“Oh my God, Richard!” Edward exclaimed. “What else brings you to my office?”
That evening, before leaving work, Edward had a special visitor. His two friends, Richard and Kenzi Osborn, seemed to stop by intentionally to invite him to go out.
“In two days, you’ll be married, Ed. Why are you still working? Does Quantum lack competent people? So the CEO has no time for a break?” Richard teased.
Edward had been waiting for this moment to get back at his friend. Everyone knew that when he was in Indonesia, Edward often mocked whatever Richard did, especially during the time of trouble between him and Kimberly.
Indeed, Richard never forgot that moment. How Edward insulted and cornered him. Blaming every decision he made.
“Damn it!” cursed the brown-eyed man. “As the new CEO, there are some tasks I need to finish. But, I’ve handled everything well.” He then stood up, grabbed the navy-colored jacket hanging behind the chair, and put it on. “So, let me repeat my question from earlier. What’s your purpose for coming here?”
“The two of us just want to take you out for drinks,” Kenzi replied casually. “Consider it a bachelor party before you officially tie the knot. Kaivan is already waiting at his bar,” he added.
Edward agreed with a nod. He then put his arms around his two friends, inviting them to leave the office.
“Let’s go! Tonight, it’s my treat,” he confidently invited.
“You’re the one who should treat us tonight, Ed,” Richard protested.
Arriving at the Magical Bar, as Kenzi mentioned earlier, Kaivan was already there waiting. The tattooed man was engrossed in playing billiards with Hans.
Noticing Edward and the others, Kaivan stopped the game and called a waitress to serve his special guests.
“So you’re really going to leave your bachelor days behind in a few days?”
They were all sitting in the VIP section. The waitresses were already serving their requests one by one.
“Of course. I can’t wait to marry that woman.”
Kaivan nodded slowly.
“That means there will be no more bachelor status among all of us. It feels like quite an extraordinary achievement.”
Richard burst into laughter and then chimed in after a while.
“I was hoping Edward would remain single forever.”
“Hey!” Edward retorted. “Watch your mouth, Rich!”
“But, by the way, why are you here? I mean, what important business brings you to visit me at the office? I thought you had left for Indonesia.”
Edward asked, knowing that Richard was the type of person who didn’t like wasting time on trivial matters.
“Following Kenzi’s advice, I finally decided to return to London.”
“And Blackhorse? Who replaced you there?” Edward quickly asked, making sure he heard correctly.
As everyone knew, when Kenzi decided to take over the parent company in England, Richard took over his position in Indonesia. Under Richard’s leadership, Blackhorse had experienced rapid progress. Now, if he decided to ‘return home’ to England, who would be responsible for everything in Indonesia? This was a big question mark in Edward’s mind.
“Tristan is taking over Richard’s position,” Kenzi replied casually.
Edward furrowed his brow. His expression showed that he needed more explanation. The name Kenzi had just mentioned struck a chord with him.
“Tristan?” he repeated. “Tristan Quartararo?” he emphasized the name once more.
“Yes…” Richard answered. “Tristan Quartararo, your true rival.” He then smiled triumphantly.
Edward sighed in annoyance. He didn’t know why, but he really disliked hearing the name of the man that Richard and Kenzi had just mentioned, as it reminded him of past memories that he couldn’t forget to this day.
“Ken… why do you always make my rival the head of your company?”
“Tristan is also our friend, Ed. Besides, he is deserving of the position. I don’t have any other candidate with the same abilities as Richard.”
Edward shook his head disbelievingly. “But why does it have to be Tristan-”
“Why not?” Kenzi quickly interrupted. “I have no problem with him. Tristan’s performance is excellent. His market analysis skills are also good.”
“Be professional,” Richard chimed in, laughing mockingly. He knew very well the reason for his friend’s apparent dislike. “Don’t mix your personal issues with the company. Besides, you should be big-hearted enough to accept the fact that Tristan is superior to you.”
Edward grunted, reluctant to discuss the man named Tristan. The whole world also knew that Edward and Tristan were rivals when it came to women. Many times, Edward had suffered significant defeats when the women he pursued ended up choosing Tristan. Because of women, their friendship had become strained.
“Alright… alright,” Kenzi intervened. “We came here to have fun, right?”
Richard nodded. “Of course. But you should know, I can’t stay out late. Elea won’t sleep unless she’s with her Daddy. Plus, before going home, I have to stop by the bakery in the neighboring district.”
“Typical case of husbands afraid of their wives!” teased Edward. Since getting married, Richard never returned home after 10 p. m. Kimberly would surely call him dozens of times if he was late.
“You’ll experience it too when you have a wife and kids, Ed!” Kenzi defended Richard.
Edward smiled meaningfully. Why did he suddenly imagine himself with children from Chloe?
“It seems interesting if I can have children as soon as possible.”
“But…” Richard interjected. “Are you really sure about marrying Chloe? A woman you don’t know at all before?”
Edward nodded confidently. “We can get to know each other after we get married, Rich. Don’t worry. I’m mature enough to know what’s good and bad for my life.”
Richard didn’t say anything more. Although he still had doubts about his friend’s marriage, he chose to stay silent. It was better not to get too involved, which might ruin their friendship.
***