Grey's mansion, 6:45 am
The night offered a tranquil respite, the first three months of stress finally receding. After his morning jog and shower, Grey returned to his normal routine and settled at the dining table for breakfast, having abandoned his excessive coffee consumption.
"Sir," his butler, Alfred, called from behind. "I believe you may have left something in the car last night." He handed Grey a golden medallion.
"Hmm, Alfred. I don't think this is mine, but it's fine. I'll keep it," Grey replied, examining the medallion closely.
He suspected Carmen might have left it behind the previous night. He opened the medallion to find a picture of a young boy beside Carmen's. Intrigued, he closed it and placed it in his pocket. Then, he turned his attention to his work.
Grey telecommunication inc. 7:15 am
The entire plaza was eerily quiet when Grey arrived. Not a single sound could be heard. Even Suzie, who was always eager to greet him, seemed too preoccupied to do so.
As he ascended to his office, even Jane failed to acknowledge his presence. This was unusual. The office was typically bustling with activity. Grey didn't mind the silence, however, and immediately began his work. But with little to do, he soon found himself feeling bored.
Rising from his seat, Grey went to his favorite spot in the office and began observing the city, a routine he often followed when feeling restless.
Morning, Mr. Grey," Carmen greeted, entering the office. Grey turned with a smile, recognizing her voice.
"Mr. Grey, I've been working on the launch of Grey Mobile in the western parts of the city, and everything is now ready," she said, placing the files on his desk.
Grey turned to face her, but she seemed unsmiling, as if nothing had happened the previous night. "Mr. Grey, your coffee is on its way. I'll also be taking care of the cleanup schedule at the lake," she said before leaving.
Grey felt as if he had just emerged from a deep sleep, bewildered by Carmen's unwavering concentration despite the late hour. As she was about to leave, he called out to her.
"Carmen!"
She turned slowly.
"Um, Carmen, I believe you may have left something in my car last night," he said, holding up the medallion.
"Yes, that's mine. It's my medallion," Carmen replied with a smile as Grey handed it to her. Grey felt as if that was the only thing he wanted to see all day: Carmen's smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Grey. I was in such a rush that I forgot my medallion. I guess I'll take it back," she said, reaching for it.
But Grey couldn't let go of the lace. He looked at Carmen intently.
"Is something wrong, Mr. Grey?" Carmen asked.
"Not at all. I was just curious about the young boy in the photo. I opened it this morning," Grey replied, releasing the lace.
Carmen opened the medallion and looked at the boy's picture. Her expression changed.
"His name is Derek. Derek Henderson," she said.
"Yes, Mr. Grey. He is my younger brother. I must be going now," she said, turning to leave.
"So, he's your brother. You share the same name."
Grey leaned back in his chair, his attention drawn to the documents before him. However, boredom quickly set in as he finished reviewing them. Grey couldn't shake the curiosity about Carmen's peculiar reaction when she saw her brother's image on the medallion. Despite his efforts, he couldn't find a plausible explanation.
Around 9:00, Grey bored in his office.
Someone knocked on the door again. "Come in," Grey said. The entire sales department filed into his office, forming a line from the door to his desk.
"What is this all about? Why are you in my office?" he asked, puzzled by their silence.
"Mr. Grey, would you please come outside? There's something important you need to see," Jane said. Grey looked at her suspiciously and stood up.
"Alright, I will. But it better be serious."
"Alright I will, but it better be something serious" he said to himself as he moved outside. Jane led the way to the elevator and accompanied Grey to the first floor, the other workers took the stair way, Jane kept on stopping at every floor and made Grey even more suspicious.
"Okay, will you tell me what this is all about?" Grey asked as Jane stopped on the first floor. He glanced at the elevator doors as they opened.
To his astonishment, all of the employees were standing there, waiting for him. "Okay, someone is going to tell me what this is all about," he said, growing impatient as they remained silent. "Am I not making myself clear?" he muttered to himself.
The pervasive silence made him realize that something serious must have happened. Their solemn expressions confirmed his suspicion.
A woman in a striking red dress, a luxurious tiger fur coat, and a stylish white hat entered the room. Grey immediately recognized her by her distinctive clothing. It was his mother.
"Alright, let's get this over with, Mom. I think you organized this," Grey said, walking towards her.
"Oh, isn't it obvious, darling? Today's your birthday," his mother replied, her voice filled with excitement.
Grey remained silent as his mother continued. "Come on, lazy kids, let's celebrate!" she exclaimed, and everyone began singing and clapping. Grey shook his head with a smile as they all joined in the celebration.
Mom, I can't believe I forgot my birthday again," he said, his mother approaching.
"Not me, Grey. I could never forget my big boy's birthday," she replied, embracing him.
"Okay, Mom, I'm a man now, not a boy," Grey said, pulling away awkwardly.
"Yes, but you'll always be my boy," she replied, kissing his cheek. Grey felt a surge of embarrassment as she kissed him in front of all the employees.
