Half Brother
1761 Words
Conrad's POV
Sleep didn't come easy, not with Frances Becker in the same house and especially not after the way she looked at me in the kitchen. Curious , confused and a little hurt. Most importantly, I hated the fact that it bothered me.... like what the hell?
The usual me wouldn't give a f**k about what or how anyone feels, why on earth am I concerned about Frances?
I hated the way she made me feel, like I was loosing control of what actually defined me,....the very rules that defined me.
She was gradually getting under my skin, chipping away the steel that I had built around myself . And for what?
Because she trembles whenever I'm near? Or because she has the guts to stare at me in the eyes and reminds of the fact that I'm still human?
Pathetic!
I tossed and tossed in bed as I tried to drive away the thought of her from my mind as I hissed in irritation. I needed to shut all these thoughts down, all the urges that I have been seeming to get. Frances Becker was nothing but just my surrogate and employee.
Nothing more!
I need to stop entertaining the thoughts about her and that is final!
The next morning, I was back to business.
Harris, the company's legal representative, alongside Benjamin, the head of operations waited for me by the car. Today was important as we were finalizing the purchase of the original Bella van Couver art piece from Mr Dunphy....a deal worth ten million.
We arrived at the company about 45mins later.
" Good morning Mr King" A man dressed in grey suit welcomed us. " My name is George, I am Mr Dunphy's assistant" he introduced.
I responded with a slight nod as Benjamin reached for a handshake.
" Please come this way" George said as he lead us into an elevator, all the way to Dunphy's office.
" Conrad my boy...." The fifty something years old man said as soon as we worked in. " Punctual as always" he added
" Hello Mr Dunphy....time is money you know" I replied him as I extended my hand for a shake.
" Ofcourse it is" he placed his hand in mine as he spoke.
" This is Harris our legal representative and Benjamin my trusted staff" I gestured to them as I spoke
"Nice to meet you Mr Dunphy "
" Hello Mr Dunphy"
Both men greeted him as he acknowledged them. We then settled into our seats.
" Paperwork" I faced Harris as i went straight to the point, there was no point in dragging it as both parties already knows what this meeting is about.
I watched as Harris pulled out the contract and placed it on Dunphy's desk. Dunphy took a brief moment to go through each page. " I like this" he stated out loud after what felt like an eternity. He then gestured to his assistant " bring in the art piece"
Finally.... this was happening. I get to not only lay my eyes on the piece that would pave way for Kings corporation in Asia but I also get to own it!
Dunphy's Secretary left and then returned five minutes later with the painting...and for a moment, I couldn't hide my reaction, the art piece was priceless.
It was breathtaking with bold strokes, perfect composition and emotions trapped in colors. The Bella Van Couver art.
" It's yours once we confirm the payment" Dunphy said, bringing me back from my wandering thoughts.
I signaled to Benjamin to make the transfer, which he did in the very instant. Dunphy's Secretary provided the account number and Benjamin had called it out for confirmation.
Ten million dollars worth of painting.
" Approved, " Dunphy's Secretary announced after a moment.
" Good" Mr Dunphy said as he brought out his pen and signed the agreement stating that Kings corporation was now the legal owner of the piece of art.
" I can assure you that the painting is in the right hands....... there's nothing to worry about" I said to him
" Of course, I am certain that you won't lock it away like the others" he replied me after penning down his signature.
" It will be preserved and appreciated" I said to him with confidence as I rose to my feet. My associates followed suite, there was no time to waste especially now that the deal has been completed.
" Congratulations on being the new owner" Dunphy extended his hand this time around and I accepted it. " Stay for a drink... would you?" He asked
" No, it's to early and I have a lot of meetings to attend " I politely refused.
I watched as he chuckled lightly. " Always disciplined, I like that Conrad. You are just like your father and that is why you always win." He added.
We left the Dunphy's company about fifteen minutes later and headed for the estate. The only place I want the art piece was at my mother's gallery, the one in the mansion and that is where we were headed.
The drive to the king's estate was smooth, until it wasn't.....
