August Walsh adjusted the lapels of his suit before walking into his large building. People greeted him left and right, but he paid them no mind. He never bothered with pleasantries.

He swiped his ID to use his private elevator, pushing the silver button to the floor that housed his office.

"Good morning, sir," his assistant, Max, greeted before rattling off August's to-dos and schedule for the day.

"I want a coffee waiting for me in the conference room. Make sure it's hot," August told Max.

"Of course, Mr. Walsh," Max said and August shut his large doors, enveloping him in the privacy of his office.

He had a few minutes to organize himself before his first meeting, and he pulled up the files on his desktop to review.

August was the owner and CEO of Walsh Advertising, a company he had started from his college dorm at twenty years old. Now at thirty, the company was a force to be reckoned with. He was a top advertising corporation globally, working with other companies to help them promote through social media, television, magazines and whatever else they desired.

He entered the meeting room, immediately eyeing the steaming cup of coffee patiently waiting for him.

"Mr. Walsh, sir, it's an honor that you are willing to offer your service," the nervous CEO of a personalized shopping application rambled. He was a pudgy older man, and August imagined him as the type to jump into anything trendy just to make a buck.

"I haven't offered anything yet," August said gruffly, sitting in his chair at the head of the table. He loved the way he made people nervous. They knew he could make or break them. "Try to convince me that your company is worth my time."

The nervous man rambled on for about fifteen minutes before August had enough. He wasn't interested in an impersonal speil, he wanted something unique and passionate.

August stood from his seat. "Max, see them out for me," August said, turning to the people he had interupted. "It would be in your best interest to be more prepared next time. I don't like when people waste my time."

August was simply fed up with the routine. Everyone was becoming lazy. He needed something exciting to spark his life. He had worked so hard, and for what? He only traveled for work, he only lived in the city for work. Maybe it was time he did something for himself.

He called in Max who was immediately by his side.

"I don't want to be here. Find me a place in the next town over where it's quiet and I will do my work from there."

"Sir, what about the meeting in London in two weeks?"

"We'll see," August said finally. His soul seemed to be searching for something lately and it certainly wasn't here where the noise was suffocating and the people wasted his efforts and services.

Perhaps, by doing work remotely for the next two weeks, he would figure out whatever it was that was distracting him and he would be able to snag the amazing opportunity he had in London.

His cell phone ringing caught his attention and he answered with his normal clipped tone.

"August, Max just called and said something was up. Are you okay?" A worried voice asked. It was his best friend and only friend Levi, also known as Max's boyfriend.

August let out a sigh before sinking into his chair. If there was one person he could be open with, it was Levi, and Max too, just not at the office. "I'm not feeling myself. I think I am going to go away for awhile."

"Away? August, this isn't like you. I'm coming over there right now."

"Levi, no," August said firmly. "I just need space. I feel like I'm drowning in routine. I have always put the company first, but now it's time for me."

"Will you at least allow Max and I to visit you wherever your going?" Levi asked pitifully. He and Levi were like brothers, and they always knew what was going on in their lives. He knew it bothered Levi that he had shut him out.

"I'm not going far," August said softer. His resolve was cracking. He never wanted to hurt Levi, he was the only person he truly cared about. "I'm just going out of the city to the next town where it's a little sleepier. I only plan to be there for the next two weeks before I head to London."

Levi made plans to come visit him, wherever he would be staying, and August was grateful.

He and Levi went to university together. They were roommates, and Levi actually helped him a ton with the start up of his company, but Levi eventually went to law school. They never lost contact, practically inseperable.

About a year ago, August was fed up with the executive assistants trying to get into his pants and wallet, and eventually he had hired Max.

Max and Levi were love at first site no doubt, and seeing his best friend fall in love secretly made him want the same. Yet, August wanted more than love. He wanted possession and ownership, all things that turned away normal women.