Shattered - Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Nathan's POV.
The ride to my building allowed me to relax within my thoughts, thinking of every single thing in my life that I am grateful for.
I'm so tired with messing up... today I'll start fresh once again for Alina and hopefully it doesn't go downhill anytime soon.
Getting out of my car closing the door behind me before locking it, the sound of the car locking was heard as I walked towards the building that I was proud to say mine. The vehicle was parked perfectly in the parking spot that I made specifically for me, so far, everything is well. In terms of my family, after a beautiful night and great morning. We all started out on the right foot leaving no room for any of our problems.
Now, if work could be as calm and nice as this morning, it would be a true blessing, on the other hand my work isn't that simple. People are constantly looking for me throughout the day just for me to approve certain things, there were meeting with a bunch of businessmen or clients, sometimes their personalities weren't the best and I'd have to endure it.
It would be much easier to have my new personal assistant today, the faster she starts means the sooner she would be able to take off a few things off my shoulder instead of me bearing the weight constantly. I need someone with good time management, who knows how I run things around here, how things in my business works and how to deal with stuff without having to ask for my approval on everything even if it's minor. Somebody with good judgement of this place.
As I walk into the building smiling like a fool just thinking about my son and wife, a person who deems suitable and who I personally think is reputable that would fit the career role perfectly came to my mind.
Larissa!
She would be great, narrowing down things off of the requirement list, already has experience from managing my other things, if I were to offer the position to help manage all instead of a particular location it would help a lot. A close friend who seeks out the best for me could be very well trusted with all this private information about the company, persistently striving for the business to attain multiple achievement points.
To have someone who understands this inside and out is very helpful, adding a few years of experience already in this industry changes the process of training. Larissa would already know the basics of what to do, the last thing to teach her wouldn't be too hard and I think that she would be able to follow along with the instructions.
It would be good to bring her on as my personal assistant who could manage all my business locations, in addition her finance work as well or we could hire somebody else to take some of the weight off her shoulders, but in a conference room she would be very useful in terms of finance. Having her in our presence trying to decode every words spoken about offers and dissect the meaning behind the terms the men would say could be really beneficial for me.
The percentage of me making a mistake in going along with a certain groups of clients would be reduced for me and Larissa's thorough hearing would be the factor which decreases it. She is able to point out things that never even crossed my mind when in a meeting. On the spot, I would be able to receive direct information within seconds since we would be working close to each other.
This idea was the best thing to do instead of hiring someone not capable of doing the job, having to go through the process of training once again with a chance of me firing them. The prospect of removing unnecessary additional work from everyone would be fantastic in terms of getting stuff done on time, I typed in the digit code to my personal elevator that was only meant for me and close family to use instead of being hassled by security since they didn't have a security car or just going to fill out things to be able to receive a visitor pass.
While riding up my elevatorMy mind seem to be so blank yet it was filled with so many thoughts, Aviana had told me that she had to speak with me about an important matter about this weekend so she would be coming to eat lunch with me which I was happy about. I don't know when was the last time we stuck together in a lunch just the two of us, since we were younger before the two of us would be together most of the time and playing.
Both of us grew very close to each other until we started growing up and that is when I found some new friends my age, soon it led to us drifting apart from one another and we barely even did anything together once again.
She was always out with her friends having a good time while I was doing the same with my friends, nowadays we are both so busy with Our own businesses, with her fashion line that skyrocketed after only a year her schedule became very busy quickly.
I see elevator doors open, my feet move slowly in a relaxed demeanour compared to me speedwalking all the time, there was so much less stress on me specifically today since everything with Jacque was settled. It seems that today would allow me to get off work on time to go see Leo, from now on there will be still work but less stress.
Catherine was already to work when I arrived, "hello, good morning Mr. Peterson." She goes back to typing right away.
I let out a sigh, "Catherine how many times do I have to tell you that it's okay to call me by my first name we're friends, basically family."
She chuckles finding it amusing that I have to constantly remind her that we are more than acquaintances, me and Vincent were like brother's, "I'll only call you by your name off work hours, when it comes to work I'm going to be professional about it." Before this whole place was like family, everything is so plain and quiet now.
"Okay, do whatever you please I guess." I walk off laughing, stopping in my tracks to turn around, "if Larissa comes in today, let her know to come into my office and let that person who was supposed to come in to fill the role of my assistant know that she won't be needed."
In my office there are already a stack of papers waiting for me to tend them, a bunch of deal offers that didn't seem to impress me in a crazily manner, some of the people pitching me with these new ideas forgot to suggest some approaches that has never been seen before or that aren't efficient.
Knock on the door brings me out of my work mode were usually the sound of everything would be isolated, "come in," I say loud enough for the other person on the other side.
My door opened as the click of heels got louder with every step towards my desk, "you asked for me Mr. Peterson."
