[ 163 ]
Fahren often forgot what the popularity of his families company meant in the real world. It meant that those media companies who were raring to find any story pertaining to the business world, would naturally be keeping a close eye on WATSS and Radical Innovations. Not to mention that their public agreement where the two companies outlined their support of one another, with copious amounts of investments to back that up, had been long since talked about. With the first mention of it being around the time of Fahren's recovery.
Naturally he hadn't thought much about it since the business-world was his mother's, father's and brothers' area of interest and not so much his own. But after being continuously stunned by the genius behind the technology that saved his life, he now understood the importance of it all. And how such technology could be the key to helping eliminate pressures on those working within hospitals, all while supporting and enhancing the chances of recuperation for those patients who have been left with slim chances of survival.
The potentially groundbreaking exposé was something the press would love to sink their teeth into and publish long articles about. But it still caught Fahren momentarily by surprise when a handful of cameras were ready and waiting as he and his family left the confines of their car and sauntered into a building that already gave the media a clue into what was going to be discussed.
Other than blatant mistruths intended to smear his name, which his family quickly quashed, Fahren had otherwise kept his name firmly out of the headlines. Ordinarily it would be one of his two older brothers who would take up the position, as they were quickly becoming the faces to turn to when Raphael Westergaard was unavailable. Which, with retirement in sight, was what his father was practically skipping towards with joy.
So in the face of the cameras, while the rest of the Westergaard entourage professionally pooled their expressions together in a collective nonchalance, Fahren flashed an ever-charming smile and offered the slightest of waves that got an immediate welcoming from the individuals behind the cameras.
Beside him, Sebastian, known for being the most like Raphael with his serious temperament, scoffed and hid his amusement behind a cough. But before they could capture a shot of that slip-up, the family had already disappeared through the entrance of the private hospital.
When a date had finally been agreed on, where all necessary individuals would be available to attend, it quickly became clear that a fair amount of people were going to want hear what was going to be said. That day could prove monumental in one way or another and not one of the bigwigs involved in the medical sector wanted to be left out.
They were directed towards a large conference room, where a large percentage of those taking part in the meeting were present. Most appeared to congregate around a particular area, and as Fahren poked his head over his parent's shoulders, he spotted a familiar blondie who stood amidst them.
Trading conversation with a neutral expression was Emilio's default way of doing things. While there were some who would misinterpret how he came across, often times pegging it as nonchalance, in fact Emilio was incredibly astute and always dedicated his attention solely towards whoever was speaking to him.
So it surprised and delighted Fahren as those startling blue eyes briefly flashed across the room and landed on him and his family. There was a lingering look before the gaze fell away and returned to the man he was talking to.
It had been a full week since Fahren had last seen Emilio. The main reason was down to the organising of the exact same meeting they were about to have. But Fahren found it hard, as he reminded himself time and time again, that he had to sacrifice time with Emilio if it meant getting any work done. As it proved conclusive that that wasn't going to be the case when they spent a vast majority of their time rolling around in bed— just as they had done a week ago.
Remnants of which still clung to Fahren's skin under his meticulously-chosen outfit. He thanked the cooler temperatures outside that had warranted a turtle-neck jumper a day after his long stay at the hotel in the city.
When the call came for everyone to take their seats, people gravitated to the positions which reflected their predicted contributions for the next few hours. Emilio took one of the prime positions, beside him was a face Fahren vaguely recalled as one of the other technicians working for Radical Innovations.
As the most indisputable evidence when it came to Radical Innovation's technology succeeding, Fahren was also placed near to them. So in a flurry of movement, while everyone was distracted as they took their seats, no one noticed the brief and all-revealing insight into a certain pair's private lives as their lines of sight caught each other's. In that brief moment, where all Fahren saw was the gorgeous man's face groomed spectacularly in an appropriate fashion for a CEO, he couldn't help but relive a couple of scenes in his head that made his cheeks grow warm.
Clearly, despite everything, Emilio's mind plagued him similarly. That was one of the main reasons why relationships between coworkers was such a risk, in the end they had seen each other stark naked and could tell what type of person the other was by the way they played in the bedroom. Which in this case, Fahren found more than thrilling. Given that he was the only one in the room who knew what Emilio's face looked like in the throes of passion.
In the seconds it took Fahren to conjure up all these dirty thoughts, people were still taking the seats. So it gave him a single opportunity to offer Emilio a quick wink before planting his backside in the seat he would be tethered to for the next few hours.
Emilio's mouth twitched as he swiftly made a showing of getting comfortable by unbuttoning his suit-jacket, as many of those had done around him.
