Chapter 10 :
Curiosity filled Marlos as he heard the president finished his statement. Ethan was a very jovial and outgoing guy, and Marlos rarely saw Ethan angry or serious.
So when he saw Ethan wearing a very serious look that practically screamed, 'No Bullshit, he knew something was up and Ethan confirmed Marlos's theory when he said what he said.
Clearing his throat, Marlos moved his hand toward the chairs, showing that the president had permission to be seated. Marlos waited until the president was seated he sat down and crossed placed his left ankle across his right thigh.
Marlos finally asked both he and his assistant wanted the answer to, "What made you fly all the way from your country to mines, and also what are you referring to with that statement you said earlier?"
Ethan released a chuckle when Marlos started his sentence, 'This boy always knows how to brighten up a serious situation, another bonus for the girl who wins over his heart' he thought; but stop suddenly when Marlos asked he did not want to answer.
Ethan went back into his 'serious mode'. He sat up straight, aligning his spine against the chair, and replied.
"Someone is threatening my family Marlos, and I need your help."
Shock and concern both ran throughout Marlos's body. He was shocked at the guts that person had to threaten the president and his family, and he was concerned because they probably had sleepless nights wondering who was the person who was threatening them.
Deciding that he was going to lend as much helping hand as possible, he was just about to offer to the president and his family protection but remembered that all his agents were currently unavailable and will continue to be for the next five years.
Marlos looked at the president apologetically and sadly smiled while shaking his head.
The President's bubble of hope busted suddenly when he saw Marlos's expression, that expression screamed 'Sorry I can't help, but I'll try'.
"I'm sorry Ethan, but all of our agents are currently booked and will be for the next five years" Marlos stated apologetically.
" Five years!" exclaimed Ethan," But I'm sure you could... I don't know order one back or something" stated Ethan.
Marlos was in shock. He had always thought that Ethan was the person who'd think about what others were going through before asking for favors.
Yes, he understood that he was concerned about his family, but that did not give him the right president or not to tell him to change his strategy; just because someone was threatening his family.
Someone in his family must have done something to the person threatening them; maybe it was that stupid ass son of theirs. He was everywhere in the tabloids receiving publicity. And it was not the good one; he had been in one recently for cheating on his wife.
Marlos coldly looked Ethan in his eyes and sneered, "Mr. President what do you want, If I tell you that they aren't available then they aren't available."
"You think that I would call them off what they're doing just to give you and your family 'protection,' then you're wrong," continued Marlos.
The look on Ethan's face was one of full disbelief.
He was sure of that; he did not know what he did or said that caused Marlos to look at him with such a disgusted and disappointed expression. Ethan did not know what to or say to Marlos, so he just asked what was on his mind.
"So I'm still going to get the protection right?."
Marlos was getting frustrated. He asked himself why was he associated with this air-headed guy, right because this guy was like his second father.
Carelessly waving his hands, Marlos answered Ethan's question in a bored and exasperated tone," Yeah."
As he said this, Ethan's face brightened significantly, "Really? so when are you going to select them, I wan-".
Before Ethan could finish his demand, Marlos silenced him with a single raise of his palms.
"Five years time, I'm going to select them in five years time" Ethan opened his mouth to speak again but quickly stopped when Marlos gave him a hard stare.
Marlos then continued to speak," But for the time being I'll make some arrangements, with a good friend of min-", before Marlos could finish his sentence, Ethan had already thrown himself onto Marlos engulfing him in a tight father-son hug.
Lynn stood there behind Marlos, watching the scene before her in disbelief. Her boss was actually hugging someone.
She felt happy for some unknown reason to witness her boss laughing with and hugging someone, although she was a bit disappointed she was not the one receiving the end of his hug.
Lynn was so into the scene before her she did not notice that she had taken her hand off the trolley that was behind her, that she did not realize that the trolley had rolled down the hall until she heard a crashing sound.
The sound not had alerted Lynn, but also the two that were hugging; she quickly lowered her head towards the ground, looking at it as if it was the most interesting thing in the entire office; when she saw her boss casting her a death glare.
Marlos watched as Lynn stared at the floor while muttering an apology, he was frustrated with everything.
Lynn knew that those files in the trolley were very important, and she knew and that all-important files were supposed to be kept safe: for god's sake even a three-year-old could have figured that out, it was called common sense clearly something was lacking.
Running his hands through his hair, he silently asked,
"Lynn tell me is apologizing going to get the trolley and those files from down the hall?" looking at his confusingly, Lynn answered with a silent "No".
"No ok, so why are you still standing here go!" he shouted and Lynn quickly ran down the hall. Ethan shook his head while chuckling before saying, "You were too harsh with her."