"From the top again, Jerry. Tell me the issue." Theodore pinched the bridge of his nose as he felt the hint of a familiar friend coming to visit. His headache.
Jerry, Theodore's COO and oldest friend, held the document firmly in his hand that Theodore refused to take. "I just finished processing the reports from the Italian winery. Apparently, the reason why the production has been so slow, is because 2000 acres of the vineyard is infected with Grapevine Trunk Disease," Jerry explained as he glanced over the report. It had been appalling news to him too when he first read over the file only an hour ago. But it surely explained the production, or lack of, rather, with the Italian vineyard.This upset Theodore even more. In the wine business, that was probably one of the worst things that could've happened. "For how long?" Jerry gulped as he eyed the file again, even though he knew. "Uh-six months, sir." The only time Jerry addressed him this formally, was when he knew Theodore was upset. Indeed, Theodore threw his hands down on the desk, causing Jerry to flinch. "Six f**king months? And I wasn't informed?"Surely, the manager for the branch in Italy was in for an earful from Theodore. One of the biggest rules that Theodore set in place, was to report anything that may threaten his business, immediately when it occurred. Living in a day and age with cell phones, they had no reason to wait until their reports were due to send this type of information across. The success of Vintage Wines thus far was the reliance on incredible skills of communication. With vineyards and wineries all over the world, with a single CEO monitoring it all, Theodore trusted his managers of each branch with this very success of his business. They had grown a lot over the 8 years since he took over the family business. Even at a young age, Theodore knew that once it was his time to take over his father's business, he wouldn't limit it to one single location in California any longer. He had grand plans of expanding, making Vintage Wines a worldwide operation. Not to be mistaken, the Californian vineyard and winery was the largest and most successful, as that was where the business was born.He would always appreciate and cherish it. However, his investment in the expansion wasn't in vain. He worked endlessly to get them where they are now, purchasing and expanding vineyards and wineries in Italy, Spain, Australia and Brazil too. He had flung his entire trust fund into it, with no one but his father's momentarily pat on the back, and existing employees who thought he was too young at twenty-two to take over a successful business like this. But he didn't mind the criticism. Since a child, Theodore had always been a successful man at heart. He was always looking to do better, and when he reached each goal, he made a new one. That was the key to his success. Slowly, he either re-staffed or kept the ones who started to appreciate his leadership, and he took his business to high places. After the third vineyard was finalized in Spain, he moved to New York, bought his head office and worked from there ever since. When his final location was finalized in Brazil, his enterprise was already the most known in the city. Theodore had gotten nominated as the youngest successful man three years in a row, which he always won. Still, he wasn't the one to boast and get comfortable in his wealth. Instead, he was always looking to expand and improve. So, such a report was troubling to him. The Italian vineyard was only 4000 acres. If 2000 was infected, that was far too much. He knew that if they had done their job and reported it immediately, he would've gotten it under control.But Sam, his general manager of the Italian branch, had always been an egoistic bastard. He would've wanted to fix it on his own, Theodore knew for sure. Those Italians and their pride. Now, that very pride and ego were threatening his work. The only reason why Theodore kept Sam, was because he knew how to do his job. However, he was having second thoughts about that assumption. With a deep sigh and a hell of a long day on his shoulders, Theodore closed his laptop and rose from his chair. It was far too late for this. "Tell you what, tomorrow I'll have my assistant arrange a flight to Italy. But now, I think it's time to go home, Jerry." Jerry agreed. The usually busy streets of New York were almost empty, and the clock that filled the silence of Theodore's office whenever he was alone ticked towards midnight. Late nights like these were rare, but they weren't strange to Theodore nor Jerry. It was nights like these where Theodore had signed his final contract for a new vineyard. He didn't mind them at all. "I'll see you in the morning then." Jerry bid him farewell, as Theodore gathered his belongings. With a simple nod, he ensured everything was where they were meant to be before he headed down the empty and dimly lit hallway. He checked his phone for messages from the day as he stood in the elevator, waiting to move from the fifteenth to the final floor. He saw a text from his sister, Jessica, telling