The sweet aroma reached my nostrils, breaking my dream about a certain someone into tiny little pieces. I groaned in frustration as I hate it when I don’t sleep well.

Sunlight directly hit my iris when I tried opening my eyes. Few drops of tears started trickling down my cheeks because of the harsh light.

“Why are you crying Zearo? What happened? Bad dream? Or did I wake you up?” I heard Oldie’s worried voice throwing endless questions my way. 

“Ugh, no Oldie, I’m fine. Just that I’m not a morning person.” I opened my eyes again, this time shielding it from the daylight.

“Ohhh,“ he responded, and then I saw him standing near the door, wearing my t-shirt and trouser holding a plate full of meal.

“Food? For me?” my mouth watered instantly and belly growled.

“Yeah, I hope you will like it.”

“What the hell? You know I love the food you cook! Come come, sit here,” I patted at the space on my bed.

“You’ve been constantly helping me. This is the least I could do,” he answered and wobbled towards me.

“Oldie, are you hurt somewhere? Why are you wobbling?” I asked, concerned.

“No, just some cramps. Old age side-effects.” he shrugged as if it’s not a big deal.

“Okay, eat the meal first. You have slept little. You look awful” he stated scrunching his nose, wrinkles deepening into his skin.

“That’s because certain someone was behaving like a baby,” I told, poking his tummy that showed like he was five months pregnant.

“Shut it!” He exclaimed squatting my hands away from his pregnant belly and I noticed his wrinkled and flush face making him look delightful.

“Okay okay, let’s have brunch together. Your baby might be hungry” I said, jabbing his stomach again and busted out laughing when he glared at me.

****

“Okay so as much as I could find out, the company heads who sanctioned your last work immensely liked your outputs. Right?” I inquired, scurrying through the appreciation certificates he received. 

After having brunch together, Oldie brought me to the warehouse where he operates all his garments related business. I’ve been rummaging through all his documents but couldn’t find any drawbacks that led the SAMS company to reject his bidding this time.

“Yes, I’ve met the products head.. Her name is Natalie, I guess. But this time someone else accepted my biding reports. I remember his name, Johnson, yeah, but I didn’t admire that guy at all.” his tone carrying a hint of disappointment. 

“Why do you say so? Old man, tell me what transpired.” 

“He-he you know, I didn’t like his vibes. I dont know if its just me or he is the way he is. But I didn’t like his attitude.” He answered looking at my eyes and waving his hands in the air to express how he felt.

“Okay, tell me, did you meet anybody else? Other than the woman, Natalie, and the creepy guy?” I have worked with many business executives and I could tell something was amiss.

“No, once I met Mrs D’Waner, who is in heaven now, but I found out that her grandchild is looking after her business.” 

“Zearo, their charges are so high compared to the actual cost. The raw materials cost less than 20% of what they have demanded. I don’t follow why the enterprise even allowed such money-hungry people inside.” I could detect the anger in his eyes.

“Okay, okay, so what do you want me to do?” He knows the cons and pros. He could have contacted the higher ends and solved this himself. I don’t get why he’d need my help.

“Can you somehow arrange a meeting with the CEO of the company?” He asked pushing a card, having a detailed address of that company and a contact number at the edge.

“You are joking, right? How can you even think a nobody like me can get an appointment with the CEO of the renowned SAMS international?” I scoffed.

“Please? I know you can do this.” He answered by showing me a cheeky grin.

“How?”

“Well, your charms!” He peeped like a baby.

“Shut it, old man. You can’t be serious,” This man will surely get me kicked out of that building.

“Okay okay, just try once. If not, then I know someone who can help you get through the reception and see the CEO”  

“Can’t you just send that person, instead of me?” I argued, feeling uneasy about this plan, I don’t know why.

“No, I want you to meet them, my son” there, I am finished now. He emotionally pulled the strings this time. “Clever old man” I gritted my teeth.

***

“Hello Gorgeous,” I winked at the young woman in the reception counter of SAMS International. Well, you heard it correct. Oldie convinced me to meet the CEO of this company. I don’t even have an appointment, for Christ’s sake. 

“Yeah? Wha-“ the receptionist froze when she laid her eyes on me away from her computer. Her eyes wide, mouth agape. I cleared my throat to bring her back from the la-la land.

“Well, uh, how may I help you, sir?” She asked and I could see that my presence is affecting her. I smirked, noticing her flushed cheeks.

“Yes you may,” I said and hunched a little closer and continued, “in so many ways that it will surprise you after I’m done with you.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her, attempting to woo her a little.

“Ohhhhh, what would that be?” She asked timidly with a squeaky voice. But before I could utter anything, my phone resonated, and I realized, this old man will not sit idle until I do what I had to. I saw a pen lying on the desk, so I scribbled my number on the paper and handed it to her...

“First off, you show me the way to your CEO’s office. I will tell you the other things later,” I winked and then whispered moving a little closer to the already flushed poor girl, “when you and I are alone, you know what I mean”. 

“Uh, do you have an appointment? What’s your name, sir?” 

“No, I don’t have an appointment”

“Then I’m so sorry, you cannot meet The CEO without an appointment.” Busted, I thought.

“It’s urgent, darling.” I tried acting desperate.

“No sir, sorry. Can’t risk my job.”

“What is happening here, Maria?” came a voice behind me. I spun around facing a lady of not over 25 years walking towards the receptionist desk. 

“Aria ma’am, it’s nothing. Uh, he wanted to meet The CEO but doesn’t have an appointment.” The girl Maria busted me.

“Then tell him to scurry off! Why waste your time with him?” She said and trotted to somewhere else.

“Is she always this grumpy?” I asked Maria.

