Carlen Adams was the CEO of Adols Company. His great grandfather was the founder of the Company who then passed it down to his grandfather and then to him.
His father was not interested in company matters ,so he assisted his father until Carlen came of age and then both grand father and father retired.
Carlen's Father couldn't handle the company so grandfather made Carlen inherit the company at 27. He had been the CEO for 5 years now and had brought the Company to great heights making the company the No.1 in the Country.
Carlen was a ruthless businessman who got what he wanted by hook or crook.
He has so many Competitors. One of them who would always compete with him for everything was Vince Shaw. The newly elected CEO of SHAW GROUPS
Knock knock, Come in Carlen answered.
Good morning Boss, his assistant Dan greeted. There's a call from home sir.
From home Carlen muttered, why couldn't they call him he thought. He checked his phone and found several missed calls from his mom . He had unknowingly placed his phone on silent.
Okay hand it over he said to the assistant.
Hello, You have been ignoring my calls, his mother shouted on the call. Immediately he felt his head ache , he had not slept the night before and had a migraine, his mom was worsening the situation by shouting.
He wondered how his father has always coped with mother.
She was used to having her way and would always shout if things don't go her way.
Carlen believes his mom had been spoiled terribly by his dad. He refused to go back to the house after coming back from the states. He has a penthouse where he stays .
What is it mom? Your childhood friend and her family would be returning back to the country tomorrow and they would come to the house the day after . So you have to be at home early. We have to receive them well. She answered.
But mom that you and dad's job, why should I be there moreover I don't even remember. What do you mean Carlen his mom screamed over the phone.
Maya James was your playmate when you were younger .
The name sounded familiar, he could remember running around with a little girl in the garden . But that was only how far he could remember. Alright I would be there but would leave in time , I have other things planned. He said and cut the call immediately.
If my mom calls the office landline don't pick it unless I say otherwise. He said to his Assistant.
...….
Layla ordered a ride to take to Aunty house. This would be her third time here and every time she still couldn't get enough of the mansion. The sight of the house was breathtaking.
This is truly the definition of wealth ,she muttered .
Layla hoped to see Mrs Adams Son, she wondered if he was a weakling by needing his mother's help in looking for a wife.
She got into the house and began decorating immediately.
Layla outdid herself. The decorations were homely and beautiful.
Oh my Goodness,Layla this is so beautiful, Thank you ma . Aunty I would come over tomorrow morning to take them off, I will be busy later today. Okay dear Let the driver take you home.
Mrs Adams said and paid her more than the amount.
Few minutes after Layla left , The James Family drove in . Mrs Adams was so happy at their arrival. It was like her children were back from a long vacation, she just couldn't keep still.
Mr Adams came down and they exchanged pleasantries with one another.
Mrs Adams couldn't get over Maya, she kept hugging her, you have gotten prettier my dear. Thank you ma'am,Maya said courtly. Oh no need to be formal, you are like my daughter.
How about Carlen, Mr James asked. He would have been here since but got hold up at the office due to an emergency. His father made the excuse for his son knowing that he was not interested
Carlen came in minutes later, I am home he said and greeted the guests. He found Maya very unfamiliar.
The dinner table was quite awkward. There was not much to talk about as both families were in different countries and had not communicated in a while. Mrs Adams was asking random questions in order to liven the dinner.
.
Seeing his wife's effort, Mr Adams decided to help her out. So he would ask questions and James would respond, this helped to reduce the awkwardness .
Carlen could care less about all that was going on, he just wanted to eat and get back to work .
Hi Maya called out to him. He nodded his head as a sign of greeting and went back to his food.
Do you remember me , she asked softly. No I don't, Carlen answered.
Maya was shocked by his rudeness , this was not the kind Carlen she knew
Carlen, why don't you take Maya for a stroll in the garden. You can also take her out on a tour to familiarize herself with the city. His mother called out smiling.
Mom I can't take her on a tour , I have so much work piled up on my desk. There's no free day for me. Why don't you take her on the tour yourself.
The least I can do is to take her with me on a stroll to the garden. He got up, Let go he said to Maya.
I am sorry for Aunty's decision, she was just trying to look out for me.
You don't need to bother about that, that's how my mother is. Don't you have friends here. No I don't, Maya lied .
I won't be free for the time being, I can only let my Assistant take you round if that's fine by you
Maya wondered why he kept a distance between them even as he spoke. He avoided every touch like she was a plague. She wanted to shake him when he entered the house but he evaded it and nodded at her instead.
Unbeknownst to her, Carlen could not stand any physical touch with a lady, if he does so he would have heart palpitations and his hands would get sweaty, if the lady is in still in close range with him, he might have a panic attack
This all started after he was involved in an accident, he saw himself carrying an almost lifeless little girl in his hands, with her body full of blood. This happened years ago when he was a teenager and he still couldn't get that image out of his head
His parents had to fly him out of the country for some time because he was very unstable and would scream out of fear every night. Carlen was always in and out of the hospital. He saw several psychologists and was given antidepressants.
It got worse and at a point, he stopped talking,so his parents were advised to change his environment. He flew out of the country and went to live with his maternal grandparents.
As time went on , he became better but the nightmares did not stop and he couldn't stay close to any lady. This was his secret, no one knew he couldn't stay close to females apart from his psychologist. His parents were unaware