"The scariest thing about distance is that you don't know whether they'll miss you or forget you."― Nicholas Sparks

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"The blueprint we sent to the PP Holdings CEOs confirmed it. All the materials we need is ready. The team is waiting for your word to start," Ben said as he laid out the 3D blueprints on my desk and USBs. Then he stood across my desk. He was one of my Engineers, a couple years older than me. He was the son of one of our Engineers who retired.

He stood 6'1, chocolate brown skin due to more exposed under the sun, a bit lighter brown shaggy hair and a beard, and has honey brown eyes that always reminds me of Victoria.

It's been a month. A month when she left, and I felt like there's no reason for me to keep living.

Ben Tanner straightened up folding his hands on his chest, his gray buttoned down shirt with three buttons were undone, showing his hairy chest buffed up. He stared at me waiting for my response.

"If everything is ready, then start the construction," I responded briefly.

"Then we will fly then tomorrow to England. We will update you for every development," Ben said and I nodded.

Ben look at his companion and another friend of mine. They were both Engineer, Loris Zurlo. His father used to be theios Andreas Alanis right hand.

He was sitting on one of the cushioned armchairs across my rectangular desk in my office.

I stood up and rounded my chair, standing behind my black high-back swivel chair, resting my hand on the top as I shifted my gaze to the two periodically.

"I want everyone works on the clock during their working hours. If you caught or I caught any slacking workers during their working hours, I will not think twice to fire them. I have agencies who can provide one right away," I said in a stern voice.

It happened a couple times already.

"Yes, boss!" both agreed.

A silence fell after. I feel really exhausted. The sun has set and here I am still in my office where my second abode. Where I spent my whole fucking month avoiding everyone, including my family. I don't want to talk to anyone.

"Well, I gotta go. My wife is waiting for me tonight, it's our anniversary," Loris grinned. I stared at his glowing face. He's clean shaven opposite of Ben. A little shorter than Ben. And he had this lovestruck smile plastered on his face and I suddenly felt jealous.

I wish I had that smile, too.

"Happy anniversary then, Loris. Say hi to Annet and kisses to little Zurlo!" Ben grinned.

"I will. Go home Xandrous, you need to shave men. You look worse than Ben!" Loris chuckled and grab his leather coat that he hang on the arm of the armchair. His brown steel-toe boots look worn out and I just shook my head as a ghost of a smile formed on the corner of my lips.

"You need to replace that boots soon, Loris," I reminded him again. He loves that boots and I honestly don't think will last another month.

He stops as he grab the lever knob of the door and turned his head towards us. "I know," he chuckled, "but I love this. This is Annet's first gift to me," he reasoned out and it's getting rusty. We knew he's head over heels in love with his wife and he's damn lucky, but he seriously needs a new pair of steel-toe boots.

"Ask Annet another pair," Ben suggested with a playful grin on his lips, dropping his hands into his pockets.

"I'll buy another pair so you two stop pestering me about this boots," he shook his head and then he disappeared through the door, closing it behind him.

"Are you heading home soon?" Ben turned to me.

"No," I said as I sat back in the chair, dead tired.

"Well, I gotta go then. I'll see you then tomorrow," Ben collected the blueprints and USBs and carefully stuff it in his suitcase sitting on the chair, across the chair Loris emptied a moment ago, then he headed to the door.

I leaned on my back and brought my hand to my temple and massage it involuntarily. After a few minutes later, my phone rang.

I debated if I will accept it or not. I decided not to. I let the phone ring until it went to my voicemail.

"ANSWER THE DAMN PHONE, XANDROUS!" It was my mom. "I've been trying to call you honey," her voice softened and I could feel the worries in her voice.

I decided to pick the phone while she's still blabbering.

"Mom,"

"Thank God, you finally decided to talk to me," she said as she sighed exaggeratedly.

"I'm sorry, mom. I'm just busy," I reasoned out.

"Come home tonight. I want to talk to you and I missed you so much, son." Mom's voice cracked and I knew she's getting emotional again.

I decided to just agree.

"Fine. I can drop by tonight," I said.

"Sleep here, honey. Your old room is clean and it's been a while since you sleep here," mom cajoled and I know I can't say no, besides, I feel so exhausted to drive back to my penthouse.

"Alright," I agreed. "See you in a bit, mom," then I hang up the phone.

I decided to pack all the documents of our new clients I'm reviewing before presenting the plan, then stuffed it in my suitcase. Grabbing the suitcase, I took my coat hanging on the coat rack and close the door behind me.

My eyes flew to the reception desk where my three secretaries working. Kara and Sigrid are gone. Cassie was my PA, but since she's sick, Kara replaced her.

Speaking of her, I avoided her after Vicky left. I worked until my body shuts down for the night and up before the sun rises.

She calls and never return her call. She came according to Kara and Sigrid, but I was lucky I was always at a meeting.

She left messages and I return a message once.

I have tons of work that needed my attention. I'm sorry, but I can't visit you all the time, starting now. You know I care for you, Cassie, but I also have works and life to sort out.

It took me a lot to finally decided to cut the connection.

Half of me doesn't want to do it, but half screams for me to do it, for me. To sort out what I really want in my life. And now, for the whole month, I felt alone and broken. A deep hole in my heart left, and I knew in a heartbeat, she has the piece.

I headed straight to my car and hit the road.

*

*

"Where's are the others, mom?" I asked as I pop the piece of meat in my mouth. Dad seated at the middle of the table, mom on his right and I was on his left.

"The twins are sleeping at grandma's place tonight." Mom responded briefly. Her soft brown eyes didn't leave me since I seated.

Dad brought his wine to his mouth and made a sip. They were watching me eating since they all ate their dinner.

