Rides of Our Promises (Original, English Version)

Chapter 13 - Charles Cross

She's killing me.

It hasn't been a month since Oliver officially stepped down as CEO and I was appointed as his replacement. Almost three years since Lee disappeared. I hoped Oliver would be able to find her. He finally made a decision, leaving the company to find his wife. It was a little heartbreaking when we saw him again, but he was still able to smile when he said good bye. He's hopeful. I'm hopeful, too. He deserved to be happy. Aya and I have been worried for Lee, and we can only support them by managing the company built by Oliver. One day, I'm sure we'll see them again. I pray it will be soon, though. It has been too long but Oliver hasn't given up. He wouldn't.

Aya and I have been busy getting acquainted to many people on a personal level. Most of them are clients, partners, suppliers, potential clients, etc. They've known Oliver for a long time and given the change in the BOD structure of Taylor Industries, they wanted to get to know me. I've met them all before, but only as Oliver's assistant. Majority of them are amicable to the change. Oliver personally requested that they support me as he wholly trusts me. There are a few who wanted to test me or something, though, but I didn't have the time for that. Aya and I sat down to talk about how we're going to work together. Oliver trusts me, whereas Lee put her trust in Aya. The way I see it, we ought to trust each other, too. We do. We agreed that in any major decision, we would have to decide unanimously, seeing as how each of us has the same number of shares. If we have differing opinions, we can either convince the other or suggest better options.

We've worked for more than three years already; I knew that by now she's very well-versed with the affairs of the company. She can handle issues that are considered minor decisions. She knows how I analyze a situation, a project, a proposal, or a problem. It's clear to me when we discuss them. We agree on almost everything. Initially, we argued a lot, though. She would raise up aspects that I haven't considered and I would be doing the same. It's a process of brainstorming. Over the years, we've adapted to the way the other views things.

The crux of my problem is that she has expressed interest in one of the people we've met. What did she say again?

"He's cute. It looks like he doesn't mind a talkative woman."

"He's talkative himself. That doesn't mean he likes talkative people. Did you see how annoyed he looked when that other guy was saying something? It seems to me that he likes attention. I'll bet he has a big ego and he loves himself."

She rolled her eyes at me. "Are you saying that about him? Or are you saying that about me?" She took offense.

"You know how to listen and to give way to others. But that man clearly dislikes getting the attention taken away from him." I explained. Surely, she has observed the same thing. She pursed her lips.

"Just say it. You don't want to set me up with him because you don't like him."

"I don't like him for you. If I see a man worthy of you, I'll gladly set you up." I found myself saying. Laid a trap for myself yet again. I guess I wouldn't find such a man anyway. I wouldn't find a man good enough to take her away from me. I sighed inside. It's almost a good thing that I don't think out loud, otherwise she would have known what's been on my mind from a long time ago.

I found her grinning. "Really? I'll take you up on that offer." She winked before she walked out to her office. She had no idea.