Exiting the elegant silver Royce Sweptail Car, Kith adjusted his meticulously tailored dark suit, running his fingers through his hair and straightening his tie. He also took a moment to ensure his sleek Corvette was in perfect order before grabbing his Pineider leather briefcase. Exuding confidence, Kith strode purposefully toward the entrance.
"Ohayo gozaimasu. Genki desu ka?" (Good morning, sir. How are you?) Claude, a charming individual from the R&D department, greeted Kith. They had previously had a fling, but things had changed when Kith discovered that Claude was in a relationship with a coworker.
"Genki desu, Claude," Kith replied, acknowledging his well-being.
"I and Blaise were planning to have lunch together. Would you like to join us?" Claude asked, his smile radiating warmth.
"Thank you, but I've lost my appetite," Kith declined politely.
"What about me?" Claude teased, biting his lower lip suggestively.
Kith raised an eyebrow in response. "What about you?"
"Eat me for lunch," Claude playfully remarked, hinting at their past encounters.
Kith's grip on his briefcase momentarily weakened. It was a half-joking comment, yet it held a kernel of truth. Their intimate moments were not foreign to them when they were involved.
"Pssst." Kith subtly tapped his finger against his own lips, cautioning Claude to exercise discretion. "They might overhear you."
"You can devour me in that damn elevator. I promise, I'll explode before you even reach your office in one minute. And to add to the excitement, we're on the one hundred fifteenth floor," Claude chuckled, finding his own suggestion amusing.
Kith tried to brush off the proposition, saying, "I won't be able to concentrate; I'll just get dizzy." He found delight in his own whimsical thoughts. Shaking his head, he couldn't help but smirk. "I'm heading out now. My Dad, who also happens to be your boss, is waiting for me."
Claude laughed once again, then added, "I almost forgot my manners. See you around." He flashed a warm smile.
"This will be my last day at PMV," Kith announced.
"I had a feeling. Can I invite you to unit 983 this evening?" Claude proposed with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.
Kith nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Hell, I'd be more than glad to join you." With those words, he stepped into the elevator.
***
"Why are you taking so long?" That was the question posed by Miguel Prime, Kith father, as he sat in his plush chair within his expansive office.
"I grabbed a bite to eat outside," he fibbed, nonchalantly scratching his head.
"Oh, I see. But do you know why I've taken the time to come here?"
"Yeah." Kith had a general sense that his father's visit had a purpose. It was a rarity for Miguel to pay a visit, considering the immense weight of responsibilities that burdened his shoulders. As the busiest man on Earth, juggling numerous companies, Miguel father's time was a precious commodity.
"Then enlighten me," requesting a straightforward answer, his father's expression remained stoic.
"Daddy, you already know," Kith responded, a hint of frustration mixing with a playful smirk, as he massaged his temples.
"I simply wish for you to embrace your responsibilities with a sense of accountability," his father's tone grew more serious, emphasizing the gravity of the matter.
"You might as well have said, 'I want you to emulate and follow in my footsteps'," Kith chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood.
"That is precisely the essence, my son."
"Alright, I promise to give it my all," Kith affirmed with determination, his eyes reflecting a readiness to excel.
"By the way, what time is your departure scheduled for tomorrow?" his father inquired, shifting the focus to another topic.
"Early in the morning," he replied, his voice containing a tinge of weariness.
"Good," his father acknowledged, the single word carrying reassurance and approval.
Tomorrow, he would be embarking on a momentous journey back to the Philippines, driven by a weighty responsibility that awaited him there. It had been a considerable stretch of time—two whole years—since he last set foot on Philippine. He couldn't help but wonder how Theron was doing. Has Theron achieved success as well? And what about his relationship with Syd? The answers to those burning questions would soon be revealed to him.
An exhilarating sense of anticipation bubbled up inside him as he contemplated his imminent return to his homeland. No longer was he the feeble Kith Fukushima Sylvester Prime of yesteryears; he had undergone a remarkable metamorphosis of character. Now, he stood as an individual with boundless capabilities, ready to take on the world. A captivating smile, etching its mark upon his slender and flawlessly-shaped lips, conveyed his newfound strength and resilience.