The meeting began with a brief indication of whom was present. Once that was over, Emilio presented everything the board of medical-directors had already spent numerous weeks looking over. But this was the first time they were open to a serious discussion regarding the findings, and so everything must be reiterated. Who else better to go over it than the brains behind the technology, his usual semi-monotonous tone disappearing as his eagerness to explain took over.
Only Fahren found it somewhat odd at times, as full-body scans were displayed for everyone to see the mangled state his body prior to his admittance to Radical Innovations. When Emilio pointed to the worst of his afflictions and went into detail, going so far as to be brutally honest about how long Fahren would have to live, Fahren peeked a look at his family to see all but Andre were not looking at the screen.
His mother and father had their hands clasped tightly together under the table and Fahren couldn't resist taking her other hand. She tilted her head to look at him and Fahren smiled, giving her hand a slight squeeze.
Screen by screen, the technology that had been continuously monitoring him illustrated his unbelievable recovery. It was easy to forget that it was his own body he was watching, especially when there was a huge coincidence that during the time Fahren was considered 'unresponsive yet stable' he was actually out-of-office and living many different worlds, yet mere minutes before the screen showed him regaining conscience, all stats blinked green.
Fahren felt the odd glance throughout, which was understandable. It was hard to picture that he was the one with the body that had once had over half the bones in his body either fractured or completely broken. As Emilio had observed for himself, especially during their few downtime's in the hotel, even the prescribed ointment also worked wonders for reducing the plethora of scars to the faintest of marks.
The only ones which refused to comply were on his thigh, but the blond genius had been more than happy to show his appreciation for them with his mouth.
"The evidence is remarkable, Griffin. Truly." One of the medical directors replied once the video had finished. "This technology of yours has accomplished far beyond anything that has been achieved before it. Looking at Mr. Westergaard today, it is truly incredible to see him looking as well as he does. This invention made by your company is honestly groundbreaking and even though I have had weeks to absorb it all, I am still in awe." His colleagues situated to his left and right nodded their heads.
"As you can appreciate, such dramatic evidence had to be proven and we all thank Mr. Westergaard and his family for being so compliant with us given the emotional rollercoaster you must have endured these past few years."
Raphael nodded. "Our son was the one who insisted on supporting Griffin in the journey of furthering his company's technology, and on this we can all agree. The emotional rollercoaster in which you just described is a turbulent event we don't wish upon any other family. The anguish can tear relations apart and so it would be shameful for us to turn our backs on such inventions just because our son is alive and well."
The same man who spoke on behalf of the medical directors around him agreed with what Raphael was saying. "It's almost impossible for us not to imagine if it was our own children who had gone through something as traumatic as what happened to your son. It's also impossible for us to not be marvelled by the blatant evidence in front of us, whether on paper or the mere fact that Fahren himself is sat across the table from us. So of course, we're here today because we're going to grant Radical Innovations the contract it requires."
Even though most of the bodies that sat around the table were businessmen, who had spent years perfecting their aloof expressions, there was a distinct inhalation out of pure shock. Everyone had expected it to be given at some point, but for the man to say it out-right took many by surprise.
"Surely there is a 'but' in there somewhere?" Emilio asked.
"How did you know?"
"I have spent too many years of my life researching every step of the medical sector to know that nothing moves quickly. There is always another hurdle even when your toes are touching the finishing-line."
The same man who had given the good news nodded his head with a small smile. "You are right, but it's not as bad as you're probably imagining. We're granting you the contract, but for the time-being it will be solely for handpicked private hospitals. This is so we can verify your own test results on a wide variety of patients. We would obviously offer you the consultancy role as we do this, and work closely with yourself throughout the process. If the results are as conclusive as the ones you have just presented to us, then there is truly no reason for us not to unroll such technology into public hospitals."
No one said a thing as all eyes turned to the man who would ultimately make the decision on whether the meeting ended on a high or quickly soured. Emilio slowly tapped his pen against the papers underneath his hand. Only then did he look to his technician for a moment.
"I want it in writing that when my company's technology proves successful, that you will do as you said and unroll it into public hospitals. I do not want it limited to the private sector. I didn't engineer it solely for the benefit of the rich." He stated resolutely.
Naturally no one could argue with that, and the medical directors complied, a few writing down some notes.
The ending concluded with Emilio shaking hands with them, a few going so far as to clutch his elbow in a firm and appreciative shake. It made Fahren smile to see everyone fussing over the man he already knew was so special. But he didn't get to stare for long as his family filtered out of the room and he had no choice but to follow.
After sitting patiently for so many hours, Fahren found the excuse to go to the bathroom. Which coincidentally meant he had to brush past Emilio as the man was leaving the meeting room. Their eyes met and Fahren grinned to himself as he turned away.
By the time he was washing his hands, the door opened and the engineering genius himself entered, shutting the door behind him with a flick of the lock.
