Her Absence

Rowan's POV 

" Welcome back Mr Sinclair" Matt, my assistant greeted me as I approached the car waiting for me.

I gave him a slight nod and then got into the backseat. I let out a sigh of relief as I breath in the fresh air. I was finally back from my three months stay in HongKong. 

Mr Liang and his associates had made sure that I stayed through the testing process. We completed that phase 2 days ago that is why I back here in Chicago.

" All your things have been moved to the mansion sir.." Matt started as I scrolled through my phone. " As you requested, the board meeting as been scheduled for 10am tomorrow morning, you would also be meeting with the entire head of departments by 1pm tomorrow, I spoke with the HR this morning " he added 

" Set aside a separate time for the marketing team...I need fresh ideas from them " I blurted out and then added. " Ensure that they are prepared to present something innovative by tomorrow " 

I had been gone for three months, I needed to make sure that the company was still on track.

" Will do sir" Matt replied . I watched as he typed into his iPad, obviously taking notes.

" After the meeting, you have a working lunch with the CFO to go over the quarterly financials" He Continued 

I chuckled in response. " Always a pleasure...... ensure that they have all the numbers ready. I don't want to waste my time Matt." I stated out loud as I continued to scroll through my phone. 

" Well noted sir" He replied firmly 

I glanced towards Matt at the front seat and watched as he tapped away on his iPad, listing off meetings that I didn't even ask for.

" ...by 2pm today, you are expected at the Sinclair Estate. Your grandfather requested a full update on the HongKong project... Jothan will be present " He continued.

I clenched my jaw at the sound of Jothan's name but didn't respond. Why does Jothan have to be there? I was still going to report to the board tomorrow so why then is he going to be present today? 

I tried to control my emotions as a hundred questions ran through my head.

" Should I reschedule...?" Matt asked. He must have noticed the change in my mood.

" No." I replied him immediately. My voice was hoarse. Cold. " The faster it is over, the better" I added.

I glanced through my wrist watch and saw that it was already 1pm, there was no point in dragging it. "let's head there now" I blurted out. I then stared out of the window as I mentally noted how small the city looked compared to Hong Kong.

And most importantly, it looked colder. There was no Celine. 

For the past 3 months I had been secretly searching for her all to no avail. I had thought that she was joking, only trying to seek attention but apparently she had been serious. The divorce papers that she sent had spoken loud volume. 

The last people I want to be informed about this development are my grandfather and Jothan. It was bad enough that I got married to a different bride, announcing a divorce was going to be the height of it all. 

Jothan wouldn't even hesitate to stripe me off from the position of the CEO. A position that I had worked so had to earn and have been keeping for the past two years.

A moment later, we arrived at the Sinclair Estate. It was still the same. Grand, grey and always ten degrees colder inside. It was a place built on marble and silence. The portraits on the wall didn't include my face, and they never will because I was the son they never asked for.

The illegitimate son of my late father.

" Mr Sinclair... you're here" My grandfather's butler greeted me with a smile as I stepped into the mansion.

" Hello Frank" I replied him with a small smile. I carried a small box containing a gift for my grandfather, even though I knew that there was a chance that he might not appreciate it.

Asides from my father, Frank and my nanny had been the only ones who ever warmed up to me and treated me like family.

" How was your trip?" He asked 

" Just business... nothing eventful" I replied him and then added. " I will ask my driver to bring the things I got for you tomorrow" 

" You love me too much. That's very kind of you Rowan, thank you " he replied with a bigger smile on his face.

" Where's my granddaughter?" I asked 

" He is in his study....you want me to lead the way?" He replied 

" Not at all...I can find him myself " I declined politely and then headed towards grandpa Ben's office.

As I neared there, I began to hear voices. 

Jothan. Ofcourse he'd already be there. He doesn't waste any single opportunity to kiss up to grandpa Ben's feet. 

I tightened my jaw, straightened my back and then placed a firm Knock at the door. 

" Oh wow, see who we have here" Jothan blurted out as soon as he saw me 

" Hello grandpa" I greeted immediately and then shut the door behind me. " Jothan" I faced my cousin.

Grandpa Ben was sitted behind his large mahogany desk, cane by his side. I didn't miss the judgment in his eyes. Jothan lounge nearby, with his lips curled in amusement, he was sipping something aged and expensive.

I walked in and then took my seat adjacent to grandpa Ben, opposite Jothan. I noticed as they both watched my every move, as if waiting for me to make a mistake.

