Miggy's POV
"Sir, your father called, he wants you to be in his office tomorrow after lunch. He said he'd discuss a very important matter," Alice said. She's one of my staff here in the office. She answers calls in my office when my secretary/personal assistant, Meynard, is not around.
"Okay. Thank you, Alice," is all I replied to her.
"Nard, can you please call Dad's secretary and could you please explain why he asked me to be in his office tomorrow afternoon? Because I prefer to be there in the morning, I have another scheduled appointment in the afternoon with the client for a new project," I asked Meynard, my secretary, and at the same time, my personal assistant. I trusted him with everything that I needed. I have known him since we were kids. He's the son of my nanny who has taken care of me since I was a baby.
Meynard used to be my playmate when we were still kids back then. He finished a two-year course and I can see that he has the potential to be an efficient employee, aside from the fact that he can be trusted. That's why I chose him to be my secretary and my personal assistant. Not only that, he is also my best friend. That's why I shared everything with him, even about my personal life. So, if anyone knows me well more than my parents, I can say Meynard is the one.
He knew everything about me, my personality, and what I liked and didn't like. For all the years we'd been together we've been very good friends or I should say brothers. Not even once I heard him complaining, he just does all the things he needs to do at work. I may be two years older than he is, but it has never been an issue for us. I'll even let him choose the food I'll eat for lunch during our time together at work. Because I am more comfortable eating just inside my office than when there are a lot of people around me, like in the cafeteria. Except for those times or days when I have a luncheon meeting or dinner meeting with some clients, I have definitely had no excuse not to eat with them.
"Yes sir," he responded, then I heard him walking outside of my office to go back to his office table.
Minutes later, while I was busy reading some documents for review on top of my table, I heard the door open and close. Honestly speaking, I don't have to look at who that person is because I am sure that it's Meynard, my one and only secretary and personal assistant.
"Sir, your father's secretary said that your father didn't elaborate on the reason why he wanted you to come, but it was just stated as a very important matter," he explained while I was still focused on the paper in front of me. I didn't even try to glance at him, I just waved my hand in the air and he got it right away that I was dismissing him.
Usually, if he wants to tell me something, he'll phone or come into my office. This time, though, it's different since he asked me to his office. My father and I are really close. At times, he feels like a buddy to me. He's the type of father who will go to any length for his child. He constantly finds a way to spend meaningful time with me, even if it's only for a few minutes. What matters is that we spent time together talking about odd topics and asking me about my day at school, among other things. He is, in fact, my idol. I aspire to be like him, someone with remarkable dedication and efficiency in his line of work.
I recall a time when my parents were working on a large project that needed both of them to travel abroad for a shoot. They chose to do it on a holiday so that I could be with them, and so we had a family vacation as well. So, even though both of my parents were quite busy with their jobs, I didn't feel neglected as a kid because of their absence. I couldn't have asked for anything better. I couldn't be happier to be their kid since I am happy and pleased with my life and having such wonderful parents. They have been really supportive of me; they have not even asked me to follow in their footsteps in their separate jobs. They let me choose my own professional path.
My father is a well-known film producer in our nation, and my mother is a multi-award-winning film director whose films are largely produced by my father. But never in my wildest dreams did I see myself in the realm of show business. I don't really like that kind of life because when you're in the entertainment industry, it's almost as if the world owns you because they have to know everything about you. As an actor, your life is always in the limelight. To put it another way, you have no privacy. Well, I can say that I am the type of person that values my privacy the most. That's why my parents made it a point to keep our family's private life a secret for me.
My parents were not shocked when I chose advertising as my major. This is what I wanted to accomplish, and it makes me happy. I hoped one day to build my own advertising agency, so I saved as much as I could. Not only that, I worked really hard and devoted myself to my position as a manager at the firm where I am currently employed. This firm was where I did my on-the-job training or internship before graduating from college. But soon after I graduated, I was offered a job as one of their employees. Years later, I was promoted to a management position. It was because my supervisor recognized enormous promise in me and was willing to take a chance on me. Of course, nothing I've gone through has been easy. I had to work really hard to become who I am now.
I spent the rest of the day being disturbed while working. My father wants to talk to me about it since I am so clueless. I'm still thankful since I got to finish all of the papers on my table, so I convinced Meynard that we should go home. He just dropped me off at my place and went home. But there were occasions when he spent his evenings in my flat and I welcomed him for a drink because going to bars to drink is not my cup of tea. I don't enjoy it when girls approach me and flirt with me. I just want to have a tranquil drink so I can think about certain topics without looking for hookups or anything else.
Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying. I'm a certified straight guy who doesn't do flings or FuBu. Back in college, I had a girlfriend, but she dumped me for another guy. I'm not sure whether I'm enough for her? Or as to why she left me? After that, I didn't have another relationship since I was too preoccupied with my academics and my chosen field. I have to admit that I'm a bit picky when it comes to girls. If I have to find a new partner, I want it to last a lifetime. We, as men, should be the ones to express our interest in a lady we admire, not the other way around, that's my motto.
"Nard, join me for dinner. I'll order meals for us because I'm not in the mood to cook. Let's have some drinks later," I said as I got out of the car. We had just arrived at my condo's tower. He then followed me as I walked towards the elevator after I heard the vehicle door open and close.
"Do you have a problem, bro? Care to share?" Yes, he calls me bro because we both decided that he may call me sir just while we're at the office, but he'll call me bro when we're not at the office.
"Nah, I just want to have a few drinks with you. Anyway, we're not busy tomorrow because I believe you're done with what I asked you today, right?"
"Yeah, I already finished everything before we left the office."
"I know. I know how you work. That's why I trusted you," I said.
"Well yeah, because I want to show you that I'm worthy of the position that you gave me. I know that you recommended me to this company. That's why I got hired as your assistant and secretary. I don't want to let you down," he's delivering his drama lines again.
"Oh no, here we go again with your drama. We haven't started drinking some beer. C'mon!"
"Hey! I'm just stating the fact!" he whined.
"Fine. When are you going to propose to your girlfriend, by the way?" I changed the topic.
"Oh, that's not going to happen soon. I think you should get married first," he answered.
"Huh? Why does the topic suddenly become about me? When I was the one who asked you first?"
"Apparently, you're older than me, bro, so you go first," he said with a strange smile.
"Whoa! Wait! Stop dragging me into this thing. You should go and marry your girlfriend! I don't see myself getting married so soon!" I retorted.
"You're always grumpy that you didn't get to have a girlfriend, you know that?"
"As of now, that's not part of the picture yet. Someday, yes, maybe if the right girl comes," I said.
"How can it possibly be? When you're not even dating someone?"
"Hey! Why are we always pushing that matter when we know it's not going to happen so soon? I just asked you when you were going to propose to Shane, because she might get tired of waiting for you! You'll see she'll look for another guy," Shane is his long-time girlfriend. They've been dating since high school. Shane is working as a branch manager for one of the major fast-food chains in the country.
"Honestly, we already had an agreement about that. That's why I know she will never leave me for another guy," he said confidently.
"What an arrogant being!"
I ordered Chinese food for our dinner, then liked what we had agreed earlier. We drank some drinks, he had beer, while I had wine, while talking about some random topics and about life.
"Before I forget, what do you think dad would like to discuss with me tomorrow in his office?"
"Well, in fact I am wondering why you have to go to his office after I heard it from Alice when I called. I could not think of a reason why…"
"I am really bothered about it. You're right, it's not usual for dad to ask me to go to his office to discuss something. This is the first time it has happened. Every time he needs to tell me something, he usually gives me a call or he visits me," I said.
"And oh, Alice also mentioned that your father cancels his two scheduled meetings for that matter, so you two can talk privately," he added.
"Is there a problem? If there is, what is it all about?" I almost whisper while staring at the city lights coming from the buildings and the cars like the sizes of match boxes on the streets passing by. My mind is still boggling about what is going to happen tomorrow.
"Hey! Stop overthinking. Chill bro, everything will be alright, okay?" he comforted me. I didn't answer him because I've been bothered with this since I got the message.
We should get some rest now, it's getting late. We still have work tomorrow, bro. I think your father just misses you. He wants to spend time with you," he stood up, then he patted my shoulder before he left, walking to his room. I just nodded and didn't look at him.
I was left alone, sitting in the reclining chair, thinking while staring at the city lights. I didn't bother looking to see what time I went to bed that night.
As part of my usual regimen, I headed to the gym once I got up the next morning. I know Meynard is still sleeping soundly in the guest room. Technically, that was his room when he stayed the night with me here in my unit. He left some of his belongings there in case he ended up spending the night here as he did the night before.
I noticed the scent of Meynard's cooking as I was walking back to my flat an hour after I had spent time at the gym. So, I went directly to my room to shower and get ready for work.
