Ryan had only tossed and turned the previous night, mind racing with the anticipation of what lay ahead— barely getting any sleep at all.
By the time he had returned, Ryan had lost his appetite, thus neither did he bother nor was he keen on treating himself to any proper meal; Lillian's skillful preparations were long forgotten, forsaken even. Ryan retired to his bed as soon as he had got shut off of his mocha hued blazer, and its complimentary trousers— everyone other than his step father had gone to bed, the clock said 7.30 p.m. When Mr. Miller had tried to approach his son, Ryan dissolved all of the inquiries of his elder, putting it away to be dealt with some other time, when Ryan would feel the need to participate, actively, in their conversation— and with an empty stomach he headed to bed, curling into a ball beside his passed out brother Lilian, trying to catch some sleep…to no avail. Now, the dreadful day had arrived— Ryan blinks his eyes at the blaring alarm clock that incessantly begins to ring at seven o'clock in the morning. Ryan had always been a late riser, and he was not willing to change it, trading with anything in exchange. He pushes himself off the bed and stifles a huge yawn. "Lilian, are you awake? I need your help getting ready," he speaks, still being under the influence of a deep slumber."Mhmm," Lilian hums, half awake. "Come on, wake up! I need to borrow one of your crisply ironed shirts. Mine are all too wrinkled, they give off an appearance of being sluggish," Ryan again sinks into the butter like soft white sheets, hugging his knees, "Let me borrow your tuxedo too, come on Lilian, wake up! Or else I will be late."Lilian partially opens his eyes, his vision a blur, "You go take a shower. I will arrange for your clothes, don't worry," he persistently murmurs words that are incoherent to the elder one."What?" Ryan brings his ear closer, to get a better understanding about whatever Lilian is saying. "Shower shower!! Go and take a shower. You reek of sweat," Lilian complains, rubbing his eyes and doing his morning stretches, lying on his back. "Oh alright," Ryan slides his feet into the crappy, moth-eaten slippers, "But don't forget to let me borrow your belongings. Please, Lilian," he beseeches, then obtaining the nod from his sibling he had been pestering for.Following, Ryan steps out of the room, hunting for a towel to steer his day forward, when something odd that Ryan had completely forgotten about catches his eyes— the white box Ethan had provided him with a day prior. Ryan picks up the box and examines it, "What could it be? Let me take a guess! Another of my boss's heap of assignments? So that he can be sure I wouldn't be lethargic since I would be intrigued to find out the 'enigma', he planned something this much petty?" An air of derision envelopes the brunette, he keeps speaking to himself, "Let's just see," without further predictions, Ryan unbolts a tiny latch at the bottom of the thermocol, revealing its contents— two butter croissants, chocolate muffins and a can of banana smoothie.Why would his boss, the haughty Ethan Smith, who never really seemed to care about anyone else's well being, other than his own go through take up an imperative of treating his personal assistant to desserts? Words deceive Ryan, he parts his lips to utter something, but nothing emerges.Ryan's heart races, and his mind swirls with curiosity, he wonders what could have possibly prompted Ethan to perform this act of kindness, "I am not imagining things, am I?" He sits at the table, his hands grabbing at a yellow coloured note peeking from the gap between two croissants, and he rips it open eagerly to know what is inside. "Mr. Miller, as I believe in give and take, here is what I give you for what I have taken aka your services. Don't get too full of yourself. Enjoy. -Ethan Smith."Ryan folds the paper neatly, putting it aside, "I hope these are not poisoned," Ryan bends over inhaling in the kind of yeasty aroma emanating, "Doesn't seem so. Now I know if Mr. Haughty used some pristine variety of poison," he sniffs a few more times until he decides they are safe to consume. "Nevermind, they really don't look like they could be poisoned," Ryan picks up a muffin, and relishes it with ease, "Thank you I guess," he mumbles to himself. Ryan takes another bite from the delectable muffins, savouring the sweet, buttery flavours that exploded in his mouth. Chocolate muffins were not Ryan's favourite, nonetheless he is enjoying the chocolate bursting in his mouth, topped with a crumbly streusel topping. As much as Ryan hates to buy it, he is grateful to have a warm meal to kick off his day. He reaches from one of the butter croissants, when suddenly he hears his step mother calling his name. "Ryan? Good morning!" Ryan seals the part of his lips in a trice, turning towards the speaker, "Ryan, I noticed that you woke up so early today? So I made you some chicken wraps for breakfast. Would you have it now or later?"Ryan's heart sinks a little, he knows the woman means well, "Oh, auntie…thank you but you really did not have to," he says smiling sheepishly. "Oh? Why is that, Ryan? You