You & I
A cool breeze calmed her. Cabin windows were open, dust motes dancing in the light, but she didn’t mind. The dust came with waves of cooling air. The day’s work had been exhausting, but the thought of returning home for her mother’s special chocolate milk was enticing.
She was preparing to leave when her manager entered her cabin.
“Sam, a minute, please.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’ve been with the firm a long time as marketing executive officer. We need you to build a team and boost sales. Competition is rising.”
“I understand, sir. I’ll gather a team and develop some promotion ideas.”
“Good. You may leave now.”
Leaving the corporation, she hailed a cab. As she neared home, the aroma of her mother’s cooking filled the air – the best mood changer. She walked inside, her father still at work. She hugged her mother tightly, burying her face in her back. Her mother gasped, turning back towards her.
“Hey, Mom, what are you making?”
“Something special for your father.”
“Hmm, birthday special. Now I feel awful. I just bought him a tie, and he doesn’t even wear ties. I’ll ask him what he really wants. I’ll go freshen up—can you make me a chocolate milkshake?”
“Of course, dear.”
Her mother called her for dinner downstairs. She removed her glasses and went down. She was about to take her first bite when her father asked about her day.
“It was fine, Dad, but I feel bad about not getting you a proper gift. What do you want for your birthday?”
Her father and mother exchanged a look, and she felt a familiar confusion rising. Had she walked into a trap of her own making?
“Okay, I want something. You remember the wedding three days ago? There, my friend asked about you for his son.”
“To babysit?” she asked, amused.
“No, for marriage.”
“Dad….”
Her father knew her thoughts all too well.
“Sweetie, I’m not pressuring you. Just meet him, then tell me what you think.”
“Dad, I don’t want a man in my life. I’m independent and free. I love my freedom.”
“Not all men are the same.”
“Fine. You decide. If you like him, I’ll marry him, but remember—only for you. If possible, I want to remain single always.”
“Alright.”
Her father and mother always got whatever they wanted from her, and she willingly gave it because their happiness brought her joy. She went to her room, collapsing on her bed. “You have to marry him no matter what,” her parents’ words echoed in her mind. They wanted her to settle down, but why did she need a man to do it? She was happy as she was. “God, please let him say no. Let him say I’m ugly or something.” Even if she did marry, what was the chance he’d be kind, treat her like a queen? She’d always longed for a soulmate who accepted her for who she was, respected her thoughts, and loved her unconditionally. Was that even possible? Did such men exist on earth? She doubted it.
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He was running late, weaving through crowds, his car threatening to break down. “My luck,” he thought. He hurried to his cabin, which housed William Stone, CEO, proud and golden. He went inside. His manager entered with files.
“Sir, these are our stock files. The market is falling.”
“What’s the reason, Mr. Gale?”
“Sir, I think you should be more present.”
“Mr. Gale, I’m the CEO of this company. I can come and go as I please.”
“Yes, sir, but you took this company to where it is today through attentiveness and punctuality. Lately, you haven’t been as diligent, and employees are following suit. Everything is going downhill.”
“Let me take care of these pansies.”
“I’m trying to.”
Will knew he was addressing both his workers and himself. But he admired Mr. Gale. He was always there for him, standing by his side through good times and bad. He was like a friend, joining him for dinner and chats with his family. He respected him more than he let on, and he knew Mr. Gale cared for him too.
“Your father called twice. Said you left the house two hours ago.”
“Yeah, got caught up in something. I’ll call him.”
Everyone in the office knew what had caught him up and the reason for his tardiness. But he respected Will, even as company shares declined. They stuck with him because he’d built this company from a small venture into a money-making machine, working tirelessly to reach this position. He just wasn’t giving his full effort to the company these days. If he did, it would soar.
“Hey, Dad, you called.”
“Yes. We’re going to meet my friend and his family tonight at seven. Be ready.”
“May I ask why? Are you setting me up with someone? You know I…”
“Just meet them. Be sharp.”
“Yes, Dad.”
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Sam was addressing her team, outlining their duties for the new goal.
She rested in her cabin, looking out the window. Mornings were always refreshing, but evenings felt heavy, filled with thoughts about when she’d leave this building. She liked her job—liked it because it wasn’t her dream job, but the people and everything around her were pleasant enough to work here forever.
She didn’t realize she’d drifted off until a team member woke her, her cell phone buzzing incessantly. She sat up, adjusting to the light. She looked at her phone—her father’s number. Everything came rushing back—the meeting. She checked the time: 7:15. Her father was going to kill her. She splashed her face with water, applied lipgloss, and ran towards the restaurant.
Everyone was already seated. She dashed towards them, sitting next to her father, meeting eyes with everyone.
“I’m sorry. I was in a meeting that was important.”
Okay, she lied. It was better than getting scolded by her father. They smiled.
“It’s okay, dear. We just arrived. So how was your day?”
“Nice. We formed a team to raise our stock values.”
“Wow, you’re so energetic. I hope you can give Will some tips.”
It was his father, so the man’s name was Will.
“Sure, anytime.”
The man scoffed at her comment. Okay, not liking him. Men begged to go out with her, and he was showing her attitude. Just wait, mister—when I smile at you, you’ll faint.
Will was concentrating on his phone, well, trying to. The beauty in front of him was captivating—she could capture anyone with her beauty, but not him because he… well, she was energetic. He was energetic, too. She was polite, smiling, but she was so fake. Her expression didn’t seem genuine, or maybe she was a good actress, luring people with her attitude and beauty. She talked without saying anything.
“So, it’s final. You two can get married in a week,” Will’s father said.
It confused everyone, especially Sam’s father. Sam looked at Will—you’re not going to protest, are you? She thought. Her father asked,
“A week is too soon.”
“Well, I want him to be officially CEO of GCORP Industries.”
“Yes, but…”
“Come on, George, we’re friends. For our friendship.”
“Okay,” Sam’s father sighed.
Sam looked between her father and Will’s father. She looked at Will, but he wasn’t rejecting or saying anything, just staring at his phone. Was something so much more interesting than his marriage?
Her father whispered to her,
“You okay with it, sweetie?”
“Yes, Dad. If you think he’s right for me, I’m okay with it because I know you’ll always choose the right person for me.”
He just smiled at her goodness.
“Why don’t we give them some time alone to talk?” Will’s father said.
But Will’s father beat him to it.
“No… Will is shy.”
Will only scoffed at his comment.
They started discussing marriage and everything.
She thought: He’s going to be my husband. Oh, God, it even sounds ridiculous. I hope he’s a nice person with a good heart, and maybe someday they’ll fall in love, like those romance novels where they love each other no matter what, using cheesy, filmy lines. Wait—where did that come from? No, she’d never get those things. It was better not to expect them rather than getting hurt later. But was it wrong to wish for them, to ask for them from the person she’s going to spend her whole life with? No, but she didn’t wish for those things. If she didn’t get them, it would hurt less. She didn’t want a broken heart from someone who didn’t even care about it.
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Hey readers, don’t be silent—vote, comment, and share!
What kept William waiting?
Sam thinks a lot about relationships—do you know why?
Will there be lots of complications in their relationship before love arises?
Will love ever happen between them, like she wishes for?
Stay tuned for the next update. Until then, you can read my other stories.
Quick question: What is Sam’s father’s name, without scrolling?