Chapter 25 Sebastian
Sebastian
The pile on my desk was getting more unwieldy by the day.
I swear, Caspian came in here when I wasn’t around and just shoved files on top of it.
I needed to get through it. To get back on top of everything.
I couldn’t allow myself to forget I had responsibilities here.
I never thought I’d feel this overwhelmed.
I didn’t even have time to go to the barber, and I knew I wasn’t taking care of myself properly.
Some nights I didn’t eat, because by the time I got home it was so late, I just wanted to get into bed and sleep.
I was exhausted, and it was starting to take its toll on my body.
“Sebastian?”
I looked up as Aria slowly and quietly closed the door, creeping over to me.
“Have you gone rogue and turned into a secret agent?” I joked.
“There’s a man out there asking to see you. I asked if he had an appointment, but he said he didn’t need one.”
I screwed up my face and stood from my chair. “Does he have a name?”
“Mr Zebari.”
“Soran?” I questioned.
“Yes, that was it.”
Fuck. What was he doing here?
“It’s fine, you can let him in, but can you clear my schedule for the next hour, please?”
“You’re meant to be meeting Caspian about the fund proposal.”
Shit. He’d wanted to go over it after Mr Kingsley’s interference. He wanted me on it, no matter what Mr Kingsley had said. I was happy to oblige.
“Just tell him I’ve been caught up with another project.”
She let out a breath. “Fine.”
“Nyx,” I called as she reached the door. “Can you get me a black tea with three sugars and an espresso, please?”
She nodded and stepped out of the office. Seconds later, Soran stepped in with a smile.
“Sebastian, you’ve been a hard man to get hold of this week,” he said, shaking my hand, then sat down in the chair opposite me.
I sat back down, leaning back, and pressed my lips together. He sat straight, his ankle resting just above his knee. I should have known I couldn’t avoid him until Newroz was over.
“I’ve had a lot going on here.”
“Ah, yes.” He looked around the room. “How is business?”
Soran with his typical small talk before he got into what he wanted. He wasn’t shy about getting straight to the point, but there was always that little bit prior to it.
“It’s good at the moment.”
“Make sure you keep on top of it.”
Like I wasn’t trying.
The Organisation was starting to fully take over my life.
It wasn’t like I could split myself into three to be everywhere at once.
I’d started to neglect this place, but worst of all, it still came before Aria.
She’d somehow ended up at the bottom of the list, and I was trying my hardest right now to put her back at the top.
Aria walked in with the drinks and placed them down for us.
“You must be Aria,” Soran said as he stood, extending his hand.
“I am.” She smiled and shook it.
“Sebastian and I have been friends for many years. Practically family. He’s told me a lot about you.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. Where was he going with this?
“Oh.” A hint of surprise ran through her voice, and I knew it was because she didn’t have a clue who he was.
“I’m not sure if Sebastian has mentioned it, but we have a tradition every year.”
My shoulders slumped, and I rubbed my fingers over my forehead. That was where he was going with it. He knew I was avoiding him. He knew I wasn’t going to bring Aria to Newroz.
“That sounds … interesting.” Aria looked over at me, and I smiled the best I could.
“Yes, I am very proud of my Kurdish heritage, and every year we celebrate our New Year on 21st March. It’s called Newroz—it commemorates the arrival of Spring and new beginnings.
It reminds people that no matter how difficult life may seem at times, there will always be hope to guide us through. It’s deeply rooted in us.”
I quickly rose from my chair, making my way around to Aria, and placed my hand on the small of her back.
“It was meant to be a surprise. Soran has arranged for us to have dinner tonight at his restaurant to meet his wife, and tomorrow we’re going to attend Newroz.”
“Oh, Sebastian, I’m so sorry I ruined your surprise.” He looked at me, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
He knew I was lying, and the only reason I cut in was that I was worried he was going to say something else.
Soran cupped one of Aria’s hands with his. “Can you forgive me, Aria? If Sebastian had told me, I wouldn’t have let on.”
“Honestly, don’t worry about it. Thank you for inviting us.”
“It will be my honour to have you there.”
The door swung open as Caspian strolled in.
Great. This was not what I needed right now.
Aria took a small step forward, my hand falling from her back, and I knew it was because Caspian was here.
She didn’t want him to know we were together because of company policy.
Fuck it. I didn’t give a shit, but if that was what she wanted, then I wasn’t going to argue with her over something so minor.
“Is this the ‘project’ you cancelled our meeting for?” Caspian questioned.
Soran rested his hand on his chest and faced Caspian. “My apologies for taking up his time. I know how precious it is.” He then turned to face me. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I gave him a small nod, and he said his goodbyes and left the office.
Caspian took a step closer. “Do you realise the lengths I went to with Mr Kingsley to get you back on this proposal? And you cancelled for what, a friend?”
“Aria, go back to your desk.” I didn’t even look at her when I said it, but she soon hurried out.
“I’m not in the mood for your shit, Caspian.”
He scoffed. “You either care about Luxe Corp, or you don’t. Which one is it?”
Of course I cared about this company. It had been my life for the last year.
I was fucking struggling, and I could see the lines starting to blur between everything I had going on in my life, and I didn’t know how to stop it.
I felt like one of those pressure cookers wanting to explode at any minute.
I was caught in the crossfire of conflicting desires, and I was struggling to control them all.
“I’m not doing this with you right now.”
I grabbed my suit jacket, pulled it on, and straightened out the cuffs. Taking a deep breath, I brushed the loose bits of my hair back, holding it for a split second, then made my way to the door.
“You can’t keep walking away, Sebastian.” I paused, hearing Caspian’s words. “Eventually, something will have to give. I hope for your sake it’s not the company.”