Chasing The Broken CEO

"I am expecting the shorthand by tomorrow, Ms. Saavedra. This case is giving me so much headaches. I need to rest after the verdict," said Judge Villanueva when we left the court room right after a very critical court hearing. "No worries, Judge. I will make sure to finish the files immediately." I assured him and gave him a nod.

I excused myself and then went out of the Hall of Justice.

I inhaled heavily when I felt the cold wind blowing so gently. The rain is pouring heavily that made me stop from walking.

"Fuck, life..." I uttered in a lower tone and took a deep breath. I stared at the pouring rain with a blank emotion. I watched how it pours from above, down to the cemented floor.

I know I should start seeing the good in everything but this weather made me feel so cold and empty. All I want is to go home after a tiring day at work and here comes the rain that is pissing me off.

I felt the heaviness of my eyelids. I haven't rest for days already because of the court hearings I have attended to for the last three days. I wondered how it feels to have a peaceful sleep though. I don't remember getting that kind of reward and all I knew is I am tired, and tired... just tired.

I am thankful that the court hearing for today has ended ahead of time. I will be able to take a nap just before I work on the documents I need to submit immediately.

The rain poured heavily in just a minute. I watched how it pours down from the dark gray sky and how the million little drops of it kissed the floor. I just realized that it has been weeks since the rainy season started here in Tagbilaran, Bohol. The people here are not really bothered about the weather. Unlike the people living in Manila, people here in Bohol can still smile while continuing their lives under the rain. They can still work, kids can still play... They are still lively despite the gloomy weather.

I guess this is the how they live their life in this province. Who cares if we don't see the sunshine in this place, anyway? Our lives don't depend on the blue sky.

Honestly, the dark gray sky feels calming sometimes... However, it annoys the beast in me most of the time.

But it is fine.

I sighed heavily.

How could a weather makes me feel everything?

I checked my wrist watch and it's already three in the afternoon. I glanced at the parking lot near the main gate. It's far away from here. The rain is still pouring heavily but I really want to go home so that I can take a rest.

I inhaled deeply. I gathered all my strength and decided to do follow what's inside my mind. I started to walked downstairs. I felt the pouring rain on my head and my shoulders but I didn't mind it as my only goal is to be able to go home. I continued to walk and let the rain pour down on me but then I stopped when I no longer feel the dripping waters.

Jameson's face is all smiles when I turned around to see who's behind me. He's holding a black umbrella that protects me from the dripping rain.

"What are you doing?" I asked with my furrowed brows even though it is pretty obvious.

"You will get sick if you walk under the rain, Nathalie. Let me walk you to your car, alright?" He said and then he smiled at me. "You did not bring an umbrella again."

I blinked twice and held my attache case firmly. "I'm sorry. I'm just... too preoccupied..."

He nodded at me and then licked his lower lip before giving me a genuine smile.

"I understand you, Nathalie. You've been assigned to multiple cases here in Bohol in the past few days so no wonder bringing a single umbrella didn't cross your mind. Are you going home now?"

I nodded slowly. I looked at his left shoulder. His sleeve is already drenched because he wanted me to be protected from the heavy rain. He noticed that I am looking at his shoulder which made him chuckle. "Don't worry about that, Nathalie. Come," he said and then he held me on my shoulder to ensure that I am protected from getting drenched.

"Thank you very much, Jameson..." I managed to say and just let him held me as we walked under the heavy rain.

We went to the parking lot and walked towards my car. I pressed the key fob to turn off its alarm and then opened the door for the driver's seat. I hopped in and glanced at Jameson who leaned down to watch me. "Be careful when you drive. The road is slippery," he reminded me with a smile on his lips.

He looks happy even though his shoulders are both drenched.

"Thank you. See you tomorrow," I said softly and then started the engine of my car.

"Nathalie," he called my name which made me gaze back at him.

"Yes?"

All of a sudden, the sad expression in his eyes became visible. He stared at me as if he was trying to understand everything... everything that happened with my life.

"I haven't seen you smile for a long time. I hope you're feeling alright..."

I blinked so many times. My lips parted as I didn't expect him to say that. I want to say something but I don't know how to do it. I can't think of a right word to describe how I feel all this time as if my mouth doesn't remember the words already.

I cleared my throat and just decided not to say anything at all. That will make my life easier. I don't want to explain myself.

Deep inside my chest, I knew I was okay. I am trying to. I just don't understand why he need to voice it out.

As if my smile could end this gloomy weather.

As if my smile could make things right...

"I appreciate your concern and I assure you that I am alright," I said firmly while looking at him.

He smiled but it didn't reach his ears. He stepped backward enough for me to close the door beside me. The window is half opened though, so I can still see him staring at me intently.

"I will see you tomorrow then," he uttered softly and even though the sound of the dripping rain is loud, I managed to hear him sigh heavily.

"Thank you again, Jameson." I said and then closed the window beside me.

I stared blankly at the steering wheel. It took me a few minutes to finally maneuvered the car when I realized that I had enough for this day.

I just really want to go home.

I reminded myself that I can't be bothered anymore... about whatever emotion this fucking rain is making me feel.

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***

"Grandma, I am home!" I announced after entering our mansion.

I walked directly to the living room. I saw my grandmother named Helga who are sitting comfortably on the terrace where she normally eats her snacks.

She turned her gaze on me. Her lips immediately formed a smile when she saw me. I walked towards my grandmother and gave her a kiss on her cheek to greet her.

