Love You As You Are

6 | Miles

“Why?” I looked up to both Anthony and Mr Stark standing at the top of the stairs, overlooking the front door.

“What do you mean, why?” Mr Stark asked.

“I mean why me?”

“Is that a trick question?”

“No Emmanuel, just…tell me what it is that you’re trying to do that could get me killed by Kevin in my sleep,” Anthony said.

“It’s simple, if you’d taken your rightful place, none of this would be happening right now,” Mr Stark said. “Kevin doesn’t know anything besides bragging about the damn position-“

“But you know the situation here,”

“I do, but that’s not my problem,” Mr Stark said. “If they need my help, they’ll do as I say,”

I wasn’t too far from them so I could hear them talking. I was checking out the notes Eloise jotted down for Mr Stark, in my absence. I needed to know the way forward with this, so that I’m well prepared and I don’t make thing harder for him.

“Besides, I don’t want to work with your crackhead brother,” I bit back a snort. If Mr Stark is this relaxed with Anthony to initiate conversation, then they must have a good friendship. “I’d rather work with you,”

“You’re saying that because we’d make a great team or because you want to get in my pants again,” my eyes widened at that. That’s some craziest plot twist I’ve ever witness right before my eyes.

Mr Stark’s bisexual?

“Not even in your wildest dream, Roman,” Mr Stark said.

“Don’t act like you don’t miss us,” Anthony says. I peered up the iPad to see Anthony flirting openly with Mr Stark, his eyes telling a story I don’t think I want to know. “We used to be fun, you know,”

“There was never an us, Anthony,”

“True, but I was a lot better than your bitches,” Anthony smirked, looking up at Mr Stark. He moved closer to him, his eyes roaming his body. “You gotta admit that you couldn’t get enough of this ass,”

“Careful now,” Mr Stark turns to Anthony. “You sound desperate,” I want to make a sound. I want to scream or something. I cannot believe Mr Stark’s flirting back. I’m seeing a whole new Mr Stark on this trip.

“For your d**k?” Anthony looked down at Mr Stark’s crotch, biting his lip. “Definitely,” he said looking back up at Mr Stark. “For you? Not so much,”

“We’re over, Anthony,” Mr Stark said quietly. “Whatever it was, it’s over. Besides, don’t forget you were just one of my bitches,”

“f**k you, I was the better b***h,” Anthony rolled his eyes. “Okay, but tell me the real reason why you’re doing this,”

“I already told you stupid,” Mr Stark said. “I don’t want to work with your crackhead brother,” he turned to Anthony then. They shared a look. “You’re a much tolerable crackhead,” that made Anthony smile widely.

“Now you’re definitely trying to get into my pants,”

“Hey now, don’t give your father any more reasons to hate us,” Anthony scoffed at that.

“Might be too late for that,” he said. “And what do you want me to think? Maybe you want me in your office so you can f**k me,” he wiggled his brows. “I wouldn’t mind if you do,”

“There will be no f*****g between you and me,” Mr Stark once again shuts him down.

“Okay, I could blow you under the table,” he suggested. Maybe I shouldn’t be listening to this.

“Geez, what the f**k is wrong with you?” Mr Stark said chuckling. Mr Stark is laughing. He’s actually laughing.

“What? Did that make you hard?” Anthony smile slyly looking down Mr Stark’s pants.

“f**k no. Can you stop,”

“You’re the one who ruined me for other men, okay,” Anthony said with an eye roll. “Now, I sound obsessed with your pierced d**k,”

“You’re obsessed with my d**k,” Mr Stark pointed out. “And you won’t be getting any,”

“You’re a mood killer,” Anthony said glaring playfully at Mr Stark. “I hate you,” Mr Stark only hummed. “What happens if they don’t agree to this? You know, I’m still gay. I haven’t changed,”

“That’s their loss,” Mr Stark said. “I’m not putting my money where it’s going to crash,”

“You really trust me that much, huh?”

“Anthony, you were prepared for this, the same way I was,” Mr Stark said. “Why would I think otherwise? Like I said, you’re a much better crackhead. So, it’s either that or nothing,”

“Wow, thanks for the pressure,”

“You’re welcome,” Mr Stark said turning to walk away.

