to the White Palm Resort beach to pick up Mr. Dan.”

  “Alright, Sir,” Lucas concluded the call. 

  “Darling, could you head to your office? I know you’re distressed about what’s happening in the company. If you want to interview the representative from the firm I’ve contracted, I have no objections. All I ask for is results and the source of the funds…”

  “I love you a thousand times over, and I’ll keep loving you,” she kissed Lucas gently on the right cheek, then spun around, showcasing her swaying hips for him to see.

  “Let me quickly get back to my office. I missed you. It was your thought that pushed me here.”

  Lucas forced a smile, nodded, and returned his fingers to the laptop keyboard as Marian headed towards the door. As soon as she closed it, she hurriedly moved, trying to avoid making any noise with her footsteps, as she rushed towards the head of the accounting department. Lost in her thoughts and eager to reach the office, she accidentally collided with another female staff member, causing the files in the lady's hands to scatter and nearly making Marian stumble.

  “Can’t you see? What are your eyes for?”

  “I apologize, ma’am.”

  “You’re suspended,” she angrily declared, then stormed into the accounting office, locking the door behind her. When Benedict, the head of accounting, saw her, fear filled his eyes.

  “Are you still afraid? How many times must I tell you that everything is under my control?”

  “Ma’am, there’s an external auditor coming in a few days. It’s not about fear or bravery. I’ll be in deep trouble if Mr. Lucas finds out. I think I should confess to him…”

  “That you slept with his girlfriend, is it? Or should I show your wife our intimate tape? Which of those secrets are you referring to?”

  Those words paralyzed Benedict, making it difficult for him to breathe. Marian approached him, gazing into his eyes, and spoke slowly.

  “You and I will be the ones conducting the interview with the external auditor. There’s no need to be afraid. He or she will cooperate with us, and Lucas won’t suspect a thing. Besides, the company is still profitable, and everything is running smoothly. That’s why I want you to visit my office whenever you see Lucas leaving. The last time we did it in my office restroom, it was quite thrilling,” she sneered and tugged at Benedict’s tie, kissing his lips.

  “Everything is under control. I’ll keep every secret as long as you keep yours. Remember, the first time we had sex, you forced yourself on me.”

  “No, I didn’t rape you… You… You drugged me.” He demonstrated with his hands and quickly lowered his voice while Marian sneered at him and she walked towards the door. Opening the door, she quickly coordinated herself and put behind what she had told the accountant.

  Instead of heading straight to her office, Marian descended to the basement where her car was parked. Slipping inside, she closed the door behind her. She needed to make a call, and she wanted to ensure no one overheard her conversation. Retrieving her phone, she dialed Dennis, her fiancé.

  “Darling, there’s trouble brewing. What should I do? Lucas is adamant about bringing in his own external auditor.”