"Breakfast is ready!"
When he saw me walk out of my room, I was already dressed for work, wearing a grey button-down long sleeve, black pants, and black shoes. Then he's going to go into his room to take a shower when he's finished cooking.
My day at the office began with an hour-long client meeting since the customer had a slew of expectations.
"At long last, the conference has come to an end," I remarked as the final person to leave the room. Only Meynard and I remain in the meeting room, but we are preparing to go. I examined my Tag Heuer silver wrist watch, a present from my mother when she and my father celebrated their wedding anniversary overseas. It took over four hours for the meeting to conclude.
"It's okay; what matters is that it ends well and that you clinch the deal with them. Oh, I'll go ahead and get some food for our lunch," he says as he walks out of the conference and away from me. Seconds later, I also left the conference room and walked back to my office. I was thankful that I was able to focus and keep my mind busy with the meeting, and that I got to forget for a while the things that bothered me the most these days.
I sat on the sofa in my office and attempted to close my eyes and lay my head backward on the back of the sofa while waiting for Meynard to return.
I was still shutting my eyes when I heard the door open and close a few minutes later. I know it's Meynard, and I don't need to open my eyes to find out who it is.
Within the next five minutes...
"Sir, lunch is ready," I slowly open my eyes and sit upright before I stand up and walk to the coffee table where we usually eat our lunch.
After we finished our lunch, I informed Meynard that I'd take a thirty-minute sleep before leaving the workplace to head to my father's office for some reason I couldn't explain.
He really woke me up after a thirty-minute snooze. I then walked into my office's restroom to clean my teeth and use mouthwash. I pack my belongings and prepare to go. Almost an hour later, I was already inside my car driving to my father's office. I left Meynard in the office to do some errands for me.
"Where is my Dad?" I inquired about a member of his office staff. It doesn't need a formal address between us because they all knew that I'm their boss's son.
Good afternoon, sir. He's still in the conference, sir, but they'll be here any minute now. You can wait inside his office as per instructions when you arrive," the lady said.
"Okay, thank you," I said.
I strolled by her desk on my way to my father's office. When I walked into his office, my gaze was drawn to his desk, where I noticed a book. I immediately went straight to the sofa and chose to sit with my head on the back of it while I waited for my father. I'm not sure why I've been feeling so apprehensive and uneasy since yesterday, but it multiplied when I arrived here. As a result, I did not get to do what I had hoped to do. I went straight to his personal ref after his table to collect some bottled water. I then drank and drained the bottle in an instant. I wasn't thirsty because I had already drank water after eating lunch before leaving my job, but I chose to drink another bottle of water to at least calm me down, but to no avail.
I proceeded to the trash can and dumped the empty bottle in there when my gaze was drawn back to the book on top of Dad's table. I tried to approach the table to see what type of book it was, only to discover that it was a Merriam Webster Dictionary. When it was placed there, I assumed it was used by my father. I'm not sure why that specific object appears to be attempting to get me to touch it and even check it. It's not in my nature to invade other people's privacy, but there appears to be an exception this time.
My heart continued to beat quicker than usual, and the thumping was incredibly loud. Because of the intensity of the thumping, it seemed like my heart was going to explode out of my chest. While I began to study the dictionary, I sat down on my father's swivel chair and continued flipping through the pages to pass the time and distract myself from my anxiousness. I know the book is only a dictionary with words, meanings, synonyms, antonyms, and so on, but the sensation I had inside made me feel even more uneasy holding it. Despite this, I kept flipping the pages until I saw something when I accidentally touched the book's side. When I examined it, it appeared to be thick paper? I opened the book right to that section out of curiosity, skipping several pages. It had a simple birthday greeting placed on it, which I discovered.
When I saw it, I grinned. I thought, and even admired, my parents for being able to retain their sweetness up to that point. I know my father dislikes pricey gifts on important occasions, particularly on his birthday. That's why my mother handed him the card with a unique message inscribed inside.
But when I opened the card, I was taken aback—it was not what I had anticipated to see.
Hello, Gabriel.
I'm letting you go.
It may be the most difficult but best decision because it is the most important.
right thing for me to do. I don' t want to be a relationship wrecker.
Please don't attempt to look for me. Thank you for the memories.
Happy Birthday!
P.S.
It's a baby girl. I named her after our names, Gabriella Therese.
Always,
Teresa