Chapter 6: Birthday
1536 Words
The Smith family had been having some trouble lately, several projects had lost money, and they were competing with another leading company in the industry.
Jack had been busy on weekdays, and the reason he'd organized this gathering was that he was tired from all the work and really needed to relax.
Seeing Benjamin's car was still there from a distance, Jack ended his call and walked over.
When he got closer, Jack glanced at the person sitting in the car. “I thought you said you'd take Emma back to rest?”
Benjamin was replying to his assistant's message. He'd originally planned to go back to New York that Friday, but he'd asked his assistant to postpone the trip by a day.
He put his phone away, and the faint white glow faded from his face. He didn't answer Jack's question. “Got any cigarettes?”
Jack felt around in his pocket, pulled out a pack, and handed it to him.
Benjamin took one, shielded it from the wind to light it, then tossed the lighter back.
Jack looked at Benjamin's tired, irritable expression and wondered who had annoyed him.
He put the lighter back in his pocket, gave up guessing Benjamin's mood, and said, “I might not be able to get the land in Fcity. Can you help me pull some strings?”
The Smith family had a decent status in their circle, but not as high as the Browns. The Browns had deep roots and abundant connections. They'd kept a low profile in recent years to avoid trouble, but even so, they were still the family everyone in the circle turned to for favors.
Jack and Benjamin had grown up together and were close friends. He didn't want their brotherly bond to be tainted by money and favors, so he rarely asked for help unless he had no other choice.
Benjamin knew this too. He took a couple of puffs, then stubbed out the cigarette. “I'll help you make some calls. Also, for the funds, I'll transfer 200 million to you.”
Benjamin was straightforward, and Jack didn't stand on ceremony. He didn't say “thank you”, he just laughed and said he'd invite Benjamin to play cards again another day.
As Benjamin tossed the cigarette butt away and walked toward the car, Jack added, “After New Year's, when Emma marries that guy from the White family, I'll give her a big wedding gift.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Benjamin, who had already walked a few steps away, turned back to look at him.
Jack thought Benjamin was questioning the size of his gift. He held up his right hand as if swearing. “I mean it! Emma's like a little sister to me, I'll give her a proper dowry.”
Benjamin ignored him, turned around, and walked to the car.
When he got in and fastened his seatbelt, Emma looked at him. “What were you and Jack talking about just now?”
They'd been talking outside for a long time, and Jack had clearly glanced at her in the car during the last two sentences. She wondered if it had been about her.
Benjamin tossed his phone onto the center console, turned the steering wheel to drive out, then rolled down the window and rested his left elbow on the sill. “He said he'll give you a dowry when you get married.”
So that's what it was about?
Emma wasn't sure if Benjamin was telling the truth. She looked away, fixing her gaze on the street outside through the windshield, her lips pressed tight.
After driving out of the club, the first intersection ahead had a red light.
Benjamin propped his left elbow on the window frame and rested his temple against his hand. His tone was casual, as if continuing the earlier conversation. “Nothing to say about that?”
“What am I supposed to say?” Emma's voice was cold.
Benjamin laughed. “Want me to give you a big gift too?”
Emma felt annoyed. She turned her head to look out the right window. “No, thanks, I'm afraid it'll shorten my lifespan.”
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Friday was Emma's birthday.
In previous years, she'd always celebrated at home, having a meal with her family.
This year, because of her engagement to the White family, she didn't celebrate at home. Instead, she chose a venue outside, the White family's hotel, where a private room had been reserved at the far end of the first floor.
As the birthday girl, Emma was the last to arrive, held up by something.
On the way, she received a urging call from William Brown.
William: “Sis, you're so slow! I'm already here, and you're still not. Only you and Brother are left, even the Whites are all here.”
“Brother?” She remembered Benjamin was supposed to be on a business trip that day.
William stood up from his seat. “He didn't go to New York. He said he'll take the plane tomorrow instead.”
Emma responded with a hum. After a second, she was distracted by the red light ahead. “I have to go, I'm driving, and I'll be there soon.”
It seemed the Whites had brought some children, Emma could hear shouting in the background of the call.
William: “Okay, I'll call brother again.”
After hanging up, Emma waited a little longer until the red light turned green. She rubbed her temples, then lowered her hand to the steering wheel, stepped on the gas, and drove forward.
Ten minutes later, she arrived at the restaurant.
She parked her car in the parking lot, confirmed the room number with William via phone, then walked inside.
The hotel was upstairs from the restaurant, and the first floor was spacious. To reach the private room William had given her, she had to walk down a long corridor.
Emma declined the waiter's offer to show her the way and went in alone. Just as she was about to reach the room, she heard footsteps behind her. Before she could turn around, someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her into an empty private room next to it.
Her back hit the wall, followed by the sound of the door closing and locking.
Benjamin's shirt brushed against her arm, and she smelled the faint, sharp scent of pine on him.
For the birthday dinner, she'd worn a dress, a long one with wide straps, exposing her shoulders and arms. She instinctively raised her hand to push against his chest.
The private room's curtains were all drawn, and the lights were off. Emma couldn't see anything. Benjamin's posture, leaning against the wall in front of her, was overwhelmingly oppressive.
She breathed in his scent, as if wrapped entirely in his presence. Her right hand was still pressed against his chest, and even in the darkness, she could feel him staring at her.
She swallowed hard, trying to stay calm. Her voice trembled slightly with hesitation and nervousness. “Everyone's already here.”
“So?” Benjamin lowered his hand from the wall beside her ear and stood straight.
His voice was steady, even cold, but Emma still heard a hint of pressure in it.
Her heart raced. She took half a step back, her heels hitting the wall, and looked up at him. “Benjamin.”
No one answered.
She tried again. “Brother.”
The man in front of her let out a soft laugh, his emotion unreadable. “Calling me 'brother' now?”
Emma shook her head. Feeling him reach for the hair by her ear, she quickly raised her hand to grab his wrist, her voice strained. “Brother...”
Even though it was summer, her fingers were cold, probably from the low air conditioning in the car on the way over. They rested on his wrist now.
Benjamin stopped moving.
“...Brother,” Emma called him again.
The room was too dark. Even after her eyes had adjusted to the light, she could only make out the vague outline of the man in front of her.
“Let's go out,” she said, her voice softening.
“Afraid of what?” Benjamin brushed his thumb across her cheek.
Then, as if scoffing, he spoke, his voice right in front of her, tinged with mockery. “Were you always this cowardly?”
The light was too dim for her to see his expression, and an ineffable fear welled up in her. “Brother, let's go out. We're already late.”
She felt Benjamin take half a step forward, resting his chin on her shoulder.
His left hand seemed to still be propped against the wall behind her. He didn't put all his weight on her, he just leaned lightly against her.
She took a sharp breath, raised her hand to grab his shirt, their breaths mingling.
After a moment, she heard Benjamin suddenly ask, “Can I kiss you?”
“Your fiancé, the one the family found for you, is still in there. Can your brother kiss you here?” His tone was calm, slow, and deliberate.
- Writer
