'9:00'.
Three hours to wrap things up.
The time sat at a perfect moment to go home, grab his luggage -already prepped, before heading for Athena who -very very likely, was still undecided about what bag would go with what heel and the sorting of colors for every pair.
He knew her like the palm of his hands, well… -sort of, even at that though, he was ready to give her 2 full hours to go.
There wasn't much work to be done and if anything, he wouldn't consider anything in that present moment to be 'work' per say especially, as Lyon had already cleared his schedule. A few things needed sorting, loose ends, pending mails and the likes but one thing lingered in his mind constantly.
Leaning forward, he pressed down a button and spoke,
"Miss Cathalina, your presence is required in my office quickly"
He sat back and in a few minutes the woman in question strode into his office before standing at ease, her hands behind her.
"Good day sir"
Yehezkel watched her for a moment before his lips formed a small smile.
"Ah" he began, "We haven't quite seen each other today yes" with a small nod, he sat up "Good day"
She swallowed.
"What are the updates regarding the sorting of guards between I and my sister"
Cathalina steadied herself before meeting his eyes,
"However unofficial your request may be, we were deployed and assigned with the sole purpose of protecting you, any other would require a fresh team, with aid from a few of our team"
Yehezkel sighed,
"Does your team require a raise for motivation?" his eyes steady on her "Incentive of some sorts"
"No, sir" she spoke firmly.
"Then what's all this fuss about?", "What's the difficulty about sending a few capable members of your team to simply oversee my sibling?"
"The difficulty" she began strictly before relaxing, calming herself "The difficulty sir, is simply that if we happen to divide, in times of an unforeseen circumstance we may be outnumbered and may fail to do our duty which brought us here in the first place" she paused, watching him adjust in his seat. She continued,
"Sir", "How could we possibly respond to criticism from our head captain, much less your family and if news comes out, our house hold name and reputation will be tarnished"
"I'll sign your company a check to reimburse the defamation charges and any other possible issue, irrespective I can assure you that it will not get to that because- "
"Sir!" Cathalina raised her voice and watched the shock that befell Yehezkel "You cannot foretell that it won't happen"
The office went silent.
"That tone" he spoke softly and yet firmly, his eyes narrowing in disappointment, "This should never repeat itself"
She bit down on the inner of her lower lip in shame.
"Sir please just understand my point of view, with respect to yours"
"If you are unfit to continue with my decision, then perhaps a dismissal is best"
He watched as her lips spread in possible protest.
"This topic has been finalized and by next week, inform me of your final decision" pause "This meeting is adjourned"
Slowly, he rose to his feet and took hold of his coat before slipping it on as he watched her head out. He did the same.
…
Athena finalized her deals in the office before clocking out cheerfully, leaving her PA to handle the rest.
Just on her way to her car, her phone buzzed,
"Heelloooo" she said a little dramatically and smiled when she heard a baritone chuckle on the other side of the phone.
"Someone's excited" Yehezkel scoffed.
She could feel him smile and she did too, "We actually need this break you know, we've been working all week"
"It's not that bad when you're used to it"
"I mean" she paused as her chauffer opened the door of the car to the backseat "Yes of course but "she sat in and watched the door close shut beside her, "We get to spend time together, how wonderful is that?"
A small amused sigh escaped him, evidently from across the line,
"Really" he began "Really wonderful", "I have so much to tell you"
Her breath seized for a moment at his words, catching her off guard before she swallowed back the lump of guilt in her throat.
"Well," she began "We can spend the rest of the weekend days in Norway, more time together, yes?"
"Whatever you want love"
The line grew quiet.
"I'll get my things and come over", "I know you haven't finished packing up"
Athena couldn't help but giggle, "Oh my God stop!"
"Just give me a few minutes, I'm almost home"
She nodded subconsciously, "Sure, I can get some biscuits and tea ready before you come"
He scoffed before the line went dead.
Looking out the window at the passing high-rise buildings eased her senses a bit before the thought of her relationship with Theodore came to play in her mind.
'I have so much to tell you'
Athena bit back her tears as her stomach coiled in fear of a presumable future.
The mere thought that her big brother, who had put her first before almost everything, shared many secrets with her was now the least to gain knowledge of her affair.
'He would be angry' she thought 'If anything disappointed'.
The car finally pulled into a thin road before heading into the drive through of a wide home.
A small sigh escaped her lips as she sat back and watched the chauffer open up the car door, allowing her to help herself out.
True to his words, Yehezkel came by in a few minutes.
"Right on time" Athena watched as the tall, young man threw on a small smile while she sipped on her cup of tea. "Care for tea?"
With a small wave, "Later", he shook his head in refusal "Where are your things?"
"Urgh" she groaned, got to her feet and headed to her dressing room. He followed behind.
Yehezkel folded his arms across his chest and watched, waiting,
"What exactly is the confusion?"
Athena took out two casual outfit pieces that sat on different contoured, suit hangers.
"Which would go best for today's travel movement?"
"Left" he said without giving a second glance.
"But the right one works better with pastels" she pouted, "These" hinting at the left piece "These just fit leisure"
"Athena" he called and watched her gaze fall on him "Functionality over design"
She rolled her eyes before reluctantly placing the right piece aside and pulling out another piece.
Quickly, Yehezkel glanced at his watch, "Can't you work out the functionality of your own clothes?"
"But I need my big brother" she smiled coquettishly.
"Ew" his brows furrowed in dramatic disgust.
"I hate you so much"
A laugh escaped him before he made a decision over her clothes, leaving her to take out another.
The pair continued for an hour before chatting while munching down on biscuits.
It was one of those days that allowed the siblings to relax in their own comfort, free from the stress the day and work had brought them.
"When we get back, let's visit mom and dad"
"Urgh" Yehezkel groaned, "So mom can nag me about health and relationships while dad lectures me about my current reputation and the state of the business?"
Athena smiled before recalling the online slander revolving him,
"What exactly is the situation?", "I personally, have heard different version of different stories regarding it and yet no conclusive evidence"
"Well" he began, "That's a wee bit of what I would love to tell you during this trip"
She swallowed.
"It has weighed on me for quite a bit of time and it seems" he paused before meeting her eyes "I can't handle it on my own"
Athena struggled under her coat, fiddling with her fingers before leaving a soft anxious chuckle and looking away, "Who would have thought the mighty Yehezkel can't handle this much?"
He hummed in agreement before the car grew quiet.