"Mr Garnett," that was Stuart's secretary who just walked in after a hum of approval from her boss. As usual, she was here to read out his schedule which was packed by the way because Stuart has been off work for two whole months!
When she finished speaking, she got another hum from him and with a wave of his hand, he dismissed her. She bowed slightly before turning around to leave with the sound of her heels clicking on the marble tiles.
Stuart immediately set to work. Being away from work had its consequences and Stuart was facing them right now. He only returned to work two weeks back and he could still recall how shocked the employees were when they saw him, especially his secretary. She rubbed her eyes many times just to be sure that she wasn't seeing things.
Stuart was not surprised and he could not blame her. The sudden disappearance of a workaholic like him would leave anyone shocked and confused especially because he is the CEO
He ran the company with his twin sister, Marie, but most times, he felt like he was the only one here because unlike him, his sister was as lazy as a newborn cat. She wasn't exactly lazy, she just did not like working in the company because according to her, it was the work of a boring man like Stuart. She would always be out with her friends, attending parties and chilling without care which is the reason he had so much work piled up for him.
As if on cue, his secretary knocked on the door and announced Marie's secretary. Stuart gave his usual hum before the door was opened and the man walked in.
Marie's secretary is a man in his early thirties. He was a tall man with sharp features which meant that he gathered attention wherever he went. Stuart had specifically chosen him because he seemed and acted serious enough to handle his sister and would not allow her to slack off without reason.
He intentionally chose a male secretary for his sister because the last one, a female secretary, somehow became close friends with Marie and the next thing he knew, they were skipping work together, shopping, going to the spa, and even getting their nails done together.
Stuart was rather frustrated so he chose Lucas and he has not regretted it even once. Ever since Lucas, Marie never misses a day of work except if she was sick or has worked long and hard enough to earn a break.
But these past months, Marie had not shown up at work because Stuart was absent and she basically spent her days knocking at his door or dialling his number continuously because she was worried.
"What is it, Lucas?" Stuart asked and propped his elbows on the desk such that his fingers were intertwined and he had his chin resting on them. He somehow had a feeling that whatever news Lucas had brought would require him to be calm and clear-headed because he never heard from Lucas except Marie was in trouble or had caused trouble for him.
Today just seems like one of those times.
"Miss Garnett is organizing a gathering to take place in a few weeks and the chef she hired has an appointment with her today," Lucas paused and cleared his throat, "the problem is, Miss Garnett is unavailable today and had requested you to help he receive him," he concluded in is formal work voice.
Stuart was going to refuse like he always does but before he could mention it, Lucas spoke again, "Miss Garnett also said that she has taken ill because she spent her nights out in the cold in front of your house since you refused to come out."
Stuart was speechless. He knew that Marie would spend an entire day knocking at his door and pleading for him to come out but he never let her stay the night. He ordered his bodyguards to send her home and if she was unwilling, he told them to carry or drag her back to the safety and comfort of her own home. Even though he was (is) heartbroken, he still cared about his twin and would not let her spend the night in the cold. Plus, her endless cries were irritating to his ears and they only made him worse. He almost went deaf.
But because she indeed drained herself while worrying for him, Stuart relented and reluctantly said "fine" before dismissing Lucas who left only after passing the files to Stuart.
Once again, Marie had managed to push her work unto him. Stuart did not bother going through the file. He pushed it aside and continued with his own work. Marie's could wait.
"""
After three long hours of sitting in the conference room and discussing with the other board members, Stuart proceeded to his office filled with relief. He was used to meetings like this but he felt so tired right now and he planned to rest in his break room for a while before continuing his work.
But his plans were thwarted when his secretary reminded him of the appointment he had with the chef Marie hired. With a frustrated sigh, he vowed to get her back for making him work like this.
He entered his office and took off his suit jacket before hanging it on the stand. He fell tiredly into his swivel chair and closed his eyes while massaging his temple.
It didn't take long for him to hear a knock before his secretary announced his visitor. He did not reply but he heard the door open as heard the steady and firm footsteps.
"take a seat. I will be with you in a moment". He was too tired to open his eyes so he stayed like that for a while and before he could successfully fall asleep, he opened his eyes.
What he saw in front of him almost made him fall off his chair. The face he had not seen for two weeks and had almost forgotten was right in front of him, grinning at him like a Cheshire cat.
"Fruit guy!?!"