Thirty Years

Routine

"Mr. Espeji!"

"Mr. Espeji!"

"A word please!"

"What do you have to say about the success of Sprouts so far?"

"How did you get Via Dos to work for you?"

"Are you two involved in a relationship?"

"Mr. Espeji, please a comment!"

Striding in with his two bodyguards, Alecai headed straight to his office building, ignoring the frantic calls of the reporters around him. 

After two years of hard work, Sprouts had finally gained recognition. Due to his experience at Espeji Enterprises, Alecai was unfazed with the attention the press was giving him. His only concern was of how it would affect Via. 

Alecai walked quickly into his office, missing his secretary's calls. As he opened his office doors, he found a surprise. Maix, Asa and James were sitting and talking on the couch in his office. 

If he didn't know better, Alecai would think that his office space had become a meeting area for the three fools. 

As he opened the door, Alecai found himself faced with three accusing glares. 

"It's your fault!"

"Yeah! Your dead if the press says anything bad about my sister!"

"How could you give me more work? Those annoying reporters keep asking for an interview from you! I'm not even your secretary, but they keep calling me as if I am!"

"Via's not dating you right? You haven't even asked for our approval!"

Alecai sighed, running his hand through his hair as he always did under stress, he went straight to his desk, ignoring the glares he got from the side of his office. 

"Listen, you guys know I won't let anything happen to your sister. She means a lot to me. And she's too busy to even see me right now."

At his response, a whole new range of protests began from the three. Seeing that despite their protests, Asa and Maix had let him off the hook Alecai shook his head and called his secretary to bring in some coffee. 

Meanwhile James just sat between the two brothers, watching his best friend in shame. How could one girl have such a powerful effect on the most serious, stoic man he had ever met? 

James couldn't help but feel wronged when his friend completely ignored his complaints. He had a life too! And he sure didn't sign up to handle Alecai's love affairs when he first agreed to support his friend. And even as the Vice President of Sprouts, James felt as if he was in the same position all over again. 

Help out Alecai--that was James' job. Please people who Alecai angered--also part of the job as his best friend. Keep reporters from ripping his best friend apart. . . oh, wait. That one was new. James sighed over dramatically once more, and then proceeded to swing both arms around Asa and Maix, startling them. 

"It's twelve."

"So?" Maix turned to James, trying to get out of his hold. 

"So. . . you guys will buy me lunch! Or no. Better yet, Asa works at Chloe right?"

"Yeah sure, I'll make you guys something." Asa laughed at James' excited expression. 

"Hey! You never offer me any food from Chloe!" Maix glared at his brother accusingly. 

"Yeah, but we own Chloe. You can literally come in to eat anytime you want. . . but I'm not sure if that's good for business."

"See? Look at what I have to deal with James. You know what? I can't do this anymore, I'm moving in with you James!"

James sighed at Maix's dramatic antics and pulled him back when he faked walking out of the room, wrapping his arms around the dark-haired man. 

"Not yet, we'll go out as soon as our friend Cai-Cai here has company."

Maix looked at James confused until the realization dawned on him. 

'You didn't!' Maix mouthed at James.

"Oh but I did. And the King is not happy at all to be interrupted form her work."

"Oh no, our kingly sister is going to blow up." Asa look at Maix in alarm. 

Maix and Asa both stood up until they were blocked by James. 

"Uh-uh you guys will stay here with me."

"Who's going to blow up?"

At that, all four men looked up to see the Via standing in the door frame. This day, Via had chosen a pair of loose, maroon striped pants and paired it with a short turtleneck. As per usual, she wore no jewelery, only a pair of nude heels matching the stripes on her pants. 

Smiling, Via walked over to Alecai, who was still completed engrossed in his work. 

As soon as Asa, Maix and James started bantering, Alecai had plugged in his earbuds, blasting any and all music that could drown out the sound. 

Via walked right up to Alecai and pulled out his earbuds. 

"Should we go out for lunch Cai?"

Surprised, he stared at her for a moment, as if in a daze. Most times, Alecai admired Via for her confidence and straightforward manner. Although he knew she was beautiful, he didn't realized exactly how beautiful she was until he saw her up close. 

"Cai?"

Via looked at Alecai concerned and placed her hand on his forehead. 

"Your not overworking yourself are you? Is it the reporters? I can get them to stop if it's bothering you."

Shaking himself out of his stupor, Alecai smiled at Via. 

"N-no, I'm used to the attention from the press. If it doesn't bother you then I'm fine with it."

"Is it these three? I can get rid of them too if you want."

Via playfully glared at her bothers and James, who stuck his tongue out at her shamelessly in return. 

Via laughed and pulled Alecai up. 

"Let's go, Molly introduced me to a new place that I think you'll like."

Sticking her tongue out at James as she left, Via dragged Alecai away from his work. 

"And there were three." James looked at the two brothers, sighing in a dramatic way before falling onto Maix's lap.

"How come she can go out to eat whenever she wants?"

"You can do that too. . ."

"I'm too lazy. Will you bring food from Chloe's to me?"

Asa glared at Maix. 

"What do you think I am? A delivery boy? I the chef."

Tsking, James patted Maix's head, making sure to flatten his hair and earning himself a glare in return.

"Don't worry Maixie, I'll take care of you!" 

Maix ducked away, running out of Alecai's office. 

"I'd rather live alone than eat the food you make!" Maix screamed as he ran into the elevator. 

Shaking his head, Asa followed James as he ran after Maix. 

And to think that those two were both two of the most successful businessmen in their city. . .