#Chapter 65- Respecting The Distance
Adrian
25 BONUS
Clara’s birthday party comes to an end and no matter how many times I check my phone to see if Stella has called or texted, my notification center remains empty besides a few calls from my secretary at work and the CFO of my company.
I pretend like her silence doesn’t hurt, that it doesn’t sting to know that she only called once and immediately gave up on me. Maybe I should have called her to see what she needed, if she still needs me. It’s only a gentle reminder that I am still open and an option she has in case she needs something.
Wait…no. I shouldn’t. If Stella wants her space, then I will give her all of the space she needs. I shouldn’t push something that is bound to explode in my face, leading to complete and utter destruction in the already shell shocked city that is our relationship with one another.
Tracer was right. I need to loosen the reigns in this aspect of my life, as well as work, and I need to relax a bit. Life will play out as it will and there is not much I can do about.
I can’t help it that I am anxious all of the time, wondering when the next bad thing is going to happen to me.
First, Clara takes a bullet for me and slips into a five year long coma. Second, my mother’s cerebral hemorrhage is another scare that I went through and did not have her in my life due to a coma she slipped into. And now my sudden divorce with Stella is the next catastrophe that is ready to explode at any moment.
Although, a few mini explosions erupted here and there like at the cafe and resort when Stella and I butted heads.
I step through the door of my home, a place where Stella used to greet me with a smile on her face. Is it bad of me to admit that I miss her presence now that she’s gone? That I have become accustomed to seeing her before and after work, to come home to a home cooked meal ready for me to devour?
Now she’s gone and I am alone in a place that is way too big for just one person.
I need to stop thinking about this. A distraction will help me get out of his mindset, a constant state of worrying about someone who has pushed me away more times than I can count on my hands. After all, I do have a lot of work to do and complete for the project before the IT team Wells at me for another delay.
I change out of my clothes and get into my pajamas, sitting in my bed as I pull my laptop onto my lap. The sun has gone down and the only light in my room comes from the computer screen, illuminating my face and the nearby
area.
Tracer’s website has expanded since the last time I visited it. It looks more formal and it seems like she has expanded her ventures into other fields of focus, such as other corporations and media conglomerates.
I shift to the messing board, seeing that her status is labeled as active. Just as I am about to type in a message, to ask for another update, my phone rings from the side table.
My hand reaches to the side, aimlessly grabbing it, and bringing it in front of my face. My company’s CFO’s name, Michael Hutton, stares at me, his contact photo smiling at me. I slide the bar to accept the call and bring the phone to my ear.
“Michael? This better be good,” my voice is stoic and yet he still picks up on the humor of my very, very dry joke. “Adrian, it’s always a pleasure to speak with you,” I can hear his eye roll from the other side of the phone. “The shareholders had a word with me about your project.”
“Did they?” I am less than surprised by this. I move to my emails, looking at all of the unanswered messages that I pushed off to respond to. “What are they saying?”
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Chapter 65 Respecting that Detence
*** 128 BONUS.
Worried about the possibility of data leaks and lawsuits that may come our way, the usual, I have a plan for us to combat this and get them back into our good graces,” Michael says.
A flood of relief spreads throughout my body. Michael is always good with a plan. Him and Stella always know what to do in a situation like this.
“We have the annual shareholders meeting coming up and it would be a great idea if yott came along,” he says.
I suck in a breath, not particularly enjoying being surrounded by people who are ready to depose me at any moment just in case a scandal comes out about me that can ruin our stock’s prices.
“You can always bring a guest, you know you can. But instead of it being a meeting, it’ll be a gala style party. Very relaxed. You’ll only have to give one speech,” Michael laughs.
“Oh, well, just one speech makes it all the more appetizing I’ll think about it,” I’m just about to hang up when he catches my attention.
“You need to show up or they’re going to defund the project. I believe in you and what you want to do with the world and I would hate to see this pass you by because you don’t feel like leaving the house. Think about it, okay?”
Michael hangs up the call. I sigh and set my phone down beside me.
Events like this have always bored me. I do not like to answer the same question over and over again. Having to go about it alone will only make things worse, make me more irritable than I, or the others, will be able to handle.
Stella used to come to events like this with me. She always stuck by my side and smiled, filling in the blanks whenever I went silent. She was always great at keeping the conversation flowing despite being on the more quiet side.
Should I call her? One last favor to ask before we officially go our separate ways?
No…no that would be a horrible idea. Stella has made it clear that she does not want to see me, especially after the phone call with Clara where I said that I was appeasing Stella to be on her good side. It wasn’t even the truth which makes things worse for me.
Maybe I should send her a gesture of good will. A white flag in the air to surrender to the small skirmish in the war that is our divorce. Maybe then she’ll talk to me, see me, and help me with the shareholders gala.
I pick up my phone and text my secretary to order flowers and to send them to Stella tomorrow. White orchids, Stella’s favorite from what I can remember from our wedding, to be exact.
Maybe then she will find it in her heart to break the silence between us and bring an end to the distance that separates us. A distance that is slowly making me spiral with each passing second, a distance that makes me stare at the empty space in bed next to me.