don't like my cooking?" Mrs. Lyra Miller wisecracks, "Nonsense, I really wanted to. After all, my little sweetheart woke up so early today.""That's not what I meant, you know it," Ryan casts his eyes down, "Er…I actually already had my breakfast."With a mellow chuckle, Lyra pets the brunette strands, "I know, I can see that. Don't worry, dear. I will put these chicken wraps inside the refrigerator. After you come back, I will reheat them for you," she says with a smile. "Thank you so much," Ryan beams. "You do like desserts. These are very delicious. You can definitely try them.""Sure, I will," Lyra puts the tray containing chicken wraps aside, "But if I may have the honour of knowing where are you even going?""To work, auntie.""Work?" Lyra flashes a proud countenance, "So my little son really did grow up now. Enough teasing, why didn't you tell me earlier?" She can barely contain her delight. "Well I wanted to, but things were really uncertain," Ryan folds his pair of lips, "So many things were uncertain. Even now, this period is just a short term, temporary one. My boss wants me to work for him for one month and then he will declare his final decision regarding hiring me permanently.""Woah! That's some weird strict manager you have earned yourself.""Stop joking," Ryan finishes gulping the smoothie and returns, "This is really nothing funny.""Okay, okay, Your Honour," Lyra thumbs against the floccose cheeks of Ryan's, moving them in circles, "Where are you working? And who are you working for?"Ryan softens with those words, and pulls Lyra in an embrace, "I hope now you can be really proud of me. I have acquired a job at the company of the most recent trend. I am recruited as the CEO's Personal Assistant.""For a month?" Lyra bursts forth cackling, and Ryan stands without a trace of merry around his lips, furrowing the brows— thus condemning his step mother's odd behaviours, "Okay okay, I am sorry," she says, still crumbs of her guffawing lingering. "So, who is this man who recruited you as his PA?""The CEO of LOVESICK," Ryan clears his throat, "Mr. Haughty," he says with an eye roll, oh so disreputable. "Huh?" Lyra's smile flickers."I am the assistant of Ethan Smith."Just an instant ago, Lyra had been over the moon with excitement for her son— which fades at the mention of Ryan's boss identity, just like how every dawn fades away in an obscurity, "Who?""Ethan Smith. Why?"Ryan witnesses how Lyra's face falls, her face speaking volumes about her inner, not so expressive frenzy, "Excuse me," she says and retires into their living room with faltering steps. "What's wrong with her?" Ryan talks to himself, "She forgot to put this in the refrigerator too," he addresses the meat wraps and picks the tray up to put it away for later— when he stumbles, and trips across Lillian."Oops sorry–" Lilian catches his equilibrium and gets on his feet, "I did not think you would be coming this way.""Hey, that's okay," Ryan forgives, "You weren't supposed to know anyway, but from now on try to take notice of your surroundings more meticulously.""Okay, brother," the younger sibling sees Ryan storing the tray in their refrigerator, "Well, Ryan, I am keeping your office attire here. By the way, you are still reeking, so I am certain you have not taken a shower yet. I will be keeping my favourite pair of blue tuxedo paired trousers here, on this chair right here. You have the white shirt, that will be complimentary. And I have also polished your shoes, so don't forget to put them on, okay? Good luck Ryan, on your first day!!"Ryan exhibits a smile, closing the refrigerator door, "Thank you, Lilian. Then, I will go and take a shower. I will be leaving in a few fifteen to twenty minutes. I hope my bicycle won't betray me," he claims the outfit Lilian lended him, "I promise to take proper care of these. I shall head now," he picks his pace when Lillian acts as an interval at Ryan's course of action again. "Uh- Ryan," Lilian calls, timidly."What is it?""Mr. Haughty's coat…" ***Ryan is staring at Ethan. Ethan is staring at Ryan— Mr. Haughty's tuxedo floating between the two men, its corners pinched with Ryan's fingers, they are looking at each other through a large see-through hole right in the middle of the fabric. "I am sorry, Sir," Ryan hangs his head with guilt, "I will try my best to compensate for the damage."Despite the presence of an high maintenance air conditioner in Ethan's office room, Ryan is sweating profusely, which could not at all slip from the ravenette's notice,"Someone needs to be as lousy as you to even come up with such blunders," Ethan hisses, "Forget it, you would not be able to compensate for anything. You can barely have any idea about the price of this tuxedo.""But I–""Stop already," Ethan sinks into his swivel, "I don't need it anymore. Besides, I have many more.""If you say so," Ryan Identifies an unexplainable frustration being nurtured at Mr. Haughty's swelling pride, "I will put it away then."Ethan unfolds his laptop, "So, Mr. Miller? Did you go through all the feedback and come up with any good suggestions?" "I didn't actually," in a grossly straightforward way, the