Fortnight

Chapter - 5

New York 

Present,

Morning light streams through the room window, casting a golden glow over the furniture. Theo groans as the persistent ringing of his phone disrupts his sleep, the sound reverberating through his pounding headache. He blindly pats his hand on the bedside table, searching for the phone, and once he grasps it, he answers in a groggy voice, "Hello?"

Kyle's crisp voice responds on the other end, "Mr. Martin, I wanted to inform you that Mr. Park has requested to see you in his cabin once you arrive at the office."

Theo sits up with a groan, squinting at the time on his phone. It's past 9 AM. He sighs deeply, rubbing his forehead. "I'll be there in an hour," he says, his voice gruff and hoarse.

Kyle replies, "Okay, I will inform Mr. Park. Take care."

Theo ends the call and places the phone back on the bedside table. He then notices a glass of water and some hangover pills neatly placed beside it. He smiles faintly, knowing it must have been Josh who left them there.

Grateful, he takes the pills and washes them down with the water.

After the effects kick in, Theo feels slightly more human. He swings his legs out of bed and stands up, stretching to relieve the stiffness in his muscles. He shuffles to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face to fully wake himself up.

Staring at his reflection in the mirror, he mutters to himself, "Alright, Theo, you need to pull it together. You can't keep getting drunk and losing yourself over the past."

He gets dressed in his business attire, carefully knotting his tie and smoothing out any wrinkles in his suit. The reflection staring back at him now is the polished, composed businessman the world expects to see.

As he heads to the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast, his thoughts drift to Mr. Park, the CEO. The mere thought of seeing him stirs a mix of emotions.

Theo knows he needs to separate his professional and personal lives, but it's easier said than done when memories keep resurfacing.

After eating, he grabs his briefcase and heads out the door. The drive to the office is filled with a mix of nerves and determination. He parks his car and takes a deep breath before stepping into the building.

As he enters the office, Kyle greets him with a polite nod. "Good morning, Mr. Martin. Mr. Park is expecting you."

"Thank you, Kyle," Theo replies, trying to sound as composed as possible despite the lingering headache.

He walks to Mr. Park's cabin, knocking lightly before entering. Jaehyun looks up from his desk, his expression unreadable. "Good morning, Mr. Martin. Please, have a seat."

Theo takes a seat across from Jaehyun, doing his best to appear confident and professional. "Good morning, Mr. Park. What can I do for you today?"

Jaehyun's eyes bore into him, as if searching for something beneath the surface. "I wanted to discuss the upcoming project and our strategy moving forward. Your insights will be crucial."

Theo nods, focusing on the task at hand. "Of course, Mr. Park. I've reviewed the details, and I have some suggestions that might help streamline our approach."

As they delve into the meeting, Theo forces himself to concentrate on the present, pushing aside the memories and emotions that threaten to overwhelm him. Today, he is determined to keep his head clear and maintain a professional demeanor.

Theo's eyes drift to a small figure playing quietly in the corner of Jaehyun's office. It's a little boy, engrossed in stacking colorful blocks into a precarious tower. Theo can't help but smile at the sight.