Chapter 2

~The Offer~

The air was crisp and birds chirped around, their melodies wearing through the morning.

Andrès stirred awake as his alarm rang, breaking the dawn of day. He got up from the bed and had a quick shower in preparation for the start of a new day.

In a few minutes, he was done with his bath and hastily dressed up for work. His favorite part of the day was dressing up and going to work.

After getting dressed, he wasted no time in leaving the house.

As soon as he got out of his apartment, he hailed a taxi and told him the location of his office.

The drive to work was a very smooth one and in about thirty minutes, he got to work.

The second he arrived at work, he headed into the office in anticipation of seeing Emilia inside the office.

He pushed the elevator button to the top floor, in less than a minute, the elevator dinged and he made his way out.

He looked around to see if Emilia was around but he felt disappointed when the only person he saw was Gael.

He made his way to Garl's desk,"Good morning, have you seen Emilia? I'm getting restless already." His tone, calm.

Gael looked up from his desk, his eyes leaving the screen of his computer. "No, I haven't set my eyes on her." Gael replied curtly.

Andrès could feel something different in Gale's tone but he waved it off. He felt he was just being paranoid.

"Andrès, Gael." A feminine voice called out, causing Andrès and Geal to turn to the direction the voice came from. “The boss needs you both in his office.” Abigail, the secretary to Andrès boss informed the both of them.

They both stood up and made their way to their boss’ office. Andrès knocked on the door before going in.

The both of them walked in and their eyes met with the boss’s eyes.

“Good morning sir” Andrès greeted.

“Good morning sir” Gael greeted.

“Morning, please sit.” The boss, Don Simon said to both of them.

Andrès and Gael sat down on the chairs opposite him. Andrès could sense the tension in the room and he also noticed the worry etched on Don Simon's face.

Andrès has a close relationship with the boss so it made it quite easy for him to tell that something was amiss but Gael was the direct opposite of Andrès. Gael is so self centered that he barely cared about anyone but himself. All he was concerned about was to be seen as good and the best among other employees.

Sadly for him, Don Simon did not appreciate it which was why he never liked him as much as he likes Andrès. Andrès is more like the apple of his eyes and Gael is just a normal employee.

Most times, Gael felt bad when Don Simon chooses Andrès over him but he always hoped that one day, Don Simon will recognize him and he will somehow be the favorite of Don simon.

“I will be going on a long trip. I would be away for a while and I would need the both of you to work together. I do not want troubles with the company while I am away. I believe I can count on both the of you?” He addressed them.

“Yes sir, you can.” They both chorused.

“Thank you. Having said that, I will need to talk to Andrès alone. If you would excuse us, Gael?” Don Simon requested.

Gael gave him a puzzled look as he wondered why he wanted him to excuse them but he could not debate it either. He got up from the chair he was seated and walked out of the office feeling a little but jealous.

Don Simon ensured that he waited for him to shut the door and then he listened carefully to hear the sound of his footsteps receding.

“Andrès, I need to have a very important discussion with you. I need it to remain exclusive and you must tell no one else “ Don Simon said to the Andrès who nodded in agreement.

“I promise to keep it to myself, it shall not be spoken of,” Andrès assured Don Simon who smiled.

“I will be traveling and will not return, I_”

“No, you can't say that. I don't understand it… it…” Andrès stuttered, trying to calm himself down and say the proper words. “Why are you leaving? Why won't you return?” Andrès asked his boss, his voice laced with worry.

“I'd rather go knowing that I left the business in good hands. You are the best man for the job. I need you to look after the company like it is your own. Nurture it and enjoy it, make it grow and ensure its stability.” Don Simon instructed Andrès with a smile on his face.

“But_”

“No buts.” Don Simon said, preventing him from saying whatever it was he wanted to say.

“This is not nice, it is not fair you can't just leave. The company needs you and I also need you.” Andrès lamented.

Don Simon is the closest thing he's had to a father and listening to him say that he was not going to return back from his trip felt like torture in his ear.

Thinking about it all, he furrowed his brows in curiosity.

“That'll be all Andrès. You can enjoy your day,” Don Simon said dismissively.

“Thank you sir.” Andrès replied and got up from the chair he was seated on.

“By the way, where is your wife?” Din Simon asked Andrès.

“Oh! Emilia…” he stressed, trying so hard not to stutter. “She has an emergency appointment with the doctor.” Andrès replied.

He felt he had to lie for her just to protect her job.

“Wherever she was, I hoped that she was safe.” He thought inwardly.

“Okay, she should call in sick next time “ Don Simon instructed and Andrès nodded in response.

He walked to the door and he paused his steps as soon as he placed his hand on the door handle.

He turned to look at Don Simon who had a stick of tobacco in his left hand.

“What Andrès?” Don Simon asked.

Andrès facial expression was readable, thus, it sold him out.

“I understand you said you wouldn't return from your trip, but that is a bit bland. I really want to know why you said so. Please.” Andres insisted.