[I promise the gif will make sense l8r]
"You got one time to twist and one time to shout; one time to think and I say we start now." - Twenty One Pilots |-/
After another hour of attempting to work with the distraction of Quan running through his head, Ivan decided it was due time for a lunch break. He went into his private bathroom and splashed cold water on his tired eyes. The action reminded him of the coldness of snowflakes, which only made him feel less refreshed.
He trudged to the company cafeteria eager for something to fill the hole Quan left - no, to fill the hole he created. Quan didn't leave, Ivan pushed him out the door. He shouldn't dwell on these feelings, because this is all for the best. He can focus on his company now, which was in imminent danger and Quan can got back to having a worry-free life without him. It was better this way. As he repeated that in his head a couple more times, he forgot if he was reminding himself or convincing himself.
He strolled down to the make-a-wich, made his sandwich and sat quietly in the hubbub of bustling people. He munched on it peacefully pondering what to do with his meeting with potential investors tomorrow. After a lot of frustration, he gave up and started watching one of the multiple tvs surrounding the walls of the cafeteria. Disrupting his silence, Karim Adham, a co-worker of his, sat right next to him, and started talking.
"Hey man, rough day?"
"Yeah." Ivan kept his response short, hoping it would send a message of his want to be alone.
"Yeah, here too man." Message not received.
Karim had started working only three years ago, but thanks to his dad he was able to score a very important job in Famfung. He was in last years 30 under 30, which he constantly bragged about and used as a pickup line most of the time.l He was the company's resident sleezebag, but sadly, could can't fire someone based on personality. He is good at what he does, so that's all that matters.
Suddenly on one of the tv's a big flash of color appeared drawing everyone's attention.
'BREAKING NEW: LOVE WINS'
The reporter on the screen explained the Supreme Court's decision on the state of marriage equality in the United States. Ivan's lips curved into a smile. He pulled out his phone and texted Anfisa.
>Check the news! (Delivered)
Some people in the cafeteria were clapping and cheering; his smile got wider.
"Ugh." Karim exclaimed.
Ivan's head snapped toward the sound in confusion. "Fucking faggots." Ivan wiped the smile off of his face and kept a stoic expression. "It's just plain wrong. Right man?"
"Um... yeah." Ivan excused himself and threw out his trash before returning to work. He forgot that some people still didn't accept of LGBT+ people. Ivan never felt the need to come out to anyone except his family. Of course Amaka knew after walking in on him and Quan, but he suspected that she always knew.
<Oh my gosh I just saw!!! Congrats <3 (I'm sure all the support that Famfung has provided helped ;)
Fanfung has been active in helping youth of all kind for years. Ivan's father was a big advocate of teaching the future generation right, so that they could help save the world. Ivan donated millions to suicide prevention hot lines and for organizations that provided speakers to visit schools. It was an organization close to his father, so he always made sure that him and Anfisa honored his memory with it.
Ivan sat back down at his computer and stared at it for a while, before actually doing something productive with his time. Slowly he got back into his groove of arranging proposals and calling up investors. By the end of the day, he had cleared most of the paper in the piles on his desk.
*****
"Anfisa? I'm home!" Ivan slammed the door desperate to get his sister's attention. He needed to vent and paying a therapist $500+ would be a waste.
"In the media room, bro!" Ivan sat next to a snuggled up Anfisa with popcorn scattered around and on her.
The source, a large green bowl, was placed in the middle of the two siblings. Ivan grabbed a handful and stuffed it in his face, eager for something warm and buttery.
"Keeping up the the Kardashians? Really? You are a millionaire you know? You can basically live like them."
"But it's not the same." Anfisa replied, eyes glued to the screen, "And shut up, this is a great show." They both watched together as Kim slapped Khloe with a purse and giggled at their stupid antics. "Congrats on the ruling by the way."
He smiled. "Thanks." Ivan looked down and tried to find the words to say. "You know Quan Nguyen, right?"
"Duh, he is probably the most prominent figure in electronics manufacturing... I mean except for you!"
"Yeah... I... We... We kind of... kissed?" His statement sounded more like a question, which didn't stop Anfisa from asking hers.
"You kissed one of the most eligible bachelors on the planet?!" She shrieked.
"Yes?" Ivan replied, his cheeks turning a rosy red.
"You have to tell me everything."
Together the siblings talked and talked about the mysterious enigma that was Quan Nguyen over a bowl of popcorn with the faint voices of the Kardashian sisters.
"So let me get this straight, your problem with Quan is that he was doing everything right and you got mad for absolutely no reason?"
"No, he wasn't taking the deal seriously and -"
"Ivan, you could of signed the deal at any time you wanted to, but you got afraid. You have never really had a serious relationship, because you were so young back then, but now you are not. Ivan, you are old enough to settle down. This house is too empty."
"It's not that simple, I have to work and the company is in danger -"
"Ivan, what do you remember about dad?" Anfisa's face went from mocking to serious in a second.
"What does that mean? A lot. We would spend all night inventing when I was a teen and we built Famfung together. What does this have to do with anything?"
"That's the point - I don't remember him at all. He was always working with you or working in general. Sure he was there at Christmas and sure he bought me a big gift on my birthday, but I never spent much time with him like you did. I know he was a good man, but without his presence, I forgot that. And I'm starting to forget who you are too, Ivan. You need to let off the company and start spending time to yourself and with loves ones. If dad taught us anything, it's that life is short, and death doesn't need a valid reason to come knocking. Go get Quan back. Have fun. The company will be there when you get back."
"Thank you." He whispered as he tugged Anfisa into a big hug.
"Ew! Get off me you are too big! I can't see the Kardashians!" She screeched.
