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AUTHOR'S POV

Mid Highway
At 09:23 AM

"F*cking hell." Edwin cursed kicking his car's tiar frustratingly.

He was on his way to attend an important meeting but his car decided to stop and get some fresh air in the midway.

He went in front of his car and moved both the sleeves of his neat coat up. He lifted his sunglass and rested that on his head. He opened the car's hood only to meet with the smoke. He coughed fanning smoke using his hand.

Edwin, a rich CEO who has never faced any problem like this before, stared at the weeding car with a puzzled mind.

He was busy scratching the back of his neck but suddenly heard a twice horn sound. He tilted his head to peek beside his car only to witness a girl who had a red cap on and her upper body outside her car window.

" Hey?" She called signaling him to come over using her fingers.

Edwin looked behind then at her again. " Me?" He asked pointing his index finger on his chest with a confused look.

" Yes, you." She said nodding her head.

He blinked twice looking at her as this was the first time someone talked to him like this.

Straightening his poster he went towards her who was now sitting back on her driving seat and looking down at something in her hands.

Edwin cleared his throat gaining her attention as he approached near the car window.

" You want a lift?" She asked squeezing her eyes a little as the sunlight was hitting on them.

He looked back at the busy highway behind. Thinking if he'll call any driver from his mansion it'll take much time as he already had passed more than a half road.

Bus? His wealthy mind can't even go in that direction to think about it.

The snapping sound brought Edwin back to the present. " You want a lift or not?" That girl asked a little coldly.

" Yeah." He immediately nodded.

" I'm going towards EXR enterprises. I can drop you till there." She said making him wonder about her destination. She must be a God-sent angel for him.

" Yes, please". He replied.

" Sit". She said and he quickly headed towards the backside of her car and opened the door.

" Mister?" He was about to get inside but her voice stopped him.

" Huh?" He closed the door and again came towards the window of her driving seat.

" I'm not your driver." She scoffed. " Sit in the front."

Edwin mentally choked her neck but controlling himself he sat beside her on the passenger's seat.

He pulled the seatbelt and brought it towards its lock. " It's broken." That girl said starting the engine.

" Okay". He replied leaving it. He roamed his eyes, noticing her car's interior. That seemed like an old car, seat leather was ripped from elsewhere, a doll kitchen hanging under the rear mirror.

The condition of her yellow car wasn't that good but at least her car was not a betrayal like his Ferrari.

His eyes caught her mobile buzzing on the dash of her car in front of them. He read the name written ' my baby ' along with three red hearts on its screen.

She picked it up and brought it to her ear using her right hand while driving with her left hand. " Hey, babe ". She greeted turning the car smoothly. " Yeah I'll be back till evening. I hope I'll be able to finish them all today". She talked for a while saying I love you to whoever she was talking to before ending the call.

" Is something up in EXR enterprises?" Edwin asked. She turned to look at him with a puzzled face. " I mean you... I asked because you are going there-"

" I work there." She said speeding up the car.

" In which department?" He asked another question.

" Would you please mind your business, mister?" She said making him zip his mouth.

He chuckled internally thinking about what would be her expression when she'll come to know that he's one of the CEOs of EXR enterprises.

The car pulled stopped in front of a huge company. Edwin thanked her before getting off the car. In response, she saluted him with two fingers. But soon her hands froze when she noticed him going inside the company. She thought he wants to go somewhere near EXR but he straight went inside.

She wasn't the only one who was gawking, the watchman standing at the entrance also wasn't believing his eyes as he saw Edwin getting off from a car like that. " Good morning, Edwin sir". That watchman bowed opening the glass door for him.

" Good morning". Edwin greeted back, handing that watchman his car keys. " My car has stopped on the giant highway. I want it before evening". Ordering in his usual deep voice he headed inside.

By taking his golden private elevator Edwin got inside the meeting room. Reed! his brother was busy presenting something about the meeting. Edwin without disturbing anyone took a seat. Half of the meeting ended and Xaden... their third brother made his late arrival as always. Ignoring him also Reed completed explaining his part and ended the meeting.

Xaden and Edwin were stopped by Reed in the empty meeting room knowing what is it for. " Can you guys be a little serious about the work?" Reed asked with crashed eyebrows. He is the only one who is passionate about working among the three of them.

" My car stopped working midway," Edwin explained.

" And what is your excuse?" Reed asked facing Xaden crossing his well-built arms on his hard chest.

Xaden was resting his back on his chair while his legs were resting crossed on the table in front of him. " Technology failed. Alarm didn't ring. And unfortunately I woke up a little late today". Xaden gave Reed millions and billions of times repeated excuses.

" No one can wake his ass up." Edwin chuckled gaining a proud smile from Xaden in response.

" But Dad can. " Xaden's face dropped at Reed's words while Edwin was enjoying it with a slight smirk. because they know their dad, Tan William, very well. He is no more a mafia boss but his aura is still the same.

" Dude-" Xaden sat up straight showing his puppy eyes to Reed.

" This goes the same for Edwin." Reed's words faded Edwin's smirk.

" Why me?" Edwin frowned.

" Because you aren't any saint my brother. Coming on time two days a week doesn't make you count in a punctual person list." Reed explained making the other two glare at him.

" That's called a robot, not a saint," Edwin mumbled under his breath.

" By the way, the project with Thomas is ending here. Our new project is with three companies simultaneously. Vaillant, Knight, and our Hazel". Xaden's eyes soften at the last name. Now he paid a little attention to Reed's words that were making his ears bleed until he mentioned Hazel.

Reed placed both of his hands on the table and bent a little before continuing. " This project will be a golden handshake only if you both show a little support. I don't want to lose this opportunity because of you both. Take it as a warning...get your butts ready because today's dinner isn't gonna be fun with the family." With the warning, Reed left the meeting room. He isn't a rude person but sometimes he needs to show his bossy side to his reckless few minutes younger brothers.

Xaden poked his tongue in his inner cheek as they both glared at the door where Reed just disappeared. " Do you have any painkillers?" Xaden asked slightly touching his butt.

" Shut up, Xaden, this is all because of you". Edwin palmed his forehead. "Dad's gonna punish the shit out of us." Edwin's voice had fear-of-dad in it.

" Let's avoid today's dinner". Xaden gave Edwin an Idea.

" Don't use your mind much and please be there on time now". Edwin eyed Xaden up to down before leaving him alone behind in the meeting room.

Xaden looked down at the file and smiled as he read the name. "Hazel."

After the office time ended Edwin went downstairs using his elevator. He reached the main gate, the same watchman opened the door for him. " Keys". Edwin expanded his hand towards the watchman who handed him the keys.

His Ferrari was now ready waiting for his owner. Edwin was about to approach his car but his eyes caught something outside the entrance of his company.

A person wearing a pooh bear costume was distributing some templates. Edwin concluded it was a girl under it only by looking at her pink-painted nails. That pooh bear placed all the templates on a nearby bench and brought both of her hands up. She grabbed that costume's big head and pulled it over her head.

She shook her head as all her hair got messed up. The descendant sun was hitting on her gray eyes. Her light pink lips parted as she sighed heavily. She tilted her head a little, placing her palm on her neck she closed her eyes. She seemed in pain. Opening her eyes she brushed her hair back using her fingers and wore her red cap. Edwin recognized her. It was the same girl who dropped him off in the morning. So this was the work she was talking about. He thought to himself.

• life doesn't treat everyone the same way.

Chapter published on: 17 September 2022

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