The sun was up completely engulfing each and every corner of the lavishly decorated and sophisticating looking office. Though the man dressed in a navy blue custom made business suit, paired with pastel green shirt, green dotted tie and light blue diamond cufflinks, looked calm but his inner thoughts were in turmoil, as he takes a sip from his coffee.
His full focus was on his cellphone, he was checking it from time to time to see if there's any message or miscalls. He had already asked his secretary five times if there was a call for him, from a particular person, when he was in meetings or when he was doing business calls. But to dismay everytime his secretary will give all the names but not the name of the person whom he was waiting for.
Stan was super worried with the attitude of Andrew, after how he behaved early in the morning on the phone. He had waited long enough for him to give him a call but it seems like his wait will have no end. Frustrated from Andrew's irresponsible behavior, he decided to meet him in Johnston's building itself.
"Amie, clear my schedule for the afternoon, if there's nothing important pending..." asked Stan on the intercom.
"Yes Sir, I'll do as you say, everything is good on our side...." Amie replied in her sweet voice.
After confirming from his secretary that there was no important meeting or discussion that he had to attain, he left his office in a strained mood.
... ... .... .... .... ...
In Johnston & Co....
Stan exit the personal elevator that was meant for the president and some especial guest, with a serious look on his face. Nancy was quick to spot him. She hurriedly made her way to him and greet him politely.
"Good afternoon Mr Stadel, how can I assist you,.."
"Hello Nancy, Is Andrew inside his office.."
"Yes Sir, let me inform him about your visit first, till the time you can wait for him here.." She said with utmost respect and tried to show to him the way to the luxurious design waiting area in Johnston & Co.
Stan was not in a mood to wait for any formalities at that time. He asked in a very stern tone, "That won't be needed, Nancy... just tell me.. Is he's busy with some call or meeting right now or not I can't wait any longer..."
Nancy was placed in a plight situation. She knew that Stan was someone who can go in and out of Andrew's office at anytime, but that doesn't mean she can allow him without asking her boss so. She also noticed that Stan mood was some kind of off today, so she also didn't want to irritate him even more with her lame excuses.
Being secretary for so long, really benefited her to solve this kind situation. She bowed her head down a little bit and said in a very humble tone, "Just give me a second Mr Stadel, I'll check with assistant Ron, as you see Mr Johnston has arrived to the office just a few minutes ago, so earlier we have cancel his all appointments, as assistant Ron said he might take a break for today but now as he had come I'm not sure what his schedule is now... please ignore my incompetency regarding this matter...."
"Just go and make the call Nancy, you don't have to be so humble... I'll wait here only..."
After getting his consent Nancy immediately call Ron to check with him whether Andrew was free. When Ron heard Stan was there he himself came out of his office to attain the prestigious guest personally.
"Mr Stadel, how are you.... I'm sorry for all the inconvenience, you don't have to wait for the boss..... please this way Sir" said Ron is a gentle tone and guide him to Andrew office.
He knocked thrice before opening the door and informed Andrew about Stan surprised visit, "Sir, Mr Stadel is here for you..."
Stan barge in the office with a long strides as he shouted at his friend with an arched brows. He could not control his boiling anger and it erupted at the first sight of his dear friend.
"Andrew, Is it some kind of fun to you to make me so anxious early in the morning and then get away without explaining anything about your unexpected behavior... Where the hell you were busy that you didn't get a minute to reply to the message I have left for you .... you scumbag EXPLAIN me what was all that... and do it RIGHT NOW..."
He walked to Andrew table and bang it hard and said in a menacing voice as he gave Andrew a baleful glance, "SPEAK UP..."
Ron was surprised to see such an outbreak, he turned to his boss to see if he wants him to get into this mess or not. Andrew assured Ron with the gestures of his eyes to let them be and go out for now. Ron was quick to understand the meaning of his eyes and left the two alone as he close the door behind him.
Stan was glaring at Andrew in anger but it seems more like he was worried and concerned about the latter, as he watch Andrew walking to the couch in a relaxing mood.
"Why are you so worked up this early... come sit and let's have a chat here as it's not convenient for you to stand there with flaring nostrils in order to seek my attention..." Andrew tried to lighten up the tense mood by joking around, but Stan was dead serious.
"Andrew.. I'm really serious what was all that... why did you acted so out of space.... and most importantly why are you here right now? Why not with Leora, you have planned for this trip for long time and yet you gave up on it and came back so early.... please tell me what happened Andrew...." Stan asked in a concerned tone as he moved to take a seat opposite to Andrew, still with questions in his eyes and mind.
"I don't know Stan.... " Andrew answered him straight with a blank but dark expressions, looking straight in Stan eyes.
"What.... what you don't know Andrew" Stan was perplexed to hear his friend so lifeless, his heart started pouncing hard as he continued to ask, "Andrew don't be like this you know you can tell us anything.... just stop hitting around the bush and straight way come to the point... WHAT HAPPENED.."
"Stan I don't know what's all this is and why I'm doing all this, but one thing is damn certain I have ruined what I cherish the most in my life now.... " Andrew hung his head low as he tightly grip both of his hands in each other, while fighting the unbearable pain in his heart, leaving Stan dumbstruck from his reply.
After a few moments of silence, Andrew again started of, cursing his own chain of actions with a low tone, "Stan I don't know why I left Leora there even when I knew I should have treasured those moments... WHY...?"
"Stan you don't have any idea since yesterday night till to this hour how many times I have cursed myself for returning back so urgently... WHY I behaved so recklessly....?"
"I myself is asking these questions to my conscience WHY I have to return so early? WHY I didn't spend more time with Leora in country A, when I have made so much efforts to be there with her from a long time ago? WHY I was so distracted and not myself even when I was with her"
"Stan..." Andrew lifted his head and looked straight into Stan eyes with his own eyes filled with pain and turmoil. He asked in a heartbreaking voice, " Why I have to do all this? Why I have to hurt her in such a cruel manner? Why it became so chaotic and tumult?....WHY , Why Stan..."
Stan became flummoxed and speechless from seeing his friend behave like this. He thought to himself, ' What in the world had happened that had made Andrew so weak and agile, that he can't even get a hold of his by emotions....?'
He looked at Andrew with his keen eyes searching the answer for his sudden outburst he witnessed a moment ago. When suddenly his eyes widened with a bewildered hint in them, as he repeat one of the Andrew question to him again in a deep calm tone.
"Andrew ... Whom did you hurt..?"