***
"Are you seriously considering applying to that company?" Warren Amherst's exasperated shout filled the room. "Can't you hear me?" His question reverberated with frustration.
Theron appeared unfazed, continuing to draw on his cigarette, as if the commotion around him held no significance.
"You, a failure. Has your mind gone astray, Theron?" Warren's impatience fueled another round of exasperated shouts.
"Dad," Theron finally interjected, his voice calm yet tinged with a hint of annoyance. "Shh," he whispered, bringing a finger to his lips. "You're making quite a racket."
Warren persisted with his fervent objection, "You're not allowed to apply to that company, Theron."
"And why not?" Theron countered, the smoke curling around him as he spoke.
"They are the very reason our business crumbled beneath us. Look-"
"Dad. Your noise level," Theron emphasized, his interruption cutting through the air.
"That cursed company!" Warren's irritability persisted as he made his way to the nearest solitary sofa, taking a seat. "Our downfall, all because of them."
"Ah," Theron's response carried a tone of indifference, as if he were aloof to the situation at hand. Rising from his seat, he stood tall, ready to confront his father's accusatory remarks. "So? You're conveniently blaming them for the current predicament. Our business has crumbled? Well, that's because of your actions, and your actions alone. Your mounting debts, your vices, those wretched casinos," he declared, his face contorted with deep-seated anger. "But what do I care if all our wealth has vanished into thin air? Can you miraculously restore it? I think not."
"Don't attempt to lecture me."
"Ah, that's the perennial challenge with your generation," he retorted, his voice laced with a potent blend of frustration and defiance.
"I did not raise you to respond in such a disrespectful manner."
"With all due respect, Dad, I wasn't born just to be a passive audience to your words."
"Ah, and now you're contemplating selling this very mansion?" Theron added.
"We have nothing left, Theron. Nothing," his father's voice trembled with a hint of sorrow.
Theron pressed his hand against his forehead, trying to quell the ensuing frustration. "It's because of you. You push me to the point where I must repeat my words, over and over again."
"It appears we have veered far from the original discussion," his father conceded, a sense of resignation tingeing his words.
"Oh, so it seems like you're skillfully evading the truth I'm speaking," Theron quipped with an embittered chuckle.
"Enough. The hell you can't apply to that damned company."
"I understand your concerns, but you cannot prevent me, Dad." A subtle smile danced upon Theron's lips, displaying a confident resolve.
"Well, ultimately, it will be my decision," his father concluded, the weight of responsibility weighing heavily upon him.
Filled with a sense of frustration and anger, Theron abruptly turned his back on his father's words and ascended the stairs to his room. Once inside, he unleashed his pent-up emotions by fiercely assaulting the solid wall with his clenched fist. A deep, primal growl escaped from his lips, echoing through the confines of the room. The weight of his father's self-destructive vices had led to the ruin of their once-thriving business, and Theron was left grappling with the daunting question of how to salvage what remained.
Amidst the whirlwind of emotions, memories flooded Theron's mind, transports of time where he had faced similar challenges before. In those times of turmoil, Kith had been a steadfast presence, a pillar of support and encouragement. Together, they had meticulously crafted strategies to rescue their imperiled enterprise, ultimately triumphing over adversity. Theron now yearned for Kith's indomitable spirit and unwavering faith, as he felt desperately in need of his friend's guidance.
However, a lingering sense of unease gnawed at Theron's being, for he had received no news of Kith's whereabouts in the past two years. The void left by Kith's absence weighed heavily upon him, adding to his mounting frustrations and fears. The last shred of information Theron had received from Irvin was that Kith had departed the country, leaving behind a void that felt insurmountable.
The force of Theron's blow against the unyielding wall resulted in not only physical pain but also a profound sense of anguish. His right hand now bore the mark of his futile attempt to release his overwhelming emotions. The pain served as a reminder of the agonizing uncertainty that gripped him, as he yearned for a reconnection with Kith, hoping beyond hope to heal the wounds inflicted upon their business and their souls.
_________
Thank you for giving this chapter a shot.