Chapter 1

Dashiel's Pov

I am in my office currently signing some reports and export orders when I get a text from Anderson. He is my assistant and sort of best friend over the years though if he asked I wouldn't say that. I met him in the second year of my business. He was fresh out of college, had the passion and was eager to learn the trade. He had new ideas but the good thing about him is he knows when to speak which I hate to admit some of my employees lack.

They just want to be the first one to tell the idea. How good is the idea or if it's feasible they don't care. I am not saying it's bad it's good especially if the person wants credit and wants me to recognise him but the problem here is I can't hear the idea if two to three people are talking together one over the other.

Anderson has a lot of ideas infact he wrote it and when someone tried to peek he hid it I used to find it childish but I realised that just like everyone he wanted the credit and the validation from me but he wanted to tell me the ideas one on one or when he was sure that everyone was done talking which was usually in the last. Most of the times I liked his idea because the advantage about being the last to present your idea is that you get to present your idea why it's good, advantages as well as point out the flaws of the other people's ideas. He used to do that.

Though it took me a lot of time to trust him and I guess for him to be important to me it took some initiative on his part. I was infact I am still like an afraid animal you show me that you are good, that you can be trusted, understand my way of working, do good things infront of me and otherwise for a long period maybe for a year or two and you are good. I will trust you back, maybe care for you in my own way, I don't know, my way of caring varies from person to person.

Anderson gave me some good ideas and was early to work, late to go, eager to go to site seeing with me, used to ask a lot of questions but then I would give him my raised eyebrow and he shut up then when I completed my work which was around the end of the day, when nobody was present in the office except him I used to ask him if he had anymore questions because I do believe a person learns by asking but I personally am not a fan of answering too many questions though I like to ask them if I want to have a conversation with someone or learn how something works.

Anderson was supposed to be my intern for three months the workload was too much at the time. I sort of liked his ideas and how quickly he grasped, helped me out. My workload despite being a lot felt just fine with him being there. He even took care of my lunch and sometimes dinner as well. All in all he was handy and is still very much handy. Sometimes I think how my life would be without Anderson but then I like to think that if suppose he wants to leave the job I may try once or twice to make him stay and if he doesn't then I can find someone like him.

I like to think I can find someone like him because I don't want to put all my hopes in one person that if he is not there I won't be able to work perhaps with someone new who in time can become like him but these thoughts are for the time when he decides to leave which is not now. I overthink a lot of things. I have a backup plan for almost everything in my life, all the decisions I make. So coming back to the text

Good afternoon sir. Harry is selling his shares in the market. Thought to inform you.

Harry is my step father. My father died in a drug deal gone wrong. I don't like to think about that time. Long story short me and my mother survived she is a brave amputee and she and Harry have been happily married for three years now. I like to think they are happy though they occasionally fight like all couples do. Harry has come to my place thrice to ask for my help you know pissing off my mom and stuff. He didnt know what to do. The first time I directly asked my mom and she told me to keep "my nose where it belonged." Translation "to not interfere in her matters." She said she will sort it out.

The second time Harry came I asked him to explain the entire situation and then gave him an idea accordingly and I specifically asked him not to mention me. He did what I asked which was give her some time and then kindly say that he understands her point of view which he did and she was normal as in not pissed at him anymore. For both of us my mother and me, professional success is very important it impacts how we behave with our family.

If a deal goes good for me and in my mother's case a day with her students is good, our mood is good. You can ask us anything and we would be more what can I say ummm... Agreeable. Doesn't mean that if the person asks for a moon, or something which I feel is not correct to suddenly become right or correct for me and I am definitely not bringing the moon even if my deal goes good. So yeah I thought he should give her time because of the stress she was facing on that day and it worked. I am happy for them.

He makes my mom happy so he is a good addition to the family. I don't interfere in his business that much but he likes to tell me things or so, I think. Earlier when he was introduced to me I used to just stare at him when he talked to mom or steal glances at him when he was quiet. My mom says it's rude and I should talk to people but I have told her so many times I will tell you too I don't know which topic to talk on. Even the first time I met I didn't know what to talk or which questions should I ask Harty that seem appropriate but not too privy. I didn't have a father for many years and suddenly I am being introduced to a guy that could be my potential step father.

I was more than a little cautious when I was getting dressed up. What if I screw this up for mom. What if the guy doesn't like me? What if I don't like the guy for my mom? The second one I was clear on if I didn't like the guy I would tell it straight to my mom and then it's upto her if she would leave him or not. I knew there was a man in her life just didn't know that I was going to be introduced to him and that too so soon I was informed only a day earlier that tomorrow we are going out for dinner with Harry and when I complained about less time she said I should be thankful that she was informing me a day in advance otherwise she didn't plan to tell me until we reached the hotel.

During our dinner, My mom gave me some cues you know Dashiel does this and that and I just said one and two sentences and nodded. Then he shared something about his life and his current project. He said some terms which I thought I shouldn't ask incase he thought I was dumb but then decided that I will just ask the one term. When I asked he explained it with enthusiasm so I asked him the other term as well and we started talking for like 16 minutes which was a pretty good time according to me. After dinner, I asked my mom if he liked me because if he didn't we could work out a way where he could stay with mom and I could stay on my own. I didn't want anybody to be uncomfortable because of me.

