L.E.O.N.

The New Beginning

Chapter 1

Viewing out the window from a three-story mansion deprived of the whistling violent wind. Peace cascade illuminating the estate, while I catered the opposite. Early sun embracing the two hundred acres that surrounds this glamorous house built for royalty. Not that I aim to be one. Or flashing my riches. This miniature castle built nearly six months ago controlled the feeling of longing. The fondness stroked like paint brushes as it depicted the structures of the castle. Lazing, yet foggy in my mind. I had no understanding or purpose why it begged me willfully to draw it. Alive it is in 3D.  

And scared out of my wits I drew what I gather from the simple vision. Somewhere deep down within me, this spark spoke prying its way out. Attempting, relentlessly, and ambitiously at the layers of protection. Never able to pinpoint how or where the lingering feeling reside within my beating heart. This heavenly sent, castle, sets physical barrier from the sanity that it spared no time to conquer wholly. My safe haven palace where I could conjure the spark as if needing to be released from Hell’s flame. Every inch of this beautifully scenery sedated the lurking darkness. Darkness which I called was my destiny now.

Once upon of time, I was fortunate to be happy for once in my life. Or so I think I was. No. I felt it. The ache hurdle to happiness. Happiness won and masked my heart. Maybe it the unconsciousness of my head. The unconsciousness of what was once upon a time long ago and forgotten. Who didn’t offer to care in replacing the vital essence where it should have been belonged to.

As of now, these feelings are nullified and emptily unfilled as being swallowed back into the abyss. A cold numbing creep in, feeling the winter’s unwavering frost, as soon as it arrived it left. Leaving the carefree palace settled back into the raw true reality.

It didn’t matter, I knew better to arise the fairytale. Because I returned with possessing no recollection of where the entire entity began.

The constant reminder of my worst horrid awakening to the nightmare of my days ahead. Adding, having no mother to hastily seizing my future, an unwanted husband or instructions nor rules to oppose the living conditions. 

It was because of my selfishness that triggered the ignition of all erupting raw nightmare. If only I hadn’t greedily acquired something more than this luxury life, one handed on a platter.

Who would ever in a million years alleged being a billionaire’s daughter and heiress to Callahan Inc would be satisfyingly enough right?

Well, I was on the opposing pole. Whatever the greed was, hopefully it was worth every plummet second. Losing Leslie, my mother, four years ago entitled the perspective of my compromising future.

Months, years, drew by, and now required to marry another heir. Upholding the hearing was the innocent eyes of all the people surrounding the court before me. The people could be considered the rest of my close to long distance acquaintance.

What little loss was it, not so immoral. Right? Yes? Yes.

A childhood friend since the age of seven. His and my parents were friends since the start of both companies became popular to the eyes of the people. Albright Industries and Callahan Inc expanded their business together gaining more riches than most competitor. One might even pronounce they assemble like peanut butter and jelly. To picture perfect the outrageous idea, I seal the deal with this marriage thrown upon me since my teenage years.

Easing off the tension of both companies. Both parties having no confidence or trust since the money had bigger gains to catch. It was verbally expected of me to be married. By pleasing these people and my family. Especially, my mother, whom I caused to leave this world behind when I obstructively decided to skip out the country to find whatever that I found.

Lost perhaps? But what did I find there? What was so astounded intriguingly there?

This infatuation rooted me for almost three years. Three years? And yet there were no memoirs of the realistic event existed, only a souvenir scar. A faded one located on my lower abdomen. Tattoo there to remind me, your truly how despicably it was my fault. My unattained responsibility of being selfish, unreasonable, and having a rueful adventure.

Repeated, repeatedly in my mind that it would be the final last self-act upon these lingering feelings.

Or was it?

This trip?

Just days ago, leaving again to find what I lost or forgotten for the last four years.

I desperately tried to bargain something unknowingly. The last anticipation. Sweden. Europe. The country where I somehow landed there seven years ago. Tourist sightsee there were to die for, but I’ve always end up in more mountain areas. It seems to gain my interest with the acres and green scenery. A countryside where the elevation highland isolated from thousand domains showing off a peaceful jade setting.

Oh, how I wanted to return already.

