Ben stood in his sleek, modern office, with large windows offering a panoramic view of the busy street below. He held a short tumbler of deep amber liquid, swirling it gently as he watched the cars zip by. Each vehicle was a reminder of the frenetic life outside his sanctuary. Today felt different, though; the usual calming effect of the cityscape eluded him. On most days, when tensions ran high, he would turn to a glass of red wine, but today felt too heavy to handle that kind of strength. Instead, he found himself reaching for something stronger-something to quiet the storm raging within him.
Despite the serenity of his surroundings, anger churned in his gut like a thick fog. The thought of everything his partner endured, compounded by the painful experiences of her mother, gnawed at him incessantly. The injustice of it all-how certain behaviours of men perpetuated such suffering-stoked a fire in his chest that refused to be extinguished. He felt like a coiled spring, ready to snap.
Just then, the door to his office swung open, and Scott stepped in, a mixture of anticipation and professionalism on his face. "You called for me, sir?" he asked, his tone steady but tinged with curiosity. Ben turned away from the view to face him and moved toward his desk, where a file rested beckoningly under the dim office lights. He picked it up and let it fall with a gentle thud on the polished surface in front of Scott.
"I need you to review this contract," Ben instructed, his voice clipped but authoritative. "If it favours you, then you can sign it. The legal assistant position is yours. I was impressed with your performance during the interviews with me and Mr. MarQueen, but be clear: if you screw up, you're out. Understand?" He held Scott's gaze, wanting to convey the seriousness of his words.
Scott absorbed the gravity of the situation as he picked up the file, his heart racing with excitement at the offer of a new opportunity. However, he masked his elation, acutely aware of the tension thickening the air around him. He observed Ben, who seemed lost in thought again, retreating to the window with the glass still in hand, his expression shadowed by unspoken worries.
An urge bubbled within Scott to ask about what troubled Ben, to offer a listening ear, but he steered clear, sensing that probing might provoke further agitation. Instead, he nodded in understanding, conducting himself with the decorum required in moments like these. He took a steady breath and made his way out of the office, closing the door softly behind him, leaving Ben to wrestle with his thoughts in solitude.
As Ben stood by the expansive window of his office, the cool breeze wafted through the slightly ajar pane, but his attention was firmly fixed on the scene unfolding outside. His eyes zeroed in on a sleek black car parked across the street, its polished surface gleaming in the morning sun. He watched intently as Nathan emerged from the vehicle, his movements nonchalant as he strode purposefully toward Ben's firm. An uneasy tension coiled within Ben, a battle between the urge to confront Nathan and the promise he had made to Shelley to keep his distance. Thoughts of giving Nathan a piece of his mind flooded his mind relentlessly.
With an abrupt determination, Ben downed the last remnants of his drink, the bitter liquid lingering on his palate, and made his way downstairs, each step echoing his internal conflict. As he reached the ground floor, the murmurs of construction filled the air, mingling with the distant sounds of the city waking up. There, he spotted Nathan in conversation with a burly construction worker, their voices low yet animated.
Ben's heart raced as he approached, driven by a mixture of fury and apprehension. The moment Nathan became aware of Ben's presence, a disarmingly cheerful smile broke across his face, a façade that only intensified Ben's frustration. "Good morning, Mr. Adam. It's really nice to run into you here! How have you been?" Nathan's tone was casual, almost mocking, as if their history held no weight.
YOU ARE READING
THE LONG WAIT
RomanceA whole year has slipped by since Ben went back to his hometown, and in that time, not a single word has reached Shelley from him-not a phone call, not even a quick text. Now she stands at a crossroads: should she keep the door open for him, or is i...
