Frost and Petals: The CEO's Heartthaw

PART 5

Arsalan walked into the warm, familiar atmosphere of his family home after a long day. The smell of his mother's cooking filled the air, and for a moment, he allowed himself to relax. It was rare for him to be home for dinner, with his busy schedule as the CEO of a large company demanding most of his time. But tonight was different. He sat down at the dining table with his parents, cherishing the rare moment of togetherness.As he settled into his chair, his mother looked at him with a soft smile. "Arsalan, dear, it's been far too long since we've had dinner together like this," she said, her tone a mixture of warmth and concern.Arsalan leaned back, letting out a small sigh as he glanced at his mother. "I know, Mom," he replied, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "But you know how it is with the business. There's always something that needs my attention."His mother nodded understandingly, though her eyes were still filled with concern. Arsalan's father, who had been quietly watching the exchange, chimed in."Your dedication is admirable, son, but you must remember to take time for yourself and your family," his father advised, his voice steady and calm. It was a statement of both pride and gentle concern.Arsalan's expression softened briefly, a rare moment where the hardened look he carried seemed to fade. But just as quickly, his professional resolve returned. "I appreciate that, Dad, but in a business as competitive as mine, there's no room for complacency," he said, the tiredness visible in his eyes despite his firm tone.His mother's expression grew more worried. She had always admired her son's strength and determination, but as a parent, she couldn't help but worry about the toll it was taking on him."We understand how hard you work, Arsalan," she said, her voice softening. "But sometimes, it feels like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. We're proud of everything you've achieved, but we worry about your health."Arsalan's jaw clenched slightly, a telltale sign that the weight of their words was sinking in, though he tried to maintain his composure."I can handle it, Mom. This is what I've been trained for—what I've worked for," he reassured her, though there was a faint crack in his confident facade.His father leaned forward slightly, his voice gentle but firm. "We just want to make sure that you're happy, son. Success means very little if it costs you your well-being."For the first time, Arsalan's stoic mask wavered. A flicker of vulnerability crossed his face, but he quickly steeled himself again, shaking off the emotion as he spoke."I appreciate your concern," he said, his voice quieter, "but my happiness is secondary to the success of the company. That's where my priorities lie."His mother, sensing the weight of his words, reached across the table, placing her hand gently over his. Her touch was warm and comforting, a reminder of the love and support that was always there for him."Success is important, Arsalan," she said softly, her eyes meeting his, "but so is finding balance and fulfillment in life. Don't lose sight of that."For a moment, Arsalan simply nodded, his mind torn between his obligations and the care his parents showed him. Before he could respond, the soft hum of his phone interrupted the moment. He glanced at the caller ID, his expression hardening again as the demands of his world outside this dinner table came rushing back.The peaceful moment had passed, and reality was calling once more. 

As Arsalan glanced down at his phone, the caller ID confirmed what he had expected—a call from one of his business associates. His expression shifted from the rare softness he showed with his family to the hardened look of a man constantly handling high-stakes situations.

"Um, it's an important call, I have to take this. Please excuse me," he said, his voice firm but polite, though there was a hint of reluctance in his tone. His mother's face showed a flash of disappointment, but she didn't say anything. She understood the nature of her son's work, though it always stung a little when he had to leave moments like these. Arsalan's father gave him a slight nod, acknowledging that duty called once again.With that, Arsalan rose from his seat and quickly left the dining room, his footsteps quiet but purposeful. As he stepped into the hallway, the soft, warm light of the dining room faded, replaced by the cool, distant atmosphere of the outside world he was about to immerse himself in once more. He raised the phone to his ear as he reached the quieter part of the house, his voice instantly switching to the confident, authoritative tone that was expected of him in the business world.The dinner that had briefly offered him a moment of peace was now behind him, and the pressures of his professional life awaited on the other end of the line. Arsalan knew this was part of the life he had chosen—balancing the heavy demands of being a successful CEO while managing the growing distance between him and the personal moments he cherished.

                                      ...................