"Yes I did," I set my things down and look up to her, she seems to clean up well after the long night she had. "I have a job opportunity that you might be interested in."
She looks at me after I peaked her interest, "what job?"
"For a while I've been, as you know looking for a new personal assistant to help me with my workload so I could go home to my family whenever I please. I'd like for you to be my personal assistant since you know the ropes, you've been working with my company for so long that you know the basics and training wouldn't take long. You would be an asset to my company which would be great for you, in addition you'll get a raise."
She had no words to say after my offer, left completely stunned on the spot, "t-t-that would be great!" She stutters nervously out.
"Great, then you can start today, you could take that new empty office on this floor instead of having to go down to the floor below us. I'll see you soon for meeting in the conference room, your schedule is on the desk, next week you'll be planning for me."
"Again, thank you!" Larissa says happily.
Now that's out of the way, it was time for me to do my own work.
A few hours pass by without me noticing until my door to my office opens with the sound of heels clicking on the floor. Before knowing who it was, I felt frustrated that my staff would disturb me when all that was ask was for me to be left in peace and quiet, not having to attend to them every minute of day. When looking up, it was only my sister who was standing in front of me with her designer dress, purse, shoes and her sunglasses that completed her luck. She truly looked like the upper class, her aura as well. You could just feel it.
"Let's go for lunch Nathan!" Aviana exclaims excited to spend some time with me.
"I have a few more papers to go through, I don't think I can." I tell her focusing back on this document.
"Come on!" She rolls her eyes, "you're always working, doesn't it get tiring?"
"No." I look her in the eye.
My sister didn't look impress by my answer, "hurry and grab your things, if you're not coming with me, I'll call Alina tell her you aren't taking care of yourself and not eating lunch." That wicked witch just threatened me, since when has she done that?
My eyes go big knowing very well Alina would always give me earfuls for skipping meals because it wasn't healthy, "you wouldn't do that." I state trying to call her bluff.
"It wouldn't be me dealing with her so I don't see a problem for me." She shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly making me huff out and chuckle.
"Fine, I'm coming," I get up readjusting my clothes and grab my phone to leave.
"I knew you would." She smiles knowing that she had the power in this.
She leads the way to my car insisting that she doesn't want to drive even though she was the one who wanted to take me out for lunch, when arriving at the restaurant, Aviana already had made us reservations and got us a private isolated area in the back, away from the front with glass that the pedestrians can see through. Sitting down in the our seats, we gave the waitress our orders then started chatting.
"How's the fashion line going for you?" I ask out of curiousity as to how her business is going.
"Going well, having my team work on the few last pieces then we will be ready, everything is running smoothly. Actually... I've been wanting to talk to you about this, you're coming with Alina still right?" My sister asks nervously for some reason.
"Of course we are, we wouldn't miss it. You're important to us." I told her with emotion that indicated that I meant it.
Aviana's lips turn up in a huge smile, "that's so sweet! Ah!" She squeals in a high pitch voice probably bursting my ear drums this very moment.
"Okay, okay, relax before I take what I said back." I warn her in order to prevent my ears from hurting.
"So... I asked you to come to lunch because I have something to tell you. Alina played a huge role in getting my fashion line and everything up and running, during the celebration there will be a slideshow with my speech, and I'd like to dedicate the last slide to her if that is okay with you..? Like a surprise to appreciate her." This seemed like a great idea, I always want to find ways to show my appreciation to Alina and for someone else to want to do the same, it means the world to me. "Don't worry it is a private event, I made sure that no paparazzi enters the building, they only have access to the front doors, either then that we will be paparazzi free."
"Aviana, that sounds so nice and generous of you to dedicate an appreciation part for Alina, I'm sure that she would be happy when she hear's the surprise." In my mind I can picture Alina even crying by something that was so sweet for her, this would make her night the best.
"Great then! It is going to be the best night ever!"
Time went by so fast after chatting with her about everything new or the small things, like how she is seeing this new guy, he is an actor and uses his money to help children with no education in rural or even urban area's. It was quite impressive, I've always had the difficulty of sticking to one particular path.
There are so many things that I'd like to do or pursue in general. I want to do it all. My project for hospitals and medical students will be the next thing to tackle right after my hotel, back into my office for the rest of the day felt awfully slow but once my focus was on the pile of work, time sped up to my liking.
Counting down the minutes until it was time to leave, even willing to bring home some stuff tonight to finish it after spending time with my family, just having my family around me reminded me why it is important for me to spend time with them. They are my rock keeping me grounded from losing myself in the universe of work.
Leo will be so surprised and Alina, finally there is a day where I'm going to uphold my promise without anything causing me to break it or disrupting my plans. This event this weekend is constantly in my mind, thinking of how Alina would be so surpried and happy. Saturday was going to be quite a busy day, I have plans for us already which consists of me and my family having a picnic, Alina going to the doctor, Aviana's celebration on Sunday and family day for Monday.
