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The CEO'S syndrome CHAPTER FORTY: Panic attacks in one night.
Wednesday did come. And no, Thursday did not appear after Tuesday. But Jospeh did not still relent, he prayed that an impromptu meeting would present itself in the evening or Angela would call to cancel.But it looked like none of those things were ever going to happen and the hour hand of the clock was speedily nearing six. They had planned to meet at five thirty and ride to his house in time for dinner at six.Meanwhile, Angela took permission from work and went home early to prepare. She wanted to look her best. She went shopping Tuesday evening and bought a new dress, nothing in her wardrobe beats the image she had pictured in her mind. She wanted to look abstract-like she had both tried to make an impression and at the same time wanted to keep things neutral. And Sophia played a major role, even though she complained repeatedly, that Angela didn't need to waste so much time and money, that she didn't need to look beautiful for Joseph, she followed her around and helped her mak
The CEO'S syndrome CHAPTER FORTY ONE: Winning Angela over.
"Come dear, you should adjust your makeup. A woman has no excuse for looking disoriented".Mrs Benjamin scolded. She was expecting Angela to excuse herself to the bathroom to adjust her makeup but the girl-seeing as she naturally screamed 'disoriented'-is totally okay with her disorganized state. She watched her freak out for more than ten minutes. Mrs Benjamin wondered if there were still humans who couldn't control their anxiety.Mrs Benjamin had a staff take Angela to the bathroom. Joseph reluctantly released her hand and was relieved that the bathroom excuse was not one of his mother's ploy to talk to Angela alone. He would not allow it. No private talks with Angela.Angela joined them on the table, a few minutes later, in time for the prayers to be said, only for his mother to begin another episode of her drama again."As the mother of the house, permit me to share the dish". Hilda smiled as she began to dish out the food. They had all taken a seat on the large dinning table wi
The CEO'S syndrome CHAPTER FORTY TWO: Stranger-toddler
THANK YOU FOR READING! PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW"Greece!" Omar shouted at the top of his voice like he was just coming to know of 'Greece'. "I'm going to Greece. My assistant and I found something interesting, we can talk when I'm back!".He hung up at once and he joined his assistant at the queue. They were both rushing to Anthens. His dependable, extremely reliable assistant had found a huge tip, which Omar had personally handed over to 'Mister man' who had provided account details managed in Athens.And so Omar was in a haste to catch the thief and he would stop at nothing to end the only reason he constantly suffered from headaches. And stomachaches and all forms of aches.Athens. That was where he was headed. The thief owned an account with the Bank of Greece and he was hoping they would comply, coupled with the connections he had in Greece. He told himself again, 'he was heading to Athens'.Once they were comfortably seated in the plane, with their seatbelts secured, Omar went thr
The CEO'S syndrome CHAPTER FORTY THREE: Such a beautiful heart.
THANK YOU FOR READING! PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW.Aunt Meredith huffed in anger. She was going to give Sophia an earful. The girl had done it. Again!She wouldn't remember to wet the shrubs at the right time, it was past eleven in the morning and the soil was still wet like it just absorbed water. She marched straight to the kitchen. Sophia always was in the kitchen. She didn't understand the girl's close relationship with food. Perhaps it was her safe haven, but that was not the discussion for today, she was going to pull Sophia's hair out and her husband would do nothing but cry for his balding cousin.She opened her mouth to scream but closed it quietly as she caught sight of Sophia chopping beef in a manner that's totally unacceptable. None of her children deserved to be unhappy. It's unacceptable! Sophia sighed and packed the meat, only to arrange another set that needed chopping. "Sophie, what is wrong?", Aunty Meredith turned soft, she walked quietly and touched Sophia's shoulde
The CEO'S syndrome CHAPTER FORTY FOUR: Lesson still not learnt?
THANK YOU FOR READING! PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW.Angela.Angela was all Joseph thought about, he couldn't focus at work. Even when Fyodor had stopped for lunch and bugged him throughout or when work would not allow him to rest his eyes for a few minutes. He just couldn't stop thinking of her. After the kiss and the dinner, they had not met. He had prayed earnestly to God to make them cross paths but it never happened, he just wanted to see her.He jerked, from his sitting position as a thought flew into his head. He had wasted so much time when all he had to do was to present himself at her workplace or her house.Her house sounded like a better idea. Why had he never thought of it? He could go to see her under the pretense of just checking on her and end up spending the evening with her. Angela is a very polite person, she would happily have him around.So after work, at around nine pm, he found himself at her doorstep-a little hesitant. What if she thought about the kiss on seeing him
The CEO'S syndrome CHAPTER FORTY FIVE: Extra flavors of pancakes.
THANK YOU FOR READING! PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW."Jake", Angela said more hurriedly as she covered the distance between them and crouched down to see if he was okay."Jake", she shook him gently.Jake raised his head to look into her eyes. He had drunk as usual and was probably drunk to the brim. Naturally, he should have found his way to his abode but remembered her promise to always accommodate him at her house. And so he came to her instead, besides her couch was more comfy or if he did well, he could claim her bed. Hopefully, Angela could occupy the space next to him. With that thought in mind, Jake smiled to himself. That would be his plan, he would manipulate her to sleep on her bed with her next to him. He would coerce her just like he used to do."Angela", his hand found hers, he squeezed lightly. "You have asked that I come to you whenever I can. I'm down so I have come". He said softly. He had no clue what was going on in his life, it was like his life got worse with every s
The CEO'S syndrome CHAPTER FORTY SIX: A big stuffed bear.
