Twenty-Three“Chaos.” She muttered as she stared and scrutinized at the calling card intently before adding, “Who would name themselves as Chaos in a calling card? It is like a walking mass of destruction.” Her gaze lingered on the phone number printed on the calling card. Despite her hesitation, she decided to contact the person named Chaos using the provided email address.She grabbed her outdated laptop and began typing her email:From: florenceemry@gmail.comTo: eosb_zchaos@gmail.comSubject: Permission To Conduct Interview For College ProjectTo Whom It May Concern,I hope this email finds you well.My name is Florence Emry and I am a senior journalism student at the Abbey Springfield University. I found it absolutely absurd but I found your calling card in my phone case and I have no idea how long it has been in there but I just found it earlier so I am reaching out to you respectfully. I am currently working on a research project for my journalism class, and I would be honored
Twenty-FourThe whole space was filled with custom-made furniture, each piece a work of art in itself and expensive as it had been there since his father’s time as previous CEO of this entire company. A massive mahogany desk dominated the center of the room, its surface littered with stacks of documents and high-end electronic gadgets. Behind the desk, a floor-to-ceiling window offered a stunning panoramic view of the city. The blinds were often drawn, shrouding the office in a sense of privacy and exclusivity whenever he needed to.The office was also filled with personal touches that reflected Chaos’ interests and personality. Furnished bookshelves lined the walls, filled with a diverse collection of literature which he loved reading. A large, ornate clock adorned the wall, ticking away the hours with a sense of timeless elegance. A few pieces of modern art were scattered throughout the room, adding a touch of contemporary flair to the traditional decor. Overall, his office was a re
Twenty-Five From: florenceemry@gmail.com To: eosb_zchaos@gmail.com Subject: Permission To Conduct Interview For College ProjectThank you so much for your prompt reply and for agreeing to an interview. I am truly grateful for your willingness to share your insights and experiences. I am available for an interview at one o’clock today. I am looking forward to the opportunity to speak with you and gain valuable knowledge from your expertise.Thank you again for your time and consideration.Respectfully, Florence EmryFlorence was completely unaware that she was communicating with the CEO of the renowned Empire of Spencer & Battenkurt. Chaos was diligently clearing his schedule to accommodate her interview for the rest of his afternoon even if it was packed with meetings for the new investors and so on, but he was going to clear them all for her. He knew that it was her and had been eagerly anticipating this moment for nearly a year, and here it was. It was actually happening now. H
Twenty-SixFlorence pulled out her earphones and her faulty ancient mini iPod shuffle that got from a bargain after it was on sale due to it being a bit defective, trying to calm herself as she was still sitting in the waiting area of the whole glorious and grandeur global corporation. Even though she was partially deaf on her right ear, she made sure she maintained a low volume to ease the pain and discomfort from the loud volume. Though she was deaf on her left ear, she was still putting the earphones on to let herself feel the beat from the bass of the music.Clara Schumann, her favorite, most favorite pianist. Clara had been totally renowned for her absolute brilliance, a wide range of emotions from passionate and fiery to introspective and melancholic, and Romantic expressiveness on the pieces she made to perfection. She was absolutely a virtuoso pianist in her own right, and her compositions reflect her completely exceptional skill and understanding of the instrument that she lo
Twenty-SevenThe anger, frustration, and worry that had clouded his eyes for so long began to dissipate almost too immediately as it was completely replaced by a newfound tenderness. His body, which had previously been frozen in a state of anxiety, sprang into action as he rushed towards a sight that had once seemed unimaginable, was now finally imaginable. His legs moved with a newfound urgency, their pace gradually quickening as he raced towards the person he had been so concerned about. He knew that hearing aid even from afar.Celine rose from her seat, her eyes wide with surprise as she witnessed her boss sprinting through the lobby. This was a stark violation of the company’s strict policy against running, no matter how late employees might be for their shifts. The sight of her boss breaking this rule was both unexpected and unsettling, leaving Celine to wonder about the urgency of the situation that had prompted such a departure from the usual protocol.Right before Celine was g
Twenty-EightChaos stood in front of his wondrous desk, trying to cover his wooden desk plaque which had his name Zacchaeus Spencer Batternkurt with gold font color in cursive font as if he was embarrassed if she would find out his real name and his real status, even if it was obvious who he was since they were on the top floor of the whole building and in this lavish and grand looking office.Florence muttered curses under her breath, the truth of her lie finally laid bare. Chaos had known all along that she could not speak since the first time they had met with each other from that drunken night when she was in the rainy street crying on her knees, but what truly bewildered her was his unexpected proficiency in sign language.She blinked at him, “I know I have some explaining to do since I could speak, but… You… You can sign?”Chaos calmly answered, “I studied.”Florence blinked her eyes at him as she was about to say something more, he politely added, “We can talk about those thing
