Chapter 24 : Reflection in the mirror

"You don’t look like yourself these days, Sir," his assistant asked as he sat in his office chair, feeling a little dull.

He raised his head, shook it, and replied, "Everything is alright, Tina," before continuing with his work.

Tina persisted, "It doesn’t look like it."

He smiled and said, "I am."

"You haven’t been yourself since the Met Gala night. I have noticed the changes here and there."

Richard looked up at her, smiled again, and remained silent.

"You have a meeting with the board members in about an hour," she said and walked out.

Richard stopped whatever he was doing, leaned back in his chair, and said nothing, his hands on his forehead…………………….

He opened his drawer to retrieve something and came across a portrait of him and his ex-wife, Natalie. He took it out and smiled, gently touching Natalie's face in the image……..

Even as much as I miss you, I can't muster the courage to face your image because of the pain I've caused you, Nate. But can you blame me? An innocent