Joseph felt blessed. He swiftly prepared for work and got to his office in time to start his day. He was friendlier, more jovial and laughed a lot throughout the morning."Sir, Mr Asghar and Mr Babanin are here to see you ". His assistant announced. She was happy that her boss was in a good mood, it made working with him easy."Let the big men in", he replied in a not so formal tone. Very unusual.She was surprised but bowed slightly and left. Her boss only spoke to her formally. Like he hated to speak to her.His friends filled the room with so much happiness as they walked in one after the other.Joseph's cheerful mood knew no bounds. Even Omar, who had been having issues with some 'thief', had so many colors on his face. It must mean that his visit to Greece was not in vain."Guys!" He hugged the both of them like a father would. "I'm so happy that we are happy, hmmm!" He still didn't release them but rested on their shoulders. He was smiling like an idiot, his conversation with
The CEO'S syndrome CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN: When normal things become abnormal.
"Ashan! My favorite boy, hmmmm. How are you doing? How are you feeling, hmmm? Is your mother and sister well?" Mrs Asghar gushed over Ashan as soon as she set her gaze on him and held his hand in greetings."They are both fine ma". Ashan responded politely.Mrs Asghar waved her hand at him playfully, "I trust you. You take great care of them", and laughed loudly but it felt like a noise perhaps from a milling factory to Omar.Omar wrinkled his noise as he watched their exchange. His stepmother must have done her findings or how else was she to know that he was the breadwinner of his family. But she was overdoing it. What was with all the noise?"Good evening sir". Ashan greeted Omar respectfully."Please call me brother or Omar simply. Good evening brother". Omar smiled at him.His sister, Nora stood near Ashan with their hands interlocked. Omar noticed that they didn't even let go of eachother's hand when her mother hugged him. How they must love eachother. So much love in the air!
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- The CEO'S syndrome
CHAPTER SEVENTY SEVEN: The breakup
Her feet felt heavy with every step she took afar, her heart was drumming wildly within her ribcage and it felt like she was nauseous. As she ran, all she thought of was Joseph, he'd definitely misunderstood. Fate was cruel. Too cruel. Things were only just beginning to look bright only for this to happen. Angela didn't even care when her legs stopped moving or when her butt cheeks found comfort on the floor. She cried as the turnout of events replayed in her head, mocking her. When Joshua had noticed her unenthusiasm in whatever he had to say, he had proceeded to physical contact and just before she could have acted on his inappropriate manner of touching her, he had forced their lips to merge and enforced a rhythm. Angela regretted her decisions, she shouldn't have acknowledged his message when he'd sent it and even if she had, she ought to have picked a cafe that was packed with customers, not to reserve the most remote seats just so they do not get distracted easily with the da
- The CEO'S syndrome
CHAPTER SEVENTY SIX: A change
The next morning, they took a bath together again. Even though Joseph's eyes twinkled with interest he didn't do anything out of question. He still respected the distance between them but he was insanely aware of her naked body throughout. After the bath, he made breakfast while Angela watched.Angela was happy. She was so happy that she couldn't control it when a tear slid down her face because she thought she wouldn't see a day when Joseph would be capable of taking care of his daily needs, talkless of another. Even though she had promised Joshua brunch, she ate a lot. After breakfast, they cleaned the dishes together and that was when she saw it again. That undeniable gaze that said it all. She had noticed it when they were taking a bath and how it didn't disappear when they broke their fast. Joseph would secretly watch her and shyly take his eyes somewhere else when she caught him.She held his hand in hers and smiled before she whispered with all alacrity, “I'm all yours. Foreve
- The CEO'S syndrome
CHAPTER SEVENTY FIVE: The devoted caretaker
Like a cycle, days turned into weeks and weeks to months but Joseph still didn't get better. He still said close to nothing to Angela. He'd rather spend his time in his study. He had turned lean with time, as he barely ate. He barely associates with anything or anyone apart from his study. Angela has had enough. She didn't care what Joseph thought anymore or what her next actions would incite. Because he was slowly losing it. He needed help. And so, that fateful morning, after preparing a hot soup with easily digestible contents, she marched straight to his study and tried to force her way in but the door was locked. With no other plan but to scream, shout, cry or even use force if she had to, Angela marched towards the familiar corridor. Her next destination was his room, still no Joseph. She forcefully pushed the slide-in door that led to his bathroom and there he sat. Joseph sat like a fetus in its mother's womb as he wept. Like a child.Her eyes lost all the fire and she somewha
- The CEO'S syndrome
CHAPTER SEVENTY FOUR: Grief
