The Twist

CHAPTER 2

Jack`s POV

Everything still seems to be a blur, I try calling Tino and Scott, the phone rings but none of them picks up the call. I inhale, father is in a way right, he is doing this for our own good, there was really no point of all the drama. I stare at father and he seems completely calm and unbothered as if he expected all of these.

“I`m sorry for their behavior, they will get over it.”

“Oh, they certainly will, but not now son, much later.”

“I won`t let you down, Pa.”

“I hope so.”

I leave, I stop when I hear quickened footsteps behind me. I turn around to find Ethan behind me.

“I thought you will stay with father.” I was expecting him to stay behind.

“ Since Tino left with Scott, I might as well leave with you. I am supporting you, brother.” Relief clouds my chest, at least, somebody is behind me.

I open my car and we both get in.

“What next?”

All the while I was trying to think, it never occurred to me that I no longer have a roof over my head, the only thing I have with me is this car and my card, which if I know my father very well should be frozen at this moment.

“I have no idea, I never thought about it.”

I do not bother lying or mincing my words, I have no direction, no plan, no nothing. Just myself and my younger brother in a black tinted car.

“Well, I think the first thing we should do is finding a place to stay for this night at least, by tomorrow, we would be able to put things together and calmly think, because now, my thoughts are all over the place and I am sure yours are too.”

And he is totally right, I can`t seem to wrap my head around any substantial thought. I really need to rest my brain and continue with processing my thoughts the next day. I sort out places to stay and I can only think of one place: my friend`s place. I would have opted for a hotel but father has locked all of our cards and I have no way to pay. I call my friend and luckily for us, he just stepped out but has the keys under a flowerbed in his garden. I drive there and we do not waste time sorting out the keys, we get into the house and the first thing I do is to fling them off my shoes and socks, I have had them on for good 16 hours. I throw all of my clothes to the laundry and I rush to shower. It will also help me relax. I come out from the restroom and I`m welcomed with a strong aroma of instant noodles.

My younger brother, Ethan comes in and we dig in, hunger had almost ravished the both of us.

I lay on the bed and a recap of everything that has happened today play in my head and that is when the big idea hits me. I have a car, all I have to do is sell this one, get a taxi, and have extra money to rent an apartment. After I go job hunting, I can use this to carry on. I close my eyes and I drift off to sleep peacefully. I wake up the next morning feeling ecstatic, a new day to start achieving my dreams. By the time, I am ready to have my breakfast, Ethan is already dressed and prepared to leave, I offer to drop him off and luckily for me, he agrees. I do not waste time in getting prepared, as an ex CEO, I understand the importance of time. I open my car and both me and Ethan hop in. I drop him off, not forgetting to remind him to keep his temper in check. Hopefully, he remembers.

I go to the car place and I do not opt for a swap, I insist on selling the car and getting a cheaper taxi, after many attempt to convince me failed, the salesman finally agreed. I already know the car I want to purchase for my side hustle, one that consumes less fuel that will help me to save up as much as I can.

I check my time and I quickly take a cab to a company directly under us, with my first class, I expect no opposition. I get into the office and I regard it lowly, Dad`s interiors were way more than this. I stroll to the office and I meet the receptionist first.

“Good morning, ma`am.” I drag her attention to me.

“Good day, sir, how can we help you?” She seems polite unlike most employees of big companies I know.

“I am here to see your boss.”

At this, she stops what she is doing and turns to study my face, realizing my seriousness, she punches some keys on the telephone, tears a sheet of paper and writes down something for me. She hands over the paper to me and I read 9 on it, confused, I turn to stare at her. She darts her eyes towards a group of people and I turn around to see them, all seated patiently, waiting for the boss. I walk there patiently and sit, waiting for my turn, this is not going to be a problem. I know the CEO personally, all I have to do is talk to me and I will be given a job immediately, I wonder how Ethan is doing, probably better. It gets to my turn and I bounce into his office with pride.

“Hey,”

He lifts his head up and instead of returning my greetings, goes back to work.

"Dan." I address my long time friend and still no reply, I stare at him in utter shock completely surprised about the sudden change in character.

In shock, I angrily leave the office, I laugh at myself, wondering what on Earth I was expecting.