3 New Driver

"What? A secret that I actually didn't know?" Quinn unbelievably voiced out.

I rolled my eyes and tapped the pen on the table to get their attention, "Well, it's not a dirty secret per se."

"So?" Quinn followed up, enunciating the word pointedly.

Before I could even respond, an overly eager voice got ahead of me again, "She got dumped."

I shot her a glare.

"What? You were taking too long to respond. I'd bet that you're trying to stall," Elaine said, her hands up in surrender.

Quinn stood up and walked to the inconspicuous mini bar in the corner. She rummaged around and declared, "We need a drink for this."

"I don't drink," I hurriedly reminded her, which did nothing judging by the way she just ignored me.

Looking at the interest in their gazes, I sighed in resignation, "Anyway, it's less of a relationship but more of a business contract getting cancelled."

"What? Was it an arranged marriage?" Quinn exclaimed while putting a tall glass of suspicious brown liquid complete with ice. I took a sniff and the heavenly smell of coffee assailed my senses. "You'll love this," Quinn added after seeing my reaction.

"Well, we didn't really get to the marriage part but that was the plan for the future," I replied half-heartedly, all my attention was taken by the iced coffee.

I took a drink and instantly relaxed at the bittersweet taste that I love although there was something different in the taste that I can't place.

"Isn't it usually the parents who do it? You actually entered an arrangement like that by yourself?" Lila finally spoke, with a tinge of surprise in her quiet voice.

My father died years ago and I have been taking care of the business ever since then. North Industry was a legacy. It was a culmination of my father's dream, hardwork and pride before he succumbed to his sickness. I've worked tirelessly to protect it. Sadly, not everyone thinks the same but as long as I'm in control, they won't be able to do anything about it.

"Well, you're not called ruthless in the business for nothing," Quinn toasted a glass to my direction.

"You're making it sound like I'm a tyrant."

"Firmly grasping the business while surrounded by sharks, you might as well be," she replied with a smirk.

"I did what I had to do," I replied calmly, tapping the drop of moisture slowly falling at the sides of the fogged up glass.

It was a never-ending endeavour. Even now, greedy people still surround me. But it was all futile, I'll never let the company fall under their hands.

"By the way, isn't it too early to be drinking?" Elaine muttered, breaking off the sudden lull in the conversation.

"Time means nothing to the brokenhearted," Quinn matter-of-factly said.

Sometimes, I really want to strangle her. "I'm not heartbroken. Oh wait, maybe I am? All that business, I could've milked over it," I said through gritted teeth. I gulped the rest of my drink in annoyance and set it down noisily.

I felt dizzy all of a sudden and laid my head on top of the table as I waited for the world to stop spinning like a madman.

"I think she's hammered," Lila observed.

"No, I'm not," I muttered. I rested my cheeks at the table and smiled, feeling the cold surface.

"No way. It was only one glass," Quinn waved it off.

"She said she doesn't drink. Anyways, do any of you guys need a driver?"

I wanted to warn them about Elaine but I feel really sleepy all of a sudden but that coffee is really delicious. I want to taste it again.

***

It all went downhill as soon as I woke up.

I lived my life by strictly adhering to a routine. I wake up at exactly 5:30, get some exercise, take a shower, eat breakfast and then go to work. All in that same order at the same time everyday. There might be some exceptions but I endeavoured to follow it religiously. Some might think it's too rigid or boring but the monotony of it calms me.

Today was an exception.

I woke up with a splitting headache that made me want to slam my head at the wall just to fall back to unconsciousness. It was a work day and I had to keep my ass moving to be at the office in time. I struggled to stand up and went to one of the cabinets where I keep medicine. There's no way I'd be able to get anything done without the help of painkillers.

My last checkup indicated that I'm healthy and my body is fit with all the exercise I do every day. It was highly unusual to feel like this so early in the morning. I don't think I was that stressed yesterday. It was just the breakup, meeting with the girls and then . . . nothing.

What the hell happened last night?

I just realized I don't remember what happened after. I don't even remember how I got home and I can't believe I lost a few hours of memory. However, I'm pretty sure they got me home last night. I'll have to call Quinn once I get to the office and make sure that nothing troublesome happened.

Prepping for work sucks when your head has a hammer trying to crack open your skull but I managed to finally finish and get inside the car. My day sucked even further after getting lost, trying to backtrack and getting even more lost. By the time I arrived in the office, I was so frustrated and desperate to get a driver.

I entered the building and was welcomed by the employees who passed me by. I returned their nods without letting the annoyance show in my face but it seemed to be giving the opposite effect. The others who were about to head in my direction doubled back and suddenly had to be somewhere. They all look like they were caught red-handed and couldn't flee fast enough. I gave up trying to be pleasant.

I rode the elevator for the top floor and was greeted by my secretary, Heather. We've worked for years now and she immediately knew that I wasn't in the best of moods.

"I'll get you your coffee," she stood up immediately.

"I need 3 shots," I told her sullenly while my eyes wandered over to the lounge.

It was usually empty unless there was a meeting scheduled with me but this time there was a man comfortably sitting in one of the sofas. His attention was in one of the windows while his fingers tapped on his knee absent-mindedly.

It was as if he sensed someone looking so he turned around and caught me watching him. There was something about him that compelled me to really look at him when I usually don't even pay attention unless it was important. And I certainly don't spend a lot of time looking at men.

Like what I'm doing right now.

He stood up at once. He was tall with wide shoulders that carried off his white dress shirt appealingly. He walked or rather he prowled towards us that attracted my stare even more.

It was a weird feeling. I was sure that I don't know him but he feels oddly familiar.

He reached us and I saw him up close and personal this time. He had black hair that complimented his bronze skin which told her that he must've spent a lot of time in the sun. Coal-black eyes that added even more intensity to his sharp jawline. He should have looked intimidating with all those features but the half-smile that graced his face was easygoing.

"As per your call last night, I had your new driver wait here," Heather told me. Her words interrupted my blatant gazing.

Huh? New driver?

"What do you mean?" I asked blankly.

"You called me last night to inform me that your new driver is starting today," she looked at me in confusion which my face mirrored.

I turned my head to the mystery guy's direction and saw that his eyes were lit up with amusement like there was an inside joke that I didn't know.

"Give me a moment," I finally said, my tone sharper than I intended.

I immediately entered my office and dialled Quinn's number. It was picked up after a few moments to which I instantly demanded.

"What in the world happened last night?"