Fahren turned around and rested against the sink's countertop, folding one lower-leg over the other as he regarded Emilio with a whimsical look to his face.
There wasn't even a slither of hesitation. Emilio crossed what probably wasn't the most romantic of settings and crashed his lips against Fahren's. Rudely stealing the air from his lungs, nipping at the younger man's lips he had often times found himself glancing at during the meeting. There was a trembling to his hands as he fixed them on Fahren's cheeks, a clear sign of nervousness he had been able to hide following the successful result for his company.
Fahren ran his hands up Emilio's chest and brushed across his shoulders and then back and up his throat, feeling the body he had missed so dearly in only a handful of days apart. He welcomed Emilio's weight as he leant against him on the countertop; fitting together so effortlessly.
It was Emilio who remembered where they were, and more importantly who stood outside of the bathroom and could discover that the bathroom had been conspicuously locked. Their kiss became less fervent and more lingering, which never failed to make Fahren's knees weak.
When their lips broke apart and it was their foreheads that came to rest together, both men smiled. Fahren brushed his fingers across Emilio's jawline softly.
"You did it." He whispered, beyond proud.
"Nonsense," Emilio replied with a clipped tone. "While my technology is the brain of my company and my mother the heart, you have proven you are truly the soul. Ironically the thing your father told me every company needed— proof that what I needed in my life was you."
Fahren chuckled. "I'm sure he would appreciate that if you told him."
"Do you think he would be less inclined to kill me?"
"Probably not. But I'll protect you."
Emilio smiled and kissed his forehead, "You have done enough for me. When it comes to telling your father about us, I'll be the one to do it."
"So there's an us." Fahren wondered, mostly joking.
"I really hope so."
Fahren's face was hot and all he wanted to do was to hug the man leaning on him and not let go, but looking over his shoulder he became all but aware of their surroundings. "In the future, could we look back on this conversation and imagine it took place in a nice restaurant?"
Emilio glanced around, more particularly at the full-scale mirror that reflected the both of them plastered together quite comfortably. He laughed and turned his head away from the sight of himself and opted to nuzzle Fahren's neck momentarily, lips brushing against his throat as he asked: "Do you think you could get away and come with me somewhere?"
"Where are you planning on whisking me off to?"
"The future."
Fahren perked a brow and pulled back enough to see his handsome face once again, "That's a new one."
"Well— the future for Radical Innovations, I suppose."
"If there is guaranteed to be some alone time for the both of us, where I can take off that suit like unwrapping a professionally-wrapped gift, then you can take me anywhere."
Emilio scoffed and gave him a smooch. "I'm sure that can be arranged."
They spent what little time they had left to act like naughty teenagers and make up for lost times, their fingers itching to go further and yet their brains standing firm. Quite like other parts that pressed unforgivingly against the seems of their rigid formal-wear.
As if reenacting scenes from movies where characters were conducting some outrageous affair, both men staggered their times and left separately. With Emilio rejoining the flock of people who had inevitably started looking for the star of the show.
No one thought to ask where someone like the CEO of Radical Innovations had suddenly disappeared off to, there were many possibilities. Whilst for Fahren, as soon as he popped up beside his family, he was under interrogation. Brushing them off with a glorious story about his bowel-movements.
He hung around for a while longer, until he was finally able to make his escape. But before he could get too far, he turned his head to see his mother had followed him just to the entrance of the building. His father and brother's weren't too far behind, and before Fahren could ask why she was acting like a stalker, he was pulled into her warm embrace.
His mind flashed back to the meeting, where her eyes had reddened as the detailed description of his prior condition had been divulged. As her head pressed against his own, he expected to hear whispers of her undying love. Instead his blood ran cold.
"You may be able to pull the wool over the eyes of the other members of our family, but you're going to have to try harder than that when it comes to your mother." She stated to her own delight. "Griffin is a particular character, a fine young man. He knows what he likes and that extends to what he wears. His scents, for example. In the time I have known that boy, his aftershave has never changed."
Fahren swallowed.
"A mother always keeps one eye open when it comes to her children, no matter their age. It just so happens I noticed Griffin disappearing into the bathroom, too. Now, do you have anything to say to me?" She asked as she pulled back so they faced each other, within arms-length.
Fahren caught sight of a familiar shape outside of the building, climbing into his car and waiting patiently. Looking back at his mother, he smiled.
"I'm happy." He confessed. "And by the look of it, so is he."
His mother could only nod her head slowly. As the rest of the family steadily approached, she squeezed her youngest's hand once more. "Drive safe." She urged.
Only as Fahren disappeared through the doors did Raphael get near enough to wrap an arm around his beloved wife. Over her shoulder his eyes followed his son to a car. "Does that car look familiar to you, my dear?"