" I brought this for you from HongKong" I faced my grandfather as I placed the box on his desk.

I watched as he eyed it for the first few seconds before eventually reaching out to it.

" What is this?" He asked as he gradually opened it.

" It's a pack of your favourite cigar brand" I replied him firmly 

He remained silent as he scanned through the box.

" Oh Rowan....you know we are trying to get grandpa to reduce his cigarette consumption" Jothan blurted out. I knew what he was doing, he was obviously trying to make grandpa Ben decline the gift but I remained silent.

" I'm pretty sure there are other gifts you could have gotten for him....we definitely want grandpa Ben to live up to a hundred now, don't we?" Jothan continued with a fake laugh and concern.

I scoffed at his words but remained silent still. 

After what felt like a million years of silence, I finally spoke up. " The HongKong project is in motion, .... final documents will be signed next week for the second phase" I explained. " They are expecting us to...." 

My grandfather lifted a hand to stop me. " I don't care for updates Rowan. All I want is results" he stated firmly. " When the ink dries and the numbers speak, then we'll talk about the future" he added ruthlessly.

I immediately bit back the urge to clench my fists. Nothing I do is ever enough! I should have expected this reaction! Why then did he call for me today if he wasn't even ready to hear me out? Did he call me here to humiliate me in the presence of Jothan as always?

" Until then, that seat you are warming?..... It is borrowed." He added as he emphasized the last word. 

I glanced towards Jothan to see the smirk that was on his face but I decided to remain silent. There was no point in starting an argument. He used his glass to cover his face but I could see it clearly.

Do they really think that I'd allow all of the efforts and the sacrifices that I had made to go in vain? Absolutely not! If they are acting this way now, I wonder how they would react when they find out about Celine. 

I need to act fast and bring back Celine into the house because I am definitely not going to give up this position.

Jothan then spoke, interrupting my intrusive thoughts " speaking of future plans.." he turned towards grandpa Ben and then continued. " I'd love to throw you something grand for your 82nd birthday.... garden party? Private villa in Positano maybe?" He asked 

I watched as Benjamin Sinclair chuckled softly. " Oh Jothan...you spoil me too much" he said to Jothan and then added. " Lavish as always " 

"Oh it's going to be the talk of the town for years grandpa...I just need you to trust me" Jothan said to him 

I let out a fake laugh. I don't remember my grandfather being this soft and friendly with me. Ofcourse, I am the illegitimate son that he never approved off. 

" I'd leave you to your celebration talk.....I need to use the restroom, please excuse me " My voice was dry as I spoke. If I didn't excuse myself this very moment, even I am not sure of what I'd say or do. 

The bathroom was empty, clean and strile as always.

I immediately splashed cold water on my face, gripping the sink as if it could steady all of the emotions I was feeling. My reflection in the mirror looked tired, heck I had just returned from an hectic 3 months in HongKong but not once was my effort appreciated. Instead they threatened my position the more! 

I tried to steady my breathing pace because I was at the verge of breaking something. I looked like a man unraveling in slow motion. I looked very pitiful.

Suddenly, the door opened behind me as Jothan strolled in. I saw the smugness that wrapped around him like a designer coat. 

He stood beside me and then began to wash his hands as he spoke casually " you know, they can give you a seat, an expensive tailored suit....but it won't change the fact that you were never meant to be one of us" 

I remained silent and said nothing.

" Illegitimate sons don't win in the end " He continued as he adjusted his tie and cufflinks. " No matter how well they fake it " 

I watched as he stepped closer to me. " I'll have that CEO seat cousin, mark my words" he blurted out firmly and then continued. " You were just a temporary placeholder, something to make grandpa Ben feel modern, but he'll never crown a bastard his legacy" 

My fist curled against the sink as my heartbeat drummed in my ears. 

I could see it, my hands shoving Jothan's smug face into the marble wall. Just once was enough. 

But I didn't, instead, I exhaled one slow silent breath as I reminded myself that he wasn't worth it. Hitting him wasn't going to change anything. It wasn't going to change his perception about me, so why bother?

" So enjoy it while it lasts" He added 

Jothan turned around and walked out, with the door clicking shut behind him but I didn't move. I just watched as water began to drip from the edge of the sink with my jaw aching from clenching too much. 

I immediately punched the wall hard as I let out all of the pent up frustration inside of me. I was at the verge of losing it. For how long am I going to keep tolerating this disrespect?

How long do I have to endure all these for?