bapa: from here to eternity

chapter 23: happy

Bose POV:

I arrived at work this morning with a sense of anticipation. What happened yesterday had left me with a renewed perspective on Chapa, and I couldn't shake the hope that I'd see her today. After everything we went through, I felt like I finally understood her better, and I hoped she understood me too. She had promised not to distance herself anymore, and while Chapa wasn't someone who broke promises easily, I was still curious to see if she'd keep her word.

The morning felt different. I woke up happier than usual, lighter somehow. It was strange to feel this way after all the uncertainty that had lingered between us for so long. Her words kept replaying in my mind, as did her presence, her confession. We both have yet to figure out what's really going on between us, but one thing was clear to me: I wanted to be with her. I felt more sure of that than anything else in my life at the moment.

I started the day by answering some emails that had piled up. Several people wrote to say how much they enjoyed the art exhibition, which was satisfying to hear. The students who contributed their work were incredibly talented, and it was rewarding to see their pieces being appreciated. The paintings that had been bought were scheduled for delivery today, and the payments had all come through. I made a mental note that the money needed to be deposited into the students' bank accounts, something Andrew would take care of.

Our company, still in its infancy at just a year old, was busy building something truly remarkable. The students here weren't just students; they were artists in the making, each working hard to develop their skills. They had to pay for their studies, which lasted at least two years, but they also earned money through their work. It was a unique system, and one that had already shown promising results. Once they felt they had reached their potential, they could decide whether to continue their education and learn more, or move on to higher roles within the company. We were still working on establishing the department for these more advanced positions, expecting it to be ready in about nine months. Once it was complete, we'd host bigger and more prestigious international events for these graduates—events that would elevate them from students to full-fledged employees of the company. They'd start receiving a standard salary, but would no longer be paid directly for each piece of work they produced. It was a significant shift, one that we needed to announce formally once all the details were finalized.

It was 10:51 a.m. when I called Bridget to ask if she could bring me a coffee. She knocked on my door a few minutes later, entered with the coffee, and left without saying much. Which was very unlike her. I took a sip of the coffee and was just settling into my work when there was another knock at the door. This time, it was Andrew.

"I deposited all the money to everyone's bank account," he said as he stepped into the room.

"Great, thanks!" I replied, grateful as always for his reliability.

"No problem," he said with a nod. Then his expression shifted, and I knew something else was coming. "Oh, and your stepfather just came by. I already told him you were in a meeting because I know you hate it when he drops in unannounced. But he left a message—he wants you to come to Swellview tonight, to his house, for dinner. He said he needs to talk to you about the company."

I sighed, the weight of my stepfather's expectations settling on my shoulders once again. I didn't respond immediately, just stared at my desk for a moment. Andrew, ever perceptive, knew how much I dreaded these meetings.

"I know," he said sympathetically, "but you should go anyway."

I sighed again, knowing he was right but not wanting to admit it. Then, Andrew added with a wry smile, "Now, I have good and bad news. Your stepdad wants me to come too."