"Echoes of Unseen Fate"

Chapter 7

Alexander POV

The office was shrouded in darkness, with only one room illuminated by a lone light. It was empty, everyone had left expect one person and that person happened to be me.

It was now 9 PM, and I should have left three hours ago like everyone else, but here I was, still in my office, poring over important files and documents.

Being the CEO of a company as large as Thatcher Group was no easy task; it came with an immense amount of responsibility. I understood the weight of those responsibilities when I accepted the role, but as time went on, they only seemed to grow heavier.

As one of the few young CEOs in the industry, I constantly felt the pressure of scrutiny, with many doubting whether a young man like me could handle it. I had to work tirelessly to prove I was more than capable of leading this company—and I did. I managed to propel Thatcher Group to levels of success that no one had ever thought possible.

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my face with my hand as I let out a long, weary sigh. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself a moment of rest, but my brief respite was interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing. I picked it up and saw that it was none other than my assistant and best friend, Aaron Earlwood.

Aaron and I had known each other since childhood. He was one of the few people I could actually tolerate and didn't mind being around, though I would never admit that to him—his ego would soar to new heights if I did.

"What do you want, Aaron?" I said, picking up the call with my usual cold tone.

"Just calling to remind you that being a workaholic isn't a personality trait," he quipped, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You might want to consider a hobby—like knitting or extreme napping."

I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn't see me. "Knitting? Really? What's next, you're going to suggest I take up birdwatching?"

"Hey, you could discover a new passion!" he replied, chuckling. "Just think of the Instagram posts. 'CEO by day, avid birdwatcher by weekend.' It's practically a brand."

I couldn't help but smile slightly myself. "Yeah, because nothing screams 'power player' like a guy with binoculars and a notebook full of bird sightings."

"Exactly!" he laughed. "And think about all the networking opportunities. You could connect with other birdwatching CEOs. 'What's your strategy for spotting the rare blue jay?'"

I shook my head. "Alright, fine. I'll consider it after I finish these reports. Until then, I'll stick to my current hobbies of coffee and spreadsheets."

"Fair enough, but I expect to see you in a hobby shop soon," Aaron replied, his tone mock-serious. "I'll be waiting for the invite to your knitting circle."

"Don't hold your breath, buddy," I shot back before ending the call.

As I was about to put my phone down, I received a notification. It was from Aaron, and the text read, "Go home, Alex."

Knowing  he was right. I was pushing myself too hard again. I typed back, "Fine, I am going home"

The next day

My alarm went off at 6 in the morning. After turning it off, I got out from under the blankets and headed to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. I slipped into a black compression shirt and grey sweatpants. Every morning, I work out at the gym for an hour and a half; it's a crucial part of my routine, and skipping it leaves me feeling restless.

After my workout, I returned to my apartment and took a refreshing shower. When I turned 20, I made the decision to move out of my parents' house. I craved my own space, where I could do whatever I wanted and be independent.