him that her wedding date was set. Theodore couldn't help but smile at the thought. He loved his baby sister dearly, and he was happy she finally found love. Theodore grew up in witness of love between his parents dearly, so he knew it was real. He, however, has never found it. He thought he had five years ago with his secretary. However, it turned out that she was actually in it for a raise, and she had been secretly dating his computer engineer all along. Theodore swore to himself that he wasn't hurt, just foolish. With successful men like himself, true love would've had to be in his life before he became the man he was today. But now, all women saw him as a money bag. Of course, he dated from time to time, and he recently 'settled down' with someone he could marry one day when he should need a child, but it was more of a mutual agreement than love. Still, Theodore never envied his sister. She deserved happiness, especially after growing up in his shadow. He also approved of this lover for his sister, compared to the multiple she'd bring home in the past.It was a tough thing for Jessica to do because she knew that the very gaze of her elder brother and father was enough to tell her if they approved or not. And most of the time, when they didn't approve, she later found that the man she thought she 'loved' was really out for her money, or simply a player. In her 27 years, she had endured a lot of heartbreak. So Theodore adored the experience for his dear sister Jessica.He quickly sent her a text as the elevator doors beeped opened. Just like the rest of the building, only the dim lights for overnight illuminated the lobby as he made for the exit. He didn't feel like driving, so he had phoned his driver twenty minutes ago to take him home. Just like expected, he found the car already waiting out front. "Good night, Chris. Sorry to have you out so late," Theodore greeted as Chris held the door open for him. "No problem, sir. Straight home I presume?" Theodore suddenly felt the fatigue gnawing away at him. "Indeed." Chris chuckled lightly as he made for the twenty-minute drive to his boss' penthouse. Theodore couldn't wait to get home, take a hot shower, fall in bed and get whatever five or so hours of sleep he could until another day tomorrow. He rested his head against the headrest and closed his eyes, trying to soothe the throb in it. But he soon learnt that nothing could've been done to help the wretched thing. Still, he found himself drifting off as Chris drove him home. "What the hell..." The sound of Chris' confused voice snapped Theodore from his touch of slumber, as he also felt that the car was slowing down. The streets of the city were practically bare of human life and form, but as he gazed out the window he couldn't comprehend what he saw. A man, about forty years or so, was running at full speed, with nothing with venom in his eyes. But that hadn't been what was confusing. It was the small form of a female body a couple of feet ahead, with the highest heels gripped between her fingers as she sped down the sidewalk away from the man.The way she momentarily looked over her shoulders with fear in her eyes told Theodore that the man had been chasing her. "Help!" she cried, and something in Theodore's chest tugged as he gripped the edge of Chris' chair. "Chris, stop!" But he didn't have to tell Chris, because he was already pulling over at the woman's side before Theodore gave the order. "Get in!" Theodore shouted swiftly, and the woman made no hesitation in getting in the stranger's car. She was just certain that it had to be safer than the man she'd angered. "I'll get you bitch!" The obviously drunken man screeched as Chris sped off. Theodore watched in confusion as the woman gazed through the back windshield at the man who got tinier the farther Chris drove.He couldn't help but notice how much she was trembling. She could've been cold, he thought. Her minimum clothing and the cool November night was enough to make her cold indeed. But he could tell that that wasn't the cause of her trembling. He knew a scared woman when he saw one, and she definitely was. She slouched against the leather seats when she was certain that the man was gone. She still looked tense, but much more relaxed. "Are you okay?" Theodore managed to ask, but he then noticed that her eyes had been drooping. Was she that tired? Or was she drugged? He wanted to know. Because the last thing she did was mumbled 'hhmm' before deep slumber took her whole.Theodore couldn't sleep all night. Every time he closed his eyes, all he saw was a tiny woman running own the bare streets of Queens, with fear filled eyes and the tiniest piece of clothing a woman could ever wear.The sun had barely risen, and he was already in his kitchen, sipping coffee and skipping through yesterday's paper, even though his mind couldn't focus on what he had been reading.Theodore positioned himself directly where he knew he would see when she should appear from the stairs, but he had no clue what he'd say or do.How would she even react? Will she think he took advantage of her? Maybe.