Oppressing my stubborn heart from fleeing back there once again. Even though landing not only twenty hours ago. Desperately chaining it all away to leave behind any sanity that exist. But reconnecting to the events in Sweden caused shockwave of millions electricity pulsing to my brain hitting overboard.

Sadly, it hits a thick dense wall not budging to open or even a little crack to the very least it could drown myself with every speck of memory. My father expressed the missed years I’ve endure was simply studying abroad.

But three years?

Contemplating thoroughly as where this desire to study stretched that far. But he added, Irene, my BFF, had lucky found me in the nick of time accompanying me to the hospital. Evidently, I was rob causing the souvenir that imprinted on my skin. It was like a scar crossing my lower in my abdomen on the crest of pubis bone. If it wasn’t for my virginity, the scar was an absolute cut from surgery.

Helplessly, I have an erring feeling something was out of place. Definitely and quite wrong about the scene they sought for me to believe. But the accusation was yet shot down quickly due to having no memory of it what so ever. With that no truth came out. But I couldn’t let go. Like an idiocy explained to me to vitalize and retract my verdicts. Reality at its finest…summing it up, all their verdicts won my judgement.

Life spent on living the last four years supporting and second handing in their schemes. Irony of it all was the spark, I held on tightly tugging me to let rest within for a while and made me extremely happy when I grew to adapt to my new aspect of lifestyle. I learned to survive on. 

“Ezzie, your car is ready. Mister Callahan awaits your arrival at home,” the maid, who I’ve known since I was a little girl, called to me from the doorway.

Everyone who is close to me calls me, Ezzie; a nickname that stuck throughout high school. Other strangers know me as Miss Callahan or Ezmaranda. Close family member and friends worth the time to snatch my attentive heart have slain to utter the name. Others use the formality. 

“Thank you, Mrs. Quinn. I’ll be down in a bit,” I replied back never leaving gaze of haven sight.

Grasping at the crumpled envelope within my hold, the grudge, my mother left before me. The hatred afflictions pain ran deeply, haunting as I read to resolidify my wavering heart. Justifying my conviction making certain I do not duplicate from straying away the golden path. Paved by my mother who set aside for me. Sighing in one huge unsteady breath, I opened the wooden box and locked the letter away. Putting the small key in the desk of my office. I decided this is finally the last visits Europe. Never to seek whatever is it lurking underneath the shadow. Tightly hidden and tuck away.

Waiting for me to unlock with one final blow filling in the blank emptiness arising me as I yearn to.

 “Loved for Eternity,” I whispered out to the unseen air of the quiet mansion before heading down. Ready to lose at the darkness and await my death sentence. Not perceiving why, the whispered phrase connected me to the lost past. One that needed to be forgotten. The last piece, I have left to hold on from once was me. And to use this existence, the body of Ezmaranda Callahan, to follow through the duties of an heiress.

………..

Leonardo Winchester

“Papa, need help with my luggage?” My sweet little girl Olivia insisted eagerly. My baby girl ready to discover a whole new world. Excited to meet her uncle and grandparents waiting patiently to meet her for the first time.

“No sweetheart daddie got this. Just keep smiling and enjoy our new adventure. Your grandpa and uncle eagerly to see you. Be on your best behavior, okay?” I told her cupping her small fragile face. Giving me one of those stellar innocent smiles as confirmation she will the best. Then walking towards the car, she suddenly stopped twirl around again back at me, but not focusing at my direction. Those thick dark heavy lashes closed moving her hands up in a prayer, Olivia silently pause for a few minutes. As Olivia finished her wish to say goodbye, she climbed into the car.

My head swung towards the house where Olivia’s last focused was on. A new beginning awaits before us as we left behind my beloved wife to guard our last memory of her. Hoping that she is in good hands watching us from above. And not lost somewhere in this city held against her will for these long past years. Or her remains is placed in the mountain scatter by animals of the night. We never had any closure of her where about.

My sore heart along with leaving Olivia motherless alone was the best punishment the big guy above did to me. Taking the most precious part my vital existence with him. She made the man I am today. Quietly departing the life, we built, the best part was a piece of her stayed in this world to calm all unbearable agony charging at my core. If it was not for my sweet girl, continuing breathing wasn’t the best option. I could not withstand one moment away from my love. My drug, my wife, that keeps me at bay from the monstrous inside me.

