Chapter 6 RICHARD

My phone has been buzzing for five minutes now. Vera just doesn't know how to give up. "Maybe it's about time I fire her ass" I thought as the phone kept ringing.

Vera was my secretary and she ought to know that if I don't pick up when she's calling, certainly I must be busy. And yet, she kept calling again and again.

"God damnit! Just answer the fucking phone, man. I can't take it anymore" Chad said.

Sliding the ring icon to the green bar, I began in a voice I didn't bother to mask the rage layering underneath, "I swear this had better be very crucial, Vera. If not better leave your resignation letter on my desk before I get in"

"Truly sorry, Sir. I just got worried when you didn't pick up the first time as you usually do. I thought something bad had happened, that's why I kept calling. And also, it's 10 am already and you are yet to be here with no calls about the delay, which is very unlike you. Claire was also here, she came to drop off your salad and was worried when she didn't see you, but I assured her that everything was fine. That you just had an errand to run. But honestly Sir, where are you? The interview applicants are already murmuring and I'm running out of excuses..."

Running a palm on forehead in frustration, I listened as she rattled on and on. I had almost forgotten how loquacious she can be, especially when stressed. We had a history and though I've moved on, she clearly hasn't.

I would have fired her ass long ago, mostly after I grew tired of her. But she was the daughter of my mother's friend and Claire considered her a daughter, so she stayed.

I was glad I wasn't there to meet Claire, after the way I spoke to her before leaving the house. She must have come to apologize and I hated feeling guilty. Not to mention the salad. I truly appreciate her motherly care and everything, but she was doing too much.

Everyday she prepares this salad and brings it herself to the office. I hated it. How can someone stick to just fruits and vegetables as a meal?

And more annoying, she stays to make sure I get a few spoons in before leaving. I get that she was worried about my health, but she had to back off. And Lord knows what she meant by "Besides, I'm already planning something." I doubt it would be something good.

At the mention of our third biggest client, I was forced to keep listening,

"...Madame Dame also called requesting to speak with you and I lied telling her that you were with another client. She was kinda pissed after that. But can you blame her, she's like our third biggest client. And Sir, you will have to do something about it when you get back, I've already taken the liberty to order a bouquet that will be sent to her. Away from that, right as I'm speaking to you, an applicant almost left and if word gets out that we don't keep appointments, I fear what that would do to our publicity..."

"Oh shut it already Vera!" I snapped, my patience, extinguished. "Can't you just do your fucking job? You covered for me and so? Isn't that what I pay you to do? Oh wait, were you expecting a 'thank you'? Just thank your lucky stars for Claire, cause without her you wouldn't be in a position of yapping all these bunk. Some secretary you are, you can't even handle applicants" sucking in a breath, I finished, "Just get Harry or Sally, or fucking anyone to keep them busy. Be it a damn tour or a fucking trivia, do something. Be creative. For once, use that brain of yours."

I caught a nervous gulp of " Yes Sir" before I ended the call.

" Don't start," I said as I turned to face a grim-faced Chad. He believed in the same pathetic notion that I should try to treat people better. Even Lanke kept his gaze away from me. "Like hell, l care," I muttered as I walked to the balcony for some air.

My heart was already acting up again. I could feel pain tightening in my chest. Gripping the glass rail of the balcony, I tried to regulate my breath and keep myself from slumping as fatigue washed over me.

"Get. The. Fuck. Away. From. Me" I managed through clenched teeth, white knuckles and gasps of air, as Lanke's shadow appeared beside me.

"Believe me Sir, I know better. Just wanted to inform you that your friend is here" he said departing.

I stayed there nursing the pain in my chest, the weight of tiredness pressing down on me and gasping for breath. I hated it when this happens. Being reduced to frailness.

It took longer this time. Aaron and Chad's voice felt far away as I shut my eyes tightly against the pain. I don't know if it was thirty minutes or longer before the pain subsided, my breath returned to normal and I could stand on my feet again.

"About fucking time" I pronounced as I walked in.

"Could say the same of you", Aaron answered.

Chad sat on the bed devouring a tray of freshly baked bagels and a steaming mug of black coffee. Lanke stood by the corner trying his best not to look at me. Though he was doing a shitty job at hiding the concern that furrowed his brows.

"I would've gotten here sooner" my blond friend began, "but I had to make a quick stop. And then I met this gorgeous girl that practically offered herself on a silver platter. She had been waiting for a cab and when I pulled over she thought it was on her behalf. In my stupidity, I cursed her ass without even looking at her. When I eventually did, I couldn't believe my eyes, she was a fucking goddess."

Slumping on the other side of the bed, he ran his hands on his gold hair and went on, "A girl like that, is a rare find even though she was kinda bitchy at the end. And I fucking let her slip through my fingers" he emphasized with a flick of his thumb against his index.

"As much as I applaud your frivolities, but aren't you just coming from a girl's bed? After dumping her ass I might add, and already you are talking about another girl already. Now is neither the time nor is here the place, can't you take pity on our friend" I pointed at Chad, who froze with a bagel inches from his mouth.

"Pity!" Aaron laughed. He was a tad more spoiled than the two of us, and at times that affected his reasoning. Well, at least to the point that he doesn't seem to know when to be serious and when to joke about things.

After laughing his face off, he held up both hands and said to a raged Chad,

"No offense, Chad, but the rule has always been clear. 'Never fall for these bitches'. But I guess you've learnt your lesson now", another round of laughter.

"That's it, there he is. I was beginning to wonder if it would take all day to bring you back"

Standing between them, as Lanke held a charging Chad away from where Aaron sat cross-legged, a grin on his face, I appeased.

"Hey, hey, it's alright Chad. I'm sure he didn't mean it like that and you, Aaron, can you quit behaving like a child. You have to apologize to Chad, then take him home. I've taken care of the debts and now I need to start heading to the office."

"Why do I have to be the one to apologize, we warned him didn't we? As far as I'm concerned, he owes us an apology for breaking the rules. Besides, aren't you glad to see our boy back " Aaron whined.

"I've said all I want to say, Lanke you can let go of him. If they wish to kill themselves, then let them have a fucking go at it."

For a moment, as Lanke let Chad go, it felt like he was actually going to have a go at Aaron. But then, he sagged beside him and returned to his wallowing. This time, Aaron held him though his expression said "I wish I could punch the sense into him."

As I walked to the elevator, he mouthed,

"Please don't leave me with him"

"Goodluck with Mrs Helen!" I called just as the door dinged shut.