"You're late, Abigail." She stopped dead in her tracks as she held in a wince. Abigail had hoped that she could've gotten past her boss' office without him taking notice of her tardiness, but it's like he'd been waiting for her to just pop up out of the blue. Abigail spun on her heels with worry etched on her face as she came eye to eye with the man. The manager of SHI Enterprises, who she answered to directly, gazed at her with an arched eyebrow. Since her office was down the corridor from his, she knew it was a long shot trying to sneak past without him realizing. "I apologize, Mr. Hasnic. I-" He held up a silencing hand at her, and her heart plummeting in relief when his familiar smile lit his features.
Saturday couldn’t have taken any longer to arrive.It had been a tortuous twelve hours for Theodore, as he couldn’t find himself having peace with the thought of meeting Abigail again.He still didn’t know what he'd 'talk' to her about, and he acknowledged that the only reason why she agreed was because she was curious about what he needed to say to her. They didn’t necessarily agree to have coffee like normal people. Abigail asked why he'd sought her out and he told her that he needed to talk to her about something.Why didn’t he just be normal and simply ask her to catch up or something?Nonetheless, seeing her under these terms was better than not seeing
Abigail's Wednesday was just as any day of the week. It was hectic, tiring and long. Still, it wasn’t over yet.She had just gotten home from her evening classes, feeling exhausted but still willing to do what she has to do to get by.Grabbing a cup of coffee from the kitchen island, Abigail shrugged on a trench coat, fished for her keys from her purse and rushed for the door. It was almost 9 p.m., and she had to be in her dressing room to get ready for the 10 o'clock opening of the night club.She had barely caught a breath after being in New York's terrible traffic on her way home from her classes, but she had to do what she simply had to do."Stay home and watch 'Home Alone' with me,
The coffee tasted quite bland today despite the fact that it was made the same way every morning.Theodore’s mood resembled the weather outside—dark and cold as rain filled the day with its gloom. Theodore wasn’t sure why he was feeling so dull. Maybe it was because there had been no improvements in his Italian vineyard, or maybe it was because he hadn’t had a minute to just relax.He no longer knew what it felt like to have a normal or fun life, and on some days--days like this--he was reminded even more.He skipped through the morning paper as he continued to energize himself with the black liquid. Even the papers were boring.He skipped to the sports section, where a woman was highlighted for winning a gymnastics championship. His lips twitched at the sight. She looked so happy with the trophy perched on her hip, as she posed for the camera with an o
Theodore didn’t know what to say. He didn’t expect her to agree so quickly, but he was glad that she did.“I am happy to hear that,” he said with a small smile. “I hope we can get along well.”Abigail nodded with a nervous gulp. “Of course. But as I said, I have terms.”“Name them.”This seemed fair enough in his mind. He knew this was a hard decision for her to make, and he still wanted to do it for her own protection and benefit. So, a few terms on her side wouldn’t be too bad. It is, after all, her body.“First of all, you cannot touch me. That still sta
“Abigail, put on the damn shoes and leave this damn house.” This had been the third time that Najay had to speak to her friend and roommate, but Abigail wouldn’t budge. She sat on the couch, shaking like a leaf for the past thirty minutes. “No.” Abigail couldn’t bring herself to move. Even with pep talk after pep talk which led to scolding, she found it impossible to get up. Why? She had no clue. “Just so you know, you signed a contract, remember?” Najay pointed out with a raised eyebrow. ”I know that,” Abigail hissed before squeezing her eyes shut.&n
Theodore circled Abigail as a lion ready to pounce on his prey. He enjoyed the shock and slight excitement on her face after seeing the room. It had been prepared the day after he sent her the contract. He figured if this was supposed to be her ’job’, a proper work area for her would be appropriate. He was pleased with the glint in her eyes as she examined the shiny silver pole under the red and pink lights. Across from it was a black, leather armchair for him. Her heels clicked against the black tiles as she crossed the room, and Theodore followed slowly behind her, appreciating the distinct swing of her hips under her large coat. He brought the glass to his lips, taking a sip of his wine as he took his seat. He watched carefully as Abigail easily found the music box, where she took a disk from her bag and slipped it inside its respective area. She was a natural, and the way she seemed so confident while doing something as simple as g