Ruby's Secret

CHAPTER- 4

"A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens." — Robert Baden-Powell.

NIKOLAS PALLIS P.O.V

After graduation, I had devoted my time to run our family business, the Pallis Shipping & Co, a multi- billion world shipping company. Just recently my father informed me that he's going to retire and spend the rest of his time with my mother. Three year ago, he sent me to look after another branch as he couldn't fly from one place to another.

Working day and night, I took our company to one of the highest and most popular shipping corporations and now my hard work has really paid off. From president to C.E.O. I am happy that I achieved it on my own.

I knew some of my colleagues and employees believed the worst in me. Why? It was because I expected perfection from them, to be very skillful, efficient, excellent and productive in their jobs. They just didn't realize that I was doing this for their own good.

Our world was full of competitors. There were many hungry shark-like businessmen out there, aiming to bring our organisation down. They would even trade their souls just to see me specifically crawling on the ground.

But I wouldn't let our company fail. We have thousands of employees all over the globe who rely on us. They would starve, including their families, if the organization suffered loss. No yearly increase in their salaries,no bonus, no holidays. I was strict as hell as I swore I won't let anyone bring me down.

It was twelve in the morning when I landed in New York. My best friend Theodore was already at the airport waiting for me. After graduation all changed, I stopped partying and mingled around. My life took three sixty degrees turns. How cruel this world is, I got to know in the worst way possible. It's been five year since I last saw him after the incident. Thinking about it, a shiver ran down my spine. Whenever I think about it, I want to erase it from my life. It was the darkest day of my life. I was broken beyond repair.

But little by little, I picked up my own pieces and created a wall around me swearing to never let anyone in.

"NICKO." Theodore shouted at the top of his lungs, turning hundreds of heads in his direction.

"Nicko." Again he screamed running towards me and jumped on me catching me off guard.

"I missed you so much bro." He cried, making me shake my head in disbelief.

"How can you do that to me?" He complained dramatically. "You refuse to see me. Do you have any idea how I lived for five years?"

I sigh nervously and look around the airport. Indeed several heads were turned around our direction. Feeling self conscious I tried to push him away from me but like a koala he refused to move.

"Move Theo, everyone's watching." I gritted my teeth as I pushed him from his shoulder.

"NO." He stubbornly spoke, as his hand took a good grip around my neck.

"Stop behaving like a leech. People will get the wrong idea."

"And you care?" He fired back.

"If you won't leave me in ten seconds, I swear I will break your arms." I threatened which made him stiff and slowly he moved away from him giving me a sheepish smile.

Glaring at me, I removed the crease from my black suit and started walking out of the airport with him following me.

"Grumpy pant." He hooted under his breath.

"Heard it." I called out with a smile.

"Good." He grumpily replied and opened his Bugatti Veyron and sat inside, taking the driver seat.

He started his car, without saying anything. I look outside the window as I feel a cold breeze hitting my face. After five year I am coming back home. For five year, I haven't met my parents. I was ashamed to face them. The things I have done in the past, broke me but also played an important role to make me the cold -hearted person I am now.

I noticed Theo took a left turn instead of right to my parents house. Driving straight to the busy street and stopping right beside his skyscraper building.

I raise my brow at him, questioning him why we are here. He only scowled and got out of his seat, refusing to talk. I also got out and followed him as we walked inside the lobby and went straight to his private elevator.

The elevator stopped at the sixty-fifth floor and I frowned because it was so dark that I couldn't even see Theo.

Walking out, I took out my cell phone and was shocked to see Theo was nowhere to be found. I gritted my teeth at his childish behaviour and walked towards the only door in this damn ghost floor.

As soon as I opened the door, the lights turned on and everyone screamed, making me clutch my heart.

I looked around with wide eyes as everyone from my family and friends were present there.

My mother was the first person who ran towards me as I picked her up, twirling her around. She started crying at the nape of my neck as I laughed for the first time coming here.

Soon one by one everyone came and hugged me, congratulating me for my achievements. It was my father who came at the last patted my back proudly.

My eyes welled up as I heard him. "I am proud of you, my son."

In those exact moments, I knew I could walk freely now. The disappointment, the sadness, I gave him five year ago all washed away as I gave him a bear hug.

I looked up and saw Theo watching me with his own teary eyes. I mouthed thank you to him as he waved in the air giving me a flying kiss as I laughed out loud.

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I lost count of how much alcohol I consumed last night. I had a hangover. After meeting my parents, Theo took me to his club where I met my other friends. The crowd was full of socialites and celebrities. It was rather wild.

Damn it!

I even flirted with a girl. Not just any girl, the famous model Angela Parker. I usually dated once as soon as I slept with them, I discarded them then and there. I refused to spend a full night with any of them.

I shouldn't complain about it, Angela was indeed an eye-catching girl. She was smoking hot and gorgeous. She was clutching my arm all night. Every man at the party wanted her but she chose me. She was marvellous in bed, an expert in every position. I was shocked when I woke up and found her in my bed.

My first expression was- I f****d it.

I broke my own rule. Looking around the room, I realized I was not in my house. Putting on my pants, I walked out of the room and immediately felt vomit rise on my throat as I watched Theo getting a blow job from a blondie on the damn couch at seven in the morning.

"What the fuck." I cursed loud enough for both of them to freeze in their place.

Theodore stood up like a bullet train making me close my eyes as I don't want to imagine how hard he was.

"What the hell Nick?" He exaggerated. "You should knock first."

"Really Theo?" I raised my brow peeping through my fingers. "Where should I knock, in your damn head?"

"No, what I mean is, you shou…" He started arguing.

"Put on your damn pants man." I cut him off as he stood naked while hiding his face behind his hand.

He started putting on his pants as he asked the blondie to go back inside the room. Eyeing the couch, I was debating myself whether to sit on it or not?

"It's clean." He stated with tight lips.

"Can I get some coffee?" I sigh, rubbing my forehead. My head was paining so badly.

"No coffee, but I know a coffee shop just down the street. Go dress up, we will go there. I also need some caffeine." Theo spoke walking inside his bedroom.

Taking Theodore's suit, I walk back to my bedroom where Angela was still sleeping. Tip toeing I walked inside the wash room and took a shower, getting ready as fast as I could. Once getting dressed, I gave her one last look before I left the apartment with Theodore.

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Theodore took me to a vintage looking coffee house. It looks like an average coffee shop. I was giving him stinky eyes.. Why the hell did he bring me here? But my head was throbbing badly and my eyes turned blood red. Without complaining anymore, I put on his Ray Bans and walked inside the damn coffee house.

And to my surprise, it was the most delicious espresso that I've ever tasted.

I decided to visit here again but I didn't know that the next time I would come here, I would do something crazy that would ruin my once calm world.

I didn't know what drove me this crazy, my mother forcing me to go on a date with her best friend's daughter or the green eyes beauty who dared to make my heart flip.

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