“You’re going to f**k it out of my system eventually,” Anthony said a little louder.

“In your dreams,” was all Mr Stark said turning to me. “Usually, you follow me when I move,” he said. I scrambled to my feet, walking behind him.

“Hey! Be nice to the kid, you fucker,” Anthony yelled, and I smiled. “And dreams do come true,”

Indra will be so thrilled to hear about this.

*****

Over the next four days, Mr Stark alternated between the Roman Mansion and their office. The family hasn’t made any decision to change their CEO, hence Mr Stark is only evaluating the crisis from a distance, weighing his options on the matter.

Right now, we're seated in the boardroom with the family about to announce their decision. Kevin is looking rather glum since the day Mr Stark made his request

.

“We,” Mr William Roman cleared his throat, looking around nervously. “have taken the decision to…appoint Anthony as new CE-“

“What?!” Kevin stood up, infuriated. “Father, you said that this is my seat. Why are you going agai-“

“The seat was Anthony’s since the beginning of time,” Mr Stark spoke up. “You’re the one who put us in this position, Kevin. You’re not fit to be CEO,”

“B-But I can learn,” he said. “I’m learning as I go. I can’t just perfect everything from the start,”

“Sure, you can,” Mr Stark, looking up at Kevin. “But not where I concern. I don’t work with whiny boys. If I’m going to put money in this company, then I’d want nothing other than perfect results,”

“This is ridiculous,” Kevin said pacing around.

“Sweetie, take your sea-“

“Shut up!” I jumped, my eyes widening as I looked at Mrs Roman’s hurt face. Who yells at their mother like that? “Just shut up. You did this, mother,” he accused. “You did this to me. He-He’s homosexual. Have we forgotten about that? What that is going to do to our family reputation?

“Company isn’t run by a d**k, Kevin,” Mr Stark said. “Unless you want to sleep in the streets, shut up and sit down. I don’t have all day,” Kevin lets out a humourless laugh.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” Kevin said glaring at Mr Stark. “I see what you’re doing here,” he said smirking. “You want your little boytoy to trump me, isn’t it?” my eyes widened.

“What?” Mrs Stark looked between her son and Anthony. “What did you say?”

“Yeah, I know about the little affair between you two,” Kevin said looking at Mr Stark. “I know you f****d him-“

“Kevin, that’s enough!” Mr William Roman stood up, turning to his son. I watched Mr Stark’s face is wiped off any emotions. I can’t tell what he’s thinking.

“Would you rather I have f****d you?” Mr Stark asked, leaning forward, taunting Kevin. “I’m sorry to break it to you, I don’t f**k whiny bitches,”

“Okay that’s enough!” Old Mr Roman’s voice boomed louder, silencing everyone. “Kevin take a walk,” Kevin didn’t pay attention to his father, staring Mr Stark down. “Kevin,” a blink and Kevin was pushing out the doors. “Right, shall we conti-“

“You slept with Anthony?” Mrs McDevil spoke up, disbelief.

“Why? Do you plan on taking away the company as well, mother?” Mr Stark said.

“I am your mother, show some respect,”

“And here I thought, for a second, you wouldn’t want a bisexual son,” Anthony snickered under his breath, looking away from the adults. “Shall we carry on. I don’t have all day,”

“This stays between us,” Old Mr Roman said sitting down. “No one must know, or the press will find out. We just need to get you and Eloise married and everything will be fine,”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Anthony said softly.

“Why?”

“Kevin knows and he’s angry. Imagine what those two combinations could do,” he said flashing them a smile.

“I’ll speak to Kevin,” Mr Roman said.

“You had a chance to do that, instead you chased him out,” Anthony said.

“Watch your tongue, son,” Anthony only rolled his eyes.

“I’m going to be here for two weeks and in that timeframe, I’ll be working with Anthony. Any day more and you’re welcome to come to South Africa, should you need anymore assistant,” Mr Stark said. “Miles will work with you, should you need any assistant and until you find your own assistant,” he added.

“M-Me?” I blurted out. I sunk in my chair when everyone turned to me.

“Is there a problem?” Mr Stark asked me.

“No sir,” I said quietly. Anthony smiled at me.

“Great, you’ll pay him for his time and effort,” Mr Stark turned to Anthony.

