The Miracle of You

It didn’t take long for Michael to contact her after the party.

He had been mulling over this decision for weeks. He was taking a risk, he knew. But the risks were worth it as long as he could help Camille to the best of his ability.

He had never really considered the company as the most precious thing in his heart. His father, John, was the one who cared more about it.

Michael, on the other hand, simply used the position to his advantage, just to search for his first love. There was no strong attachment whatsoever.

He hadn’t told his family this, but he planned to pass the position on to his brother William after the recent major construction project was completed. If all went well, Michael would be able to pass the baton, per se.

“Perhaps you should learn to rely on your family more,” Grady remarked one day as they were working on the documents for a recent deal.

Michael lifted his head to look at his assistant in the eye. “Are you prying into my personal affairs right now?”

Grady remained completely composed as he flipped through the reports. “Of course not, sir. I was merely talking to myself.”

Michael resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “You could’ve tried to sound more convincing.”

“It’s not in my job description to be subtle,” Grady responded calmly. “I am expected to bring you honest results and honest feedback. I don’t see the need to hold back.”

He smiled wryly. “By commenting on my attitude with my family?”

“I personally think that it affects the way you do business,” Grady said politely. “You can’t handle most of the work on your own. That’s why we have employees. That’s why you have me as your assistant. I may be intruding, but I personally think that I should look out for your well-being, sir.”

“You too, huh?” Michael leaned back against his seat, closing his eyes. “You both word it in a different way, but at some times, you and my brother are quite similar.”

“I see.”

“I do consider your opinion, Grady, because I recall telling you that you’re free to express your honest thoughts with me whenever. After all, you’ve been by my side for years. But I am also free to make my own choices, no?”

“Of course, sir.”

Michael was silent for a moment. “If I ever decide to leave and live a different life, without consulting my family, what do you think?”

Grady looked at him. “Are you considering such a choice, sir?”

“Perhaps.”

“Then I would advise against it.”

“Why?”

“I feel that it’s an irrational decision,” Grady said quietly. “Family is there for a reason. You should rely on them more. Tell them what you truly feel on the inside.”

“Heh. That’s a good one.” Michael chuckled lightly. “You think that they’d understand? My father would probably throw me out the moment I even suggest it.”

“As I recall, your brother is very open-minded. He will help you.”

“My brother…” Michael sighed. “I don’t know.”

“Is it because you don’t trust him?”

“Trust?” Michael tasted the word on his lips as though it was foreign. “Funny… I’m such a hypocrite for asking her to trust me when I myself am not even capable of trust.”

Grady was silent.

“Am I also someone that you do not trust, sir?”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Michael opened his eyes to glance up at his assistant. Grady had been loyal to him for years. He had never failed Michael, not even once.

Plus, the man was very good at his job. He never imposed unless Michael told him so.

“I do trust you,” Michael said quietly. “It’s why I feel reassured that you’re by my side. If not, I would not know what to do most of the time, to be honest.”

That drew a smile from Grady’s lips. “I am glad to know that.”

Michael shook his head. “I’ll be frank with you. Thinking about my family makes me recall that night when we had dinner. My father reprimanding me, my mother trying to mediate the situation, and my sister yelling at me never to come back again. Since then, I never went to another one of those family dinners.”

Grady knew that this was one of the times when Michael needed a friend to confide in. He was not a close friend or a best friend by any means, but since he was trusted as a confidant, the least he could do was listen and give his opinion when needed.

“My father has not spoken to me since then,” Michael continued on, closing his eyes. “And my sister, of course, is ignoring me. It’s honestly nothing new.”

“Do you not have a good relationship with your sister, sir?” Grady asked politely.

Michael shook his head. “She didn’t like me even when we were kids. My parents used to treat me like glass back then. There was favoritism involved, so she was cast aside whenever she wanted attention from them. My brother suffered the same way, but for some reason, he never loathed me.”

“Perhaps your sister went through something far different from your own brother,” Grady suggested gently. “I am saying this out of experience. My father is very patriarchal, so he would downplay my sister’s achievements all the time and reduce her to a simple housewife with no dreams. My sister was very hurt about that and still carries the scars to this day.”

“I can’t deny that there must be something underlying in her anger, but I can’t bring myself to understand her,” Michael muttered. “She never really approached me and tried to have a civil conversation with me. She used to avoid me all the time. She would always study in her room and lock the door.”

“What about you, sir?” Grady asked softly. “Did you ever make the first move?”

“Me?” Michael’s eyes glazed over slightly, his mind bringing him back to those past memories. “I suppose I didn’t, either. I guess both of us are to blame, huh?”