Beautiful Paroxysm

Chapter#03

“We won the deal from London. They gave us three months. The details they want are in the file.” Evan stated and put the open file in front of him. Chris read through it slowly as Evan waited patiently on side. Seeing his boss frown, he sighed.

“They want us to build a whole new program? In this money?” Chris asked softly, though his voice wasn’t angry Evan knew he was.

“It’s a major company….” Evan tried very lamely to defend them but even he knew it was useless, Chris wasn’t nice about money.

No, Chris wasn’t nice about anything.

“And?” Chris stared at him like waiting for him to continue. Evan smiled helplessly and continued, “And nothing. They should be paying if they want the best.”

Chris smiled and closed the file, standing up he smacked the file away and walked towards his table set on side for his coffee. He started making himself a fresh cup and said, “Tell them no. We refuse. No matter how much they offer now, our answer will be no.”

As the scent of coffee hit his nose, he felt a slight shake inside his chest. The memory from few days back played in his mind like a clear picture. He paused his actions for only few seconds before turning back to face Evan whose face looked ready to argue.

“You disagree?” He asked while smiling leaning on the table on crossing his legs. His one hand in his pants pocket.

“Chris, they can open doors for us in England. We can take this deal as an investment.”

“Evan, we run a business not charity. If they want to pay only this amount, they are going exactly that. I don’t do business with these kind of people. Tell them no and tell them why.” Chris stated and took back his seat. His eyes fell on his PC’s screen where he noticed the one unread email which had arrived two minutes ago.

Her name in bold letters paused him once again. The tightness in his chest arrived again. Instead of clicking on the email, he closed the window and looked at Evan again. He raised his eyebrow at his friend who was looking very tired.

“What?” Evan demanded, rubbing his face.

“Why are you so tired?” Chris asked.

“Should I not be? You have been ditching us once a week to God knows what and you refuse to tell me anything about it.”

Chris leaned back on his chair and waited for few thought before saying, “Professor Adler is making me sub for one of his classes.”

Evan looked at him with raised eyebrows, evident surprise was on his face as he stared at his childhood friend who was simply incapable of doing anything which didn’t hold any personal interest to him.

“You….” Evan was too speechless to continue but his questions reached Chris.

“This is why I didn’t wanted to mention anyone about this. Keep it to yourself.” Chris smiled which sent a shiver down Evan’s spine. Even though they had been friends been so long, Evan knew that Chris was being veil when he smiled like that. The smile which usually brought comfort to strangers just raise alarms in his head.

“Got it.” Evan nodded.

The door of the office opened and Julia walked in. Chris frowned and even Evan couldn’t help but raise his eyebrow. He knew Chris wouldn’t say anything so he had to say something.

“How many time do I have to mention for you to ask for permission to enter?” Evan demanded.

Julia just took a seat and crossed her arms over her chest, her blond hair flipped as she sarcastically answered, “Why do I need permission to enter?”