Derek Haven. The man, the legend. The youngest CEO of Haven Group. Born to a rich family and made himself even richer through various pursuits. Becoming a billionare in his own right way before the age of thirty. The list of his financial achievements went on and on, but people did not just stop at his economic standing. No, his good looks were also the hot topic on many lips. Voted in the top ten hottest people on earth for five years running. Stunning green eyes standing out from tanned skin. His sharp cheekbones and soft full lips, the slight curl in his brown hair, hints of gold in it when the sun hit it just right.
That was what you would get if you asked anyone about Derek Haven, CEO of Haven Group.
Of course those who did not like him begged to differ. Where others said he had grown Haven Group through hard work and determination. His enemies said it was through cunning. Him being so cold blooded he would be lucky if he had even ice in his veins.
Two different sets of views for the same person. But it all boiled down to a few very simple truths.
Derek Haven, like it or not, was hot, rich, and single. A powerful combination that had both men and women throwing themselves at him for a chance at glory. But he never paid them any mind, and as far as they were concerned, it was because the great Derek Haven was far beyond them. But the truth was very far from such an assumption.
For in truth, Derek Haven did not think he was better than them, no, Derek envied them. Not for their families, not for their simple lives. But because of one simple thing, that most people had but took for granted….
Sleep.
Yes, Derek Haven envied people's ability to just switch off and sleep. Having been battling with insomnia for many years, he had long forgotten what a good night's rest was like. But most people just took that ability for granted.
Precious sleep.
The one thing all of Derek's money could not buy. No matter the specialists, medicines or new therapies he tried. Nothing worked, so in the end he had given up.
He only ever slept in small durations, fifteen minutes here and twenty minutes there. His body grateful for the little rest even if it was not enough. But it was all he had to keep up the façade of perfection, so he clung to it. Not even his beloved mother knew of his struggles, a younger Derek having long since learned to lie to her about it. It was better to suffer in silence than to let her be destroyed by worry for him.
Even as the years had gone by, and Derek's insomnia had become more frequent, he had kept up the lie. But every night when he got into bed and faked sleep, he could not help but wonder what it would be like.
Just closing his eyes and dreaming. But such things were for regular people, not for Derek.
He was forever trapped in the waking world, the chains of insomnia keeping him awake. Little did he know that someone quite close was also suffering a similar fate.