Once Dale had gotten home, he was greeted by his feline friend. Kate, his cat was his only companion, since he he lived alone. At least until holidays. Only twice a week did a lady come to clean the house. He tells himself that he could simply do it but . . . Work. The house was quite big for someone who lived alone.

He sat on a chair and rested his feet on the foot stool close by. Kate hopped up to the top of the chair and snuggled closer to him. It was only until the fumes from his socks seeped into his brain that he shook and took them off, startling Kate.

She hissed in fear and leapt away.

“Kate, it's just my socks, come back,” but she declined his offer. ”Ok, suit yourself.” Dale turned on the tv and focused his eyes on the headlines.

“Luke . . . ” he said rolling his eyes.

Dale sprang up when the sound of his phone proved unbearable. He checked the time before answering. It had been two hours.

“Wow. Who knew Luke could bore me into a two hour nap.”

The caller ID read Megan, his sister. A screaming voice greeted Dale as he brought the phone up to his ear. He winced, throwing his phone down and holding his ear. That seemed to be the last straw for Kate anyway.

When he returned to the call, she didn't sound less enthusiastic.

“What's up lil' bro. Bet you missed your big sis. I know you did,” Megan squealed, cheerful as usual.

“Not really . . . I don't think so,” Dale replied casually, scratching out the sleep from his eyes.

“. . . So, how was your first day as official CEO of-” She asked.

“Uh, not as super as I expected. Thought I'd be lounging all day in the office, but I guess that's not what a CEO means,” Dale said.

“Excuse me? Are you nuts!”

Laughing hard, Dale answered, “That was a joke okay . . . No need to be so. . . Chill.”

“That was no funny y'know. You got me there.” Megan said, in a shocked voice. “Now, on a totally serious note. My day was okay, I guess. Papers, weird fears here and there. Ever heard of hippopomonstrusesquippedaliophobia?” Dale asked.

“Monstru what?” Megan asked.

“It gets worse. It's the fear of long words,” Dale said, going over to the kitchen to make a lot of coffee.

“Whoa! That's new. Anyway, when's the party?” She inquired. Her words drive Dale into burning his hand on the coffee maker. “You there?”

“Shoot! I completely forgot to call the sponsors. Think I'd better talk to you later,” Dale said, hanging up almost immediately. Talking to his sister made him think back to his family. The modern decor contrasted with that of the family house where Megan stayed.

That had been where they had grown up with their parents and other siblings.  Now, he got the house he was in to be closer to the organization since he was now running it.

He walked briskly to his study. His bare feet sank into the smooth rug. Wearing a bare chest and grey sweatpants that blended with the house color.

He stared at his image in the floor to roof window as he approached his study.

Getting there, he crashed into the swivel chair and spun around a few seconds just for fun.

Hey, he might've been the CEO but that was at work.

Now he picked up a modern landline phone and dialed one of the sponsors from a phonebook. The supposedly cool air didn't really have a much effect on Dale, giving the heat wave outside.

One of the organization's sponsors was the supplier of the new anxiety pills at the market. Taking a deep breath, he greeted.

“Good evening, it's Dale”

“Mr West right? I'll put you through to Mrs Bridgeton in a few-” answered the personal assistant.

“Alright,” Dale responded.

Why the hell did he even think about making coffee in the heat. “Some stupid idea that was,” Dale said to himself, trying not to make his voice audible enough for the last to hear.

Exiting the study, he made his way to the fridge and took out a chilled bottle of water.

As he took a sip, a reply flew in from the phone. “Dale, weird that you called. Did I owe you a call?” Mrs Bridgeton said.

“Oh, don't mind me, just calling to make enquiries about the party we're throwing as a new year and session gift to the new entries.” Came Dale's answer.

“Almost skipped my mind-”

“Well that makes two of us,” he answered, making her chuckle a bit.

“Oh, I remember now, Luke was supposed to give me a feedback. He said he was gonna talk to you about it, wonder why he hasn't spoken to you. Has he?”

“Okay, don't worry. I see what's going on here. I'll get back to you.” Dale said.

This was just classic Luke being classic Luke. The only question was what was this manipulative scheme about.

“Well that's what he said the last time. For some reason , they all just wanna get back to me.” She stated before hanging up.

Running a hand through his hair, Dale called on Luke to clarify whatever this mess was all about.

“I'll go straight to the point Dale-y, my dude had a bad day, period.” And he hung up.

Trying to break down the information, Dale thought. ‘Bad day? How?’

After pondering for a bit, he called back. Luke obviously decided to play childish and didn't answer the call until the fifth time, giving Dale enough time to cook up a naughty scheme.

“What do you want?” Luke answered in a rude manner.

“Before you hang up, kindly explain to me how David had a as day exactly.”

“He wasn't welcomed properly.”

“Uh, did he tell you that?” Dale asked. “He didn't have to tell me Dale,” Luke replied.

“Really? So you're pointing fingers at me based on assumption,” Dale answered.

“Says nobody had time for him and he couldn't even say more than ten to twenty sentences . . . So do you think that's an assumption?”

“That's not debatable. Most of the people who were at the general addressings and basically everywhere were new. That means you have no point.”

“Of course I do! Let's see how well you like your bad reviews on the internet and social media,” Luke continued.

“You know what, fine, tell 'em what you want. And I'll look for a more prosperous business to be our headline sponsor, since you aren't competent enough,” Dale taunted with a smirk. He knew Luke hated being compared and stuff like that.

Only a matter of minutes before he came around.

“I'll sponsor your stupid party. But make sure that David gets the proper welcome or else,” Luke said accepting his loss.

"Nice doing business with you. I'll make sure he gets equal treatment as everyone else,” Dale said wickedly.

Thanks for reading.

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