She told and I still remember that she told me I was the most important person in her life, if I didn't like him she wouldn't stay with him and that my opinion matters to her. She asked me if I liked him very little then also it's fine because I judge people quickly and mostly my judgements are pretty right very rarely someone has turned my judgements wrong. I repeat very rare.

I told her that I liked him more than a little and I would do a background check on the guy before things got more serious. Serious as in engagement and stuff. The background check came back clear. He was in army, he was engaged but his girlfriend broke up later it was found out she was having an affair and he now owns a food beverage company. He is an excellent cook. I can learn a thing or two from him but I am very lazy when it comes to cooking for myself.

So after I gave my mom the background check results. I am an honest person so I gave the background check results to her so she can see for herself and gave her a summary of it. She was satisfied. They got engaged. Their age difference was a bit concerning for me, he was younger than mom by a good 7 years and I expressed my doubt to him once at the dining table. My mom gave me the stink eye as if to say shut up but he clearly said that his heart belongs to her and he would never ever cheat on her.

He joked that he was the one that got cheated on not the one who could cheat so he should probably ask my mom not to cheat on him. My mom promised him that she would not cheat him and she was an amputee so no one would take the risk of falling in love with her. He said that he would and that she looked hot because of her hand, he could keep falling for her over and over and all that stuff till I cleared my throat reminding them that they were not alone.

My mom was not happy when I left the house three days before their marriage but I wanted to have boundaries I didn't want to interfere in their personal life and also I was a grown adult, it was time I bought my own place. Infact on seeing my mom so upset Harry came upto me and asked me if I had any issues with him. He thought I was leaving the house because of him which was not the case. Okay it was but not in the negative sense, in the positive sense I wanted them and myself to have some privacy.

He told me that if I didn't have any problem with him I should move back, my mom loves me and he knows that, he would never try to snatch my mom from me. I explained him my reasons and told him that it would take time but I was sure that he would understand my decision.

So mom was upset and what does one do when the other is upset they either apologise or they come up with a negotiation. I came up with a negotiation that I would come to have dinner everyday with her at her house. I didn't want her to have the trouble of coming to my house.

She added that I would come to have dinner even if it was late at night. Mom after all she is always aware of what excuses or what my next action will be and whenever I asked her how does she know I was going to do that her usual standard answer is you are my son I am aware of each of your things. I asked Harry if he minded. He said absolutely not and that he would be happy to have me for dinner at his house.

Mom gave me a smile but it was not a real smile it was I am trying to accept it because I love you smile and her eyes were weary hoping that I would change my decision and come and stay with her. I didn't change my decision and with time she has accepted our new routine. She keeps a tap on me through my phone or if my phone is on silent she calls Anderson just like when she did when she wasn't married I thought with harry in her life she would stop checking on me during the day and we would talk directly at night but that was not the case. I am happy about it. I like talking to my mom about my day and also sharing my thoughts with her. She says that I think a lot and since my mother tells me that I beleive her and have accepted the fact that yes I do think a lot. I overthink but it serves well in plenty of things so why stop?

I started working on the computer. There are so many emails left to check and respond. There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

"Sir these are the project reports inbour latest venture. Should I keep it here?" He asked as I was still reading the email not looking at him.

"I will read it later. Harry's company?" I asked turning my eyes away from the screen and looking at him..

"What about it?" He asked.

"Any specific reason why he is selling his shares?" I asked.

"According to my sources he is facing a financial crunch. The company was established so he could provide ready to eat food for the soldiers at the border and due to his sales not working well and the frequent bus strikes towards the boarder he is not able to transfer the food or raise the money." Anderson explained. One of the many reasons I like working with him he was thorough.

"Okay thanks." I said getting back to my work and he stayed there.

"Want to ask something?" I asked him. I knew there was something he wanted to ask but he was hesitant. I could bet everything I have that he was about to ask a personal question about my family and whenever anyone asks me about my family I do the thing I am the most good at. I shut down and give them I like to think of it as my frosty glare. The one that scares you shitless.

"Will you help him?" He asked and I just started at him.

"Okay sir, I will go " he said after a moment.

"That's none of your business but since you have been working with me for so many years I will give you the benefit of doubt. Yes, I will help him if he allows me to help him." I said emphasizing the if.

"Okay sir." He said and walked away.

After 2 hours

I was feeling tired so I thought to get a coffee. If I am really short on time I make it in the staff lounge but today there is time that I can go and have it.

I texted Anderson his order to confirm that it is indeed what he will be having, he sent me a thumbs-up back I walked to the coffee shop.