We've been living all together for a few weeks, let me just say that our schedule has been filled up with activities and things to do. The mentioning of the name Amelia caught me off guard this morning, my son was already hanging out with girls? Oh boy, having not thought of this it made me curious. People would think that having a young girl would be difficult, but personally I think relationships with both genders are just as strenuous.
The image of having a little girl around played through my head, if we were to have a little girl, who would she look like? Alina? I hope she gets the beauty from her mom, it would bring me so much joy, although I just have to convince Alina on having another baby with me. She had spoke to me about the difficulties she had faced, this time would be different since I would be here to give her support. During that time it must of been very hard and painful to endure it by herself, I understand that she might still have bad memories, but hopefully we could replace them with better ones when that day comes.
Cleaning up the piles of work on my desk to take home some, hopefully I could work from home tomorrow since it's Friday and Alina is off from work with nothing better to do except to spend time with me. Putting it into my grey folder of mine, I grabbed all my things getting ready to leave while leaving my desk organised until a knock on the door stopped me in the middle of my actions.
"Come in," my comportment changed into a more intimidating tone for my employee's. The only person whom I speak normally to is Catherine, she is the only person who I respect the most, my favourite and best sercretary. Never has she acted bizarre when around me hoping for anything, nor has she ever been putting a facade just to get benefits or raank up. It was expected especially since we had a good friendship before she was even employed in my company.
As I was half way from the door Larissa comes in with some paper and post-it notes stuck on top of it as part of her notes, "could you please look at this? I need your help..."
This was the worst timing ever, Leo and Alina needed me to be there today, this was important.
Alina's POV.
Only a few more minutes to go then I'll be finally done! This day has been great so far, it finally feels like we are in a good place for now. Nathan is supposed to pick me up soon so we could be both waiting for Leo for when he gets out of school himself, there was still doubt lingering as to if Nathan would really show up today. Calling for a ride is the least of my worries, everything required for that was with me, but telling Leo once again that his dad didn't make his promised appearance. That was the worst situation tobe put in.
After packing up the documents that were left with me for a new case, I head to the front of the building waiting for Nathan, pedestrians were passing by and five minutes has already gone by. I don't feel like going through this once more, walking towards the front of the sidewalk, as I took out my phone to call for a ride, to my surprise Nathan pulled up.
He really made me think that he wasn't even coming, opening the door and taking a seat, he looked me in the eyes smiling. Nathan leaned over to kiss me, "you came," I stated.
"Of course I did, I promised didn't I?" He sounded happy.
"Last time you promised, you didn't show up till night time." I chuckle lowly.
"Well, I guess this makes up for that day," he sits back in his seat heading to Leo's school. Nathan decided to hold my hand as he drove,"busy day?"
"Not too bad, just the usual stuff. And how about you?"
"It was a pretty good day today, I'm not going in tomorrow, I'll be home with you all day."
"Really?" My voice was coming out surprised.
"Do you not want me to—"
"Of course I want you to," I smile happily at him, the importance of having a happy family is so important.
For everyone to know where home is, from my experience it is where my loved ones are and wherever my journey takes me with them is going to be amusing.
"Great, I have a surprise for the two of you!" I arch an eyebrow at him, Nathan was never one to be able to keep things from me no matter how hard he would attempt to.
I don't think he'll be able to keep it in for long, which was understandable because he gets so happy and excited that he isn't able to contain the emotion. My man loves to talk about what is bringing him joy, "what's the surprise?"
He looks at me weirdly for a quick second before directing his eyes back onto the road, "it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you what it was," he laughs.
"We both know that you can't keep secrets or surprises from me," I smirk at him teasingly.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Oh, I know you can't, watch," I look at the time on my phone, "in a few hours you'll be telling me what you're hiding. It won't last for long."
"You sound so sure about that," he tells me sounding cocky, "we'll just see about that when you have no idea what I'm talking about till tomorrow." Nathan challenges me.
"Trust me Nathan, I know my husband." I tell him knowing that he'll give in very soon.
"And trust me that I know myself," he defends himself with a hint of excitement.
"That's what you think..." I mumble while rolling my eyes.
"What was that?"
"Nothing," I blurt out quickly.
We pulled into Leo's school having a few minutes to spare before the recess was over, everyday I found our son with his friends in the same corner of the court yard. "That's our little man?" Nathan smiles in the direction of the kids.
"Yup," I smile back looking to see his expressions.
"I'm assuming that little girl is Amelia?" That young lady peaked his interest.
"Yes, that's Amelia." I tell him. "Do you think Catherine and Vincent could come over tomorrow for dinner or barbecue?"
"I think that could work," he smiles wrapping his arm around me.
I didn't even notice that his attention moved away from our son. Out of nowhere Nathan says angrily, "what the fuck are you doing here?"