The bloody SHITS of pain! The coldness in my hollow chest misses her. Why? It was too soon! I could have had drown in sorrow although unexpectedly did not. This delightful immense round glistening eyes of an angel needs me more than anything. And going back to the cold obscure lifestyle before meeting her mother, I couldn’t confide her to that life. To be near. To see. To breathe in any abhorrent intimation. A hideous truth of life.

“Papa, you coming?” My little angel peeking from the ajar door.

My OLIVIA!

She warns all the ghost, demons, and evil at a long shot distance.

Impatient as always. “We will be back LEON,” I breath out inspecting the home once more before heading towards the black SUV car idling with a restless child. “Are you sure you ready for the airplane ride to America?” I teased my angel for the ride is going to be long.

………..

Ezmaranda

Arriving to another mansion, not quite as large as the one I built on the countryside. My heaven is out of the city range about a forty-five-minute drive. This home settles in where most billionaire lived containing a two-story modernized model design. Instead of expanding acres bounding to the home neighbors were only five acres away and yes with a gate code. Neatly freshly cut grass aroma sweep through my senses from labor to yesterday. Sundays are days where our house keepers replenish our necessities from food to yard work maintenance. Adding along with a jacuzzi and pool at the back that father and I barely used anymore.

Not that we would not mind, but our motto was time is always money made. I find myself often at the office at work rather than home. Father on the other hand had more time for his leisure. Although I’ve noticed the loneliness in his eye for years now since mother had passed away. Discovering him absent when I come here to check up on him during shortage of workload. The once warm home filling with blissful laughter when the three family members were present. Thanks to me huh?

Entering the double doors of the entrance as the maid opens for me. I smile and greet her stalking to the kitchen to find some tea brewed for him. Taking a cup and pouring the Chinese green tea in it. Following the tiles on the ground, I headed to my fathers’ study on the second floor. Slowly and steady not wanting to go any faster than needed. Trying to avoid the pep talk about my annual leaving the country to visit the that place. I already excepted CEO role of Callahan Inc for two years thinking his mourning for the death of my mother can ease the devastation.

What more can he want now?

              “Good morning, did you want to talk to me?” I halt my steps inches away from the desk with a toneless voice. Placing the tea on his desk calmly before he could retort an answer.

              Slowly raised his to meet my face and voiced in. He was assessing me from head to toe. Clearly, I knew the talk wasn’t going to be pleasant as I had already guessed it. “Yes, I certainly did. You know last time we had this conversation was before you took your position as CEO. And here we are? Those words are meant to clear your path. Then again your phase of disappearing off happened AGAIN.” Father put his hands on his desk hands enclosed together. Denying the tea in front of him. That was his statement showing he was deeply disappointed or meant time for business. In this case, an imploring explosive volcano hasten to erupt.

              Crossing my arms on my chest to aid my reasons. “I texted you before I left. Sorry if I didn’t physical appear at the house before leaving.” Detecting his expression unmoving, I deflated in a light tone, “I’m sorry, okay? It won’t happened again. I rushed to go to clear my mind for a…. quick vacation.” Quickly amending what I sow to avoid causing a scene. I rarely took vacations so that sucker of lie would help plead the case. Although, old habits die hard when I am expected to intake all these responsibilities stole upon me. Whatever the jury has decided, the past is now in the past. Leaving my paradise behind was infinitively the last time. Hopefully it was. Is it though? The fact that I will never embrace the forgotten. “And needed the closure. So, promise it won’t happen ever again,” I added blandly. Even though it stung to know I’ve had given up so easily.

Taking a deep inhale and long exhale, father replied, “All is forgotten if you keep your promises. And make sure this the last visit.” No question there but a demand.

Finally, he dropped his narrow gaze and drunk the tea idling on his desk that still looking steamy and hot.

I successfully got the pre-approval and incline into a nodded, “It was nice to see you father, but I’m running late. I’m expected back in the office at nine. So, if there is no more discussion I will be heading there.”