As usual when I gave my name to the barista they pronounced it wrong and by now I am so used to the different versions of my name that I just nodded and took my coffee not bothering to correct her. She pronounced it as Dashiel it sounded similar to cashier but the actual pronounciation was Dash aisle. See if she was a regular barista as in she would be the only person that served coffee I would have taken the effort to correct the pronounciation of my name but just like all the coffee shops in New York City the barista here keeps changing so why put in the effort to correct it. They make the best coffee but for that I had to wait 20 minutes.

I opened my cup and started having the coffee as I didn't want it to get cold and in the other hand I held the coffee for Anderson. The door opened the bell rang and the girl coming from the other side tried to avoid me by turning her shoulder but in the end bumped into me and there went my order right on my shirt.

"Seriously!" I said "Can't you watch where you walk!" I shouted.

"Can't you have your coffee afterwards, who has their coffee walking?" She asked by now all the eyes in the coffee shop were on us.

"Its not my fault of you are blind." I huffed looking down at my shirt and then the little coffee left in my cup. Why, waste good coffee so I drank from the cup.

"It's not my fault if you are a hungry pig." She said crossing her hands across her chest.

"Excuse me, it's called savouring the coffee which ofcourse you wouldn't know because for that you need to have a class." I said smirking.

"There is a thing called chivalry which you wouldn't know because you need to have respect for woman." She said and some of the members booted and she smirked.

"I respect only those women which deserve them if you apologise for not seeing me and walking straight into me like I am invisible I might start respecting you a little bit." I said digging my one though coffee stained hand in my pocket. With the other hand I was still holding the coffee tray which was thankfully intact.

"Huh, I am not hungry for respect especially from a person like you. The only way I am going to apologise to you is in your dreams." She said and laughed so I snapped. I am not good with words when I need to express my anger so I did what I needed to cool off my anger and also to shut her mouth.

I took the coffee from the tray I was holding and splashed it onto her. Her eyes closed and her mouth opened in shock. "Now we are equal." I said and walked ahead to stand beside her "and next time watch where you walk."

"Sir? What happened? Should I get you a new shirt?" Anderson asked walking behind me to keep up with my pace as I didn't lower my stride.

"There are no spare shirts and even if there are the material doesn't suit me. I don't like the prickly materials. So my meetings will be handled by you. I will be watching through the cameras so I don't want any mistake from your side and if I want to ask a question to the person I will text you on your phone so keep it on. Okay?" I asked

"Yes sir."

"And don't let anybody enter my cabin inform the receptionist near the lift as well." I said and he went away.

I was looking at an emailed presentation when I got the message from Anderson that he would be taking a meeting now. I texted him back saying it should be taken in Conference room C and guess what my luck it was the same girl, my enemy in disguise of my new financial prospect. She had to convince us that she had the talent and the vision to establish her business and we would finance her. It should also be viable from our side and like I said I like to have backups.

Anderson and I listened to her entire presentation.

She gave some designs to Anderson which I texted him to keep so that I could have a look at them later. I texted a few questions about the finance that if she wasn't able to open a shop or if the shop flops what would her next plan be how would she pay our investment back. She said that even if the shop wasn't successful or if the finds didn't come up to fund the shop she would continue to work from home and refund us our money.

I thought for 10 minutes. She asked Anderson what he was thinking but I knew he was waiting for a signal from my side. I told him to tell her that we would inform her of our decision by Monday and he conveyed my message.

"How did you get the stain?" Anderson asked and I rolled my eyes heavenward. He just had to ask, didn't he?

"Some stupid moron threw his entire coffee in a childish fit of rage. I swear if I get my hands on that manchild I will strangled him to death and then maybe stab his stomach twice thrice or till the time his guts are spluttered on the floor for the entire cafe, no for the entire world to see." She said and her eyes held so much passion for killing me. Seriously she is too dramatic and what she was thinking was definitely not going to happen but incase it does I need to get upto speed on my fighting skills.

I couldn't see Anderson's face but he was definitely smiling. If he wasn't so good at his job maybe I would fire him.

"You just couldn't stop it, could you?' I asked him when he entered my room with her designs.

"I can't ask you about your personal life I can definitely ask her about hers." He said with a smirk.

"I hate you." I said looking into the designs.

"I know but as long as I am getting the big fat check I can't complain." He said sitting in the client's chair and stretching his legs out. I narrowed my eyes at him he was getting too free, wasn't he?

"Okay, let's get to the point." He said sitting straight. "Her proposal is good the designs are also good but if you want we can have a designer come look at it to know if they are really any worth and if you have any other reason which are not connected professionally I suggest you keep it aside." He said resting his hands on my table and bending forward. His eyes holding a mischievous gleam.

I narrowed my eyes "I don't remember asking you for your opinion."

"I just like to hand it out you know I am pretty generous when it comes to handing out opinions. So what's it gonna be?" He asked standing straight.

"A website." I said.

"A website?" He asked.

"I will send you an email regarding it, now leave me alone. I am sorry for the coffee." I looked at him and then switched my eyes back to the computer screen.

"Why are you sorry? Does it have something to do with the girl? If anything you should apologise to her, you ruined her dress." He said.

"How do you know I was the one that spoiled her dress?" I asked still not looking.