"Meet you upstairs sunny, I want to see if you've done some more decorations in your office" she said as she took the elevator, Grey stayed down watching his mom go and so did the other workers.
"Well, thanks for the surprise, guys. But it's time to get back to work," Grey said to his employees as they dispersed. He followed his mother to the elevator and returned to his office.
"So, how's everything been, Grey? Seems you have a new secretary," his mother commented, noticing Carmen from her chamber.
"Yeah, May just moved. But the new one is even better. She does everything well and on time," Grey replied with a smile.
"By the way, Grey, you made quite an impression on the news. I hope it changed everything and shut that annoying cop's mouth."
"Absolutely, Mom. Thank God he's off my back. Actually, Mom, I had a little help from my new secretary. She definitely took care of everything and inspired me to be very generous." Grey continued to speak about Carmen.
"Any ways May was annoying, good thing she departed", his mom said disgustedly,
"Come on, could you stop criticizing people for once," said Grey.
"By the way Grey we are going off the subject today's your birth day I should be talking about good things for your day, but don't worry you'll have the best birth day party ever",
"Alright you keep on saying that every year, but still not different", Grey said to his mom
"Believe me Grey this one's going to be a great one, actually it's at your house if you weren't aware I got all invitations delivered" she said.
Grey was shocked to hear that, "so you came to my house and got my phone book right",
"absolutely" his mom said with a smile.
"You never change mom, still want to sneak into my room, from childhood", they all laughed.
Carmen came inside with some tea, "Good morning Mr Grey's and Mam, here's the tea" she said politely as Grey's mom looked at her,
"Thank you, but can I get some sweetener, I don't take sugar",
"Right away madam", Carmen said as she went back.
"Wow she's pretty", Grey's mom said as carmen went back outside "mom!",
"Wow, she's pretty," Grey's mom said as Carmen left the room.
"Mom!" Grey exclaimed.
"Yeah, you're definitely going to start criticizing her. But I was only being honest," his mother replied. Carmen returned, adding sweetener to Grey's mother's cup before disappearing into her chamber again.
"Mom, I really thank you for the surprise," Grey said.
"My pleasure, son," his mother replied, taking a sip of her tea.
"No I loved it mom, what I meant is that, don't kiss me in public again" said grey. "Okay I won't but I thought you never take it serious, but I won't if you don't like it".
Their conversation continued, but Grey couldn't help but keep glancing at Carmen. He was drawn to her appearance but didn't want his mother to discover his feelings for his secretary.
Eventually, his mother had to leave to do some shopping for Grey's party that night. Grey accompanied her to her car.
So, Grey, I've agreed not to embarrass you in public, but I won't stop surprising you. You seem to get so caught up in work that you forget about the day you love most."
"Okay, I won't stop you from doing that, Mom," he replied as she entered her car.
"Grey, I know you're not a boy anymore, but I promise to do everything I can to keep you happy as long as I have the chance," she said.
"So, bye, sunny. See you after work," she said as the driver started the car and drove away.
Grey returned to his office and found himself bored for the rest of the day. After a while Carmen came out of her chamber and Grey couldn't resist talking to her, he came up with an idea. He watched as Carmen emerged from her chamber.
"Carmen," he called.
"Yes, Mr. Grey?" Grey realized he had called without a reason. He had nothing to say; he just wanted to hear Carmen's voice.
"So, I just wanted to invite you to my party this evening, if you don't mind," Grey said, finally finding something to say.
"Well, I don't have much to do this evening, so why not?" Carmen replied with a smile, accepting the invitation.
"I'll pick you up from the plaza again," Grey offered.
"Well, I think I know where you live, so don't bother today. It's your birthday. I'll come by myself," Carmen said, surprising Grey.
"You know where I live?" Grey asked.
"Of course, everyone in the city does. You're a celebrity, Grey," Carmen replied.
"Oh, I didn't know. That's even easier," Grey said, looking at her.
"Please don't give me that look" Carmen said with a smile,
"Oh sorry, I got carried away", Grey said in quite a shame.
"I guess I'll be going then, so meet you in the evening Grey" she said as she continued on her way outside. Her simple smile made Grey even more attracted.
The day felt interminable, as boredom consumed Grey. With no pressing commitments, he yearned for the evening to arrive, when he could see Carmen in her stunning dress, just as she had looked the previous night.
The afternoon,
The end of the workday finally arrived, and Grey returned home. He was astonished by the transformation of his residence. The space was immaculately clean and beautifully decorated. His mother had taken the initiative to refresh the entire house.
His mom came inside as grey closed the door to the living room, "ahh, so you came suddenly, lucky you the decoration is all set up" she said, "I hired some people to help me with the decoration",
"Yeah, I love it mom, so where's Santa Claus it looks like Christmas", he joked to his mom "Grey!", "sorry mom it was just a joke, actually they will all love it too", said grey.
He was excited about the party but even more excited of seeing carmen that night, he would get to see Carmen in a perfect dress and her hair wavy again not a bun as ordinary workers do, Grey couldn't wait for that moment, for carmen had already promised that she would be there.