I awoke the next morning because of the blazing lights that flashed over my face. As I gently opened my eyes, I noticed a familiar person. My vision improves as I sit up and realise it's only Miss Evelyn. She's my father's former secretary, the mistress of this home, who has complete power over what goes on inside and with the other individuals that work here on a regular basis. She's also the oldest person here, which qualifies her for the role. I may also call her my advisor.
"Good morning, if your morning is good," she said as she pulled open all the curtains. I'm not sure whether that's sarcasm, but it's an optional greeting whether I accept it or not.
"However, it should be a pleasant morning."
"Would you want to eat breakfast first?"
"In bed, please," I yawned as she went to bring my food. I don't want to go to work, but I also don't want to stay at home. I should keep myself occupied.
Miss Evelyn reappeared after a little aftermath. I have my breakfast as she walks to my closet to decide what to wear and prepares my bath. When I finished eating, I readied myself to seem respectable and powerful so that those who know what's going on don't look at me with pity in their eyes.
I don't want people to feel sorry for me. I was renowned for being tough and the greatest. It appears like I never have any problems since I always have a solution for each difficulty I have or may have. Nevertheless, not all issues have answers, and not all problems should be resolved. Not all difficulties should be considered problems.
My car slowed to a halt in front of the headquarters of my firm. I groaned and went out as my assistant, Athena, opened the door for me. On my way, the personnel greeted me. I returned their greeting as we entered the elevator, waiting for the elevator door to open once we were at our destination floor.
We both enter the building and enter the conference room, where only the presenter and her strategy team are present. They had previously presented and finalized their strategy to the other board members, so I was anticipating no additional issues with this presentation, and what they would offer is what we would do and implement.
After the briefing began, I asked several questions, which they boldly responded to. I was blown away. I knew I'd be blown away. I have the most talented people. They are all screened to know what they are working on and for whom they are working. I don't have to do difficult things since I'm the boss. On a regular basis, I study the reports, sign contracts, solve their problems if they arise, and go on a foreign business trip, which I don't do anymore due to my divorce.
Leaving Russia merely makes me feel and assume that Aleksei would do something to shorten the process. I'm not sure whether I returned and we had already divorced without my awareness.
I continued to listen to the speakers while congratulating and praising them for their excellent effort. It's fantastic and great. Athena and I then exited the conference room when I thought I was about to pass out, but she was there to help me regain my footing.
"Are you okay, boss?" She said, and I simply nodded while clutching my head. "Did you get enough rest?"
"No, I didn't..."
"Miss Evelyn notified me because she observed your dark circles and your eyes are still sore."
"Does my make-up conceal my dark circles?" I inquire. I don't want to appear unattractive. It's acceptable for me to be unhappy, but I never want to look horrible, and I'm wondering whether I should switch make-up brands right now.
"It does," she said, snapping her fingers. "Should you go to the spa today?" I argue, as if she's serious, because Athena is the sort of person who is really dedicated to her profession. "I'm not saying you're not fresh, but you could freshen up."
"I almost fired you, you know?" I said, laughing at her expression as she realised what she had said.
"You should look after yourself, boss."
"I'm taking care of myself... What's on my agenda today?"
"Nothing significant."
"Then let's go, and you'll accompany me."
I didn't allow Athena to complain since I knew what she was up to. She'll divert my attention away from what I should be doing today. She should take a self-care day if she wants me to have one. Furthermore, I don't want to be alone right now, and this lady over here is my mood stabilizer.
We enter the spa and begin with a manicure and pedicure. Athena was hesitant to have her nails done because of the cost of the salon and spa where we go, but because it was going to be paid for by me, she agreed. We at least received all of their options, including the hair spa, massage, and facial.
I was lying when the facial began, along with the nearly finished message; I closed my eyes and tried to rest, but it simply reminded me of Akelsei and I's happy moments.
I recalled doing my skincare one night when Aleksei went to the my walk-in closet after his night bath. He comes to me suited up and sits on the stool of my vanity for me to dry his hair. All I know is that he enjoys it when I dry his hair, or that he's too lazy to do it himself.
While quickly drying and combing his beautiful shoulder length hair, Aleksei remained seated and watched me place the skincare goods I would use on the tray to keep them organised. He would inspect each thing I placed in the tray and replace it until I placed the last product I would use.
"What are all of these products?" he inquired, intrigued. "I always see you doing this at night."
"It's for the skin, to make it more beautiful and healthy."
"What exactly is this?"
"A rose quartz roller, you use it like this," I said, although I didn't actually contact his skin with it because I'd be using it.
"I'd like to try them as well," he says, then puts on one of my bunny's ear turbans to keep his hair out of his face.
"You don't need anything; you already have beautiful skin." He does, and I know they're natural; he never uses any of this or visits a dermatologist. "I'm jealous..." I groaned, whispering. "Sit down."
He leaned back on my chaise lounge, waiting for me to retrieve the tray from the table beside him. I grab the stool as I begin scrubbing his face clean, and his skin is so tight and smooth.
As I begin the first step, he continues to question me about their usage and advantages, as well as the items I use, and I just described them all to him, and he's listening intently and seems impressed by them.
"That feels nice," he remarked as he examined himself in the mirror. I cleaned what I used. "Do this to me every night."
I just nodded because even if I said no, he'd go out of his way to make me do it and be stubborn. He's a baby on the inside at times. He interrupted my skincare routine and forced me to sit on my chaise longue.
"I'll do it for you!" He sat down on the stool and took the first item. "Isn't this the first?"
"Yes."
Aleksei began my skincare. I know he's doing it correctly, but he's not doing it well, but he's doing it the best he can and he appears to love it.
"What's the next step?"
"It's the serum."
"Don't try to teach me."
"What the fuck?" I want to say, but I simply cuss inside.
He just asked me, and when I replied, he told me not to educate him. I let Aleksei do his job, and whenever he asks, I don't respond word for word, but simply indicate which one.
"Lip balm is the last one, right?" I said, nodding, and he applied some more to his lips. He didn't need to do that because it wasn't at all dry.
"Tiny amount-"
"Would that be enough?" Aleksei inquired, smacking my lips. I laughed as I felt my blood pressure surge in my face. "How about it, honey?"
"No, it was a very brief application," I said, which irritated him, but he still bent down to kiss me.
Applying lip balm should be done with a finger, applicator, or directly from the package if it's a tube type, but according to Aleksei, regardless of the packaging, his lips were used to apply lip balm on my lips. Every time we do each other's skincare, it is the part he enjoys the most and looks forward to the most.
My lips curved as a result, but I also felt tears well up in my eyes and realised that we were still inside the spa. I opened my eyes to see the person staring down on me. I was taken aback when she appeared sorrowful before wiping away my tears. We didn't say anything, and she just kept working.
"I hope you'll be better soon," she said in hushed tones that only she and I could hear.
I hope so as well...
I merely smiled at her and turned to face Athena, who was already sleeping. Her lips were slightly open, which I thought amusing but kept to myself rather than waking her up. I'm sure she's exhausted as well. I just know she puts in twice as much effort as I do.
I close my eyes once again and wait for us to finish. I take a long, deep breath. I'm cleaning my mind and hoping to be fine shortly. I'm hoping so. I hope I can recover soon, regardless of how severe my wound is today.
Is there a process to forgetting?
What is the initial step?
But how am I supposed to ignore them when everything reminds me of him?