Twist of fate.

Ethnan's POV.

“You are right, Alfred. My company's income has reduced drastically over the past two years, due to low sales. But I don't think having the interiors of the properties furnished before putting them for sale will make any difference.”

“It will make a big difference.”Alfred declared, his tone certain. “I have a good link with an interior decorator company in Chicago and the company is known for absolute excellence.”

I took a sip of my wine and looked away from Alfred. “Whatever my financial team decides goes.” One thing was, Alfred had been a dependable business colleague since my emergence as a realtor in New York City and I have counted on his words many times without any regret.

“Mr Ethnan, I can understand.” Alfred's tone was a plea now. “But, I beg you to consider this collaboration offer I brought before you. It's going be a win-win venture for both of us.”

“The collaboration seems promising, but I wouldn't want to make hasty decisions so as not to put my company at financial risk. Remember the loss my company encountered five years ago?”

Alfred's brows gathered as though he had just learnt about the event for the first time. For a while he remained silent until he scrunched his nose and said, “The financial loss happened quite fast and unexpectedly just like your marriage and the divorce. It was such a hard time for you then, Ethnan.”

“You missed attending my wedding and you have never seen the face of my ex wife, so how does my divorce matter to you?” I could feel tension building around us.

“I am just expressing my concerns for your losses, man.”

I jerked up from my seat and turned toward the exit door. “I have to leave now, Alfred. I shall communicate to you over the phone.”

LATER THAT NIGHT I fought so hard not to get myself drunk to sleep as usual. Since the day I sent Samantha away I have never missed a day and not gotten drunk. Even though my hasty decision on Samantha was justified because of the contract that brought me and her together, I never knew she held a part of my heart until she walked away and my life became a disguised mess. I miss you. I whispered to myself shamelessly. I hated that Samantha had gone into the world without any trace of her. Where are you, Samantha? The question stabbed my heart in a surprising way. I dabbed at the drops of tears in my eyes and fetched my phone from the table. As I composed an email to my financial team over the discussion I had with Alfred earlier, my thoughts were consumed by Samantha. When I was done composing the email I hit send option In a nonchalant way. I was mindlessly scratching my head for a while before I let myself be consumed by sleep and got swept away.

One Week Later.

It was a few minutes past 10: A.M when I arrived at my office. And as expected, I met the presence of Alfred and my financial team, waiting for me.

We exchanged greetings before I settled down to kick-off the meeting.

“Alfred,” I uttered in a calm tone..“ The financial team and myself have carefully deliberated over the collaborative offer you presented before my company and we would like to give it a shot.”

“Fantastic news!” Alfred stood up and bowed his head in respect before me. “Trust me this is going to be a great turning point for all of us.” He spun around in the direction of my team. “I'm catching the next flight to Chicago, you know?”

“For what?” I inquired.

“I need to have a sound discussion with the company's manager. I learned that she is a lady and newly appointed.”

“Oh, I see. That's a good decision, Alfred.” About a few minutes later, I announced to Alfred and my team that I needed to leave right away to attend another meeting. We passed final comments on the already concluded discussion, exchanged handshakes, and I left.

Two days after Alfred left for Chicago, I was sinking in melancholy over Samantha's thoughts when I received a message from Alfred, requesting me to call him as soon as possible.

Without a second thought I brought out my phone and dialed his number. “What's up, Alfred.” I asked desperately.

“The discussion went so smoothly and I couldn't be happier that I chose this company for this project….”

“You asked me to call you?” My voice interrupted.

“Ethnan…Ethnan, It's about the company's manager, a lady of affable manners..”

“What's it about her?” My patience was waning.

“The lady is seeking a confidential request from us, Ethnan.”

“Confidential request?”