Xavier and Steven has been out meeting a potential business affiliate for lunch. Xavier appreciate a second opinion before any business engagement take place and Steven has the people touch. He always know what's in on the mind of other people and read them like an opened book. This is especially valuable when it comes to more jaded business partners. He managed all the operation heads in the company with ease. Too easy according to Chris and Uncle Tan hence he is always monkeying around.
"Sorry Sir, there is something wrong with the car," the driver reported from the front seat broke my line of thoughts. I glanced at Steven and he nod. "Ask the workshop to get it and take the other Benz before dinner tonight Daniel. It's only 2 blocks to the office, we will walk," I replied.
Steven and I got off the car and headed off to Lee Group office building. Every time a car breakdown, it gives me headache. Daniel has been working as my driver for 5 years and counting. He seriously treated all my cars like his wife. It will take forever for him to check what went wrong and in the end I decided to sign an exclusive contract with a highly recommended workshop to avoid him fretting over each breakdown. The workshop will also run a security check to see if the car has been tampered with plus I wouldn't get that accusing look when I accidentally or not, scratch one of my car when I am driving myself. Even though they are mine, I still feel guilty with his accusing look.
The Lee Group building was in a strategic are of the financial district. The bus stop directly in front of the company along the main road and the train station was just around the corner. This enable our employees to come to work easily and reduce the stress to catch public transportation home during peak hours.
We are passing by the train station around the corner when suddenly a person bumped into me. It was after lunch hour crowd so occasionally we will have people graze by our arms as we pass by. A direct hit in the chest was something I least expected. Not to mentioned the bag sling at the front of the person was low enough to hit your groin. I look at the head with a mulberry colour beret hat bowed and heard a 'Sorry' and then it was gone. Shocked and in pain while trying to maintain my dignity in front of a crowd was harder than you think. Above that, that hat looks awfully familiar. It irritate me when I turn to ask Steven and all I heard was another laugh.....Pftt... from the man.
"Is that the same imp that splashed coffee on me last week?" I asked as realisation dawned upon me. Steven can't stand it anymore and start laughing out loud in front of the train station exit. I am flabbergasted at this weird feeling I am having when I understood it's the same person that bumped and splashed coffee all over me last week. This time I didn't see her face too. All I could see is that mulberry beret hat. That person is registered as 'mulberry hat' is my mind now.
Recovering from my stupor, I throw a deadly glare at Steven and shake my mobile phone in front of his face. He stop immediately. If only I can grab hold of that mulberry hat maybe I will be able to think of something to overthrow the hottest gossip trending in the company now. Yes, since last week, it has been rumoured that I like men. Normally I couldn't care less but this round, I started to have male employees in the company behaving weirdly around me. I don't scrutinised my employees sexual preference but it is a nuisance to feel they are going to jump you or they are scared that I am going to jump them.
Worst of it all, Mum called. It took me 20 mins to get her to calm down and another 30 mins to explained that I really don't swing that way. She has to remind me that I am the only Heir in my generation and Dad doesn't have any by blow outside the family and my responsibility to keep the family line so the list goes on and on and on for a good 2 hours. I have never been reprimanded for 2 hours in my entire life! I can imagine Dad laughing next to her hiding behind a business magazine for crying out loud.
More often than not he is my partner in crime and we got punish together back when I was in my 20s. When I turn 30, he said I am officially an adult to frolic on my own under the conditions of no drugs, no child out of wedlock and always prioritised the company. There are thousand of people depending on me to ensure survival.
It is only fair that he spend the remaining time loving my mother he said. From time to time they will disappear for a week or two because my mum would like to see sunset over the pyramid or eating ice-cream in Paris since then. I have not seen this side of my parents till recent years and I wish them to continue to be happy.