Chapter 4 New Life

Eight months later.

"Hi, Jake, how's the office? All done?" Brendan loosened his tie and flung himself onto the swivel chair behind his desk. "I heard you hired a woman with a big chest as a secretary."

On another channel, Jake burst out laughing. "No more than usual size, bro. I'm working on getting all the furniture in today because I want this office to start operating tomorrow."

Jake and his two older sisters will jointly open a financial management office near their parents' house. The sisters also an accountant like Jake.

His two older sisters are intelligent and lively women. Brendan was sure they would do well with the office.

"Ah, I almost forgot. I got that pretty coffee maker yesterday. That's a really cool joke, bro," Jake said, laughing heartily.

Brendan sent a pink and white coffee machine with a cute unicorn picture as a gift for Jake's new office.

"I knew you'd like it," Brendan said happily. "What did Arshan send? I'm sure he isn't any more sane than me."

"You two are just as crazy," Jake replied with a deep breath. "He sent me a red yellow green massage chair and made my room look like a kindergarten classroom."

Brendan laughed so hard that tears came to his eyes. He and Jake chatted again for a while before finally ending the conversation with a promise to call each other again next time.

Brendan leaned back against the back of the chair and straightened his legs under the table. He was sleepy but the meeting with the head of the charitable clinic foundation who was in trouble could not be postponed.

Brendan looked at his watch and counted. He still had about an hour before the meeting. He decided to skip lunch and take a nap.

A knock on her bedroom door made Brenda open her eyes again. A sweet face appeared in the gap of the open door.

"Yes, Madam Rose?" asked Brendan as he stood. "Come in."

Madam Rose, whose real name is Roseline Boun, is a senior administrative staff member who has publicly stated that she likes Brendan because of his resemblance to her late husband.

She had helped Brendan from day one and treated Brendan like his own son. Roseline only lives with his unmarried niece, so Brendan doesn't mind Roseline's treatment of him which sometimes cures his longing for Sheryn.

Roseline went inside and put a box on the table. "You look tired and lunch is almost over, so I brought your lunch here."

"You don't have to, madam," said Brendan with a smile. "You're too good to me."

Roseline smiled gently. Brendan was always polite and gentle with her. "You can't skip lunch, young man. Besides, you're going to need some extra energy for today's meeting. She's very fussy and the person dealing with her has to be full of energy. She's a drama queen."

Brendan's brow furrowed. "She? Who are you talking about, Madam Rose?"

Roseline was surprised. "You don't know yet? Irene Jung?"

"Who is Irene Jung?"

"She's the daughter of the owner of this hospital. Yesterday she fired the board of directors after secretly investigating and today she's going to a financial meeting as the new chairman of the foundation."

Brendan really couldn't believe what he was hearing. After all the efforts to fix the foundation's messy financial situation without causing a fuss--as requested by the hospital's financial board, suddenly this woman named Irene Jung ruined everything by firing the administrators. Brendan is sure to face a rebuke from the finance board.

"Madam, can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure, Brendan. Just tell me."

"Please give me complete information about Irene Jung."

Roseline stood up from the sofa. "Sure. Will be ready in twenty minutes in your email."

Brendan ruffled his hair in frustration. He was only three months into the position as chief junior accountant on the St. Patrice, a hospital known for its good service, modern and complete equipment and a reliable line of doctors.

St. Patrice's has several branch hospitals and clinics in several states and the main board of directors and owners are in talks with investors interested in establishing new branches in other countries.

After leaving his home, Brendan took an interview and was accepted at a large insurance company. He lives in the apartment owned by Joyleen--Jake's eldest brother.

During that time Brendan never came home. He had thought of himself as an isolated man since he left and would never step on that house again.

Four months after working for the insurance company, Arshan's father called and offered him a position on the St. Patrice. One of the members of the hospital's board of directors is a relative of Arshan's family and asks to find a reliable accountant who can be trusted.

Brendan accepted immediately, pleased to be further away from his home. He has enough capital to start a new life abroad. He flew to London, with two suitcases.

There was a bag full of cash in one of his suitcases, proceeds from the sale of Wyland's two vintage Harley Davidson motorcycles and Brendan's own SUV. He returned Arshan's yellow car ownership certificate that was given to him.

With all the money he brought, Brendan was able to buy a two-bedroom apartment and balcony in a mid-sized area close to his workplace and a used city car that was still nice and comfortable.

The salary was great and thanks to the recommendation of Arshan's relatives, Brendan only served a month's probation before being appointed junior chief accountant. Summa cum laude grades on his diploma and his high work ethic, there is no doubting Brendan's abilities.

Several of his co-workers, the nurses at the hospital, and even the doctor at St. Patrice were delighted to welcome Brendan.

It was rare to see an accountant looking like Brendan. Most of the women thought that Brendan looked more suited to a men's magazine model than a boring accountant.

Brendan is a breath of fresh air. He had a handsome face with sharp, deep brown eyes under thick eyebrows and eyelashes, a sharp nose, perfect cheekbones and jawline and bow-shaped lips.

Brendan's height of 187 cm with perfectly formed muscles in the right places is a plus that completes his always casual look with a long sleeved shirt that always rolls up to the elbows, jeans and sneakers.

Brendan wearing casual clothes was a beautiful sight, but when they saw Brendan in his perfect suit clinging to his body, many women around him had wild imaginations of him.

However, Brendan never cared. He is very cool and professional. He doesn't respond to romantic calls from anyone. He also showed no sign of interest. Some thought maybe he had a long-distance lover, some thought he was just heartbroken, and some thought he might be gay.

The final thought came from a resident--a well-groomed man who openly admitted he was gay and that Brendan was his type. It made not only women target Brendan, but also men. Brendan Ashton didn't budge.

Brendan had closed his heart from any relationship with women. Lyla had hurt him deeply. He not only betrayed Brendan but more than that, his betrayal made Brendan have to lose his family too.

Right now Brendan just wants to start his new life in peace, making as much money as possible, alone and calm. There is Jake and Arshan in his life, they are always there for him and he feels everything is enough for him.

Women will only make him fall again in suffering and heartache. He hated them.

Brendan's thoughts were interrupted when an email came into his laptop with a small clink. Roseline had sent her request. Brendan started reading the email.

*****