“Yes, there is, actually. Your fiancé insisted the details of the engagement party to be finished. He’s been patient enough.” My stare dropped to the floor not wanting to meet his gaze. “And as a man myself, I would not have waited twenty one years for a woman who can’t prioritize her duties.” His eyes glaring at me with more of a concern, I didn’t have to see because I could sense it.      

Oh yes. It was my duties alright. Thanks for the reminder. “I’m marrying him am I not?” I grazed out bitterly without raising my voice.

“Of course, you are. I’m making certain there is a wedding happening. When you marry Raymond, I can’t have you running off disappearing to who knows where.”

Puffing out air and nodded in another for confirmation of understanding his intentions. Powerlessly attempting to understand his internal attentions. Saying my goodbye quickly and giving him a kiss on the cheek, I dart down the stairs to the car.

Guess this is where it ends. No more slamming, hitting, and scrapping at the thick wall to open. But why does it feel like the gruesome fire had increase more just now. The revolting sensation of all crept deeper than an hour ago holding on to the nothingness. It is like a part of me is going to stay in the abyss forever. Anyone out there holding to the key on how to crack or graze this wall. Mystical creatures? If there is? Where are you?  It’s like holding onto a sharp glass aiming at my heart for so long that exhaustion of endurance is running low on shedding blood rapidly out.

No less than twenty minutes the Callahan’s rich skyscraper was insight. Streets flooded with crowds and busy walking pedestrian. Too busy on what their agenda had kept them hazily or lazily journey their duties. Scanning my badge entering the CEO personnel elevator to open. My tapping heels echoing loudly from hitting the metals flooring onto the tiles. Sensing it was already going to be a long day. I hit button for where my office lies. The sound chimed in with a DING and the robotic voice verify the floor and saying its farewell.

Existing out, I nodded at the receptionist as she greeted from the sight of my entering. Heading to the left then right I passed through other high position office. Anyone who walked through my pathway acknowledge me as I stroll through to find another elevator. As a safety precaution that I had this erring feeling needing more protection, so I abruptly added another level all to myself when I accepted this reality. This feeling of someone out there for my head is outrageous due to the fact there were no major threat or kidnapping for the four years of misery.

Although I couldn’t shake off the sense that maybe even just a point zero zero zero one percent chance of danger lurking out there. I was not going to risk the that small chances. Finally entering the door, I smiled at my personal assistant processing the information upon coming hours of important meeting. Dreading the stack of paper lying on my desk needing to be sign off since my departure mini vacay a few days ago.

It’s going to be a long day.

Hanging my sweater on the hook putting away my purse in my drawer. My hand aim at the stack of folders calling to ink away my formal cursive signature. Grabbing a black ink pen, I rub my eyes to prep for the tiredness soon engulfing the energy from my eye socket.

In just couple of hours, I read through every detail validating no mistakes. Inking my signature on whatever space needed. Having at least three to five conference calls upon updates of hotel managed in other states. Meetings were lasting no more than thirty minutes thanks to other incoming conference calls. Busy, busy, Queen Bee I was. All I heard was the scratch of pen, words floating my vision, noise of the phone going off, rubbing my eyes, yawn, and repeat.

Knock knock.

Footsteps emerged through the opening door. “Ezzie, I missed you! You should have had let me know you were back. Why didn’t you?” Irene cheerly stated and side hug me.

My best friend since high school throughout college. Having to attend prom together because I had an episode where no man was good enough for my standards. All the immature stages, emotional states, rebellious trials were with her. She was my other half. We understood the relentless life lesson that was thrown at us. Her parents weren’t famous or billionaires, but that did not matter.

Our interest in business was the connection to our friendship. Irene’s taste in lifestyle was what my parents was able to afford for me. Even though I didn’t take advantage of any resources at my disposal. On the other hand, Irene worked hard to get a full ride scholarship to pay her institution.

Subject of men, men, pursuing or had a crush on me were the ones she seems to take interest. Finding it oddly that with the looks, brain, and body. She could easily approach the dream guy her heart desired. High school days, Irene had a crush on Raymond. Cluelessly where this puppy love ended. Was it in college? Couldn’t recall by the duties.