“Sir please, you are not helping me here. Please leave.” Maria said, practically breaking down in front of me.

“Okieesss,” I guess, this is it, old man.

****

“Oldie, you’ve caused enough trouble for me! I’m signing off!” I barked at him through my phone, feeling humiliated.

“Please don’t, I’ve already called Emma. She is the one I was talking about. She will help you. Zearo, you know this consignment is very important and I cannot believe anyone else in this. Please?” I heard his pleading voice from the other side.

“Fuck you!”

“Gladly,” he said and hung my call. 

“Ew! I’m never sleeping on the same bed with this guy.” I made a mental note to self.

“Hey, you pretty man, are you Zearo?” I heard a sweet voice behind me. When I was about to snap at the source, my eyes met a magnificent beauty standing in front of me, smiling. Her short blonde hair, smokey eyes, plump cherry lips, a crop top hugging her upper body, and a short skirt that’s slit through the right thigh.

“Hello checked me already?” Now it’s her chance to smirk.

I just laughed and introduced myself, “Zearo.”

“Emma,” she responded, I held her hand and kissed the knuckles lightly. 

“Mr Stone sent me here to help you out. I presume they kicked you out?” She asked, amused, and I could see that she already knew the answer. Her greyish eyes, so bright that it could draw anybody from their sufferings and enlighten their surroundings.

“Well, I told Oldie the same. Instead of me, you could be the better option.” 

“Oh, no I’m her friend, she will kill me if I interfere in her business. I have agreed to cooperate because I wanted to find the traitor and inform her about it." She said, and damn, she looks hot when she is angry gosh!.

Then something hit me.

“She who?”

“Uh, she. The CEO, she?” Emma furrowed her brows at me.

“Oh my! You think the CEO of SAMS International is a guy?” She gasped in shock when the realisation hit her.

I raised my eyebrow, “yeah? Any problem?” 

“Freaking hell, you are a goner!. The CEO of SAMS International is a woman, you asshole!” She screamed at me. 

“Yeah, a goner.”

“Don’t blame me, Oldie didn’t notify me anything. Okay now tell me, what’s her name?” I will not let these women cut my balls. I have to know her name, at least.

“Old bones need some updates. Her name is Liara D’Waner.” She replied, her face brightened when she whispered her name.

“Duly noted!” I spoke, and my heart did another flip, making me nervous suddenly.

I took a step towards the big building towering over the other buildings like a giant dinosaur, but soon I felt my shirt being dragged backwards. I looked at her, astonished by her action. 

“Zearo, she is a tough cookie. Don’t woo her, she will throw you out like a watermelon seed. Instead, if you talk to her professionally, she will listen to you.” She warned me.

I gulp and mutter, “Professional my ass!” 

“Professional ass indeed,“ I heard her saying as she smacked my ass. 

“What the hell?” I asked, confused.

“You are a fine specimen. I have a boyfriend already. Otherwise, you could be a suitable partner in bed.” She said giggling like a child. 

“I can be your secret bed partner if you’d allow me to.” She grinned when I suggested this.

***

As we carved our way towards the elevator, I scanned the area and saw at the receptionist. Her eyes were wide as if she saw a ghost. I winked at her and made my way inside the elevator.

As soon as the elevator door moved closer, a firm hand halted the elevator entrance in the middle and then a man of my height showed up. 6 feet 4 inches tall, broad shoulders and extremely well-built body. Along with him entered miss grumpy.

“Anthony!” I heard an ear-piercing squeal beside me.

“Emma, how are you!” The guy named Anthony hugged her.

“Shuuuu, leave her already,” I spoke internally.

“Long time no see bud! I’m good. Oh! Meet Zearo, my friend,” Emma introduced me. 

I shook his hand, but he hauled me to a hug. Ugh! Awkward.

“Enough of this bromance already!” Emma patted his shoulder.

“He is good, how long?” Anthony asked, and my eyebrows rose so high that it might hit the ceiling already. 

“Uh, you asshole!. He is not in that list,” Emma slapped him again.

“Sorry buddy, but you can try again later, you know.” He said winking at me.

“Oh, don’t worry man. I’m already on it.” I added glancing at Emma who looked startled with my comment.

“Fucking hell! Ma’am speak something!” Aria yelled at her cellphone suddenly.

“She said nothing yet?” Anthony asked her.

“What happened?” Emma asked Anthony and then to that grumpy miss.

“Liara connected me through Intercom, but we couldn’t hear anything. She is with Johnson, alone. I shouldn’t have abandoned her with him.” Anthony cursed under his breath. 

“This elevator is taking too much time! I’m worried,” Aria twitched her fingers.

“It’s on the 15th floor Aria. It will take time,” Emma hugged her, comfortingly.

No one spoke, and there was a pin drop silence inside the elevator. I could feel the seriousness of the situation as all three of them kept staring at one place without blinking and occasionally glancing at Anthony’s cellphone. 

***

As soon as the elevator dinged, all three of them flew outside. I followed suit. My heart beating fast, and I don’t know why. 

I surveyed the surrounding of this floor. A well-organised gallery having offices opposite to each other, allowing a walking path in the middle. The transparent office chambers having only a few people working inside.

“Why is this area so silent, even if so many people are working? Is this floor soundproof or something?” I asked no one in particular.

“Yeah, this floor is highly confidential. So Liara ma’am made it soundproof,” answered Aria, breathing irregularly.

I hum in response and trotted like a lost puppy behind them. But instantly I head-butted something smooth and came to an abrupt halt.

“What the hell!” I heard Anthony’s voice, anger surging through his body, making everyone flinch.

I stepped ahead and looked at the horrifying scenario. My eyes focused on the lifeless body of that certain someone who visits my dream every time I sleep.

***

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