“Oh, I've always had a thing for grotesques but for work, it'll always be romance”, the writer chuckled to the camera as he adjusted his sitting position a few more times to look good for his audience.“What inspires your books then?”. Angela read out loud, totally uninterested. Joshua, the writer looked at nothing as he tried to form the right words or what he believes is right. “Love inspires my book”, he smiled to himself like he had just found something no one would ever find. “Love is real. Now, not the kind between siblings or relatives. The simple attraction you feel towards someone you don't even know too well”. He frowned as he continued, Angela almost thought he was already possessed by what made some writers write so well. “That wanton feeling is power. It's so powerful and beautiful and there's a lot to unravel, so yeah. That's why I always find myself writing about it”. He smiled finally, awarding himself marks for a test no one gave him. Angela nodded when she was su
- The CEO'S syndrome
CHAPTER SEVENTY THREE: The Funeral
Mr James Wilson was buried on Friday. A very sunny Friday. It was so sunny that Joseph wished that it was raining. They had set up a small gathering, rather too small for a man established as Mr James. But still, many came to pay their respects, some even flew in that morning just to pay their last respect to such a kindhearted man like Mr James. As the priest said the prayers and Mr James' coffin was leveled into the ground, Joseph only prayed to wake up from this dream. He still hadn't accepted the news. He still remembered the conversations he'd shared with his father prior to his surgery. The words he had shared with Angela up to the time he had patiently waited to be reunited with his father once again. Alive. Not dead. But Dr. Murphy's downcast look had ruined it all. Joseph had waited patiently all for nothing. Had believed Angela's words before the surgery, all for his father's death to drive him to the end of time. He had killed his father.No. Not the doctor, at least J
- The CEO'S syndrome
CHAPTER SEVENTY TWO: Horrid mistakes
Accuracy. That was definitely Dr Murphy's best word. He was always accurate. He knew the human anatomy like the palm of his hand. As a career man, he was never wrong, and has never lost a single patient during his thirty six years of treating patients. Dr Murphy was literally known as an aldonis in the surgery room.As he scrubbed in and entered the operation room, he said a little prayer to God that he’s kept his nickname this long. Inside the OR, he shook his head vehemently like a boxer ready for battle and whispered “Let's do this” to himself after washing his hands and went in where a nurse came forward to help him wear his sterile gown.A nurse eyed his scrub cap knowingly and turned to share smiles between her colleagues. They all knew Professor Murphy to be present for only very important surgeries and whenever he wore the specific cap on his head, it meant real business. That means the patient on the table would survive no matter the cost. The patient's lucky, she concluded
- The CEO'S syndrome
CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE: An hopeful day
Morning came, even though Joseph was sore, his whole muscles ached and he had barely even slept, he was glad that an hopeful day had come. A day, he was allowed to dream. That morning Joseph prayed. He hadn't prayed for a long time but he found himself kneeling on the floor as he prayed for a successful procedure.Omar and Fyodor, Angela and Sophia had spent the night at the hospital but Omar had to leave because he had a meeting that couldn't be postponed, he had to be there. But he promised to return as soon as he could.Joseph watched Angela quietly from his side view, he hadn't said anything to her after crying at the garage, now, they were no different from two strangers. Or that was what he thought. She was saying something to Sophia before Sophia left to take a phone call.He watched her as she rubbed her eyes sleepily and sank deeper to the seat, she raised her legs from the ground and folded them to cross one another. These past few days, he had been rough. Very rough with he
- The CEO'S syndrome
CHAPTER SEVENTY: LAST MOMENTS
Joy. Ultimum joy. Not the kind you feel after bagging a million dollar deal or getting a scholarship but the kind you feel when a ray of sunshine graces your head and suffices your skin with vitamin D, the kind of happiness you feel when the calm breeze grazes the short hairs on your skin. That kind of joy that bubbles from within, that shows itself even when you have a straight face. And that was all the duo felt as they watched intently.Fits of laughter, though weak, rumbled from Mr James chest as he watched closely. Upon his request, his son had transformed his hospital room into a cinema room. The lights turned off, except the lights sourced from the machines attached to him, Mr James relaxed into his bed folded halfway to allow him see the screen comfortably. Joseph was surprised when his father told him where he'd kept all the video clips in his house. He had thought naturally, that clips as such would have been lost. His parents hadn't parted in good times and his mother clea
- The CEO'S syndrome
CHAPTER SIXTY NINE: Death, the inevitable
And there he sat. Like the dutiful son that he will always be. After the little episode at the garage, under the pretense of getting some air, Joseph returned to his only reason for both his unshed and shed tears of agony. Joseph adjusted the duvet that covered his father's body a few times. Afterwards, he'd stand and walk around a few times, he'd grit his teeth a few times, sometimes, torturing his poor nails as well. Only to look outside the window again, rake his hair frustratingly and then sit again. Joseph messed up the routine a few times, willing to do everything to while away time, he only wondered when his father would wake up again. He had to try again.He had to try to convince his father again. He just had to do something. His hands raked his hair again before a sob broke out. A second followed.“Son”, though hoarse, his father’s voice called out. Joseph jerked up immediately and covered the little distance between them.“Big man! Big man!!” His voice was hoarse too. May
