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(Seven Years Later)

"That will be all, thank you," I say as the men in front of me clapped their hands.

They shook my hand one by one and left the room. And when they were all gone, I sat back down on my seat and sighed.

I have been conducting meetings overseas for almost two weeks now.

EXRay Media has been expanding, and I'm planning to launch a collaboration project with an Asian company. Next month I'll be planning on contacting a European company too.

I've been busy for so long that I haven't been home for a while. And not being back home is frustrating me a little.

I took a deep breath and rested my head on the table.

"Chairman Collins," someone suddenly calls out, surprising me.

I will never get used to people calling Mr. Collins.

"What?" I ask as I lifted my head up.

Standing in front of me was my new assistant, Adam.

You might have thought that I'd make Jane my new assistant, but I decided to make her president of the company instead because I knew that Jane have been very tired of assisting me. Which she kinda still does, but not as much as before now.

"I've heard the director's opinions about your project and I think they're very excited about it as you are," Adam tells me as he sits on the chair on my right.

"Well I'm glad. I've been working on it for months. I've already talked to the company's department head too. They're only waiting for my go signal now," I say while loosening my tie.

"Some of the company chairmen's are excited about collaborating with you as well. Especially since you're partnered with your husband's company and the famous Valentino Empire," Adam explains, making me chuckle.

"Damien's a CEO famous for his clubs, and Chairman Val is famous for his 'strong' connections. If it weren't for them I might have destroyed my uncle and Herbert's dream company," I honestly say.

Adam shakes his head and says, "Don't say that. If it weren't for your hard work chairman then the company would have already shut down. We might just be some small Media Company but we're able to compete with big corporations."

I chuckle and nod my head, "You really are new. You're so optimistic."

"Well we're already so stressed and pressured, a little optimism won't hurt," he says, making me laugh now.

"You're right. And besides, all I have to think about now is the new model for our next issue. I'll try contacting Todd's modeling agency, he always has the best models," I say.

"Wait, isn't Todd your rumored ex-boyfriend?" Adam suddenly says, quickly making me glare at him.

Adam flinched and immediately defended, "S-Sorry chairman. It was...it was just a rumor. Don't worry."

I rolled my eyes. Then I sighed and massaged my temple, "I'm so tired, I want to go home," I tell him.

"You miss your family chairman?" Adam asks, making me nod my head as an answer, "Yeah. Very much."

I looked at my wedding ring and looked back at Adam, "My husband is at his hometown Rivermounth. Uncle Victor's birthday was a few days ago, they've been staying there for a week now."

"Chairman Damien is very lucky to be able to take a break like that. I wish I had one too," Adam suddenly says with a bright smile, making me glare at him again.

Adam flinched again and defended himself for the second time, "I mean...I know I'm tired but I know you're ten times tired compared to me. So of course you'll have a break like that in the future too chairman."

"Seriously Adam. Sometimes I wish you had the ability to shut your mouth," I tell him, making Adam pretend to zip his mouth.

I sighed and took out my phone.

When I opened my phone, there were twenty-four miscalls from people that I don't even remember anymore, and at least fifty new messages, pilling up to the hundred of messages that I haven't even red yet.

I opened my phone and ignored all the messages when I saw a text from Damien.

I quickly opened his message:

//Daddy Damien//

//Dane Andrew McCartney Collins//

Hey honey, how are you?

We're going to go back to the city tomorrow, but my uncle keeps on begging me to stay a little longer. But come on, we've been here for a week now! I need to get back to work!

But I'm a little tempted to stay cuz our little diva princess is enjoying it here. She's having tantrums since this morning but I promised her we'd come back here with you. And maybe visit your hometown next so Daniela could visit grandma Andrea's grave.

And when I told her that there would be a beach nearby, she ended up flippin'. She's OBSESSED with the beach. And guess where she got that?

From me of course haha

It's already dark here, and I know it's still morning from where you are. So I guess good morning and good night then?

I'm reading her favorite book, Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare. Thanks to grandma giving her the book, she's always begging me to read it for her even though I know this isn't appropriate for kids, and even though she doesn't understand shit.

But don't worry; I skip the 'inappropriate' scenes for her. I always tell her that Romeo and Juliet happy lived at the end but you know, let's just pretend this is another version of Romeo and Juliet to not scare our kid for the rest of her life.

I guess that's it. I know you're busy. So I hope you know that I love you very much and I wish you're sleeping and eating right.

I don't want you getting sick, especially when I'm not there with you.

But daddy, Daniela and I already miss you. When are you coming home?

-

I couldn't help but hide my smile as I finish reading the long message that Damien gave me.

I was about to stand up from my seat but Adam suddenly looks at me and says, "Oh yeah, chairman, I almost forgot to tell you. President Rodriguez is asking if you could visit his company tomorrow."

I stood up and looked at my phone again.

"You know what? Tell him I'm busy," I say with a grin on my face.

"What?" he asks from complete shock, quickly making him stand up from his seat as well.

I typed something on my phone and looked back at Adam, "Prepare the private jet. I'm going back."

"What?!" Adam asks again, but the only thing I could do was smile and walk my way out of the room.

//Daddy Dane//

//Damien Nicholas Collins//

Nicholas, tell Daniela that...

Daddy's coming home.