Overwhelmed in repetitive duties, pleasing, and heiress issues hammering to my brain at every encounter at home with my parents. I barely talk to my BFF about the pressure on taking future me. Even now we aren’t close as we were since my mistake.

Putting on my fake million dollars smile I carelessly nudge, “Sorry, busy with all of this.” I pointed with my pen. The unfinished seventy percent paper begging for approval smiled back.

“Come on! Let’s go, it is past twelve that means lunch time,” Irene projected persistence vocals ending with another annoying line that serve no justice to the idea of joining them was a delightful idea. “Raymond will be there. Your fiancé may I remind you. Your engagement party is coming up in a few weeks. Don’t starve yourself. You’ll need all the energy you can get.”

Diligently, I continued my work inconsiderate in bothering a reaction to her request.

“Please? For the sake of being friends?” Irene coiling in pout with her million-dollar puppy face.

Guessing, I should decide to go. After all the all-star metal friend of the year is rusting away. I haven’t been the best friend I should have been. To no prevail there had been distance drift since I came back here, gradually edging our friendship apart. She reciprocates the same privacy as I gave her hints we grew further. In that, it concludes we rarely saw one another. Surprisingly, she did pop up once in a crimson moon.

Whatever. Pleasing and more pleasing I recited. “Fine, just let me stop at my assistance’s desk first.”

She squeaked in happiness to my defeat.

Less than ten minutes and taking the company’s car we arrived at upscale Italian restaurant. Raymond was already settled and ordering our food ahead of time. We took our seats in the private area. Away from the crowd but not too far to hear the faintest chattering. Sitting next to my so called fiancé, Irene took the seat in front of Raymond. Sipping on my water gazing to the wall, Irene was the first to initiate the conversation after we relaxed in.

“How are things at Albright Industries?” Drinking her wine.

“Their running smoothly and as expected. And you Irene? How is managing all the sales as the Director?”

“Same as you, could not ask for a better blessing as it is running well. Did you hear about our competitor had a long-lost son? He is stepping in for Liam for a while. Seems like they are extending their business out of the country. They are diving deeper universally, but I have no clue which country it is.”

The waiter interrupted the conversation as she handles the steamy food settling it on the table. Raymond the gentleman he is, or the annoyance, cuts my chicken into pieces just like how I used like it or would have eaten back in the old days. Adding slices of his salmon sharing his order with me by placing it on the side of my plate. “Here. More nutrition for my bride to be. All the more strength to walk down the aisle with me.”

“Thanks.” I said without any emotions attach to the statement. Picking up the fork I poked through the chicken feeding it to my mouth. Eating to advert pressing questions he was dying to ask.

Taking the hint, Raymond turned his attention back to Irene. “So how did you hear about the gossip of our competitor?”

Irene smiled, “I have a friend there. Who works there as their temporary assistant since Liam’s assistance is still on maturity leave.”

“She must be a heck of good friend to be telling you all of this information.”

“Of course! We go back way in middle school even before I met Ezzie.”

Raymond nodded.

Dreading my life brunching with my BFF and so call fiancé. The get together progress on a whole forty minutes chatting about useless current competitor, sports, and so forth. Irene smile flirtatiously and laughing at certain moments. Raymond on the other hand did not think much of it because he was a gentleman. Always the sweet little boy who went along to the charade. And if ignoring me from the equation, anyone would quote they were the happy Romeo and Juliet couple soon to get married-minus the tragedy. Their chemistry just clicked, but how in the world I of all people end up being engaged to him.

Well, I knew the answer to that one.

Father threw the most luxurious celebration for the twenty eight years of my life. We were alone with father when he popped the question. Knowing the most approachable way is to agree. Everyone delighted with glee to our matrimony except me.

Back to them, for a fact, Irene was always a type of person who flirts to get the attention. Amping no interest in joining their conversation. Sensing lingering land fill of puppy love from her. Or calling it a crush where she wants to bang Raymond or even be a potential wife. Wondering what caused the fall out of her undying love to him before our engagement announcement.