Tilting her head up, she frowned. "Raph, you know I have no interest whatsoever in cars. Baths on the other hand... speaking of which, can we leave now?"
"Oh my, is that an invitation?"
"Heavens no. Where do you think you would fit in between me and my glass of wine?"
Beside them two grown men were grimacing. "Just because Fahren can practically walk on water in both of your eyes, doesn't mean you can forget about your two other sons!" Andre grumbled.
Hazel gasped, "You want to come in the bath with mummy?"
"What— no! I meant that you shouldn't forget we exist and feel so comfortable flirting with each other around us."
Something the Westergaard family had no troubles with, was finding something to argue about. But as Hazel continued to tease her son, she felt smug in knowing that she had once again been successful in distracting her far-too-observant husband.
And by the time Fahren and Emilio were safely out of the city and pulling up at their destination, the family were long gone.
"Here I was thinking you were taking me back to your place." Fahren grinned as they climbed out of the car and ventured to a metal fencing that surrounded a building-site situated on the outskirts of the 'Ghost City'.
The same city which had been abandoned by previous investors and left to rot. The only buildings that were considered new were blocks of flats people were forced to live in if they wanted to commute into the surrounding cities.
Fahren looked around and a sign pinned to the fencing intrigued him. He looked to his left, where Emilio had been anticipating his reaction.
"So you've bought some land, huh? As if you're not busy enough already."
The charmer wandered closer and wrapped an arm around Fahren's waist. "You're looking at the new location of Radical Innovation's future base of operations."
Fahren leant against him. "Here? I thought all companies wanted a prime location in the Business Nook, where you happen to be now."
"You're right. But Radical Innovations has always been different in terms of ethos. Only up until recently was the company no longer ridiculed for one reason or another. The Business Nook doesn't fit the image I, and those who work with me, have for the future of the company. It's cramped and soulless."
"Money, money, money." Fahren agreed.
Emilio smiled and kissed his temple, "Plus, there's an additional reason I chose this location. Now that we have the contract, it's only a matter of time before we truly thrive. All eyes will be watching us, and I think we should use that to benefit such places like this one which was abandoned. Knowing the way business works, and how the housing market naturally follows, if in the future this location becomes the next Business Nook, all those stuck in those dreadful building blocks will be paid handsomely to leave. Hopefully then, they can afford to live somewhere worthy of them."
Looking at the man beside him, Fahren took a moment to absorb everything he had been told. Only then could he shake his head, smiling.
"What?" Emilio wondered.
"You. You're constantly thinking of bettering the world, I find it ridiculously attractive."
"What about you?"
Fahren turned his back to the fence and leant against it to face the blond man. "What about me?"
"Your strong desire to help me, that couldn't have purely been out of your attraction towards me. I know a strong-willed person when I see one."
"Your face is definitely a bonus. Not to mention your other redeeming qualities. But I can't fault a good eye, I got a feeling about you. It was pretty immediate, and then I couldn't think of anything else but helping you succeed."
Emilio pressed forward, fingers clutching the metal wire of the fence behind Fahren's head as he loomed over him. "We're not over the finishing line just yet."
Fahren cocked his head, smirking. "Are you subtly asking for my continuous support?"
"Yes. In fact, I want you to work even closer. With me and my company."
"Are you offering me a job?"
"In more ways than one."
Fahren hooked his finger under one of the buttons of Emilio's smart shirt and tugged him closer, closing the gap between their bodies. "I'm a stickler for details, please tell me what I'll be doing."
"Well on one hand you will be officially working for Radical Innovations, where I'm confident you will become the face it needs to make people warm to us. On the other hand, and I'd hazard a guess the more intriguing role, you're stuck by my side. Hours and hours of your day snatched away so selfishly by me. Not to mention I'm ambitiously starting you on a foreseeable-future sized contract."
They were practically sharing the same air by the time Emilio went quiet. Their lips inches apart and still so willing to tease. Fahren, in the briefest of touches, pressed his own against his partner's.
"I like both offers very much. Can I get them both in writing?"
Emilio cupped Fahren's face. "You can have anything you want." He promised and put an end their endless flirtations. Their lips meeting in such desperation, as if they were suddenly taking in oxygen for the first time in a long time. They clung to one another, moaning, nipping and demonstrating their absolute addiction for one another.
Each and every time they kissed, their minds would go blank. Completely absorbed in the pleasure they mutually felt when being touched by one another. It was impossible to imagine that the pair were strangers a few months ago. In fact, to anyone who would catch a glimpse, the couple exuded an air of long-lost lovers.
[ TBC ]
[ A/N: If you want to read the next few chapters~ then check out my Patreon account: www.Patreon.com/BethWorthington <3 ]