rich & sad ↣ joshler ✓

1. Primgold

"Mr. Dun?"

The blonde looked up when he heard his name. His assistant was walking up to his desk, a cup of hot chocolate in her hand. It was much too late for coffee. She set it on the desk. "Thanks, Hayley," he smiled, setting the pen that was previously in his hand down on the desk.

"Of course. Don't forget about your meeting tomorrow morning at ten." The girl reminded, a soft smile on her own face.

"I won't. Thanks again," Josh nodded. "Drive home safely."

"I will, Mr. Dun. Have a good night."

"You too."

Josh watched her walk out and round the corner before going back to his work. He had to finish an order of computers some high school in California was expecting. He was in charge of big sales and they were buying over five thousand laptops from his company. That seemed like a pretty big sale to him.

He ran a hand through his hair and took a drink of his hot chocolate. Glancing out the window, he saw it was starting to snow. He hated the snow. It made him feel colder than he already felt. He hated Columbus too. But that's where he started his business. His empire. His baby. Primgold Technology.

His business was one of the leading technology brands, competing next to Amazon, Google, Apple and Android's many, many different sub-brands. Primgold had computers, laptops, headphones, phones, tablets, watches, and even their own in-home system similar to Alexa or Google Home.

Although he wasn't making as much money as Tim Cook or Bill Gates, Primgold was still in the the top five technology businesses. Hell, he had even surpassed Samsung a few months ago putting him fourth place.

People knew who he was. People knew his brand. People knew his motives. His goal was to outsell the business in the number one spot, Amazon, just like everyone else's is. He was on the right path and he was projected to be competing neck and neck with them in the next five years.

Josh sighed and faced his computer screen again, finishing up his spreadsheet. He had been working on logistics and such all day and it was killing him. This school wanted a shit ton of laptops— which he could deliver —yet they need to put certain restrictions on them for their students. And Josh said his team could do it. They could, they've done it before. It just takes a lot longer.

He didn't know how long had passed when he finally finished and glanced at the time on his computer— 10:48. He didn't think he had worked that long. He exhaled once more and clicked the shut down button before getting up and pushing his chair in. While he waited for his computer to completely shut down, he put his coat on and hung his bag across his body. Once the computer was off, he grabbed his phone and hot chocolate before making his way to the the door. He flicked the light off before leaving and locking his office behind him.

A small whistle escaped his lips as he emitted some tune he probably heard on the radio. The keys to his Tesla hung around his finger, making small jingles as he walked.

He was making his way to the elevator when he noticed one of his employees was still at their cubicle. "Sarah?" He asked. "What are you still doing here?"

The mentioned looked up and Josh's exhausted eyes met her dull blue ones. "Just finishing up some sales," she smiled tiredly. "Don't worry about it."

"I—" he began. "Okay," he nodded instead. "Just make sure you get home soon. It's snowing out. Drive safe. Have a good night."

"You too, sir."

Josh gave her an encouraging smile before continuing to the elevator. He pressed the button and waited a few seconds for the doors to the open. Once they did, he entered the lift and waved to Sarah before the doors closed.

The blonde sighed once more and let his head rest against the wall as the elevator carried him down to the lobby. He was utterly exhausted.

The smart watch on his wrist vibrated slightly and he saw he had received a text.

Jenna
Please tell me you're not at work anymore

He chuckled slightly and grabbed his phone out of his pocket to call her instead. He held the device to his ear and it only rang once before his best friend answered. "No, mom, I'm not at work anymore," he teased.

"Hello to you too," she greeted and Josh could hear the smile behind her voice. The elevator doors dinged and slid open and Josh walked out. "Are you at home?"

"No," Josh began but quickly spoke when he knew Jenna was going to reply. "Not yet. I'm walking to my car now," he said, going through the doors that belonged to the entrance of Primgold headquarters.

"Josh..." she sighed. "Are you overworking yourself again?"

"If I don't, who will?" He replied, unlocking his car and getting in. "I have a business to run, Jenna. It's my job to overwork myself," he started the vehicle and connected his phone to the Bluetooth speaker so he didn't have to hold it while he drove.

"Josh, I've known you for many, many years," she spoke. "And I know when you're overworking yourself versus when you're just working. It's almost 11 at night. You usually leave by nine at the latest and that's only when you have a ton of work. I'm worried about you."

Josh sighed and pulled out, putting his car in drive before making his way towards his condo. "What else am I supposed to do, Jen? Go home to my loving wife and kids and spend time with them? Primgold's all I have next to you."

He could almost see Jenna frowning. "Why don't you come out with Jake and I?" She asked, referring to her husband. "It's only 11."

"I can't. I have a meeting tomorrow morning with potential investors. Big names," he paused. "Besides, don't you have kids?"

"Right. Forgot about those," she giggled making Josh chuckle as well. "How about a rain check so I can set up a babysitter?"

"I don't know..." he trailed off. "I can't stand going out. I'm old."

"You're thirty two."

"Exactly," he grinned and knew Jenna was rolling her eyes.

"If that makes you old then being twenty nine makes me middle aged."

"You said it not me."

Jenna gasped and Josh snickered. "Joshua—" she began but the sound of a baby crying was heard. She sighed. "Emerson got up. I'm gonna let you get home and get to sleep. Call me after your meeting?"

"If I can. If not I'll definitely text you."

"Got it. Bye, J. I love you."

"I love you too," Josh smiled and hung up the call. Despite being a block from home, he turned the radio on. It was too quiet in the car without it. Much too quiet. Quiet meant lonely.

Once he pulled up to his condo and and was unlocking the door to get inside, he instantly set his coat and bag on the couch and loosened the tie around his neck. He felt suffocated by it but maybe it's just because he was dying to get into something comfier than the grey Prada suit he was currently wearing.

Entering his bedroom, he quickly discarded his outfit and watch and instead changed into sweatpants and a shirt. He plugged his phone in and crawled into his made bed. It was really the only home responsibly he had— making the bed. He wasn't home enough to have to do anything else.

As soon as his head hit the pillow, was knocked out. Despite falling into a deep sleep, he couldn't help but feel something tugging at his heart. It was no doubt the cold amplifying his loneliness but the feeling had been there for awhile.

Josh was just living proof that money really can't buy happiness.