“Can we talk for a second, please?” Simon walked toward him, almost dragging himself in Titan’s direction, while the other board members left.

When they were alone, Titan looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t think this conversation is necessary,” he said in a cold baritone as if he wasn’t talking to a friend.

Simon gulped and flicked his head down before he pulled his face up to look at Titan. “It isn’t about business. It’s about you and Stephanie.” He pressed and licked his chapped lips. His body was still trembling from what happened at Titan’s office earlier that day. “I’m sorry about earlier,” he said almost stuttering. He pulled his face down again, trying to avoid looking into Titan’s eyes.

Titan felt his chest tighten when he heard Stephanie’s name. But he remained silent as he began to relive the events that had taken place in his office, recalling how she had acted at the time and how his wrath had exploded and spiraled out of control.

Then, he also remembered what Helga had told him about the tragic incident ten years ago, which made his gut feel twisted, uneasy, and angry. He was adamant that he didn’t do anything wrong despite his sister’s strong accusations.

How could they simply point fingers at him, when they didn’t even know what truly happened? Titan pondered without losing sight of Simon’s worried face.

“I was wrong to point fingers at Stephanie when I should be the one thanking her for what she has done for us,” Simon almost stuttered as he tried to explain his side. He sighed and placed his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry.”

“You should be saying that to Stephanie and not to me.”

“But still —-”

“You’re talking to the wrong tree, Simon. I’m not the right person for your apology,” Titan interjected.

“I know you hated the decision to have her involved in this. Yet, I forced it on you when I shouldn’t have done it.” His tears started to build up around his eyes.

“Whatever you say, it doesn’t matter anymore,” Titan replied.

“I know. There’s no turning back now. Because of me, your life is in chaos,” Simon paused when his eyes glued to Titan’s collar. He was staring at it as he continued, “And now, you’re tied up into something you shouldn’t have.” This time, he mustered enough courage to pull his face a bit up and look at Titan.

“Then, tell me why you’re so angry when she did the mistake?” Titan sputtered and hissed. “You could have said something else than your complaints when you knew who’s to blame here,” he paused and gulped, “Anyway, Stephanie will continue working here under my supervision. So, you better thank me for saving your face, Simon.”

Simon scoffed and let out a soft laugh. “Should I thank you for keeping Ms. Gonzales after that mistake? Because you know what, it doesn’t make sense to me. This isn’t the Titan Sandoval I know.”

That made Titan silent again as he already asked the same question earlier. He tried and tried just to find any sense for what he did. Yet, he gave up on that. So, all he could do is stare at Simon’s eyes and say nothing.

“And why did you decide to have Stephanie as your intern? I don’t get that one, too.” This time, Simon’s eyebrows knitted, wondering what Titan’s true intention was. He sighed. “You didn’t like the idea of having her watching you all the time. Then, why are you doing this? Are you trying to punish her?”

“You saw what happened there, Simon. I don’t think I have to explain that to you at all.”

“But, I’m your best friend. Why won’t you tell me something? Don’t you trust me?”

“Why would you ask that?”

“If you tell everything to me right here, right now, I would know how to handle the board…” Simon pointed his index finger at the swivel chairs, as he continued, “Everyone who’s been concerned about you. But, right now?” Simon paused, shook his head, and scoffed, “No, unless you tell me every shit you’re doing and explain what happened that night!”

“Anyway, I’ve got to go,” Titan said as impatience swallowed him as he started walking to exit the meeting room.

“Are you trying to run away?” Simon demanded.

Titan stopped walking and sighed and turned, facing Simon once more while his eyes landed a piercing gaze on an old friend.

Simon’s chest felt constricted when he saw Titan’s menacing stare. He gulped and looked away to ease himself and pressed his lips. “I’m just concerned about you. That’s all.” He paused and flicked his head to check the windows and see the dark skies, seemingly worried. “And I think it’s going to rain hard tonight. You can’t be roaming outside, Titan.”

“I don’t give a damn about the rain.”

“Why wouldn’t you care about the rain when cats don’t like to hang out wet? You know, you can’t just go somewhere without telling me. Not until you’re free from this damn curse, Titan!”

“It doesn’t matter, Simon,” Titan sputtered as he turned to face him.

“Why not?” Simon replied in a louder tone.

Titan looked away as his face started to flush in anger. He scoffed and looked at Simon again, raising an eyebrow. “Because I am Titan Sandoval. I’ll do whatever I want.”

“Aren’t we best friends, are we?” Simon answered.

Titan stepped closer to Simon. “We may have been friends for a long time, but I don’t think I could trust you enough.” Without waiting for Simon’s reply, he walked out instead, leaving Simon alone.

As Titan left the meeting room and Simon watched him walk away from him, something in Simon’s heart suddenly lit.

He had no idea what it was, but he knew it was quite unsettling. And the longer he continued to stare at Titan, as he gradually faded from view, the more this strange feeling began to engulf him.

Simon asked himself while feeling guilty and embarrassed for how he behaved earlier at the same time. His anger boiled him up that he landed a punch on the desk in the meeting room.

With his eyes closed, he suddenly rubbed his face to ease himself when he remembered how he was screaming at Stephanie and how Titan addressed it to him.

He then had a sudden gut punch and felt uneasy as his mind became overloaded with numerous queries to which he had no solutions. He felt more and more absorbed by the events as he kept recounting them.

He put his hands on the table, confused, and his eyes began to slowly get bloodshot and teary. He sighed and shook his head as he walked out of the conference room.