A Secretary or A Wife

“I apologize for being late, boss.” Paul bowed to Gabriel as he caught his breath. He immediately opened the door of the passenger’s seat of his master’s car.

Paul was Gabriel’s driver and personal assistant. He doesn’t usually leave his employer’s side. But today, he asked to take a leave to assist a family member to a hospital.

“What happened to your car, if I may ask, boss?” Paul touched the dent in the executive’s newly bought vehicle.

“Don’t ask me again,” Gabriel let out a deep sigh as he recalled his unfortunate mishap with Evina Chen. A flicker of thought came to him, wondering how she was doing after that. But then he immediately shook it off his head after he recalled how she tried to kick his bollocks.

“I already called for service. How is your mother?” Gabriel answered, distracting him from asking more about it. He then laid his head on the headrest of the seat.

Paul had already started the car. In a few minutes, they were already out of Sapphire Co.’s parking lot. The location of Sapphire Co. is 25 miles from the urban area. But they traveled through the expressway so that they could reach the metropolis in one hour for Gabriel’s next appointment.

“She’s fine now, boss. Maybe she’s just over fatigue and needs to rest.” Paul answered as he drove. Then he glanced at the rearview mirror to check on the CEO. Gabriel’s eyes were closed, but his jaw was clenched as he felt a throbbing pain in his head.

“And maybe you need to do that as well, boss.” Paul suggested as he continued to drive the car to Gabriel’s next destination. His foot stepped on the gas, so he could be there in the fastest time possible.

“No, I’m good. Father must be waiting for us now. I will just take a nap a bit. Just turn on the music and drop some essential oils in the diffuser,” Gabriel breathed as he squirmed, so he could get a more comfortable position.

“Affirmative, boss.” Paul said in a quiet voice as he immediately obeyed his command.

If Gabriel was true to himself, he would admit it. He was indeed exhausted. He was hands-on with every business connected with The Elysian Inc, aside from the company that he himself managed.

There are times that he wished he could just take a break from all of them and rest. But the obligation of maintaining The Elysian Inc as the number one corporation in the nation exceeded his personal desires. He just had to do his tasks.

He tried to sleep with the relaxing atmosphere. But it still wasn’t enough. Still, he tried to take a nap while they were traveling to their meeting place.

“We’re here, sir.” Paul woke him up as he parked the car.

Feeling somehow better, he went out of the car and walked towards the place. Indeed, Chairman Yang was already waiting for them. He has asked him to meet him after his transaction with Mr. Zhang.

Gabriel stared at him from afar. Even the waitresses couldn’t help themselves from ogling at the sight of the Chairman of The Elysian Inc, dining in the midst of them.

“I apologize for my tardiness, sir.” He bowed to him as soon as he was inches away from him. He was indeed a picture of a strong and powerful man, even in his plain white shirt and khaki pants.

“Did he crouched down on his knees and rubbed your leathers with his sleeves?” He asked as soon as he sat down.

Gabriel nodded his head, making Chairman Yang sneered at his agreement. “He has repeated that act a dozen times. But this one, I will choose not to acquit,” His fist clenched with his eyes narrowed.

“Do not worry, I have settled the matter, sir. You can erase the Sapphire Co. from your list,” Gabriel bowed down to him in respect.

Chairman Yang exhaled a deep breath before smiling at Gabriel, “I knew I could count on you regarding this matter.”

As he did so, his eyebrows furrowed as he lifted his eyeglasses nearer to his eyes. “Are you feeling well? You look ghastly.”

Gabriel lifted his head, so he could gaze at the Chairman, who has just noticed his health. He has not done that in years.

“He must be really concerned about me,” he pondered, a corner of his lips lifted with the thought. But his hopes were dampened as he heard the Chairman’s next words.

“Who would take care of the family enterprise if you die? If only your mother didn’t leave us early, you could have a brother who could substitute you anytime,” Chairman Yang retorted, his face grim, as he called on the waitress for the menu.

Gabriel’s shoulders hunched as his eyes diverted sideways. “It’s the family business, again,” he muttered to himself.

“I’m fine, sir. As healthy as a horse.” He answered him with a grin, hiding his disappointment.

However, when he looked at the Chairman, his face started to blur. He rubbed his eyes, thinking that they were just weary. But in a matter of seconds, darkness has already enveloped his vision.

Gabriel pass out in the midst of their conversation.

******

When he opened his eyes, he was in a different room. A white blanket was covering half of his body. And his right arm was connected to an IV drip.

He tilted towards the left area. And as he did so, he saw the Chairman’s stern face staring at him without even batting an eyelash.

Startled, Gabriel tried to stand up. But he was stopped by the Chairman.

“I-I’m sorry, sir. This would not happen again.” He stammered with his head bowed down. His fist clenched with his desire to beat himself up.

“You couldn’t be this weak, Gabriel Yang,” he condemned himself in his thoughts.

“This is why I always tell you to get married. At least someone could take care of you while you take care of our corporation.”

Gabriel wanted to give a remark about the ‘marriage part’. He could have requested for a personal physician or a nurse. They are both better in taking care of people than a wife.

“Maybe Mom really care for him then,” he pondered as he noticed a hint of sadness in the Chairman’s eyes, beneath the cold demeanor.

Not wanting him to linger on her memories for too long, he mustered all his strength to look spirited and enthusiastic.

“Don’t mind me, sir. I’m fine. My body just need to soaked in these drips, and I’ll be up and back to business in no time.” He tried to cheer him on.

But it seemed that the Chairman was not convinced as he continued on, “At least have a fixed secretary. Or better, find a wife.” He was now using his Chairman voice, the voice that he uses whenever he wanted something done without questions asked. “If not, I would personally take matters in my own hands,”

Gabriel gulped. He knew that tone. And he would not dare rebel against it.

He thought about his resolution. The Elysian Co. has not found an assistant for him yet. The staffs that were assigned to him never stayed for more than six months.

“I will hire an assistant within this week, sir. And I will make sure she would stay with a minimum of one year,” Gabriel answered him in a determined tone. “It is impossible, but it is better than having a wife,” he told himself.

********************

It is health that is real wealth.

And not pieces of gold and silver.

- Mahatma Gandhi