Legion of Loch Ness

Chapter Three

         Megan Everett was almost done making breakfast when her son walked into the kitchen. She immediately went over to him and started piling his plate with fresh steaming eggs.

       "Mom, enough. I have to go for practice. I won't be able to run with this much food in my system," Noah complained. Megan kissed his head affectionately and ignored his protest.

       "Where's Dad? Preparing for another big speech?"  Megan nodded, as she went back to her stove to make a fresh batch of eggs for her husband. 

       Paul Everett walked into the kitchen and stood still for a while just looking at his family. He rarely had time to stop and appreciate them these days. As much as he enjoyed his career, he realized he missed these small moments with them. He looked at Noah and felt his heart swell with pride as it always did at the sight of him. He knew he was guilty of neglecting his son and his wife. It was a sacrifice he had to make to do justice to his job. While his family had a steady line of politicians, mostly senators, unlike them for him it was a serious responsibility. Ever since he had been elected senator a few years ago, he had felt his paradigm shift. Now every moment of his life felt like a responsibility. He owed his electors every waking moment to ensure he justified their votes. While he had no regrets in that regard, he had to admit he missed his family. Noah was about to start his senior year at school. Soon he would start college and move out of their home. Paul would only have a handful of memories of his son. And then there was Megan. She had never complained to him about how little time he had for her. She was always supportive, but he knew she was beginning to feel lonely. He realized he would have to make a decision soon. It would not be fair to his family for him to keep the pace he had set for himself, but would he be able to step back from the career that meant everything to him, or would he end up losing the two people who were his everything?

                                                                                                          ***

        Victoria heard the clicking sound of her heels as she ran ungracefully towards Jason's office. Winstrom Corporation headed its multi-billion-dollar company from this building based in Chicago. It was a sleek contemporary building, with windows so enormous that there were barely any walls visible. Victoria had visited Jason at his office multiple times before, but she had never held an official meeting with him. She was surprised to realize that she was a little nervous. While Jason had been her best friend for most of her life, he was also known as the most ruthless businessman in the corporate world. Victoria herself had never had any problems with running her family's corporation until now. Although she tried her best to portray a calm demeanor and act like she had everything under control, deep down, she was always terrified. Her mother had been preparing to step down and take a much-needed break from the daily stresses of running such a vast company. Victoria knew she had the required skills and knowledge to run their company smoothly in her mother's absence. However, the fear and anxiety of messing up never left her. She managed to suppress it on most days, but today, she felt overwhelming panic overtake her every breath. 

             She arrived at Jason's office out of breath. Before she could knock, the heavy door slid open soundlessly. Jason's secretary, Lydia, smiled her usual cool professional smile to welcome Victoria. Victoria entered the vast office and spotted Jason staring out of his window, a troubled look on his face. If it was anyone else, Victoria would have backed out of the office immediately. Something in Jason's expression and his tense stance as he stood there came off as a warning that he was in a dark place right now and should be left alone. But Victoria knew Jason better than most people and knew how often and easily he slipped between his many parallel worlds and thoughts. So she walked up to him and gave his stiff body a quick hug. Jason's eyes immediately turned to her, widening briefly, as if he was so deep in his thoughts, he had completely forgotten where he was. Within mere seconds though, his face relaxed, and he smiled at her.