I crouched in front of her and hugged her tight. My loving grandmother hugged me tight that sent warmth to my heart. I could smell the peach scent of her perfume. I closed my eyes and hugged her more.

"How was your work? Are you tired, sweetheart?" Even her soft tone feels calming too.

"Like the usual, grandma." I opened my eyes and pulled away enough for me to look at her. "Did you take your medicine on time?"

'Of course! I know you will get mad at me if I forget to do so." She giggled softly. "Nurse Dolores taught me how to set up an alarm on my mobile phone so that helped me!"

Grandma's eyes are screaming of happiness.

If there's one thing that makes me happy after the decision I made to live here in Bohol, that will be my grandmother's smile that I get to see every single day. It's kind of contagious. It's giving me the warmth I badly needed. "That's great to hear, grandma. You should set up an alarm so that you won't forget about taking your medicines. Please do it everyday, alright?" I added and stood up in front of her.

"Sure thing, sweetheart. And oh!" she clapped her hands once as if she remembered something all of a sudden. "I almost forgot! Shaira has been trying to call you earlier. She called me and asked you to ring her back once you get home." "Thank you for letting me know, grandma." I caressed her hair. "I'll just go upstairs first to give Shaira a call back."

"Sure, sweetheart. I will stay here for a bit. The rain is just fascinating."

I turned my gaze on the garden. All the flowers and plants out there were planted by my grandmother. The rain is pouring heavily that these plants are already drenched, but still lively. I looked up to see the same dark gray sky. Nothing's new about it. For me, it's not fascinating today.

I went upstairs and entered my room. I only removed my coat and the decided to call my cousin, Shaira Saavedra. She's,my smartest cousin and is now helping my parents to run our company. It has been more than a year when she started helping my father with our business.

Since my parents can no longer lean on me when it comes to helping the company and given the fact that Shaira is kind and trustworthy, they didn't hesitate to accept her willingness to help. "Shaira..." I called her name when she answered my phone call.

I put the call on a loudspeaker mode so that I can move around my room even though I am talking to her. I opened my closet and get some clothes.

"Hi there, Nathalie! How are you?" she asked me in her calm voice.

"I'm doing fine. I just got home and grandma Helga told me that you called and asked for me to ring you back," I said while removing my inner top.

I walked towards my vanity desk. I grabbed some tissues on the desk and removed the nude lipstick on my lips.

"The company is already in crisis. I am having a hard time convincing our shareholders not to pull out their shares from your company," she stated. I heard her heave a deep sigh on the other line.

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My forehead creased while I am looking at myself on the mirror. I know I should get used to it but hearing this kind of news from her makes me want to end the call right away. "How's my parents?"

She sighed once again. "They are fine, I guess? Your father can't tell your mom about the real status of the company. He doesn't want her to worry so much."

"Alright..." I sighed deeply and then turned to my mobile phone located on the bed. "If you need a big amount of money so that the company will still be able to operate, I can sacrifice my funds."

"We need more than what you think, Nathalie. We might need to consider selling all your properties in order to survive unless we'll be able to convince the shareholders to stay with us. However, those fuckers don't even know how to listen. They will surely get us crippled. " then she groaned. "This is really a huge mess!"

"That's the only help I could think of, Shaira. I'm sorry if you're suffering in my family's mess."

"Are you sure you don't want to go back in Manila? Maybe you can talk to our shareholders and convince them to stay. They might listen to you. We can give it a shot, Nathalie..." she said carefully but I know that I can't really do what she just suggested.

"I am done with it, Shaira." I stated coldly and then walked closer to my bed. I sat on its edge and stared blankly on my mobile phone.

"I'm only hoping you could at least bring comfort to your parents. They miss you, too." she replied with a careful tone.

"No, I am sorry. I can't do that. I can call mommy instead so she can talk to me at least..."

"You're so freaking cold!" she hissed at me. "You've been staying there in Bohol for quite some time already. Don't you feel pity towards your parents? I am not trying to scold you right now but I think you're getting this far because you want to protect yourself... your emotion."

'I'm not, Shaira..." I replied in a blank tone.

My jaw clenched. I blinked several times and stood up to gasp for some air. I don't know what's trying to say but I honestly don't feel good about this conversation.

I am already done with that topic she's trying to open up.

"Yes, you are!" she blurted out. "You know that I understand where you're coming from, Nathalie and I am deeply sorry if you're hearing these all from me. I'm just annoyed as I feel that you're not even bothered about everything that is happening here in Manila."

"Like I said, I will just give my mom a call. I'd transfer my funds to the company's bank account and do what you want with it. If we need more, then sell some of our properties. If those shareholders want to pull out their shares then let them be. We can't force them to stay when they don't feel staying with us anymore," I explained.

I don't really get it. Why bother pursuing these shareholders? If they want to leave, then let them leave. We can't really force people to stay in our side just because we need them.

If a person wants to leave, then let him be. Why should I waste my time to stop him?

"Great!" she said sarcastically and then she let out a heavy sigh. "Alright, I give up! Just please make sure that you will call Aunt Michelle, alright? She badly wants to talk to you and please Nathalie, I am begging you.... Fix yourself! You can't be like this forever, do you get me? I'm also worried!"

"You have nothing to worry, alright?" I uttered softly.

"Your tone makes me worried! You're freaking cold and it's not very you!" she said hysterically.

"Don't worry about me." I massaged the side of my head. "I appreciate all your efforts and willingness to help, Shaira."

"We're still a family, Nathalie..." she assured me. "I'll call you again once I have new updates about the company. Don't forget to your call your mom, alright?"

"Alright..." I sighed heavily.