Chapter Two

For many men they had two women who they loved most, their mother and the mother of their children or wife. That was not the case for Tan Lee the heir to one of America's holding multinational and conglomerate. At least not now he could boast of that four years ago but everything ended when his parents could not keep their business to their self. "Honor thy mother and father" was one commandment he wished he could get rid off from the holy books because his parents didn't care to reference the "don't provoke your children to anger" when doing their meddling.

Tan Lee smothered a sigh. It was another day in New York; another day to make money for the Lee's. For years he answered to no one but himself that did not last long. He had to take responsibilities or "take charge of the family business" like his father would say.

"Tan, you should start meeting potential ladies, your mother and I are no longer getting younger." Tan's father was on the phone lecturing him as always on how he needed to quit his playboy lifestyle settle down and give him grandchildren, one would think, his parent would give up now, since they haven't gotten any response from him, but leave it to Yo-Han Lee and Dami Lee to be pushy as always.

"You can put an end to your play boy charade now, you have had all these years to play around, it is time to settle down and start a family." He clenched his jaw trapping the bitter stream of words that burned his throat. "Put an end to your  play boy charade."  It was as if it was easy to find someone to love in the mall or at the grocery store. His father didn't care about him or what he had achieved for the company all he cared was expanding his lineage with another lineage of blue bloods.

As expected he should be used to the disregard he got from his parents. But that didn't matter, he had promised himself never to love again and that means not getting married because to him, marriage shouldn't be a business deal of joining to wealthy families together but marriage should be about love and that was what his parent didn't understand.

"I do everything I can for this family. I also understand my duties and responsibilities, but I wouldn't go and marry myself off to prove to this family that I am worthy of the name Lee. Never"

"Don't be stupid Tan. Your attitude is becoming-

"Dad", he interrupted voice cold. "You called to whine about how I need to get married, blah-blah-blah, this isn't the time for conversation; we should have it some other time, I have business to attend to"

"Tan this isn't the end of our conversation, we would continue some other time"

"Bye Dad"

Tan ended the call. His parent attitude was becoming overbearing and irritating. It was as if he was a merchandise to be sold off. They had done enough in the matter of controlling his life but there should be a red light to their actions. He needed to break free. He should break free.

Tan placed his phone on the office desk as he stood up to survey the new office.  He was waiting for Leo his best friend and an employee of Lee's they had an important meeting today.

Renovations was still going in the office, it was formerly his Dad's office and he wanted tweak it a little. The design was less his father with the dark theme and more of him, it now boasted with brighter colors. Yes, the awards and artworks still adorned the wall but now it felt more like his office. Height wasn't really something he cared about   he'd be fine if he stayed in a basement but being newly elected CEO the office probably came with the job description.

One good thing though was the view he got from the 24th floor. The hustle of New York City below sure distracted him from his father's very unwelcomed call earlier. Sliding his hands into the front pockets of his suit pants, Tan kept his gaze focused on the street of New York and how everyone needed to work for their shit.

"Nice office man, Tan Lee, CEO Lee's Co, adds a nice ring to it"

Tan sighed as Leo strode into the office, smiling as he watched Leo surveyed the work place. It had been a month since he last saw him. Leo was going to make fun of him about getting his father's office, Leo knew of his certain disdain for the office; because he felt he was to his father and his prying eyes.

It really irked Tan that of all place to be his new office it had to be his Dad's office. He was CEO but he still couldn't control where he worked from.

"I knew you were going to get this office" Leo shrugged claiming the chair opposite Tan's.

Tan growled and Leo laughed, holding up his hands, palm out.

"Okay, okay. I'm done teasing you. Let's get on with the business of today."     

Tan laughed. He knew Leo wasn't done teasing him. Leo if given the opportunity would do this for the whole day. But before anything he puts business first. That's what his father loved about Leo; He was good at business which meant more money in the bag. Leo was the only person Tan had seen his family accept that was something his family rarely did.

"Take this, Tan." Leo leaned forward to hand over a file to Tan. "LEE is planning to expand its business to fashion and what better place to do it than New York, a hub for fashion."

"There is a new company which we can collaborate with, they deal with stuffs like this and they can help to push the brand" he continued

"What's the name of the company?" Tan asked with keen interest.

"GALA, it's a new company but they have really made a name for themselves, we should be having a meeting with them soon, my secretary would communicate the time later on today."

    To others this deal would feel like an ordinary contrast but this was his first act as CEO, it shouldn't go wrong he couldn't afford it to go wrong.  He had done other deals, but at that time he wasn't doing it in his capacity as a CEO. He had something to proof that he wasn't just the play boy son of Yo-Han Lee. He was finally going to leave his father's shadow and prove to everyone he was deserving of the title of the CEO, but more to himself because of the sacrifices he made to get to the position he was, and nothing was going to screw it for him. Nothing.

"We should continue this conversation over lunch Leo, I am famished and I could use a booster" Tan said

It was at that moment, seated at the eatery did Tan realize he had made the wrong call. "I should have stayed in my office" he said to himself. Nothing prepared him from seeing Gabriele Lot, the love of his life again.