The Golden Rule 2: The One That Got Away

Thirty

Marco rubbed his neck and bent both sides to get rid of the dull ache that was slowly starting to build up after staring at the computer for too long.

He was exhausted but he was aiming to finish several contracts before he flew out this weekend to represent his father in a three-day business trip to Amsterdam.

He glanced at his watch and saw that it was still seven in the evening. Ari has a class until nine so there was no need to rush home to an empty house.

He took a sip of his already cold coffee and made a face. Immersed with work, he forgot that he had a cup sitting on the table.

It was early February and ever since they've got back to the city after spending the holidays at home, he'd been loaded with work. Paper works were mountain high, meetings were endless and he's been shadowing his father the past month. It was draining the energy out of him.

The only thing that he was looking forward to these days was going home and seeing Ari's smiling face as she welcomed him home.

He took the phone and dialed his secretary's extension. It rang one, twice, thrice but she didn't pick up. He tried again but still no response.

Dropping the intercom, he picked up his mobile phone and dialed her number. She picked up on the third ring.

" Ms. Thorne, did you already leave the office? "

" No, sir, I just went down the hall to get some coffee, " she replied. " Uh, do you need something sir? "

" Yeah, do you think you can get me a cup of coffee as well? " He asked as he rubbed his face. " The last one got cold. "

" Sure sir, will bring your coffee shortly, " she replied.

" Thank you, " he murmured before ending the call.

Fifteen minutes later, there was a knock on his door. Not looking up from his computer, he called out to let the person in.

" Thanks for the coffee, Miss Thorne, " he said without throwing his secretary a glance when he saw the coffee cup placed on his table. " I might be working later than I thought, you may go after this. I'll send you an email later to let you know what needs to be done tomorrow morning. "

" You would have to thank Ms. Thorne tomorrow. I already asked her to go home. " a female voice replied.

Marco quickly lifted his head and saw his youngest sister grinning at him.

" Has the ogre finally softened up? " Mia mused out. " Your secretary looks less scared of you. Even spoke a bit highly of you. "

Marco narrowed his eyes and furrowed his eyebrows.

" Why are you here, Mia? "

She shrugged offhandedly.

" Dad asked me to sit-in the budget meeting for the gallery, " she told him referring to the art gallery SHC owned and where Mia was working part time.

" Thought I'd get a ride home with you. My car's in service. Robby is working late while Dad and Melissa have dinner meetings. "

Marco nodded his head and reverted his gaze back to his computer. " Yeah, but you'd have to wait. I'm trying to finish a couple of things. "

She shrugged her shoulders again and leaned comfortably against the chair. " Sure, I can do that. "

Marco went back to editing contracts. He was not even halfway a document when he beard crackling sounds. Raising his eyes, he found Mia noisily opening a candy bar.

When she caught him looking at her, she offered him one. " Would you like one? "

" No, " Marco shook his head and went back to reading the document on his computer.