As we approached the mansion, I saw chaos, the security alongside the staffs were all tensed because in the middle of the driveway stood no other but Jason King...my half brother.
Ofcourse, the king's family walking embarrassment.
He was pacing and screaming at a guard. " Get Conrad out here!.... I know he's in there."
Benjamin groaned underneath his breath beside me. " Oh good lord....not him again."
Ofcourse this wasn't Jason's first rodeo.
I stepped out of the car, calm, but ice cold. " Why are you acting like a thug at my house?" I asked in a slow, yet dangerously low voice as I approached him.
I watched as he spun around immediately "there he is... finally " He stated out loud
" Why are you here Jason?" I asked again as I tried my possible best not to react to his behavior.
" I am here to get the money you promised me " he barked out loud " I am here to collect it myself since you've decided to keep ignoring my texts and calls" he added.
It was the audacity for me and I was really amazed.
" You mean the money I already told you I won't give?" I asked rhetorically
" You're seriously saying no....again?" His jaw clenched as he spoke
" I have no money for you Jason, not personal, not from the company.....if you want money then you need to work for it, I am offering you a position at the company...." I replied him firmly
His eyes bulged. " A position? You want me to f*****g work under you like some slave?" He asked out loud
" I want you to grow up " I replied
Jason let out a bitter laugh. " Oh Conrad, you must think that you are better than me just because dad let you run the company!"
" He offered it to the one who could actually run it!" I stepped closer as I spoke. At this point I was beginning to lose my patient. A have a couple of meetings lined up for me and having to deal with him was beginning to wear me out.
It was exhausting.
Jason's smile twisted as he replied. " The company doesn't belong to you...you are not even the legitimate heir!"
Ah.....there it was. The usual rotten card that he loved to play.
" ......and if you don't give me the money, I will do whatever it takes to take away that title from you!" He continued viciously
I stared at him, unmoved by his threats. Instead I dared him. " Do it." I blurted to his face.
And that stunned him.
" Go ahead and try to take it away Jason" I added in a calm voice as a smirk began to form at the corners of my lips.
He immediately became silent.
Ofcourse, I knew he was all talk and no action.
" You are nothing but an addict who can't even do a single thing right!" I provoked him further as the staffs gasped out loud.
Jason was immediately filled with rage and before I knew what was happening, he punched me hard in the face.
And it really stung.
Benjamin cursed, Harris gasped louder and even the securities were stunned but I didn't flinched. I straightened up my suit and was about to make him regret his actions when I heard my name loud and clear. " Conrad!"
I turned around to find David rushing towards me. " No " he grabbed my hand before I could swing it at Jason's face.
Jason stepped backwards as he breathed heavily. He was clearly high or drunk...or even both!
"Leave.....now." David blurted out to Jason angrily.
He was hesitant for a few seconds but then started to walk towards his car. " This isn't over Conrad, I am going to take what's mine and you had better be ready!"
He glared at me one last time before zooming off and I didn't even flinch but the entire estate went quite.
Both Benjamin and Harris looked shaken and terrified. I watched as David let out a sigh of relief as he released his grip on me.
"You should have just ignored him Conrad...you know how he gets " David said beside me but I wasn't even having it.
" That was me being civil" I replied coldly. "He should be grateful that I didn't have him arrested for assault "
" I just hope he doesn't go too far one day " David replied
Without hesitation, I faced Benjamin and Harris. " Hand over the painting and documents to David, tell my secretary to cancel all of my appointments for today......"
My day was already ruined.
Jason's threat doesn't scare me. He was reckless, unstable and drowning in his own vices. He his definitely going to destroy himself before he could touch me.
As long as I controlled everything, I am untouchable. At least that's what I believed...Until I entered my home office.
My phone buzzed as a text came in from an unknown number and as soon as I opened the text, I immediately froze. My own world stopped at that second.
*Six years ago. Three dead, one survivor.*
*You really thought it would stay buried?*
Air immediately left my lungs as my fingers went numb.
- Writer
