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“It does appear that way, yes, but I’m unsure for how long. Father needs me to go on another trip soon. I heard you’re back in school. How is it?”
“‘Tedious’ and ‘dull’ are the words that come to mind.”
He nodded, and my mother had an ear-to-ear smile as she watched our interaction, but I knew better than to believe his “caring brother” façade.
“Calvin, why don’t you and I leave the room for a moment and let the boys catch up? It has been a while since they’ve seen each other.”
“But this is my office. Can’t they go somewhere—” He silenced himself when he received a glare from her and reluctantly stood up. Making his way to the door, he sighed. “Don’t take too long. I have a meeting in fifteen minutes.” He walked out of the room, and Vivienne smiled.
“Don’t mind him. You boys take as much time as you need to catch up.”
Stephan returned the gesture. “We sure will. Thank you, Mother.”
She beamed widely and closed the door.
The room was silent, and I watched as he turned his head to look at me. He was the first to speak, and the look in his eyes suddenly changed.
“So,little brother, how have you been?”
“Cut the crap, Stephan. It’s just us now.”
He shrugged and leaned back in the chair leisurely. “I was being nice in case Mom was listening on the other side of the door, but since we’re over the formalities, I’m sure you’re aware I don’t care how you’ve been.”
“Why agree to be trapped in this room with me then?”
“So I don’t look like the troubled brother who doesn’t want to mend things with his sibling, of course. Pretty simple, really.”
“What the fuck did I ever do to you?” I muttered, and his jaw clenched slightly.
“You were born, and because you spent the beginning of your life with the man who is my father, too, I won’t be getting shit from the business.”
“I already told you this! He may not even want me to be the CEO. You can do all that shit yourself if it will make you at least appreciate me trying to have a relationship with you.”
He didn’t even attempt to consider my words as he rolled his eyes. “You can keep your brotherly love. I’ll be fine without it.”
“Fuck you, Stephan. Go ahead, leave again. See if I care enough.”
He didn’t say anything, and I grabbed my things and walked out of the office, slamming the door behind me. As I walked down the hall, I paused as I saw my parents standing there. Only then did I realize we hadn’t even been in the room alone for five minutes before one of us stormed out.
My mother was the first to notice me, and from the upset look on her face, I knew she heard everything. In the end, she put up a smile and tried to be strong as she spoke. “He’ll come around.”
My father scoffed. “No, he won’t,” he said as a matter of fact, and Vivienne resisted the urge to strike him.
I didn’t say anything as I walked towards the door and left.
As expected, I saw Sterling leaning against his car, waiting for me. He looked over, hearing the sound of me walking out, and he immediately changed his attitude.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, and I sighed.
“Stephan.”
His face contorted slightly, he hissed. “He’s back, isn’t he?” I nodded, and he rolled his eyes as he spoke again. “He’s always been a dick.”
I scoffed as he walked over to the driver’s seat, and I opened the passenger’s side.
“No fucking kidding.”
We entered his car and pulled out of the driveway. We had already made plans to go to his father’s office, stop by my office, and go to a fitting we had for our tuxedos for the upcoming event. Though I could’ve let Stephan succeed in spoiling my afternoon, I simply sighed as I leaned my head against the headrest, trying to think of the one person who could make this entire mess go away.