“Or you could hand him over to be my assistant,” Anthony said smiling at Mr Stark.

“Not a chance,” Mr Stark said.

“What do you say Miles?” Anthony turns to me. “Would you rather work for me or Emmanuel?” he tilted his head. “I’ll pay more,”

“I’ll stick with Mr Stark, thank you,” I hear Mr Stark make a sound of approval next to me.

“Anything work related from here onwards, I’ll discuss with Anthony,” Mr Stark said.

“Alright then, I guess this is it,” Old Mr Roman clapped his hands, smiling proudly as we all stood up.

“Oh, and you will announce Anthony being the new CEO during a press conference you will call,” Mr Stark said.

“Wouldn’t that be a little too soon, son?” old Mr Roman said.

“I don’t have all the time. The sooner we get this done, the sooner I can get home,” was all Mr Stark said.

“Very well,”

Mr Stark, Anthony, and I headed for the elevators soon after the adults left. I kept my distance, knowing these two are about to have a heated conversation. I haven’t told Indra about what I heard, for the fear of Mr Stark hearing me over the thin walls. I can’t take my chances. I still don’t know if he heard the conversation in the car.

“You haven’t said anything about my sister,” Anthony speaks up from across the elevator. Mr Stark looks up from his iPad. “Eloise,”

“What am I supposed to say?”

“I don’t know,” Anthony shrugged. “You’ll marry her. You won’t marry her. What do you plan to do?”

“Do you want me to marry your sister?” Mr Stark quirked a brow.

“No,” Anthony simply said. “I don’t want anyone to marry her or Eleanor,” Mr Stark rolled his eyes. “Especially you,”

“Funny you say that to the one person who’s been forced to marry her,”

“I don’t want you to hurt her,” Anthony said with all seriousness. “And you will not touch her,”

“That’s quite selfish now, Roman,” Mr Stark smirked at Anthony. “You were all over me yesterday. Give the others a chance,”

“I’m serious Emmanuel,” Anthony replied with an eye roll. “My sister’s untouched. Let it remain that way,” he said. “She’s not fit for you,”

“And you are?” Mr Stark looked at him. “Why do I feel like you want me to marry you, Roman?” Anthony scoffed.

“Imagine the disaster behind your words,” he said. “Besides, I’m not cut out for that hopeless romantic s**t,”

“Then you don’t get to tell me what to do with my soon-to-be bride,” Mr Stark said.

“You and I both know that this is all just a transaction to you,” Anthony said.

“And usually, business transaction don’t require a d**k and a p***y, isn’t it?”

“Marrying my sister means you will no longer call your whores to f**k,” at that, Mr Stark’s brows raised. “Can you handle that?”

“Oh really? Are you part of the booty calls or you’re an exception?” Mr Stark tilted his head.

“Oh, now you want to f**k me?”

“I have to f**k something,”

“And I’m that something?” Anthony said his eyes travelling down Mr Stark’s body. He licked his bottom lip. “Not that I would mind,”

“Hypocritical b***h,” Mr Stark said shaking his head. Anthony laughed quietly, ducking his head. “Just now you didn’t want me to f**k your sister and yet here you are, offering me your ass,”

Anthony only shrugged. “What can I say? d**k too good,” he smirked, succeeding in making Mr Stark laugh. Why the hell is the elevator taking so long? These people are shameless. “Wanna grab a drink tonight?” Anthony asked then. “At Liam’s club. He’s here, right?”

“Yeah, I came with him,”

“So…drinks?” Anthony repeated. “Miles?” I looked up at Anthony, quickly glancing at Mr Stark.

“I’d rather not,” I said quietly.

“Come on, it’ll be fun,” Anthony said. “You need to unwind from this tension. We all could do with a couple of drinks,”

“I tend to do irrational stuff when I’m drunk, so I’ll skip this one out,” I mumbled. “Thanks for the offer,”

“Well now I’m curious. How irrational are we talking about?” Anthony turns to me, his interest peeking. I swallowed with their eyes on me. I can’t thing of one thing to back me up.

“Uh…” I laughed nervously. “Lift’s opening,” I said walking past them quickly. Anthony laughed.

“Miles got secrets, I see,” Anthony said following behind me.

*****

UNEDITED