Unwelcomed Visitor

"Good afternoon, Mr. Blackwell!"

The Silver Linings employees stood from their seats and stopped whatever they were doing as Dane walked past by them. He nodded toward the employees and resumed walking toward his office.

Silver Linings Office was situated in the heart of New Jersey and was one of the tallest towers, spanning six hundred feet tall. As CEO of silver linings, he came into the world by storm and steadily rose up into the business world with sheer hard work.

Everyone knew him as this charismatic leader who focused solely on work. He never went out to work functions or had any known relationships with the female employees or women in general. So when he missed one day of work and a half, it was no wonder that his employees watched him with a tumble of emotions laced in their eyes.

Confusion, suspicion, and shock.

One of his female employees who regularly dropped off coffee walked up to him before he could reach his office.

What was it again?

He didn't quite remember her name. She walked up to him while other female employees lingered at the back to watch their exchange.

"Mr. Blackwell, h-here's today's coffee."

"Thanks," his eyes skimmed over her nameplate. "...Francesca. I appreciate it."

"Mr. Blackwell!"

As she called out his name and tugged on his suit jacket. He looked at her hand that held his jacket. Then, he politely brushed her hand away.

"Yes?" he arched an eyebrow.

"Is it true, what the rumors are saying?" she asked him, as he saw the other female employee's ears from the distance, grow larger. "...That you're married?"

Rumors spread like wildfire. He only left the mall and his dear wife a few hours ago and word already reached the company. Dane sighed and nodded.

"It's true. If you have time to discuss personal matters at work, then please use it wisely on work."

Dane left her and the other female employees standing there, dejected. Perhaps his employees did have too much time on their hands if they had the time to gossip and spread rumors within a matter of hours.

He opened the double doors to his office.

On top of the highest floor, the CEO of silver linings office was slathered in modern white and black furniture overlooking large open windows. It was tailored to fit his exquisite tastes with strange and intricate collections of statues and trinkets. The door shut close behind him as he slipped off his suit jacket and placed it onto the coat hanger.

Dane was greeted with a mountain of folders and documents on the brown mahogany desk that required his attention.

Everything was normal.

Except, one thing.

He nearly stopped altogether in his tracks as he noticed a silhouette of a man sitting on his black chair.

The man in question swirled around to face Dane.

Leonardo Duval.