brunette tells the truth, "I was hungry and I was nearly dozing off, so I got some sleep instead.""Why don't you at least try to come up with stupid excuses?" The ravenette scowls, creasing his facial features, "Aren't you afraid of telling the truth?""Why would I be afraid of telling the truth?" Ryan swings his arms, "Shouldn't I be afraid of telling a lie and getting caught instead?""That is quite not true, Mr. Miller," the man's words carry an unsettling mass to each of them, "Truths and lies are time, place, person based. Where you should say what, that is to be decided according to the surrounding circumstances. You get me? You know how many idiots have gotten away just with the help of a lie?""What's with this sudden lecture?" Ryan thinks out loud, but he is quick enough to very definitely do nothing to defend the way he had behaved— he stands, mum."Forget it. Have you checked your emails last night?" His chair spindles lowly, a stark contrast to its owner's booming movements."Not at all.""Brainstormed new ideas?""Definitely not."And it continues…Ryan realises why so far he has not been able to land a job anywhere. He had arrived at Ethan's mansion by nearly 9:20 a.m, whereas his boss was who customarily loved to be termed as punctual in its truest sense. Ryan had not gone through the documentation built of different critical feedback, contrary to what he promised. Ryan had not checked his email, even though Ethan mentioned him to do so. Ryan did not in the least make an effort to brainstorm ideas about how he could assist the team of LOVESICK to bring their app back on its track— Ethan was right. Ryan is incompatible…"Sir," Ryan begins. "Yes?" Crossing his legs against one another, he sits."I know it is my fault. I know I am incompatible. Earlier I have said this and I will say it yet again," the brunette sees Ethan peering intently at him, his ears peeled, "I am nothing sort of professional. I don't follow protocols. I, Ryan Miller, only believe in whatever my heart says. So, if you really think that I would bring more harm upon LOVESICK than gains, you can get rid of me right now," he bows, "You don't have to put up with me for an entire month!"Ryan's fingers grazes nearby Ethan's wooden lockset when his feet squirm near the door hinge— Ryan prepares to leave."Mr. Miller!!" Ethan slams over his desk, "Who said you can leave?""Who said you can leave?" Ethan slams over his desk. Ryan knows he can take some time to process, but before that, he needs to panic first. "Can't you hear me, you fool?"Ryan grumbles, there is no good business in trying to get his boss mad and suffer the consequences following, that too resulting from Ryan's purest of intentions, "I-""Shut up," Ethan is clearly pissed off, "Stop giving nonsense explanations now and come over here! I have a task for you. Right now," he hisses, "And please do keep in mind that you can come here sometimes by your own choice and as per efficiency, but can never leave by your own choice. Is that clear?"Ryan strays from the direction he was heading towards, turning around, submitting himself to the overseer, waltzing his way back to where he had been when he first entered inside through those monstrous glass panels, "Okay, okay. I am Sorry," he yields. "I have to go examine a location. It is just within a walking distance," Ethan trails off, "And you
"Ryan, I am sorry! Please open your eyes. Please. . ."Ethan's heart drops, seeing Ryan slump to the floor in a heap. With quick reflexes, Ethan catches him before he hits the ground, and lays him carefully against the wall of the elevator. Ryan's face is utterly wishy-washy."What should I do now?" Ethan's lips move silently as his mind races, lost in the inner turmoil of his thoughts. Mr. Haughty, deviates, runs his fingers through Ryan's hair. "Ryan, can you hear me? Ryan?"There is no response from Ryan."Ryan, can you hear me?" Ethan asks, leaning over him— his own breathing slightly deepens. "Ryan, stop this joke already!!" The adult's pursuit in reviving his personal assistant are all held to be ineffective. Ethan's breath quickly escalates, shallow and taxing, "Ryan…I…" he huffs, "...can't breathe too," his elbow serpents, coiling Ryan's stagnant neck, "What the hell is this net…" words are pulped into Ethan's inevitable wheezes. The smoke is growing stronger per passing min
"...but you also have the audacity to lie to your temporary boss?"Ryan is left to contemplate Ethan's earlier words, he finds himself speechless, unable to conjure up even a word of defence. Ethan, seizing upon the opportunity, presses him further, "Yes?" Asking for an explanation. "I am not entirely sure I am comprehending your accusations too well," bewildered, Ryan appears, responding with an air of uncertainty, "Of course I lie, just like any other human being does. But, I have yet to recall a moment when I have lied to you especially."Ethan, unsatisfied, pivots his laptop around to face Ryan, pressing him on the evidence, "Then what are these, Mr. Miller? These ideas…are you suggesting that you did not send them?"Squinting at the screen with fierce intensity, Ryan leans in— his heart sinks with the realisation that Ethan is right. His very own e-mail, with the subject line, 'Few Brainstormed Ideas' is staring back at him, a damning piece of evidence against what he is claimin