"Kristos never visited too, just like you!" mom accused and her eyes glared.

I felt the guilt tugs my heart. "I'm sorry, mom. I've been caught at work."

She scoffed leaning on her back and crossed her hand on her chest. "Let him finish his dinner before you preach him, agapi mou," dad told mom in his sweetest voice and I almost rolled my eyes.

I'm always grateful that my parent's devotion to each other didn't fade as they age, but sometimes, their open affection irritates me.

Dad leisurely sips his wine as he waited for me to finish my dinner while mom is obviously impatient.

As soon as I'm done, she opens her mouth and bombarded me with questions.

"I know you're old enough to know what's right for you, Xandrous," mom started. Dad was just watching us, amused. "But, you're killing yourself. Carol told us you always sleep in your office," mom's eyes sharpened. "And look at you? I almost didn't recognize you," mom shot me a pointed look.

"What's wrong with me, mom?" I look at dad to seek an answer when mom pursed her lips. I knew she's pointing on how I look. I have a long beard, unshaven for almost three weeks, but I showered every day.

Then my eyes darted back to mom, with deep frown glued on my face. I'm sure, I'm not going to like what's she's going to tell me. "You look like a caveman!" mom glared pointedly.

"And you're being stereotypical, mom!" I rolled my eyes. I know what she means, but I don't want to deal with it.

Can't I change my looks?

"Your mom meant that she misses your clean looks." Dad pointed out and I sighed. "You should see yourself in the mirror, son. You have dark circles under your eyes. You look worn-out and I bet you never had a decent sleep the last month. Is this by any chance has to do with Victoria?" Dad asked bluntly.

I know they have been bugging me about her, but I kept lying.

I look at mom and they shared a look with dad. I don't know what they are thinking about.

"If you are trying to meddle with my life, mom and dad, please stop." I stood up and was about to head to exit when dad's grim voice reach my ears.

"YOU KNOW I NEVER MEDDLE WITH YOUR LIFE, ALEXANDROUS!" he said sternly. "But seeing you killing yourself, I'd rather want to," he added on. "Sit back and listen!" dad's stern voice forced me to drag my limbs back on the chair I emptied and sat back.

"Victoria is living at the Hanover-square apartment with Frankie, a few blocks from the Vogue house. I have the next door rented it for you. You need to have a vacation." Dad looks at mom, who was silent and looking relieved as she listened to dad. "I already settled everything. I will personally manage the construction of the new hotel of Demi and Nick. You will sort things out with Vicky," dad said and I almost groaned.

Looking at his stern face, I knew he's determined and his tone offered no discussion. "She hated me, dad. She left to start a new life without me," I squinted the tears slowly brimming around my eyes.

Our last moment together that night, after dropping her to their mansion flashes through my head.

"I've always dreamed of having a family with you." I look at her as I turned off the ignition, parking the car right in front of their front porch. She smiled, and I knew this will be the last to see that sweet smile.

My heart starting to constrict again. I don't know what to say. I don't know what to do. I felt that tears again. I never cried before, until tonight.

My hand involuntarily reach for her cheeks and cup it with both palms. "Can you think this over?" I plead.

She rested her palm on my other hand and she leaned her head to the side, lightly. "I can't compete with her, Xandrous. As you have said, she needed you the most."

She drop her hand to her seatbelt and drop mine to my lap, disappointed and hurt. My heartbeat races rapidly, and as she climbed out of the car, my heart felt heavier.

I watch her back as she was greeted by their valet and entered into the mansion, without looking to my direction.

She's gone, forever.

"... a fashion week in England. It's an exclusive show for Daks' autumn/winter show exclusive. I already have the invitation, and it's up to you what will you do," dad's voice drags me back to him, and I realized I missed most of his words.

"She will be there if you want to watch it," dad said and I just noticed his butler standing behind him handing him a newspaper.

He slides it in front of me, and my eyes automatically landed on the front page of the entertainment newspaper.

Famous high-paid model Deshawn Prescott spotted with the gorgeous model, Victoria Pallos, dining at the Itsu. Is the hunky Desh dating Victoria?

"Here's all the necessary papers you need when you get to the Hanover apartment. The key is in the envelope with the invitation for the show. Good luck, son." Dad slides the brown envelope too wiping the newspaper to the side.

I look at dad, still debating, but the picture of her and that handsome model smiling and having the time of their life, had me decided to follow her.

"I'll take care of Cassie Ann," dad interrupted my thoughts, and I gave him a grateful look.

"Thanks, dad!" I smiled, feeling foreign with the smile broke on my lips.

"Don't repeat the mistakes I have done when I gave up your mom without a fight. I was weak. I regretted that. If I can change the way my life goes, I want to change that time where I let her go and let my ego run my life." Dad smiled and look at mom lovingly. Mom's eyes glisten and dad reaches for her lips and gave her a lingering kiss.

And at that moment, I wish of a life like what my mom and dad have. And I knew I would only get that if I win Victoria back.

I stood up and grab the envelope.

"Make your two months vacation meaningful, son. Bring her back. If you can bring her home with a bonus, then that would be great! You will make our genes proud!" dad grinned and I nodded.

I haven't been excited my whole until now.

"I will win her back, I promise!" I said before disappearing through the door, forgetting about the sleepover. I have to pack.

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A/N: Here you go, ladies. I hope you all like it. I hope you will support them.

Oh, by the way, I just got a twitter account. I have one before, I think four years ago, but I never used it. Now, I think it's important, so I signed up. If you want to follow me, here's my account: https://twitter.com/MsDreamerGirl84 (I'm still crawling to familiarize myself, lol)

Have fun reading!