Bounded by Duty

Business

Ethan

“What did you say?” I growled, folding my fist beside me in anger.

Her silence was only fueling my anger. She opened her mouth finally, but no words. I needed no one to tell me she was trying to cook up lies.

Staring down at her feet as she picked in her nails, the hall was silent, humoring her, waiting for her answer.

“I hope it's not what I'm thinking”

I thought to myself.

This is one of the very reasons why I didn't want Nathan with someone that's arranged, someone like her.

Amaya is a spoiled brat, no doubt, and seeing her standing looking guilty of what I feared the most annoys me.

“Is this how you've been treating Nathan?” my voice dragged along the hallway, forcing its way through whatever tension in the air.

Which is nothing compared to the flames that are going to burn if I find out she has been treating my brother like an outcast in his own house.

It'll be hell for her and her loved ones if… .

“I… . . .”

We've been standing in front of other doors for more than a minute, and she hasn't said a word to defend herself and deny the obvious question.

“Hey bro, what's up?” I heard Nathan’s voice behind me. I'm sure he came to sense my anger all the way from the dining room.

My heavy breath was the only thing that could be heard in the corridor as my eyes were staring daggers at the b***h in front of me. I closed my eyes for the thousandth time before turning to Nathan.

I looked him deep in the eyes.

“Is this how she's been treating you? In your house? Making you feel rejected and unwanted?”

I got my answers when he avoided my gaze, something he does when he's guilty or trying to hide things from me.

“Is that why you called me? Because you felt lonely and sad?” the realization hit me in the guts. I'm sure I was looking red all over.

How could I not notice his voice over the phone? I asked myself, when I read him like a magazine. In and out.

“The food is about to get cold, Ethan, please help me down. You know I like my food hot”, Nathan said, wheeling his chair towards me.

He grabbed my hand before I could react, he was protecting her. He's aware of my anger and I won't mind laying my hands on her and pulling her f*****g hair out, leaving her bald.

I'll pluck her lashes out one after the other, leaving no single hair to survive.

I pushed Nathan's chair into the mini-elevator in the apartment. I stared dead into that woman's eyes and I saw pure fear. I felt satisfied with her hand clutching her chest tight through her clothes, trying to catch her breath.

She must have held her breath in fear, her face was pale and white.

That is another level of satisfaction, I chuckled to myself.

The maids served our food without waiting for the witch to come downstairs. I was grateful she didn't come because I'd have indigestion sitting with her at the same table, especially when I'm still very angry at her.

“Nathan! I need you to talk to me whenever you feel offended. You don't have to keep this thing to yourself. You'll only hurt yourself the more you, especially health wise.”

I pleaded with my twin. I noticed he was picking on his food while I was almost done with mine.

He's bothered, but the typical Nathan will want to do it his way, with the ‘I don't want to burden you with my problem’

“Open up and say whatever is eating you up!”

“What were you about to do to her? What would you have done if I hadn't got there on time?”

He let go of his cutlery, the sound of it echoing through the mansion as it landed back on the plate.

Anger! I know that move.

“Nothing. I wasn't going to do anything to her. "I was only asking her some necessary questions”, I shrugged.

“Don't you dare f**k with me! I saw you all red and flaring up there, your knuckles were white, and your hand was shaking.” He pointed at me “something that only happens whenever you're angry.”

He knows me too well for his own good.

“You weren't going to touch her, right?” he said in a hushly tone, like it's a forbidden word.

“What do you think of me? You know I won't touch her, she's a female and your wife for crying out loud. If not anything, I'll respect her because she's your wife!” I rolled my eyes playfully at him.

In all honesty, I wouldn't mind beating the s**t out of her if she tried to toy with his feelings, but saying that would only get Nathan angry.

I don't know if he's in love, or if he's just performing the protective husband duties.

I watched the weight lift from his shoulder after my answer, he rested more in his chair. Looking more relaxed as he picked his cutleries back up and dug into his food.

“So are the designs ready?” I smile, knowing he's now in business mode.

“It's almost, we have a few more touches to add to it. "We want to add some touches to it to make it a once-in-a-lifetime jewel, something that's new and trendy for both young and old, but especially for couples.

He met humming to show he was listening as he devoured his meal within seconds. He was almost done by the end of my sentence.

‘I get we have a reason behind the design, but we need it out by the end of the month, latest by the beginning of next month.”

“You know I'm not allowed to work for a month, so I'm leaving you in charge. I know you're more than capable. So do your thing and make us proud.”

He said with a smile as he put the last steak in his mouth.

I leaned back into the chair when I caught sight of the retreating shadows. I know it's probably the maids checking if we're done, but I realized something.

“We aren't supposed to discuss business here” I whispered, leaning forward to him. He raised his brow.

“You know your father-in-law was once our rival and your wife is his daughter. We can't risk it”

“She's nothing like her father, she's different from the rest of her family. She can't do such a thing, and moreover, she's not here”

“I don't care, I won't be discussing business matters with you at home. If not in the office, then our spot”

I stood up, adjusting my shirt with my hand. Getting ready to leave.

“We can make use of my home office too, right?”

My eyes trailed the stairs, hoping to see her.

“If only it's soundproof!”