"What are you suggesting?"Ryan stands his ground, and he stands tall, his voice erupting with conviction. He brings his truth to the room, "Profile pictures should not be a necessity. Instead, we should conduct confidential background checks on users, just of their relevant information, to verify their real identities. Only the most trustworthy LOVESICK employees should handle this process to ensure proper verification."The older man arches his brow, intrigued, "And how exactly will this benefit us?""Pardon me, but this is not about us, it has never been," Ryan inhales deeply, his heart racing…from the depths of his soul, "It is about love. It has always been about love. Love is too sacred to be reduced to a mere physical appearance. We cannot compromise on love. Not now, not ever.""Hmm," the ravenette gentleman scoots forward, eyes flashing with curiosity, "Without profile pictures, how will they match, though?"The brunette youth looks thoughtful, his gaze distant— he had always,
Dark. Whether it had always been scary, or had always been soothing…depended. Ryan, however, was more into the amalgamation of dark and strands of scattered light. He says it is calming. Ryan, stationed by a wide open window, with a desk placed directly in front, finds himself seated in a chaotic display of scattered papers. In the aftermath of the chaos that unfolded at The Raven's Meal, Ethan's security personnel proved their reliability, resulting in the CEO granting the brunette a well deserved break.Ever since that fateful first day as Ethan Smith's assistant, Ryan has been tirelessly toiling away, devising strategies to compensate for the losses incurred. If Ryan were to be completely honest, he views LOVESICK as an application designed to mend broken souls— as per its name claims; it is supposed to heal sick souls with…love, albeit in a manner distinct from his boss's explanation…"those who are in love, are sick," the brunette remembers word for word oh so well!In Ryan's perc
In certain instances, Ryan's superior can display a great deal of true unpredictability, causing Ryan to question, stammering, "Wh- what's the matter?""Please excuse me," the older individual retrieves his device, indicating, "I must take care of something immediately first."Ryan takes a few steps backwards, distancing from the chairs, "Calm down," Ethan appears to be guarding a secret, not wanting anyone else to discover it, whatever it may be, but concealing it nonetheless. Further, Ryan adds, "I've learned how to operate desktops and laptops while in school, so rest assured that I won't accidentally delete any of your important files. In any case, I believe that you have backups.""That's not the real issue…" Ethan hastily clicks away at the keyboard, keeping whatever he is working on out of sight from the another pair of eyes towering. "I also don't have the habit of snooping around," Ryan's face breaks into an embarrassed pulp, "Just thought I would mention it.""Can you pleas
"Mr. Haughty…"Bathing the room in a radiance, the morning beams softly trickle through Ethan's majestic floor-to-ceiling windows. Every movement is agonisingly deliberate; Ryan's fingers were trembling when they reached out towards the ornate handle. In Ethan's mind, the brunette's path to the teapot is fraught with danger, unbeknownst to him. But Ethan, ever vigilant or maybe…apprehensive more than 'watchful', senses an impending catastrophe. With one sudden surge of concern, he darts towards Ryan, his long limbs encircling the assistant in a cautious fervour, creating a fortress of warmth and safety— their bodies meld together, their faces impossibly close…again, last time it didn't end well. A single heartbeat echoes like thunder resonating in the wind, within the cage of Ryan's ribs, he is enveloped in Ethan's sturdy embrace. Time stretches out, each second a labyrinth of anticipation. Their eyes lock… and an immutable connection. Strange. In Ethan's arms, Ryan finds solace? A
"HOW DO YOU ASSUME TO REGARD ME?"Uncanny— the CEO's thunderous roar slices through air, reaching unimaginable heights. A decibel so unimaginable, that it can be called uncanny. Ryan staggers, clutching his chest, relieved that he miraculously didn't plummet somehow over the balcony railings, shattering his bones on impact. The jolt rattles the brunette to his core, an uncomfortable stream of intensity shaking him."What on earth has he gotten himself into this time?" The thought prowess only for a split glimpse before the possessor of the doubts dismisses it, convinced that venturing into the lion's den of his boss's affair is not really too much of a wise choice, it will only label him as nosy. A flicker of concern crosses Ryan's face. Should he risk being labelled as an intrusive busybody, meddling in the affairs of others? "No. It's best if I don't," he weighs the potential consequences, conflicting thoughts racing at the back of his mind. But in the fullness of time, Ryan's compas