The Kiss that Sparked it All

“Will I ever get to see you walk down the aisle, kiddo? Cooped up in that office tower every day, what’s the big deal about making money? You’ve made enough dough for several lifetimes over. It’s high time you focused on your own life.”

Nolan methodically continued eating his dinner, having spent another day hustling at the company. Finally home and able to enjoy a decent meal, he faced the familiar chorus of his elders’ concerns.

But he didn’t mind the nagging; he actually felt incredibly blessed to be amid it. Some people yearned for such attention and never got it.

“Grandpa, don’t talk like that. You’ve gotta be around for the long haul.”

His mom Aline chimed in, “Exactly, Preston. You can’t just say things like that because you want to see Nolan settled. You and Mom need to stick around for many more years. As for Nolan, I’m not in a rush to see him married off. I just wish he’d spend a little more time on himself rather than always wrestling with contracts. Is making money really that thrilling? Look at your father, content with a good book as his companion for the night. And you, just like him, could spend a whole day wrapped up in paperwork. It’s not healthy.”

Aline slyly tossed a jab at her husband.

“We just want you to invest more time in yourself, honey. Money’s an endless pursuit, after all.”

Nolan nodded emphatically. “Mom, that’s enough. I get where you’re all coming from. I’ll make sure to enjoy life too, so don’t worry.”

Pulling out a napkin to wipe his mouth, Preston’s gaze sharpened again. “You’re calling it quits after that tiny portion? When I was your age, I could put away three plates of food without breaking a sweat.”

His grandmother nodded in agreement, her way of saying her partner was spot on.

“Grandpa, that was a different era. If I downed three plates now, you’d be asking me what sort of trouble I got into to work up such an appetite. Alright, you all just relax at home. I’ve got some unfinished business at the office but I’ll try to wrap up early and come back.”

Aline got up to walk him to the door. “You need to spend more time on yourself, that’s the real deal. You haven’t been around much lately, and your grandpa and grandma miss you.”

She whispered the last part, and Nolan nodded knowingly. He’d been tied up with a few big projects recently, so he hadn’t had much spare time. “Things will slow down soon, and I’ll come stay at home more.”

“I know you’re a dutiful son. Just drive safe, okay?”

“Sure thing.” Nolan hugged his mother before leaving. Once seated in the driver’s seat, he let out a heavy sigh.

Sometimes he did feel quite lonely. After all these years of solo effort, it wasn’t that he never longed for someone to share his life with. Unfortunately, the one he had wanted had betrayed him cruelly, and now he was done with love. Têxt © NôvelDrama.Org.

He couldn’t understand those who went through hell and high water for love, often making a spectacle of themselves.

Better to keep a safe distance than to get burned.

But just as he was ready to let go, someone else was insistent on holding on.

“Mr. Harris, there’s been a snag with that contract in the suburbs. Someone’s filed a complaint over the land we acquired, claiming we took it forcefully from their property.”

Back at the company, Nolan was immediately presented with a thorny issue. He furrowed his brow and flicked through the file. “Didn’t we do a thorough investigation when we took over?”

The manager followed in step, briefing him as they walked.