Chapter 31

KLINN'S POV...

"If that is all, then I believe you all should get to work." I said, my voice reverberating throughout the room of board members. They had called for a meeting to address my absence at work for a few days.

There had always been black sheep in the company. Those who despite working for the company, would want to kick me off the position of the CEO.

"Mr Ethan." I heard a man call out as the others dispersed.

"Speak." I ordered, glancing at him before focusing on the pen in my hand, playing with it leisurely as I sat, my back weighing onto the back rest.

"I must say, i believe you are a man of principles."

He said, and I rolled my eyes. Another one trying to curry favor from the CEO, I thought. He was non other than Anthony Hayes, one of the board members who had always wanted me to see him as an ally.

"And why is that?" I asked, laziness evident in my voice.

"Well, for one Mr Ethan, you do not let your personal life get in the way of your work in the company, so I believe there really might have been a serious issue." He said, his old eyes resting onto my face, and I smiled, one that did not reach my eyes.

"Thank you, Mr Hayes. For having so much faith in me. You are really such a considerate man" I said, but I bet he could tell the evident sarcasm in my voice.

Abruptly standing to my feet, I had walked away from him, David following behind me as I made my way to my office.

"Why are you so slow?" I asked, sinking myself onto the chair as my eyes rested onto David who had been panting like he had ran a marathon.

"Sir..." He called out, putting his palm to his chest as he continued to pant, out of breath.

"You had been walking pretty fast, I am not as healthy as you." He said, and by now he had begun to catch his breath.

"How about the applications sir?" David finally asked, his gaze rested onto me as I twirled my phone in my hand.

"What is wrong with them?" I asked, my gaze directed at David who scratched his neck awkwardly.

"Err.."

"Speak." I said calmly as I continued to stare at him

"Sir...I had told you about my mother's health a week ago, and I was hoping you could grant me a week's leave."

"Mhmm." I hummed in approval

"You had said you were going to take a look at them the day before..." He said, not meeting my gaze, and I nodded.

"Bring them to me right now." I said, and his eyes grew wide for a moment before returning to normal

"Yes Sir. I'll have the substitute assistant bring them over to you. Thank you, Sir" He nodded, turning around and walking out of the room, closing the glass door behind him.

It had only been a few minute when a knock came at the door.

"Come in." I said, not bothering to glance at the door.

The sound of heels thumping the tiled floor pierced through my ears, and I finally raised my head only to find the lady from the day before walking towards me as she held some papers to her chest.

"Sir." She called out, and my gaze landed onto her face.

"These are the applications." She said, handing the papers to me which I collected.

"You may leave now." I said, starting to scan through the papers.

"Sir?" She asked, and I stared up to see the questions swirling in her eyes.

"You can ask David to send me another substitute." I said, and she turned quiet

"But sir, I'm the only one available." I heard her say, and I stared at her, my brows furrowing.

"Get someone to switch positions with you then." I said, my gaze moving onto the papers, and by this time David had walked in.

"What's wrong, Sir?" He asked when he sensed the air in the room had dropped by a few degrees.

"Send me another substitute." I said, glancing at him.

"But she's the only one available sir." David said, his brows knotting in confusion by my decision.

"Have someone switch positions if possible." I said, twirling the pen in which I was holding.

"Everyone else has been assigned to the new project sir, there are no other possible candidates." David said, his voice pleading, and I stared at the lady where she stood across me, her fingers digging into her palms. I could perceive the faint scent of blood, merged with her choking perfume.

"Fine then." I said, deciding to put up with her for a week. I could see the relief on David's face at my decision.

"You may leave now." I said, and he nodded, picking up a few boxes from the inner room of the office, walking out and leaving me and the substitute assistant.

"My name is..." She tried to say, but I had shushed her.

"I do not care what your name is, and you should probably get to work now." I said, my cold tone reverberating throughout the room as I continued to stare at the papers I had been holding.

I could sense her walking to the table that was meant for David, and I could feel my blood boil. Had David not been able to find someone better?

...

Five hours had passed, and I could sense she was exhausted, but I had not cared.

Soon, I heard the screeching sound of her chair filled the room, piercing through my ears, but I had not glanced at her direction.

"Would you like some coffee, Sir?" I heard her ask, and I could feel her gaze on me.

"No." Came my curt words, not looking up from my pile work.

I felt her linger for a bit until her footsteps echoed in the room, eventually fading behind the closed door.