NIKOLAS

"I love you so much, Nikolas." Amethyst smiled at me, kissing me on my lips.

She rested her head on my shoulders as we enjoyed the night time in the park.

"My forever and ever." I say after some moment of silence.

I wake up sweating and instinctively place my hand on the space beside me. She is not here yet the dream felt so real.

I struggle through my early morning routine and head to work, barely touching the food Mrs. Brian had prepared for me to eat. I drank coffee instead.

"Sir, one of our distribution partners in Canada is celebrating its 15 years anniversary and a special invite has been sent to you." Brittany says, holding a document as I step into the office this monday morning. I wonder why she did not just forward the soft copy to my mail instead.

"Drop it on my desk." I say and walk pass her for the morning debriefing meeting I have with the heads of various departments which she is also expected to attend as my secretary to take the minutes of the meeting.

"Yes, Sir." She says and walks to my office to drop them before walking behind me to the board room.

As I step into the board room, the lights in the room is turned off, further annoying me. Why does every have to be incompetent today? I turn on the lights, keeping a mental note to address the utility team later in the day.

"Surprise!!" I hear voices yell just as the room lights up, revealing the LETHAL and some of my staff.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday. Happy birthday. Happy birthday to you." They all sing with smiles on their faces. Well, for starters I completely forgot that today is my birthday.

I let out a heartfelt laughter because this gesture touched me. I smile back to them and engulf my brothers in a manly hug before shaking hands with the managerial team and the other staff in appreciation.

"Thank you, guys." I voice out my gratitude. They all nod to me, smiling while André, Fabian and Lucas punched me on my arm at the same time.

"Ouch! Did you all three plan to come ambush me in my place of work today?" This leads to laughter from them.

"If you find mere celebrations with an old man an ambush, then we are guilty as charged. Else, we are not." It is Lucas who decided to answer, while the other two just chuckle as his sill remark.

"We will be at your office." They state before excusing me to have my meeting.

"Alright." I say as they exit the board room. I clear my throat and clap my hands to get back the attention of everyone.

"So, let us begin." I say putting everyone back to work mode. The meeting commenced with reports from each product division and the various department in Galanis Foods.

I make sure to commend those that are thriving by proof of excellent statistics and to give recommendations on how to improve to the ones that are not.

Next, each of them give me a rundown of their basic schedule for the week while I pay attention to enable me make corrections where neccessary.

The meeting comes to an end by 9am and I stand up to head back to my office with my hands in the pockets of my trousers.

"Hey, bro." That is what I am welcomed with in my office as these lots have already made themselves comfortable and even drinking from the special wine collection I had named in her memory.

"First of all, your legs off my table, Lucas." I smack his legs while saying so because I know him so well. If I do not put effort in actualizing what I say, he would just remain adamant and leave his legs up there.

"Secondly, you idiots have turned my office into a bar." I jokingly say, making them scoff in my direction.

A knock sounds on my door and in comes Brittany with a gift bag.

"From Ms. Bridget, Sir." She drops it and leaves.

"That woman must really like you. Or is it just sex she wants?" Lucas says, dryly.

"I honestly don't know. I never respond but she is one persistsnt young lady." From the first day we met till now, Bridget has not failed to show her interest in me, everyone around me know about her advances, even Maya and Dad.

"Maybe you should give her a chance?" André shrugs while speaking. I don't think I want to do that, it feels like betrayal. As if reading what is on my mind, he adds.

"It has been how many years now? Five, Nikolas. Five whole years since she passed on and lovely as she was, Amethyst would never want you to be this miserable. Come on, do you think you can fool us like you do to everyone?" He takes a pause and heaves a deep sigh before he continues.

"Absolutely not. We know what you are going through even if we might not fully understand but one thing I am certain of is that Amethyst would want you to start living again." He ends the talk, giving me a pat on my shoulders, to which I just nod my head.

"So, how about we hit the club for some unwinding time?" Lucas suggests and we just stare at him.

"What? We would not be doing anything stupid. Marie will have my head and that of the woman involved if I do anything stupid." He lifts his two hands to defend himself. The idea of going to a club today does not really sit well with me.

"How about we go for karaoke instead. That way, you married lot can tag your wives along with you while coming. I have a place in mind." Fabian speaks for the first time since I got into my office.

By married lot he means André which we all know has Sophia and Lucas, who to everyone's amazement is now married to Marianna. The king of heart breakers is married, he finally settled down after going through alot. Well, that is his story to tell and not mine.

"That sounds like a safer option." I say, nodding my head a little in agreement to Fabian's suggestion.

"You are the one whose birthday is today so you get to choose. I can't believe you are 34, old man." Lucas teases me.

"It's not like you are so young either." I shoot back at him. After a while, they all stand up to take their leave.

"Our companies will not run themselves. We would leave now." Fabian speaks.

"Alright." I nod my head in understanding and give each of them a hug followed by a pat at their backs and shoulders.

"See you by 7pm." Fabian says as they walk out of the office. I open the gift pack sent in by Bridget to reveal a gold rolex wristwatch. I chuckle as I twirl the watch in my hands, admiring the design.

Bridget really outdid herself this time. She is classy, I know that but she outdid herself. Thinking back to what André said earlier about living again, a little gratitude to her would not hurt. So I find myself picking up my phone to dial her number. Two rings and she picks.

"Oh Hello, Nikolas. The stars must finally be aligning in my favor because someone decided to call me today." She says, flirting with me in her thick French accent.

"Hey. I got what you sent to me. Thank you." I say, curtly.

"Happy birthday." She replies and the line goes quiet on her end. One would think the call has been disconnected, except that the sound of her breath resonated through the phone to confirm it has not.

"Okay, so I have this little something for the birthday planned by the guys today and to show my gratitude I want you to accompany me." I state. I hear her failed attempt at concealing a squeal, before she quickly composes herself by clearing her throat.

"How simple?" She asks.

"Karaoke simple." I reply her.

"Karaoke? That should be fun." She says in excitement.

"See you by 7, then. I will text you the address." I say.

"7? Perfect. Alright, I await your text." She states.

"Bye." I say.

"Bye, Nikolas." She replies, ending the call. My phone beeps with a message containing the address from Fabian. Just in time. I forward it to Bridget who notifies me of receiving it immediately. I sigh to myself, hope I am not making a mistake.

I pick up the document for Canada and study it. Our distribution partner; Klavetra holdings is celebrating its 15 years anniversary in the coming three weeks. Well, that is still a long time from now. I buzz in my secretary who gives me a rundown of my remaining schedule for today and I get busy, totally enveloping myself in work.