Holden Thane
Smart, charismatic, and laid-back-Holden Thane is a businessman who radiates charm. Beneath his dimpled smile, however, lies a calculating and ruthless strategist. A pushover? Never.

Holden is the cousin and best friend of fellow CEO Zephyr Lane. Raised by their sharp-witted grandfather, Luke Thane, Holden learned to balance cunning with charm. His disarming personality often earns him accolades like Employer of the Year at various award shows. But don't let his easygoing demeanor fool you. If you're not careful, that smile could lead you into signing a multimillion-dollar deal-one where you're left with little to no profit.

---

Eva's POV

I'm worried. Honestly, I think everyone is.

Mr. Lane has been missing for days. The secretary assured us she's been keeping him up to date and sending documents his way, saying he's sick. Most employees sent well-wishes, cards, and fruit baskets. But those of us in the programming department know something's wrong.

Mr. Lane doesn't get sick. He's the devil. He doesn't get sick. He's built differently. Anyone who interacts with him regularly would know that. But since most other departments only deal with him through his secretary, they wouldn't notice.

What's even stranger is that he hasn't assigned our group a new project. Normally, he'd have given us one the same night we finished the last one. As the team leader, I need to talk to him about it, but how can I when he's nowhere to be found?

And the cherry on top? I know why he's been absent.

It's eating me alive. If I didn't know about his terrible breakup, I could be cursing him in peace for making me anxious. But now, I can't even hate him without guilt.

While the office was abuzz with rumors, Mr. Thane strutted into our department. He always heads here first, expecting to find Mr. Lane. Clearly, someone forgot to tell him about the situation because he arrived as usual.

Stuart and I were in the lounge, sipping coffee, when he walked in.

"Hello, hardworking employees," he greeted. "Have you seen Zeph? Everyone I ask avoids me like the plague or gives me this weird, worried look."

Oh no. He doesn't know.

Why wouldn't people avoid you? Or stay quiet? No one wants to lose their job. Mr. Thane is practically Mr. Lane's brother. If he doesn't know what's going on, how could any of us tell him?

But Stuart, fearless as ever, just had to open his mouth.

"Mr. Lane hasn't been to work for a few days. Could you check up on him on behalf of the employees?"

Mr. Thane's cheerful expression shifted to one of instant concern. He muttered a quick "thanks" and bolted out of the lounge.

I glared at Stuart. He had just unleashed a storm upon us.

---

Holden's POV starting from the beginning of his day

The day started like any other. I went for a jog, showered, did my morning skincare routine (don't judge-this face doesn't stay perfect without effort), dressed up, and drove to work.

By mid-morning, my mood had already soured.

"Ellie," I called to my secretary. "Get me a new P.A. This time, I'm reviewing the applications myself."

Ellie didn't even flinch. "Sure, boss. I'll make sure it's not a fangirl this time."

She winked at me, clearly aware of the fiasco that had just occurred.

Moments earlier, I'd fired my second assistant this month for secretly filming me. Seriously, I get that I'm ridiculously good-looking, but isn't seeing me in person enough? Do you really need a video?

As I started to leave, Ellie called after me, arms crossed. "Where do you think you're going?"

"To see Zeph. If that wasn't obvious," I replied with a chuckle.

"Oh no, you're not. You have a meeting." Her tone was pure mom-mode. She'd been Zeph and I's guardian through Uni.

"Come on, meetings can wait," I whined.

Ellie sighed. "Fine, but I'm coming with you. Only because it's been ages since you've seen Zeph."

She misses him too but won't admit it.

---

When we reached Zeph's company, Ellie waited in the car while I went in. I didn't think it'd take long to convince him to have lunch with us.

I was wrong.

Twenty minutes later, I still hadn't seen him. No one would answer my questions, and the unease in the office was palpable.

Frustrated, I headed to the lounge-the last place I hadn't checked. Two employees were sipping coffee.

"Hello, hardworking employees," I greeted. "Have you seen Zeph? Everyone I ask avoids me or gives me this weird, worried look."

One of them, a guy from the programming department whose name I couldn't recall, replied, "Mr. Lane hasn't been to work for a few days. Could you check up on him on behalf of the employees?"

Instantly, I knew something was wrong.

Zeph, not at work? Because he's sick? No way.

I thanked them and left in a hurry. Getting into the car, I turned to Ellie. "His house. Now."

---

Ellie and I climbed the stairs to Zeph's home office, the place he'd most likely be. I'd already told her everything by the time we arrived. What we found was shocking and repulsing.

Papers and documents were scattered everywhere. Takeout boxes littered the floor, some still holding half-eaten food. A pizza box I nudged with my foot revealed a cold, greasy slice inside.

Ellie looked like she might puke. The dim lighting didn't help, so I tiptoed to the curtains and yanked them open.

A groan made me turn toward the desk. A disheveled head peeked out from behind it.

"What the hell, dude?" I blurted out.

"That's what I should be asking," Zeph retorted.

Ellie's face softened with concern. "What happened to you?"

"Could you just leave?" he snapped.

The audacity. Asking the people checking on you to leave? Not happening.

"We're not leaving," I said firmly. "Not until you tell us what's wrong."

Zeph stood up, stomping over papers as he approached me. Towering over me, even though he's about only 2 inches taller. He looked even more haggard up close. His usually neat hair was a mess, his stubble was longer than I thought possible in a week, and his eyes were bloodshot with deep bags underneath.

"You look like a mess," I said, unable to stop myself. "Your hair's a disaster. You've clearly been crying. And don't even get me started on the smell-when was the last time you bathed?"

"Just leave," he repeated, pointing to the door.

"Nope." I crossed my arms. "You haven't looked in a mirror in days, have you? You need help."

Ellie chimed in gently. "Zephyr, please tell us. We're not leaving until you do."

Finally, he sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat.

"Good," I said, grinning. "But first, take a shower. Then we'll talk."

He shot me a death glare while Ellie giggled softly.

---

That's chapter 3 people.

What do you think about Holden?

Edited.

Personally I'd say Holden's my favorite, so far that is.