Christmas planning

"Give me all the reports."

"Yes master."

Sebastian gracefully bowed as he visited his master on a fine morning with breakfast in his hands. It hurts his heart when he saw how much weight his master had lost within these past four days. His appetite had significantly decreased and thanks to the unsuccessful date the previous weekend with Scarlett, he was handed over a huge pile of work with a very short deadline by the company, in other words from his father.

Surprisingly, instead of returning the work back tactfully, he rather accepted all of them without even questioning once. It was as if he was purposefully punishing himself in order to forget her.

'Her, that damn b**ch who made my master in such a miserable state. Just let my eyes fall upon her once again and I'll ruin her life. Forever.' Sebastian clenched his teeth as he looked at Eric's skinny hands signing paperwork in bed.

He took a deep sigh as he noticed Eric waiting for his answer to the question which he asked earlier.

"Ahem, since you have been on a leave for three working days, unfortunately the pile of work has increased a lot which needs to be completed by this weekend.

I've postponed our meeting with the 'Glam-our' company by next Wednesday.

There's also an another meeting with the board of directors which you need to attend by this Sunday at Mr. Smith's residence. Although it would seem like an informal meeting, the heads are more likely to use this opportunity for judging your capabilities.

And then, next....

I think it would be preferable if you hear it after getting well."

He concluded his series of reports but purposely kept the last point discreet as it would be for the best if his master, atleast in this mental state.

But Eric being Eric, his cold stare was enough to shatter Sebastian's confidence in his decisions and he ultimately blurted out the bad news which he had been tying to hide so far.

"Master... you've been invited to Chairman's house to discuss your future." His voice had automatically gotten feeble as he delivered the news.

"And?" The same cold voice responds.

Naturally, Eric questioned him as the news still looked incomplete. Sebastian didn't had any intention to hide it from him but as soon as he raised his head to take a peek at his master's reaction, a piercing furious glare filled with hatred welcomed him.

It was to be expected yet it felt surprising to see this much amount of animosity towards one's own parents within their heart. He was aware of Eric's situation since they had this relationship since they were around ten years old, but that duration still wasn't enough to completely understand his master as it was as if he was serving a statue of God.

Statues won't respond nor will it show you any expressions but you'll still serve them unconditionally for eternity. Even though Sebastian wasn't given a choice but to accept this position, he still didn't loathed this decision of his mother since deep down he also wanted to do the same.

He understood it all along why his master was so invested upon that lowly worker, but what he called freedom was actually escaping from reality, bitter pill to digest but still true.

'No matter how many times he may try to distract himself, the reality will soon stuck him back. I am glad it didn't take that long to happen. Rather, it's surprisingly quite fast. As expected of my master, he knows what he's doing.'

He tried to muster his courage to complete his sentence earlier but strangely he couldn't, fearing the amount of rage which will raise within his master's heart.

Could it be because he still believed his master need a break to process the mechanism of love? Sebastian didn't knew as he never once hesitated to deliver the news frankly. But did the weakened state of his master, weakened his will of strictness as well.

In the end, Eric also gave up on asking and asked him to leave him alone with a sarcastic scoff.

Sebastian silently followed his orders and left the room with a sad face.

"May God help my master to recover soon." He clenched his fist at chest and looked at the ceiling with eyes closed while leaning his back on the door.

His heart for some reasons ached a lot more than usual.

-------------

"Hey Ayana, have you planned anything for Christmas?" Betty said softly as she scrolled though her Instagram page to look for a party nearby.

Since they both didn't go to their parents house because of family problems they would always visit a nearby cheap restaurant or organize a small party at each other's homes.

But since this year Betty's younger sister, Nancy, was invited by her friend for a girls sleepover at Christmas, the two friends were free to waste themselves in a night club.

"Nah, I am looking for a decent party but damn! The prices are sky high!" Ayana exclaimed as she googled open invitations.

"It's already twenty first. We don't have much time! Look, there's a sale tomorrow so I'll be busy buying the decorations. Meanwhile, how about you arrange for the snacks and booze? We'll party at your home, how's that?" Betty said her plan after taking the last sip of her soda in the office cafeteria and forced a smile on her tired face.

'Private company definitely make sure to ooze out the juice from it's workers before holidays.' They both sighed upon the thought.

"But didn't we do the same last year as well? And the year earlier was at your home." Ayana yawned from lack of sleep.

"Well it's not like we have any choice. Besides, didn't we go on a beach party last weekend, it was so amazing! Do you remember I got completely knocked out just from two shots?! I wonder what did they mixed in that drink? Haha!...sigh..." Betty's act didn't last long as she soon realised how bad that day really went. Well, it's wasn't a complete disaster for the most part, but considering the stress they faced everyday in the office, it still wasn't enough to quench their thirst.

"So you do know it was all nothing but a waste of precious wish and time." Ayana jokingly said and they both chuckled but once again it didn't last long.

The cafeteria was awfully quiet as many people had gone on a leave to visit their hometown. Only desperate people like Ayana and Betty were left in this damn small building.

To keep their mind distracted from stress they began to bad mouth their respective boss when suddenly a soft voice interrupted their conversation hesitantly.

"Umm, is Ayana here?" A small healthy figure wearing a red cardigan and small round specs rested on her broad nose tip said in her quavering voice with her fingers fidgeting near her chest.

"Oh! It's you!" Ayana yelled from a distance as she was at the very far end of cafeteria from where the the duo were sitting.