Tangles of lies and love.

Chapter one Roth Strolling across the tarmac in a gray suit, crisp white shirt, and sunglasses was a dashing hot, wealthy Californian man, receiving attention from crew members and passersby, I bet that was everyone's perception of me. While that was true, all I wanted was to go home. My weekend in Albuquerque had been a long one, and I couldn't wait to slam my fist on my desk and call it a day. The weather in Albuquerque had been a pain in the ass - which was the reason I returned late to Los Angeles that morning. But as I strode across the tarmac, ignoring gazes and whispers, a man in a black suit and sunglasses ran towards me with an air that screamed urgency. I knew it had to be my father. “Your father wants you at home.” The man whispered, tugging at his wireless earpiece. “Why?” I asked in a crispy tone. “That, I cannot tell.” “When does he need me at home?” “Now?” “Can't it wait?” “No. He's called a family meeting already, and you know how the boss hates to wait for…..” I hissed at the man, my lips slithing out venom as I stared at him through my glasses. Now I wish I'd taken off my glasses so he would look into my eyes. My eyes did a better job in moments like that. “Do you think it's your place to teach me about my father?” I seethed, biting down on each word so the bullock could sip in the venom. “My apologies, Mr. Roth.” The man apologised, bowing his head solemnly. I allowed him to stay in that revered position briefly before I spoke again. “Get the car ready!” I commanded, following his lead. “It already is.” he answered, pointing to an awaiting Rolls Royce ghost some distance away. Dad called a family meeting? To announce his successor, I guess. I knew him like the back of my hand. Did something happen? I tried to make sense of the impromptu decision as we drove home, but I knew that dad wasn't a man to be taken lightly. When we were younger, I always had a fever each time dad called a meeting. I guess some things don't change with time. I spent the fifteen minutes drive to Bel Air, scrolling through the company's KPI. Our stock price hadn't plummeted in the last two months: rather, we'd maintained a stable trend, but I thought it was time for a change. A fleet of maids were already at the terrace as the car revved into the massive mansion, waiting to receive me. It wasn't such a grand gesture, but having old Maria out with the girls made it grand for me. “Abuela Maria, good to see you.” I greeted, heartily. I was actually happy to see her. “I had to show up to receive you. It's always warm each time you visit and you barely do.” She cooed, throwing her arms around my neck. Such a sweet soul. Abuela was the only other woman besides my mom with the liberty to do that. She'd been living with us since I was a child. She practically raised me after my mom died from ovarian cancer. “You sound like I'm a stranger who visits once in a blood moon, Abuela. Plus, who would want to return to an asylum after they’d escaped it?” I asked playfully, and she pouted. “Don't let your father hear you.” She whispered softly, fear mingled with concern in her voice. “I’m sure he knows,” I laughed, planting a kiss on her cheeks before looking up. “Where's everyone?” I asked, looking around. I really didn't ask because I cared, it was just a habit. “Waiting for you in the dining room.” She replied, leading the way in like I was a stranger. I glanced up as she walked away, and saw someone let the curtain down in a room on the middle floor. "If it isn't my estranged son." My stepmom yodeled as I walked into the dining room. "You mean the black sheep of the family?" My step brother, Edwin yodeled with a mouthful of broccoli. "You can't talk to me like that!" I snapped, frowning. "Who says we can't?" My second half brother, Theophilus asked, sitting next to his brother. Edwin scoffed, not taking his eyes off me. “If you're here, just sit down!” Dad harrumphed, resurfacing from the door. I knew the person at the window had to be him. That was consistent with his behaviour. He had a subtle way of making you aware that he was watching, like Big Brother. Dad wasn't faithful - well, that's the curse of the family, so he'd had an affair with my mom, and some others, like Theophilus’ mom. He'd even brought the brats home to live with his wife, Edwin's mom. Such balls! That was before I was born, and I bet he still wasn't faithful. I guess it's true what they say, ‘you can take the boy out of the country, but not the country out of the boy.’ My step mom did a nice job raising us, but Edwin was always a handful. Sometimes I wondered why she took care of us. “At least, not a vagabond too.” I hissed, not minding my parents at the table. “How dare you?” Edwin hissed back, rising to his feet and slamming his fist along with the fork on the table. From his frame, I could tell he was deeply affected by my statement, and that felt good. I can't tell what really made him thick, but Edwin had always felt invincible, when he was only an illegitimate son. "That's enough, boys." Dad yelled, his eyes blazing hot. Then turning to me, he ordered, "Sit!" It took a while before I did, I'm no pushover. I saw next to my step mom, on dad's right and looked over at the two sitting across from us. They looked good together. The table was covered with plates of appetiting dishes for breakfast, but seeing those two made me lose my appetite. “I'm not sure you called a meeting to look at our faces and sulk over the fact that you're old.” I started, looking impatiently at my dad. "Get married, boy!” Dad echoed, with his eyes studying the spoon in his hand. “My two older sons aren't married, why should I?” I said with a scoff that spread into a smile. “Because I need you to settle down if you must take over the company as my successor.” Dad answered, dropping his spoon. Now I knew he meant business. “I beg your pardon?” Theophilus snorted, wide-eyed. “Dad?” Edwin cried. “What is it? Do you have a problem with my announcement?” Dad snapped, looking from one person to the next on the table. “What?” It was my turn to act surprised, like I didn't know dad would most likely want me taking over the reins of the company after him. I was already doing that, and that was the advantage I had over his two sons. “I need someone who's proactive and willing to pay the price. You, my son, have already sacrificed so much for the company, so it has to be you.” “So, where does that leave the two of us?” “That will depend on Roth’s performance between now and the next three months. “Three months? I can't get married in three months. I haven't even found a woman worth dating.” “Then I have the perfect woman for you. Sally Albright.” Dad offered and I shuddered. “No, thanks.” “Then bring me a woman in the next two months, or marry Sally.” “What? Two months?” “What? Is it too long? Should I shorten it?” Dad snapped absentmindedly. “Sounds like you're hooked, Roth.” Edwin giggled. “Come on, use your playboy prowess, I'm sure you can pull that over. I'm rooting for you.” Theophilus mocked, with a smirk on his face. A smirk I so badly wanted to wipe off his face with a punch. “Fine, I'll bring one in thirty days.” Everyone went silent, including me. For a moment they just sat there, exchanging glances at each other. I could perceive the fear biting down my brother's guts, and it was intoxicating but what the f**k was I thinking? Dad was the first to speak after a while, and in his voice, I heard the “Thirty days it is then.” “What?” What have I done?