Twenty-NineEager to learn more, Florence spoke out loud, “Let us talk about goals this time. What are your long-term goals for the Empire of Spencer & Battenkurt?”“Well, it is quite simple,” Chaos replied, a confident smile playing on his lips. “I aspire for the Empire of Spencer & Battenkurt to become a global leader in sustainable and ethical business practices.” His voice was firm and authoritative, yet tinged with a sense of pride. “I want the public to recognize our company’s dedication to contributing positively to society and the environment. I envision our company being renowned for its commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, generosity, and innovation for generations to come.”“That is a truly admirable vision, Mr. Battenkurt. Your commitment to sustainability and social responsibility is absolutely inspiring to hear it personally. I believe that companies have a responsibility to make a positive impact on the world, and your goals align perfectly with that bel
Thirty “After graduating from college,” Chaos explained in his very calm manner, “I worked my way up, and then eventually joined the Empire of Spencer & Battenkurt as a junior executive. Over the years, I worked my way further up through the ranks, taking on increasingly challenging roles and responsibilities.”“That is fascinating, sir.” Florence commented warmly, “Can you tell me more about some of the challenges you faced as you were climbing the corporate ladder despite being this wealthy?”Chaos subtly nodded his head and answered, “Well, I was fortunate to have the support and mentorship of many talented individuals within the company, who helped me develop the skills and knowledge I needed in order to succeed. Eventually, I was appointed CEO of the Empire of Spencer & Battenkurt. I am truly honored and humbled to lead such a prestigious company, and I am committed to continuing its legacy of innovation, excellence, and social responsibility.”Florence hesitated and paused for
One Hundred FiveThe afternoon sun streamed through the window inside Florence’s room, casting a warm glow on the worn leather armchair where Florence sat. Her eyes, though clouded by the fog of Alzheimer’s, still held a spark of recognition when Chaos entered the room.“Hello, my love,” he greeted her, his voice soft and gentle, despite his weakened knees and how his doctors had been telling him to stop walking distances for long hours since it has been bad for his health.Florence smiled, a fragile, fleeting smile that touched Chaos deeply. “Hello, I do not remember you, but I think you were the old guy who kept reading me about stories.” she replied, her voice a mere whisper.“I am.” He settled into the armchair beside her, taking her hand in his. “Shall I read to you?” he asked, his voice filled with a tenderness that never ceased to amaze her.Florence nodded, her eyes fluttering closed. Chaos picked up the worn leather-bound book from the side table. It was a collection of short
One Hundred Four“Mama? Dada?” Rhys called out sleepily from the doorway of the kitchen, his eyes barely opened as he stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he yawned sleepily. “Look who just woken up.” Chaos called out as they smiled, staring at their sleepy looking son.Chaos pulled back slightly, his gaze lingering on Florence. The sound of their son’s voice, sleepy and sweet, filled the kitchen. Both parents turned towards the doorway, their hearts melting at the sight of their little boy, his eyes still heavy with sleep, rubbing his eyes with his tiny fists.“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Florence cooed, scooping him up in her arms. Chaos smiled as he walked towards Rhys and the little boy immediately snuggled into her neck, burying his face as he was sleepy while yawning which made Florence smile.Chaos chuckled, his eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and affection. “Looks like someone’s ready for breakfast,” he said, his voice soft.He walked over to
One Hundred ThreeThe Sunday morning sun streamed through the kitchen window, painting stripes of light across the gleaming hardwood floor. Florence, with a smile on her pretty face, hummed happily as she stirred the pancake batter, the scent of cinnamon and butter filling the air. Her eyes, filled with a quiet contentment, glanced at the delicate band glimmering on her left ring finger. It was a symbol of the years they had spent together, a testament to their resilience and their unwavering love. Three years of marriage had been a challenging journey, a tapestry woven with threads of joy, sorrow, and the unwavering support they offered each other as they navigated life's ups and downs.Chaos, ever the early riser, was already outside, tending to the vegetable garden he had painstakingly cultivated in their backyard. Despite his status, he wanted to do the normal things with her. Cultivating their backyard garden had given him some sense of peace and calm.She glanced out the windo
