Anthony Baker was stressed and that was an understatement, things were going way too fast and tense.
He hadn't had a good sleep for several days. Meetings and long office conferences had become his daily routine.
Even now, being in the comfort of his penthouse, with no pending businesses in the office, couldn't even give him an ounce of tranquillity.
His Bulgarian breakfast- Banitsa s boza consisting of pastries and sweet beverages which were his favourites tasted like dust and pebbles in his mouth.
Alice and Martin kept going on and on about new advertising strategies. They kept arguing about their next approach to the company's new product.
Alice and Martin were Anthony's best friends and trusted executive of Plexus Global. This was the biggest the company had been and now it was greatly threatened.
Being both important heads, in the company, they had to come up with innovative ideas, to block all the intrusive situations out.
The company was about to introduce a new product to the market and the world. It was environment friendly and a way to get ahead of the scandal crippling the company.
Due to the scandal which resulted from a said leaked video of an executive in the company, people had become conflicted about where their trust should be placed.
Making this product, ready and for use now, was the only remedy out of the stinky eye, they were in.
This product wasn't ready for the next three years, but desperate times calls for not just desperate measures, but innovative ones.
They had already lost 5% of their investors and were going to lose more, due to the increasing media coverage of the scandal.
"If we don't get this right, there's no coming back, and you know this" Alice, said, both of them still pondering.
"You think I do not understand, just try and comprehend the adverse effect this will cause, God, help us if the media sense so much as a swift of deception in this campaign", Martin replied, in a heated voice.
"Jesus Christ! Martin nothing is going to happen, just be positive for once", Alice said.
"Everything is shit right now okay, I'm sorry if I'm being a little pessimistic", Martin said.
"Enough, please my migraine has multiplied due to your rambling, I have to be at the home office by 3 pm today", Anthony said getting up from his chair.
"Reschedule the meeting " both saying it, as if on a quo.
"Jesus Christ, do you two practice that when I'm not around". Anthony asked.
"Don't change the discussion, Anthony?" Alice said. "We need to act fast and with a lot of caution, so please don't try and downplay this conversation", Alice said, slightly annoyed.
To be honest, Anthony blame either of them for being so apprehensive, this was a company they've to build from the crash, things couldn't go wrong under their watch.
"Even if I could, I won't, procrastination will only make matters worst," he said leaving them in the dining room.
"At least, finish your breakfast, you barely touched it," Alice Walked up to Anthony with concern written all over her face.
"Don't remind him, I was about closing in on those pastries", Martin said casually, getting a scowl from Alice.
"You could have them, I have all the energy I need," Anthony trying to lighten the mood, and failing woefully.
"Just make sure you eat, what they serve you in the jet, okay," Alice said. " and Anthony, see you later alligator".
"After a while crocodile."
"I'll be in my room, getting my things ready, don't call for me, except it's an emergency", Anthony said, before leaving the room.
If there was one thing Alice and Martin understood from thirteen years of friendship, was; Anthony was never one to be swayed.
His decision and choices were final. He was was strong-willed and determined, no wonder his company grew so well and respected not just in America but in the world.
A reputation like his wasn't easily built, and in such a short time, it could easily be destroyed. If they could they would take all the heat, just to save him.
After a few minutes, Anthony was done getting his things ready. There was rarely anything for him to pack, he was an incredibly organised person.
With his suitcase in his hand, he was good to go, he opted for a more casual look, since he had no official meeting after landing.
"Please inform me about all the happenings today, especially on our website, I'll be needing all the rest I can get on the plane, so no devices for me", He said as soon as he got to the door.
"Just put in a call to me as soon as anything important comes up, Goodbye", he walks out of the apartment.
Anthony hated leaving, especially when there was the heat to extinguish. If it were up to him, he'll fight the media himself, how dare they come and try to tear up all his accomplishments and efforts.
For the sake of being civil, he'll let everything play out the way it was meant to. Hell, it was going to be a lot of patience and self-discipline on his part.
He wasn't the best at laying low, he was aggressive when it came to success and succeeding, anything getting in the way, he'd always put out.
But he had to lay low now, things were only going to be solved with calculated steps, and not by one lunging in with all their fervour, it will be admirable, but stupid.
It was better like this, being far away from the crisis will lessen his anxiety disorder. He'll have to see his therapist, of course, another reason for him leaving so quickly.
Time was of the essence, the last couple of days had been rough on him, and not being able to talk to someone was almost disheartening.
Of course, he couldn't tell anyone, most of them were his associates, and their relationship was more formal and professional.
Everyone saw him as a rock, a statue of everything that portrayed strength and vigour and none of them could ever guess his daily struggles.
He was forever going to be a ticking time, anything could send him over the edge, and all his friends will always see him as the model, for everyone to emulate.
It was a burden he'd have to care for all his life alone. He wasn't complaining, he had gotten used to his demons.
As soon as Anthony got out of his apartment, and now to the entry, he was greeted by the doorman Mr Falcon.
At age sixty-eight, when one starts to feel resentment towards the world, Mr Falcon was a delightful person to be with, reasonable, and that was the quality Anthony loved the most.
Anthony always remembered their random conversations, which often left him wondering what an intelligent man, was doing waiting doors.
Peter, His driver was waiting for him just beside the car; a red Audi A4, on the driveway. Anthony had called his driver, an hour earlier.
There was no point in calling him, because one thing Peter was good at, was punctuality. He had never been late, not even on the day he came down with a cold.
Of course, Anthony had sent him home, he insisted to do his job that day, as the cold was impromptu and no other arrangements were made for his replacement.
"Mr Gray, what a pleasant day, don't you think" Peter as cheerful as always, asked, while opening the backseat door for him.
He was a tall and handsome honey-coloured skin young man. Probably in his middle twenties.
"It is, I'm glad you're happy today, as always" which Peter responded with a smile.
One of these days, Anthony thought, he'll have to give Peter a bonus, for always being dutiful and jolly, God knew he needed people with that internal joy around him.
From being busy all day with high stake transactions and late-night working, his moods were mostly temperamental.
He was always looking over his shoulders, waiting for the unexpected to happen. Compounding work stress with his irrational thoughts were hard enough.
Today was a good day, scandal and all excluded. He was going home far away from everything and he had never been happier.
It had been a whole year since he last went home, it had been a busy and fast year, the weeks rolling twice as fast.
He had made plans, as usual, to go home, but money and business contracts were always a spell to hold him back from going.
He had always felt guilty, but today he was finally going home. He could only hope, this trip will be filled with happy memories.
