The CEO..I sat with Zack and Tracy at our usual VIP spot at Greysville Lounge. I took a deep gulp from my cup, trying to quench the tension in my chest before I spoke up."You know," I began, catching their attention, "while we've been putting a lot of energy into Zeetech, I haven't forgotten about TNK Corporation. In fact, I've been working hard to boost and upgrade it as best as I could."Zack raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That's quite good.“Tracy nodded, sipping her juice. "That's impressive. Balancing three companies must be quite the challenge.""It is," I admitted with a smile, "but it's worth it. I believe in both Zeetech and TNK.”I turned to Tracy and asked, "How many shares does the Beckham family hold in Beckham Construction?""80 percent," Tracy replied, pouring her mixed-flavored fruit drink into a glass. "But after selling 20 percent, they should possess roughly 60 percent."Zack's eyes widened, causing him to choke on his drink. He coughed and spittered, struggling to reg
The CEO . . Immediately my eyes opened, an acute pain traversed my head, causing me to wince. I couldn’t remember the last time I had drunk like that—not even when I caught Binky cheating. After leaving my father’s place last night, I had headed to Zach’s and drowned myself in alcohol. Rising and sitting at the corner of the bed, I cupped my face in my palms and took a deep breath, my father’s rejection still stinging my mind and body. After a few seconds, I rose up, strode downstairs—every step heavy and dead—heading towards the dining room where Zach’s voice came from. “Feeling any better?” Zach questioned, sipping from his coffee. I slouched back in the chair, my eyes blank and devoid of emotion. “Don’t give up yet. Just convince him again,” Zach continued. “My father’s words are like ye and amen; there is no going back,” I stated. I had known him all my life; he had never gone back on his word. My head ached as the thought of being stuck with my father began to haunt me.
The toy..I walked out of my mother’s room, and the whole environment was choking and suffocating me. Mrs. Johnson was right—I need this break. I had been spending most of my days and nights with my mother, trying to fit in my personal work while she was asleep. The constant care and balancing of my responsibilities had become overwhelming.I placed my hand on my waist as I walked through the hallway, my body aching from head to toe. The exhaustion crippled every part of me, and I desperately needed the comfort of a proper bed instead of the small couch I had been using. My muscles screamed for relief, and each step reminded me of how much rest I truly needed.While walking, a female nurse approached me, saying, "Excuse me." She handed me a bouquet of white lilies and purple roses, adding, "Mr. Wesley said to give this to you," before walking away.Holding the flowers in my hands, my chest tightened. Damon was here and didn’t stop by.I noticed a small note attached to the flowers.
The toy..After taking a break from work, I spent most of my time with her, occasionally stretching my back on the bed. To keep her company, I brought my laptop, and we watched movies together. I also bought a deck of cards, and we played games. She wasn’t like the woman in the diary; though I could see some traces of her former self, she had changed. Coma does actually change one. It gives you enough time to reflect on your actions.Whenever I forgot I was Aria, I enjoyed her company. But when I remembered how she felt about me, my heart sank. So, I did what I was very good at—locking it all up.She asked me to buy her a novel, a romance about two people from different worlds with different powers who were never meant to be. She said it had hooked her before she entered the coma, and she wanted to finish it. It hurt me that she seemed to remember everything except that I survived.After hours of reading, the sun had been replaced by the moon, its warm air by a cold breeze.“How doe
The CEO..Zach swayed around in his swivel chair, chair, having a conversation with his mother. Mother. From his smile, smile, II could tell it was a nice conversation that made me feel like mothers were actually better.I suddenly disagreed when Lucy’s mother came to mind. . making me pity Lucy, Lucy, who was putting putting up with, her, but it wasn’t deep since I knew what she wanted and what her mother wanted weren’t far apart."Alright, talk to you later," Zach said. He dropped his phone on his cluttered desk, the screen dimming as it landed atop a stack of paperwork. Zach leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.He turned to face me, his brow furrowed. "Why do you think your father said no?" he asked.I rubbed my chin, my fingers tapping lightly against his desk. “Maybe it's because Zeetech hasn’t gotten enough recognition," I said as I sat up, leaning forward. "My father is a kleptomaniac for power. Maybe it’s not just about profits."I had pondered for two days straigh
The CEO..My eyes flickered slowly as I caught a whiff of a beautiful food aroma. My eyes sprang open, realizing I was at home—there was no way Lucy could have made something that smelled this nice.I scurried to the kitchen, still in my pajamas. My eyes were greeted by the sight of various dishes that looked as good as they smelled.“What are we celebrating?” I questioned her as soon as Lucy walked in, her smile brighter than her blonde hair.“Our new beginning,” she replied, helping me settle into a dining seat and then sitting down next to me. “I hired the chef back,” she added.The news gladdened my heart. Finally, I could have a nice meal at home.I poured the chicken sauce onto the rice before scooping it into my mouth. Its beautiful taste melted on my tongue.Lucy stared at me like something was stuck in her throat.“What is it?” I questioned. If she kept looking at me like that, I was going to choke sooner or later.“About last night,” she began. “Did you really mean what yo
The toy...Jessie took a leave from work, stating that she was unwell. I decided to visit her and properly package some broth for her. Then I went to her house.I walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. I waited for a while before Jessie came and opened up. Her pale face greeted me. "Why do you look like a lifeless pillow?" I teased.She forced a smile and leaned on the door. I raised the bag in my hand and said with a smile, "I made some broth.""Thank you," she said with a feeble voice as she collected the bag from me.We both went inside, the warmth of her home replacing the chill from the cool air outside. I sank into the couch in the living room, its cushions soft and welcoming, while Jessie slowly walked to the kitchen to put the broth away.She walked to the living room and joined me on the couch. "How are you feeling?" I asked her."Well, I'm not dead," she said with a faint chuckle.Her hand, seemingly unconsciously, kept twisting her hair. I could tell that something
The toy...I dashed through the hospital doors, my heart pounding in my chest. The world around me- people, sound -all a blur. I gasped for breath, the air thick with something too dreadful to discern. I rushed towards the reception desk."My mother, Ms. Smith," I spoke out, my voice trembling. "Where is she?" I questioned, wishing the call was an imagination; no doctor called me, and my mother was still lying on the hospital bed--reading her novel.The nurse behind the desk looked up, her eyes filled with a sorrow that made my stomach drop. "I'm so sorry," she said softly. "Your mother... she didn't make it."Her words hit me like a punch. Despite the light, everything seemed dark. My legs failed me, and I collapsed onto the cold, hard floor. "No," I whispered, my voice breaking. "No." A throat-ripping scream escaped my throat, but that didn’t even ease a bit of the pain.Tears streamed down my face as sobs wracked my body. The pain was unbearable—a raw agony that tore through me.