Chapter 4

Tomás, sitting in his chair, was thinking about how he could help his friend solve his stress problem. He was working on some projects in his department, the computer was in front of him with endless graphics, but his mind was far away, his thoughts were racing through various hypothetical situations.

"What if I took him to a bar?" Tomas thought excitedly, having been able to think of a way out of his friend's problem. He picked up his cell phone from the table and sent a message to Aslan.

Tómas

We're going out after work today!

14:30

Aslan

Get to work!

And we're not leaving!

14:40

Thomas

Did I ask you anything?

I was warning you.

14:41

Aslan

And who told you I want to leave?

Get off your cell phone and get to work.

That's an order.

14:45

Thomas

I said it!

Okay!

14:46

Tomás went back to concentrating on his work with a smile on his lips. While he analyzed the graphs, he listened to some concentration music.

***

Aslan stood in front of the main elevator of Aslan S.A., waiting for Tomás with a frown on his face, concentrating as he typed frantically on the device, sending a message to the housekeeper of his house, she would have to leave because something personal had happened. With no patience to continue the conversation on the messaging app, he started a voice call with the housekeeper to confirm the time she would be leaving.

- Mr. Aslan, I'm sorry, but today I won't be able to stay with Felipe until you arrive. - The housekeeper said as soon as she answered the phone, she knew her boss very well, she had seen him grow up running around the house, he had always been a very centered and polite boy, she couldn't understand when sweet Aslan left and this grouch took over. - I'm leaving now, I'll leave Philip to watch a cartoon.

Aslan watched his employees leave, happy and tired from an exhausting day. He stood at the reception desk watching, thinking about how futile and meaningless his life was. How the beautiful things were in the little things we lived. If those people looked at him and knew what he reflected when he saw them, they would certainly think he was unwell. Aslan remained silent, which worried the housekeeper.

- Are you there? - Ella asked when she realized that her boss wasn't listening.

- Yes, I am. - Aslan said dazedly, coming out of his trance.

- Great, as I said I won't be able to wait for you to arrive, so I'll leave Philip to watch TV...

- No problem. - Aslan interrupted her, then hung up and got into the elevator, which had finally arrived. He sent a message to Tomas, who was still in his department as far as he knew.

Aslan

I won't be able to go out today.

17:00

He blocked his cell phone and put it in his trouser pocket as the elevator approached the ground. He would have to make the sacrifice of staying with his son. It was true that the eight-year-old reminded him of the biggest mistake of his life, getting involved with Agnes.

- Let's go home, Juan. - He said as he got out of the elevator, his driver was already waiting for him, and he opened the back door of the luxury black car so that Aslan could get in.

The drive home was uneventful, despite the rush-hour traffic. While waiting to get home, Aslan was on a phone call with Tomás.

- I don't want to hear any excuses, I'll pick you up at home. - Tomás said as soon as his friend answered the call. - As soon as you get home, take a shower, smell nice and sexy so you can find a date for the evening.

- I'm not staying with anyone. And I don't have anyone to take Felipe out... - Aslan said, exposing his reality to his friend. - The housekeeper is off tonight

- "I'll find a way," Tomas said, disconnecting the call. From what Aslan knew of his friend, he would find a solution to drag him to wherever they were going.

As he entered the house, Aslan was surprised by a tight hug around his legs that made him stagger in place.

- I love you, Dad. - Felipe said, once again surprising Aslan, who hadn't expected this from his son. He had always been very dry with Felipe, so he expected the same treatment from him. He ruffled his son's hair and finally released him from his embrace. - Shall we play, Dad?

- Later, my son, I'm exhausted. - Aslan said dryly as he climbed the stairs to the bedrooms. He urgently needed a bath.

Philip remained on the second floor with his eyes full of unshed tears, he missed his father, who was very absent in his life, he didn't want babysitters looking after him, he wanted his father, there, present when he needed him, but reality was different and Philip needed to get used to Aslan's absence.

The doorbell rang four times, Aslan was apparently still in the shower. Felipe, even though he knew it was dangerous, decided to go to the door to see who had arrived.

- Who is it? - Felipe asked in front of the huge door.

- It's Uncle Tomás, Fê. - Tomás said to the delight of the boy, who opened the door without blinking.

Felipe threw himself into Tomás' arms, who picked him up and carried him to the sofa. He tickled the boy, who laughed without being able to stop.

- Uncle, stop! - Felipe begged between laughs.

- But who is responsible for all this mess? - Aslan asked as he came down the stairs, already tidied up. He was wearing a black shirt and black jeans.

- I see you're ready to go! - Thomas said, turning to look at his friend.

- Where are you going? Can I come too? - Felipe asked excitedly.

- My darling, you're staying with my sister. - Tomás said affectionately. - She'll be here soon.

Aslan remained silent, because if he said anything rude he would surely be shunned by his friend. The doorbell rang and Tomás went to answer the door as if the house were his own.