Trez ran a hand through his hair for the tenth time that morning, staring blankly at the long polished table in the boardroom. The air-conditioner hummed softly but nothing eased the heaviness in his chest. "I'm so confused Zack," he murmured, slumping deeper into his chair. "It's been a week… a whole week and still Katriel doesn't want to communicate with me."
Zack looked at him with worry. His best friend rarely sounded this defeated. "Bro, you gotta breathe. Maybe she needs some time." He leaned back, stretching his long legs. "You ever think of trying to reach her through her best friend? You told me they both work at the same hospital, right? Maybe that's your chance to…."
Before Trez could respond, the double doors swung open abruptly. The cabinet members of the company walked in, their polished shoes echoing across the boardroom floor. Conversations stopped instantly as suits filled the room. Zack straightened in his seat and Trez forced himself to sit upright. Today wasn't just any day, it was the day the company appointed a new CEO after the tragic passing of their previous leader.
The Chairperson cleared his throat as he reached the front of the room. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, voice carrying authority, "as Chairperson of this meeting, I would like to present the three suggestions the cabinet has put forward for the position of Chief Executive Officer." He paused for effect. "The candidates are Mr. Zack Petrechio, Mr. Xyuyang Li, and lastly… Mr. Trez Yilmaz."
Both Zack and Trez exchanged stunned glances. Neither had expected this. Zack gave a small shrug but Trez felt his pulse quicken in disbelief.
The voting commenced. Papers rustled, pens scratched and the room buzzed with whispers. Trez tried to keep his hands from shaking. He didn't know whether to hope or to fear.
Finally, the Chairperson gathered the votes, scanned through them, and announced, "The new CEO of our construction company is… Mr. Trez Yilmaz."
The room erupted in applause. Trez froze, overwhelmed. Zack stood immediately, pulling him into a tight hug. "You deserve this, bro!" he laughed. "All those late nights and the way you handled the Southside project? This is your time."
"Let's toast with some wine somewhere fancy later," Zack added.
"Yeah… sure," Trez managed, still stunned.
But even in that moment of victory, Katriel's silence tugged at him like a weight he couldn't drop. He wanted so badly to share the news with her. He imagined her smile, her excited gasp, the way she always encouraged him. Yet now… it felt impossible. Unable to trust his voice, he simply sent her a brief email:
I've been appointed CEO today. I wish I could tell you in person. I hope you're well.
He stared at the screen for several long seconds before hitting send.
Later that evening, the two friends met at an elegant rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. The air was crisp, lights glittering below like scattered gems. Zack raised his glass high. "Cheers to the new CEO, Trez Yilmaz!"
They clinked glasses but Zack could see that Trez's smile didn't fully reach his eyes.
"Listen, Zack," Trez finally said after taking a slow sip. "There's something I need to tell you about Melissa."
Zack rolled his eyes dramatically. "Bro, just say it. You're scaring me."
Trez exhaled, bracing himself. "Melissa is pregnant… and I just don't know how I'm going to explain this to Katriel."
The words hung between them like a storm cloud. Zack blinked twice. "Wait-Melissa? Your Melissa? As in, the one-time mistake you told me about six months ago?"
Trez nodded, shame tightening his jaw. "I thought it was over. I thought she'd moved on. But she came to me yesterday and said she's expecting. And she wants to keep the baby."
Zack rubbed his forehead. "Damn, bro… this is complicated."
"Complicated?" Trez laughed bitterly. "Katriel hasn't spoken to me for a week. She barely responds to anything. And now this?" He leaned forward, elbows on the table. "How can I face her with this? How do I tell the woman I love that I'm about to have a child with someone else? She'll hate me."
Zack sighed, swirling the wine in his glass. "You have to be honest, Trez. She deserves that. And running from it won't make it go away."
Trez stared out over the city lights, feeling the weight of his choices crushing down on him. He had just achieved the biggest milestone of his career-CEO. Something he had worked for, sacrificed for, dreamed of. And yet, right now, the title felt hollow compared to what he was losing.
"I just want Katriel back," he whispered.
"And you will," Zack said firmly. "But only if you stop hiding and start dealing with this. One step at a time."
Trez nodded slowly, though uncertainty still clung to him. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration. Instead, it had become a crossroads. Tomorrow, he would have to face the truth about Melissa, Katriel, and the man he wanted to be.
But for now, he lifted his glass again, hoping the wine could quiet the storm inside him