Chapter Three

Minutes turned into hours in Quantum innovations as the quality assurance team members meticulously dissected the software code, in their determined efforts to solve the problem with QuantumSphereX.

A day to the meeting with the experts, Colin was standing in the testing room with them as they worked tirelessly, both parties nervous and excited at the same time.

Suddenly, In a moment of triumph, one of the team members announced the discovery of a hidden bug causing the performance issues. The others set to work with rewriting the codes and a few minutes later, QuantumSphere X roared back to life. Colin was overjoyed as the product was tested thoroughly and everything seemed to be working perfectly.

“I'm so proud of you all. Thank you!" He bursted out happily and a loud applause rang out in the testing room. They were so happy they'd been victorious. Colin was a good boss, albeit his coldness, and they were willing to go any lenght to please him.

Angela entered with some bottles of Krug Clos d'Ambonnay champagne, and another female staff followed with champagne glasses on a tray, as requested by Colin. The QA team members widened their eyes as they saw the brand of expensive champagne he had ordered.

“Let's have a drink together before the official launch." He smiled as he popped the cork and poured in their glasses. He raised his glass, grinning happily. “To Quantum innovations!"

“To Quantum innovations!" They echoed and downed their glasses.

***

The launch day came with a feeling of childlike excitement for Colin. He drove in early to the office, to make sure everything was in order.

He began with a morning briefing with key members of his team to review the final details of the event. They went over the agenda, logistics, and any potential issues that needed to be addressed before the launch. He met with various department heads to get updates on their respective areas of responsibility.

Tired yet excited, he had his interviews with journalists and media outlets to generate buzz and publicity for the launch event, also sharing insights into the company's vision, the significance of QuantumSphere X, and what attendees were to expect from the event.

Two hours to the event, he thought to remind Elaine about the event and was about to tell Angela to place a call to her then thought better of it.

Elaine was unpredictable, and perpetually cold and very intentional about showing him she didn't care about him. He couldn't imagine her portraying her stark indifference to his employee; shattering the facade of a happy and contented husband he was always desperate to project on the public. He wouldn't know where to hide his face if any of the sad little details of his marital life got out. This was why all his staffs at the mansion, on employment, were made to sign an agreement to keep everything about the family confidential, or face litigations if they breached the agreement.

He heard her sigh as she picked the call.

"Hi."

"Hi. The party is in less than two hours. You should start preparing." He said and he could almost hear her roll her eyes.

"What party, Colin? I was just about to go...”

"What party?" He couldn't believe his ears. "Have you forgotten today's the launch date for the new product? And don't even try to worm your way out El. You're my wife, and this is a public event. You have to be there." He said firmly and he heard her groan on the other end of the line.

"Fine. I'll put a move on. Is Alice coming with us?" She asked and he vehemently shook his head as though she could see him. He was very careful about exposing Alice to the public eye thus setting her up for possible dangers.

“No she's not. Nanny can take her out for a few minutes of ice cream, instead.” The line went dead as she ended the call. Colin sighed and leaned back on his chair. He looked around his office. Such opulence. Such beauty. He looked at his framed photos that hung on the wall, captured from many of his too many successes. He looked at his rows of awards. And yet, he thought sadly, I am not happy. I am successful, but not happy. Why can't we just have it all?

And his thoughts floated away with his consciousness as he began to drift off into sleep, only to wake up thirty minutes to the event time, six pm. He jumped to his feet in a frenzy and dashed out of the office, looking deadly and confused.

"Why didn't you wake me?" He asked Angela angrily. She flinched.

"I had no idea you were asleep, sir. I knocked a couple of times and when I heard no answer, I thought you didn't want disturbance." She said carefully and he slapped a palm to his forehead in frustration.

"Damn it! I'm supposed to have a walkthrough of the venue!"

"I'll take care of that sir. Just go on ahead." Angela smiled sweetly and Colin was grateful.

"You'll do that? Thank you! See you later." He gushed and hurried out of the building.

***

When he got home, he hurried upstairs to the bedroom. It was empty. He casually glanced towards the open door of the walk-in closet, where he saw Elaine struggling into a cascade of red silk, her chestnut coloured curls bouncing gracefully as she moved. The scent of Nirvana perfume invaded the room, alongside her satisfied sigh as she finally got the dress on and checked out herself in the mirror, pleased by her appearance. Colin stared at her, anger and jealousy simmering as she stepped out of the closet. She was wearing a long red silk dress with such low neckline that it left little to imagination, with a slit than ran up all the way to her mid thigh. He watched her in silence, trying to choose his words carefully before finally saying, through gritted teeth.

“Elaine, do you think this dress is appropriate?" Colin asked, disapproval etched in the furrow of his brow.

She rolled her eyes, dismissing his words with a nonchalant flick of her perfectly manicured hand. "Oh, stop being such a nag, Colin. We're going to a party, not a funeral." And she sat by her make-up table and applied a redder shade of lipstick, ignoring her husband's look of disapproval as he stared down at her with palpable jealousy at the number of men who would have to see her dressed like that. He didn't want to push it, before she would flare up and ruin the evening for him. He decided to let her be and walked to the bathroom to shower.

Fifteen minutes later, the couples were both elegantly dressed, and they ascended the stairs arm-in-arm, the picture of a perfect enviable couple, perfectly concealing the mess that their marital relationship truly was.

They met Alice sitting on the couch in the living room, and she smiled up at them lovingly as they approached.

Alice was a beautiful blend of her parent's best features, with a sunny disposition that lit up the room. She had Colin's blue eyes, golden brown hair, charming smile and mischievous twinkle which made her bear a striking resemblance to him. Although there were glimpses of her mother's beauty in the delicate curve of her cheeks, and graceful arch of her eyebrows. Despite her young age, she exuded charisma and warmth, typical of her father. And right now, she was a sight for sore eyes with her golden brown hair styled elegantly into pigtails, and her dress a pink lovely dress with frills and laces.

Colin went on his knees and kissed her forehead. "Hi there, my princess."

"Hi daddy. Nanny is taking me out for a walk and some ice cream!" she announced cheerfully and he pretended to be surprised.

"Oh is she? Thats so nice of her! you'll keep some for me, wont you?"

She nodded, giggling "Of course I will." Then she looked up at her mother and back at him. "Are you going out with mummy?"

Elaine smiled sweetly. "Yes my darling. We won't take long, I promise."

"Can I come?" Alice's eyes were like saucers and Colin shook his head. "No baby girl. There'll be no kids there. Just oldies like I and mummy." Elaine looked horrified at that. Oldie? Colin had to be insane. I could pass off for a teenager, she thought proudly, watching her reflection in the mirror that hung on the far end of the living room.

Alice made a face. "Doesn't sound like it'll be fun."

“That's right love. You'll be bored stiff.” he glanced at his wristwatch and widened his eyes. "Gotta fly love. Have a nice time with Nanny Gabby. See you later." He kissed her forehead again and hurriedly got to his feet.

He gave stern instructions to the nanny, Gabriella, who had been standing by, watching them, and when he was sure his daughter would be in safe hands, he walked out with Elaine and the chaffeur sped away with the couple to the venue.

The drive was a smooth and quiet one, with Elaine beside him taking solo selfies and uploading on her social media handles while he stared out the window, his stomach in knots. He suddenly remembered he had not heard from Angela and he called her. She confirmed everything was in order at the venue, and guests had already started to arrive. I hope everything goes fine, he thought, his fingers crossed.