18

After his return from the wedding, Arthur could barely stay away from his phone. He constantly checked it, to see if Ethan had called him or sent a message. He almost got relentless from waiting. He was often questioned by his wife and daughter about why he keeps checking his phone. He lied to them saying he was expecting a call about the project he bid before they left for the wedding.

Amity was continuously talking about Ethan and how Arthur was described by Ethan. Even Emily wondered if Ethan had said the right things to her daughter. Because Arthur was no where near to how he was described by Ethan. It felt like she was listening about a whole new person and he was a stranger to all of them.

Today was Monday and Arthur and Emily had to literally drag Amity to school. The little girl was still in her long weekend mood. She didn’t want to go to school or do anything for that matter. They dropped her at school and Emily was dropped at the stores for grocery shopping before Arthur drove towards his office.

He had no idea about his schedule. When his secretary had called him yesterday, he was not at all interested to listen to his secretary's voice about his schedule for the next day. Arthur had simply dismissed the call by saying yes to everything.

When he reached the office building, he parked his vehicle and got into the elevator. It was empty and he was alone. He looked at his reflection in the glass wall of the elevator. He did indeed found himself to be a different person from what Ethan had said about him to Amity. When his daughter talked about his college days which was a info from Ethan, only made him to remember everything from his past. He never thought that one day he would be seeing Ethan again and his daughter would be such a duo with Ethan and to be able to reminisce about their past.

He exited the elevator at his floor and walked inside his cabin only to find his father, James Perry seated on his chair, and his secretary, Mason and Mr. Williams, one of his father’s trusted board members, laughing about something.

“Good morning, everyone,” he greeted them, trying to conceal his shock about seeing them in his office.

“Very good morning, young man congratulations,” said Mr. Williams.

“Don’t be late for the party,” his father said got up from his seat. They didn’t even give him a chance to process what they meant by congratulations and a party that he had no idea about.

When all the three people left his office, he ringed his secretary to come in.

Stella, his secretary knocked on his door and heard, “Come in.”

“Sir you called me,”

“What’s this party about and why did Mr. Williams congratulate me?”

“Sir did you forget it?” she asked hesitatingly.

“Forget what?” he tried to remember about her mentioning anything in their previous night’s phone call which he didn’t pay any attention to.

“Sir. We won the project which we had bid last week and since it is a huge and prestigious project your father is hosting a lunch party to the board members and you and your team are invited too.”

Noticing the blank expression on Arthur’s face, Stella concluded in her mind that he had not heard any of her words in the last night’s phone call. She also noticed that it was his first time forgetting things and not paying attention to his schedule. But she didn’t dare to raise a query on it. So she simply ignored it.

“I had informed about this last night,” she said softly. Arthur wasn’t a short tempered guy but he definitely could give intimidating glares to people.

Arthur sighed, leaning onto his chair. He then looked at Stella who was being wary and he suddenly felt guilty about not paying attention when she informed him about his schedule.

“You can leave now. Just remind me at the lunch hour,” he said.

Stella nodded her head and soon departed from his office.

Arthur got to work. Since the project of the government building was assigned to their company, he had to begin the work as soon as possible.

After working for a few hours, Arthur lost track of time and almost forgot about the lunch. But Stella reminded him just at the right time and he soon wrapped up the work for now. And got into the elevator to go to the restaurant the lunch was arranged at.

Within no time, he had reached the destination and found himself walking inside to a very proud Mr. Perry and his folks and a bitter Mr. Garcia and his little bitches which included his son. And his team.

“Ahhh... My boy, you’re here,” exclaimed Mr. Brown.

“Yes, sir,” Arthur said politely. He had already noticed a proud smile on his father’s face when he entered the lobby. He knew his father was hosting this lunch just so he could make Mr. Garcia feel a slap on his face for all the things he does in the backend.

The people that were present for the lunch greeted and congratulated Arthur including Mr. Garcia. But everyone knew he was feeling bitter on the inside. He had always hoped Liam would beat Arthur in certain things and possibly take over the next CEO position.

Mason, who was James Perry’s assistant was also present at the lunch. He was mostly treated as equal because of his loyalty to James Perry, which didn’t go well with some board members, but regardless they didn’t raise voice about it openly. Mason worked with James Perry since the beginning of the company and had been on the journey through thick and thin.

“Let’s get started,” said James Perry, and everyone settled in and ordered the lunch.

Mason who was sitting next to Arthur, whispered to him, “I’m proud of you son.” Those words brought a genuine smile on Arthur’s face. Mason had always taken Arthur’s back when needed. And was very supportive of him. He was almost a father figure to Arthur.

“Thanks, uncle.” Arthur smiled at him. And continued to order their lunch and began their lunch.

Some time into their appetizer, Arthur’s phone rang, everyone stopped their conversation and looked at Arthur.

Arthur, who was not paying attention to his surrounding people, flashed a small smile after seeing his phone screen.