FIRST DAY AT WORK
"Grrrrrrrrrng! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrng!" Lesley's mobile phone beeped indicating that a new message just got in.
Without opening his eyes,he searched frantically for the phone toward the direction he heard the phone beep.
After few seconds of hopeless search,he found it in his pants pocket lying carelessly on the floor.
He had come in really wasted last night and had managed to get himself in bed.He forced his eyes open and in split seconds swiped the phone unlocked.
"Oh my God!"
He jumped out of the bed half screaming.He quickly slipped his feet into his Dunlop slippers and entered the bathroom in a rush.
"God this woman will roast me alive today."
He murmured while he scrubbed himself clean.His mother's words rang in his head repeatedly.
The last conversation which was more like an argument ended badly.She has refused to talk to him since that time or even pick his endless calls unless he reconsiders his decision or accept her other option which was equally a tough one for him.
That has given him sleepless nights that he had no other choice than to do her bidding.
Today her mother,Ms Vin would be introducing him in the company as the new CEO.Something he never wanted considering that he had lived all his life hiding his true status from the world.
After his father died,when he was just about to get into the university,his mother had carried the weight of the company on her shoulders singlehandedly and has waited patiently for him to complete his studies so he would take over.
He loved his mother very much and would never intentionally do anything that would hurt her, but in the past,he had hurt her over and again with his reckless life.He had promised to change once he graduated.
Well,he is trying his best to keep that promise.Like they say,the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. That had always been his case.
"Shit!"
He cursed under his breath as he checked the time while he wore his watch.He had twenty minutes to get to the company.He took a long glance at himself in the mirror before he carefully took his briefcase and walked out of the house looking dashing in his well—tailored black suit with blue tie and a well—polished shoes.
Lesley is who you see and wonder if the Almighty has chosen a special day just to create him. He looks more like a demigod with his irresistible appearance.6'7 ft tall, broad shoulders with grey eyes to die for.
It took him exactly twenty minutes to get to Valour group of company. He has driven so crazy in order to beat time and was especially lucky there were no traffic.
He stepped down from the car and took long strides into the building with his head held high. He was a little nervous but he dared not show it. He has always portrayed a strong and confident personality and that, he would continue to do.
While he drove he had thought of what to say and even how to begin but had quickly waved it off with the thought that once the time comes, he would know what to do.
As he walked past, he received a good number of stares, from the ladies especially. He get that a lot so he has gotten used to it.
The usual carefree Lesley wouldn't have hesitated to give a charming smile in return to the stares he got but he definitely wasn't in the mood for that so he ignored the stares and walked straight to the elevator.
The meeting had already started before he got there. He signaled to a lady he saw nearby to alert his mother of his arrival while he stood outside and waited.
He looked around him and admired the fine works of the interior decorator. The last time he was here was few weeks after the burial of his father. He had refused to come there ever since then. As to why, he had no tangible reason. His mother tried forcing him a few times but let him be after she saw he wouldn't change his mind.
A few moments later, the lady came out of a room and ushered him inside where the meeting was being held. He had plenty of eyes that held different emotions stare at him at once as he walked inside the room.
He was the youngest in the room .That made him a little uncomfortable but he quickly held his nervousness. He took his seat close to his mother after placing a kiss on her cheeks and a murmur of " I'm sorry to be late" to her.
He looked across and saw Matteo who gave him a wink and continued like nothing happened.
Matteo is Lesley's childhood and closest friend. They had known each other like forever and was even considered brothers at some point by some people.
He was glad to know someone else apart from his mother in the meeting.
Few moments later, he began to feel uneasy. He whispered something into his mother's ear and went out with nowhere in particular in mind. He made a mental note to just roam around for a while and return to the meeting in ten minutes. Off he wandered.
He passed through series of offices and decided to see the down floor using the elevator. He carried his handsome self down trying as much as he could to give his best smile to the ladies that looked mesmerized by his dashing looks.
The ten minutes he gave himself has gone eight and he was left with two minutes to return back to the meeting. He began to find his way back to the meeting room.
As he opened the door after he dropped off the elevator, he bumped into a lady carrying a made coffee and a bottle of water on a tray. Some of the coffee spilled on his suit.
"ouch!' he screamed. The hot coffee penetrated and burned his skin slightly.
"Oh no! I am so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen, I mean I didn't see you coming," She apologized profusely as she grabbed her handkerchief and tried wiping off the spilled contents on Lesley's suit.
"It's okay. I got it." Lesley said trying to take the handkerchief from her feeling her soft hand in the process. He looked up and his eyes met with hers and for some seconds, they both acted like they were under some kind of magic spell starring deep into their eyes without blinking. It was like the world stopped.
Lesley felt different. He has never seen a more beautiful eyes. He had seen fine eyes in the past but never felt this different and it was strange to him. Was it just the beauty of the eyes that caught him or was it the things he saw in the eyes that muted him?
"Hmm uhm." She cleared her throat to get his attention.
Lesley was lost, lost in her eyes. He felt strange and wanted to know what was hidden behind those eyes.
"I will just errrm pick these up." She said flustered as she bent to pick the tray. Lesley got it before her. "Here" he offered still not able to take his eyes off her.
"Thanks." She said slightly lowering her head trying not to meet Lesley's eyes. He handed her the tray and shifted back giving her space to pass. He stood and watched her get into the elevator going down. He looked at his hands and found them sweaty. The weather wasn't hot, he knew that. Everything was becoming stranger
"shit!"
He remembered he was supposed to have gone back to the meeting. He hurriedly went back inside and was welcomed by questioning looks from some board members. He completely ignored them and sat on his chair slipping into thoughts.
He didn't hear most of what was discussed later on as his mind has been clouded by the thoughts and images of the beautiful lady he bumped into until he was announced the CEO.
He forced a smile and tried to keep it longer on his face as he shook hands and thanked those that congratulated him.
"I am happy you came son." Ms Vin pulled him into a hug.
"You gave me no choice" Lesley said relaxing in her arms. His mother's hug has a way of calming his nerves.
She released him. "I gave you options son." she smiled mischievously.
"Mom, that was more like no option." Lesley shrugged.
"Come let me introduce you to the board members"
Ms Vin took Lesley and introduced him to the important members of the company. Lesley studied them closely. He knew he would need to be smart and careful to be able to handle his new position very well.
"Congratulations man. I am glad someone decided to be responsible." Matteo said grinning. He knew being a CEO was something Lesley never planned for. Lesley just wanted to live his life fully without much responsibilities like being a CEO.
"Shut up Matteo. I have always been a responsible good guy. You just refuse to see it." He laughed pulling him into a brotherly hug.
"Thanks man"