One Hundred Two “I am losing my mind!” Kamille yelled in frustration and anger, as she threw the letters towards Chaos’ office floor which caused shock from him and his secretary. These were letters that he had not known before. Letters that Theresa had never mentioned before. Letters that Kamille had never mentioned ever before. Kamille cried, as if she was having emotional breakdown, but she was calming herself down, “My mind, my guilt, every fucking thing is killing my mind! And you have no idea about the pain and… and the struggle that I had been through!” She shook her head as she stomped and left angrily as if she had been knowing something that she had been hiding for years.Kamille’s composure shattered. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she cried out, “My mind… my guilt, everything is killing me! You have no idea the pain, the struggle I have endured!”She shook her head violently, the words tumbling out in a torrent of raw emotion. It was as if a dam had broken, releasing y
One Hundred OneA year had passed since that fateful day at the cemetery. Florence and Chaos, through open communication and unwavering support, had nurtured their relationship, allowing it to blossom into something truly beautiful. Florence had met his parents, their initial apprehension quickly melting away as they witnessed the profound love and respect that existed between their son and the woman who had captured his heart. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, Florence had seamlessly integrated into their lives, her warmth and kindness winning them over completely.The aroma of roasted chicken and Caroline’s famous apple pie filled the air as Florence settled into the worn-in armchair opposite Chaos’ parents. Edward, a man of few words but a kind heart and Chaos’ father, beamed at her from across the table. Caroline, however, was effusive in her praise.“You know, Florence,” Caroline began, a mischievous glint in her eyes, “Chaos has not stopped talking about you since th
Hundred“I am so sorry.” Florence’s voice was soft, as if he could hear the hurt in her voice. She reached out and gently took his hand, offering him comfort. “But you could not have known,” she told him very softly, her voice filled with empathy. “These things… they happen. They happened because… because it was what she wanted.” “She did not even ask me what I wanted.” He answered and his words hurt her.“Guilt and self-blame can be incredibly powerful, especially when you are struggling.” She told him sincerely.She knew he blamed himself, but she also knew that blaming himself would not bring Theresa back. He needed to forgive himself, to find a way to move forward.“Hey,” She caressed his cheeks with her hands, “Let us not dwell on the past,” she said softly. “Let us focus on healing, on honoring her memory.”She looked at him, her eyes filled with a gentle understanding. “You can do this, Chaos,” she said, her voice filled with a quiet strength. “No one blamed you. And I do not
Ninety-NineThe sun cast long shadows across the cemetery, the air thick with the scent of freshly cut grass and damp earth. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the ancient oak trees, creating a soothing, almost melancholic soundtrack.Florence and Chaos sat on the cool grass in front of Theresa’s headstone, a comfortable silence settling between them. Florence, her gaze fixed on the inscription, felt a strange sense of peace. The initial shock of the revelation had subsided, replaced by a quiet understanding, a profound sense of connection to the young woman whose heart now beat within her own chest.Chaos, sensing her quiet contemplation, reached out and gently took her hand. His touch was a silent affirmation of their shared grief, an unspoken acknowledgment of the profound connection they now shared.“What was she like?” Florence asked softly with curiosity.“Theresa… she was a whirlwind,” Chaos began, his voice thick with emotion. “She was a dancer. Ballet.”Florence nodded he
Ninety-Eight“I have been thinking lately about everything that has been happening between you and me.” Florence continued to speak as she was staring at her feet while they were walking.Chaos nodded his head gently, his heart pounding with a mixture of hope and dread. He waited, holding his breath, for her to continue. Florence continued, her voice barely a whisper, “Thinking about everything that is happening between us.”Chaos nodded again, his eyes fixed on her face, searching for any sign of emotion.Florence took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly. “And I realized… I realized that I have been selfish too.”Chaos shook his head, “No, do not say that. I was the one being selfish.”“No,” she said, her voice breaking. Tears were welling up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. “I was being selfish too. You have been through so much, Chaos. Just the same as me, you went through something too. And I… I was letting my anger and jealousy consume me.”She took a deep breath,
Ninety-SevenAs Florence stepped out of the school, she spotted Chaos standing by his car. His shoulders slumped, and a look of weariness etched his face. He missed her, desperately. Florence’s heart ached as she saw him. She missed him too, the silence between them stretching on like an endless desert. They both knew that the longer they remained apart, the deeper the longing and the more painful the separation would become.He exhaled as soon as he saw her emerge from the school, her shoulders slumped slightly, and his heart ached. He wanted to reach for her, to pull her close and hold her until the pain subsided. He wanted to hug her and just feel her warmth once again after days of being away from each other.But he knew better. He had hurt her, deeply, and he had to earn back her trust, one small step at a time.He watched as she approached slowly and almost unsurely, her gaze fixed on the pavement, her footsteps heavy with unspoken emotions. He wanted to call out to her, to apol