Chapter 3 The CEO's Return

Chapter 3: The CEO's Return

"Good day, Treethorn. Hey, what's popping, sir?" he greeted. Cody's greetings were voiced as part of his everyday ritual. He was very confident he sounded as formal as he could, being a man of few words. Treethorn hesitated and cleared his throat on the opposite side of the line. Cody's cake-filled belly tingled from his stillness.

There was something awry, as the pregnant reluctance implied. Treethorn was a trustworthy grown-up who was a father of three children. Heeding parenting his children, Cody esteemed his diligence and obligation. It was challenging for an elderly man like him to raise two daughters who were in the perilous adolescent stage. While Jacinta was only seventeen, Cody discreetly admired her.

Though neither one told anybody else about their sentiments, she was tempted by him, and he was seduced by her. When they first met, their eyes could tell they had something worthy. Jane, his firstborn–who never said anything while she was around him, was the one he feared.

"This weather is freezing, sir. The ranch is thriving fantastically, except for the three sheep we lost to the cold today..." he protested, "The other employees are doing..." His employer didn't appear to be paying attention to his work update. Why had he called if it wasn't for work?

"I didn't call for work, but thank you for your concern, Cody," he said, stuttering. Not for the job? His heart became curious as his mind raced. Shivers ran down his back as alarms triggered through his voice.

He said, presumably anticipating an answer about his boss's family, "Is everything alright or are the girls bothering you again?" The notion that one of his family members had suffered harm was unfathomable to him. He was in no mood to return home! Treethorn hesitated once more, sighing and shuddering in his voice.

"Naturally, everything is in the right place, Cody. The girls are very enthusiastic to see you. We would like to invite you to supper this evening. Aside from that, you received a call this morning from your brother's residence. It's inevitable and essential; your brother said, so you should call back," he said. His words of concern almost took him out.

"All right, my brother called...?" he questioned, in a ridiculous tone. Only his brother had received Cody's boss's phone number, and Cody had sworn to call through it in case of an inevitable emergency. The eagerly anticipated time appeared to have finally arrived. Based on his brother's confidence, Cody was absolute he couldn't call it without receiving some incredible, horrible news. His heart rate went up as he waited for his brother to deliver the dreadful news. Undoubtedly, the news was awful!

"Cody, reach out to your brother, as fast as feasible. He said he needed to talk to you instantly. In reality, he requested instantaneous feedback..." he emphasized more on Cody's thoughts by adding, "It would be wise if you used the mobile installed in your room to reach him..." Treethorn had to emphasize more for him to provide feedback. He was aware of Cody's hatred for his house and everything related to it; hence he could disregard, his brother's call.

Cody yelled, "Never!" He was bewildered as to why his supervisor appeared more curious about his relationships with his family. Not only that, but he never called home to greet them, despite Treethorn's constant insistence that he do so. Cody had never visualized that calling them would be as simple as writing to them. It was time for him to visit his home after a year and a half in exile. He was still on the phone, considering how pleasant his boss was to him. Everybody was eager to collaborate with him, especially when work was concerned. To honour his oath, his supervisor must have been incapable of keeping the call confidential.

"Boss, please excuse my brother's bother. I'll see you for supper shortly..." he apologized, yearning for the opportunity to visit his gorgeous daughter, Jessica. "Pass my greetings to your lovely daughters." To his feelings, her looks made sense. Like any other typical man with sentiments, he was enticed by women but was spooked to put more assurance in them. Once bitten twice shy!

"Cody, it's me who owes you an apology. I apologize for breaching my word to keep your contact information private. I hope the best for you, my brother..." Feeling remorse for not keeping his promise, he murmured, "Please let me know how I can help..." Despite being one of his employees, Treethorn preferred to refer to him as his brother.

"Treethorn, thanks." Thinking of the little photo from his brother, Cody Slapdash hung up. Although his eyes were unable to see it, his mind was able to vividly capture it from beneath his bed. Had Jordan's toddler or his wife Kelly suffered any harm? Or had Adams–his father, confronted any sort of tragedy? Heeding his brother's call over his boss's phone, he was at a loss for reasonable thoughts. Cody detested having to flee and subject his family to hardships because of a mere lady!

His mind cautioned him, "Stop the nasty thoughts and pick up your phone." When Cody could think no more, he coerced himself to recollect his brother's far-forgotten phone number and punched it in. He felt a thin layer of sweat build on his forehead.

It was complicated for him to accept that a single call would obliterate the long-standing obstacle he had built between himself and his family. His brother answered the phone before it rang again. His tone was one of weariness and anxiety.

"Hey, brother? How have you been?" He inquired, his remorse more apparent in his quivering tone.

"Hi there, big brother! Thank heaven for your response this time. I was concerned that you wouldn't call home. We're all fantastic here..." he replied in a sardonic voice. Cody sensed there was something dreadful lurking beneath his words. Jordan was always a calm man, and the only thing that could tremble his voice was horrendous news.

"Is everything in order?" With a tone reminiscent of Treethorn, Cody inquired. Jordan held back, clearing his throat. He appeared to be disturbed about what he should say. Resuming his seat in his little rocker, Cody settled down to attend to the worst. When their last child passed away in a horrific ranch accident, it was the last time he had heard his brother's voice waver. According to the reports, after a fire reduced him to ashes, they had nothing to gather for his funeral.

"I apologize, brother. I'm sorry you have to attend to this one. Indeed, dreadful news..." Jordan exclaimed, tears welling up in his puffy eyes, "It's bad, bad news..." In his mind, his father could have passed away!