Tears and nerves

--- Louis ---

In the morning, I got up a little early because I couldn't sleep. I kept remembering Sasha every moment.

I went to the gym that my house has on the ground floor. I started to run while I was watching the news, there I found out that a television company was having financial problems, this was my chance. I turned off the machine, and while I was wiping the sweat from my face, I called Sebastian.

-Louis, don't you sleep? I understand that you are angry because we were bothering you a bit yesterday about your wife, but I am a human being, and one of my needs is to rest. - Said my friend in a hoarse, sleepy voice.

- Honey? Who is it? - Said a sleepy woman's voice.

-It's Louis, honey. Come, sleep again. - Sebastian said in a sweet voice.

-Go back to sleep. We'll talk later. You can come to work later today. See you at 10. - I hung up before Sebastian could start his tasteless jokes.

I left the gym and went to the kitchen, where I found the people working in my house.

-Good morning, Mr Truswell. - They all said in unison.

I nodded and took a bottle of water from the fridge. It looked like the cook and her husband wanted to say something. I sat down at the table, which took them by surprise.

- Do you have something to say to me? - I said as I drank some water.

-Yes, sir. - Said the lady who was cooking while she was trying to open a jar, so I got up and asked her to give it to me to uncork it, she gave it to me and once I opened it I gave it back to her.

-Please tell me what you have to tell me. - I went back to my seat.

-Brother! What are you doing here? I looked for you in your room and couldn't find you. Sebastian told me you permitted him to be late, so I thought you were sick. - Joseph said as he took an apple and sat down next to me.

-I'm fine. - I gestured to Joseph to be quiet. - Sorry, please continue. - I looked at the lady who nodded her head.

-Sir, my family and I are very grateful for working with you for so many years. But we can't continue providing our services. You see, my husband, the guard of this house, is ill and we decided to go to live in our village with our children. We are sorry, we have to leave as soon as we can to move to the house. -

-Don't worry, I understand the situation

I appreciate your sincerity and your time working here for me.

You may leave as soon as you are ready. However - Joseph choked on the apple, thinking he was upset with them. -

-I cannot let my employees go like this. Please, let me pay you for your services and good work over the years. Their salaries will be deposited later in the day. You and your family are the only ones who worked for me and took care of this house. I know where you used to live. I thought this would happen sooner or later, so I took the liberty some time ago to choose a house, so you and your family can live comfortably. If you need anything at any time, you can come to me. - I said as I got up and left them in the kitchen.

-Young master, thank you very much! You are such a good person. We don't regret working for you all these years, thank you! - Said the lady as she cried and hugged her family.

I turned and smiled at them, happy to help them. I said goodbye and went to my office. I heard footsteps behind me, and I knew it was Joseph. When we got to the office, my brother hugged me while crying.

-Brother, you are so good! Sometimes I thought you were calculating, serious and heartless because of how cold you can be. I was wrong. You have such a pure soul.-

He said as he cried uncontrollably. It reminded me of when he was a child. Joseph would always run to me and cry while I patted his back. I decided to do it again, but when, I did he looked at me with his red puffy eyes and cried even more. His reaction was so funny that I couldn't help but laugh.

-You have done so much for me, thank you, Joseph. - I whispered as I patted him on the back to calm him down. - Aren't you supposed to be a man who doesn't cry? Or so you told me when you were ten years old. -I scoffed at the memory.

-It's just that - He said as she wiped her tears.

-It's OK. You can cry in front of me. I will always take care of my little brother. - Once I finished saying that, he hugged me again. - Let's eat! We have a new job to do.

After breakfast with Joseph, I went to my room to take a bath. Once I finished I dressed in a black suit with a red tie, it's the first time I've worn a colour other than black. I think it's good to make a change after all.

I went out of the bedroom in search of Joseph. I heard music coming from the office, so I went in. When I saw what was going on, I stood still. My brother was dancing and singing while putting some files on the bookshelf. I leaned against the door watching the scene. It was a few seconds before he saw me and jumped up in fright.

- Brother! Don't just appear out of nowhere! - He said as I touched his chest.

-The one who shouldn't do that is you. - I said as I walked to my desk.

-I didn't know you were a dancer. - I laughed as I remembered the rad performance my brother had given.

-Don't bother me! - Joseph pouted, he was like a little kid.

-Hahaha, it's okay. Let's get to work. Have you heard about the TV company that is having financial problems? - I turned on my laptop and looked up a number on my phone.

-Ah, yes. I think some shareholders are pulling out to avoid losses. - He said as he sat down in the chair across from me.

-We're going to buy it. -

- What?! Wait, brother. Why are we going to buy it? - He said as he looked at me with wide eyes.

-It is an excellent opportunity for us. If we buy it, we can avoid overspending on advertisements and other promotions of our products. Besides, it's good to look for a change and give a chance to other things. - I said as I wrote the number on a piece of paper, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw that my brother was unsure of my decision. -I've already checked, and I know where the problem is. When we buy it, we will fix it, and in less than three months it will be as good as new. When have I ever been wrong? -I said, giving him the paper in my hand. - Make an appointment with your CEO for today afternoon, before others beat us to it.

-It's okay, I'll take care of it. I trust and follow you with my eyes closed everywhere. - My brother left the office with his mobile phone in hand.

I stayed a little longer in my office to review a few documents and send emails to my future partners. When I saw the time on the computer monitor, I stood up and put my things away. It was time to go to the company. Today I had to close a deal with a writer who fascinated me. I had to make it happen no matter what it took.

When I left the office, I told my brother, and before we left, I said goodbye to my former employees, and they handed me the keys to the house. It was about 9:30 in the morning when we arrived at the company. I got out of the car and gave the keys to the employee to take him to the car park. I went to the door and just walked in. I watched as the employees stood and greeted me, and as usual, I just nodded. I waited for my brother in the lift, and once he arrived, we both went up to our respective offices.

I spent some time reviewing prototypes for new products to be launched. I was so focused that I didn't hear when my brother and Sebastian came in to tell me it was time to go to the meeting with the writer, I was anxious, and for some reason, I felt nervous.

Before arriving at the room where we would close the deal, I decided to go to the bathroom. I washed my face to clear my mind. I stood up straight and inhaled. When I was ready, I came out. A great nervousness invaded me the moment I was outside the boardroom. I wiped the sweat from my hands on my trousers and opened the door.

-Good afternoon. - I said without looking around and walked to my seat. As I looked up to greet the writer and his manager, my heart began to pound. There was a man in a suit, and next to him was a beautiful young red-haired girl. It was Sasha.