The Forgotten Valentine - Chapter 3

Sebastian

I’ve been stranded at Heathrow for the last three hours and it is pouring with rain. My flight to Tokyo has been delayed due to some unforeseen weather conditions and because of that, I have missed out on an important merger.

Bollocks.

Luckily I asked my assistant to let the four CEOs know about the delay and she is yet to get back to me on what their answers are.

So for now I am stewing in my anger while sipping bourbon in my private jet.

I’m not angered at the fact that my flight is delayed, no, I am angered because this was supposed to be my last international meeting for the next three weeks or so. I wanted to spend that time with my family, I wanted to make time for them because truth be told, I barely see them anymore.

Yes, I am married, but I might as well not be with how busy I am.

This doesn’t mean that I love Elena any less, not at all. She’s the love of my life and completes me; however, I don’t think that I have been a very good husband these last few months. Granted, she has also been busy with her literary houses, and I am extremely proud of the woman she has become.

But I miss her. I miss her embrace, her touch, the feeling of her lips on mine. I miss the way she breathes out my name while we make love and how, just before she reaches her peak, her long nails find their place in the skin on my back.

Sometimes I wonder if she misses me at all, or if she still loves me.

I hate this busy life of mine, hate the fact that I am missing out on the important milestones of my children’s lives. This is why those three weeks were so important to me; I need to show my family how much they mean to me.

Sighing, I am about to call it a day and go back to the office when my cell phone rings.

“Dumont,”

“Sir, the CEOs from Shibuya have rescheduled for tomorrow; they’re currently on their way here for further discussions.” My PA tells me and I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, May,” I say, then hang up the call, leaning back in my seat. Thank God, this might still happen then. I will still be able to spend time with my family!

I’m about to step off my jet when a familiar figure blocks my view. Elijah Somersett shoots me a grin. “Going somewhere?” He asks.

“Well, obviously not now, you wanker. What’s this about?” I ask, stepping back so he can enter.

Elijah shrugs. “Heard you were also here as I was about to walk to my private jet and thought I would come pop in and have a glass or two of your splendid bourbon.” He says, walking over to my bar.

I sigh and follow him, watching as he pours us each two fingers’ worth.

“So, I haven’t heard from you in ages, mate. Where have you been?” he asks me as he leans on the bar counter.

“You should know how busy the life of a CEO is, Elijah, you own more businesses than I do,” I shrug as I say this, taking a sip of my third bourbon that day alone.

He raises an eyebrow. “I do, yes, but I don’t have to be the only one handling important meetings; this is why I have a COO. You should really consider getting another one.”

I grit my teeth at this, knowing what he’s saying is true. I fired Sarah after finding out that she was the one who deleted the security footage of Elena being sexually assaulted by Nicholas Addington. Since then, I haven’t trusted anyone else with the role.

“I suppose I should,” I say, sighing in defeat. “This has led to my marriage becoming strained and me becoming an absent father.”

Elijah downs his glass and then sets his eyes on me. “It's all good and well that you're trying to make a life for your family while leaving behind a legacy for your children. But make sure that your family will still be there waiting for you after you’ve given them the world on a platter.”

My eyes widen at this; Elena leaving me? Leaving me and taking the children, who would grow to resent their absent father? No, no I can’t allow that to happen! There will not be a repeat of how I lived my life!

“Ah, are my words sinking in then?” Elijah asks with a cocky grin, wiggling his eyebrows and I scoff.

“Tosser. Get your arse out of my jet,” I say with a genuine smile. Trust Elijah to put things into perspective for me - who would have thought the man who caused me grief in my start-up would come to mean so much to me.

“Aye, I will, but first things first; do you have something planned for Elena and you tomorrow evening?” He asks as we walk towards the exit.

Frowning, I shake my head. “No, why would I? I do have an extremely important meeting with some CEOs from Shibuya tomorrow evening at 7.” I answer him as we depart.

He turns to me with a look of confusion on his face. “Wait, you’re telling me you’re spending Valentine’s Day evening with a bunch of old Japanese men?” He asks me in an amused tone, then the smile drops from his face when he sees my expression.

“Blimey, Dumont, please tell me you did not book a dinner appointment with business associates on bloody Valentine’s Day?!” He exclaims, grabbing me by the shoulders.

I grit my teeth. “I did, obviously without knowing, you idiot. But I can’t cancel it because the CEOs are on their way to London as we speak.”

Elijah shakes his head. “Well, I hope you’re going to make it up to your wife somehow. I’m sure she doesn’t want to know that you’ve forgotten Valentine’s Day. You know how birds can get.” He says, then slaps me on the back and walks towards his own jet.

Bollocks, how did this day turn into such a major cock up?

I look up as it starts raining again and breathe out a sigh; just when I thought I would have a day without rain.