Quaking the feelings away for a one-sided desire for several years took time to heal. But then again, she ventures mood swings: one-minute like an abandon hungry puppy later resuming to an angry cat ready to claw for any wrong moves. I spaced out during their conversation, the spark that is dying slowly taking my sanity with it. My father’s words branded my brain sending troops to extinguish the spark. I guess it’s over. Facing the world now, I need a million-dollar poker face too. Great! It will take time to readjust and being a custom to the life chosen for me. Or rather I decided it too.    

“It’s time to go back,” Irene clutch her purse in her hand, eyes on her phone then to me, “Ready, Ezzie?”

“Yeah,” I started to grab my things. Feeling Raymond touched my upper arm detecting he wanted to talk. I turned around, “Did you need something?”

“Can you stay? I need to talk to you.” His brown eyes waited for my yes. Crap! If it was over the phone, I could have said can you just text me. Worst! But hey at least there was communication. “Ezmaranda?” he asked again interrupting my thoughts, I smile for validation to his request.

Irene left, but her eyes showed disappointed. Raymond offered to give me a ride back to the office.

Facing the empty seat in front of me. Staring down to the half eaten chicken pieces along with the alfredo noodles becoming prominently surfacing clots of fatty oil and untouched salmon. “What did you want to talk about?”

“Are you ok? You seem more distance than before? You’ve lost a lot of weight.”

Checking in if there is a wedding just like father, “I’m fine. I’ve been stress with all the engagement party, projects, and upon coming charities. Sorry, I’ll try to focus more on my health.” I move my purse closer to my body pressing harder on the leather material turning my knuckles white. “And communicate more.”

“I wouldn’t appreciate my bride to be over worked. I’ll take care engagement event. Rest easy for party, I know you have your mother’s charity this weekend.” Raymond politely utter as he holds my free hand squeezing expressing care.

Oh yes! You bet that fake smile spread across my face.

……..

Leonardo

Sound asleep Olivia’s blonde pigtail tickled my arm as the air conditioner travels in the back seat. Her body lean inward in my direction. I scooped the fragile angel closer to my aching chest. Those hazel eyes copied mine as for the rest of the gene pooled was taken from her mother.

Barely one years old, my baby lost her mother. Deprived of mother’s love and care. There were times I’ve felt obligation to find someone to fill in the role. But numbly the scatter beat denied abundantly.

God knows she fucken deserved a mother.

She deserved everything.

Anything.

All hope was Olivia would come to be bare the father and mother side I scarcely projected. The best I could managed anyways. In fear to avoid womanhood descriptions would display like. Maybe then I’ll have my stepmother land a hand in the discussion. Having a role model to mirror image Olivia’s upbringing, I gather my constituted system from what I desired what a father should be. And stole my wife’s talents depicting the characteristics of a mother’s unconditional love. Alex threw me aside for five years and came along my step mother. Pregnant with my brother who I got well along with. Separated at times from my father’s verbal abuse and at times physical. The physical beatings ended in high school. Too bulky to get any more damage. Or he didn’t care like as if he started to. Finishing college abroad and joining the military was the opportunity to escape the ruthless father who abandon to father me. Those traitorous eye like a telescope scanning insightfully, knowing well he couldn’t stand the very existence of me. The thought of me surviving and living take in the earth’s life. And not his wife, my mother, his partner for life has been sent orthodox to the heaven’s gate.   

“Papa. We there yet?” Olivia yawn stretching her limbs out of my embrace.

Skimming the mansion in front of us. Five acres of wooden area separated home from our nearest neighbor. Cemented driveway led to the house with security system steel gates blocking intruders. The SUV comes to a measured stop in of the front entrance. Waiting at the front door is Alex, the gene I pooled from. Along with Elenora, my mother, although not biological. All my life she treated me well along with Liam, my half-brother. Liam absent from view, next to them were the maids crowding around to settle our luggage.

“Yes, ready to make a royal appearance my princess?” Holding those tiny fingers easing her to the cement pavement.

Covering the laugh that slipped, she innocently questioned dazzling her lashes, “I can be a princess here papa?”

“Always. Whatever you want.”

“Is that my granddaughter Princess Olivia?” Alex grinned as we walked through the doors.

Bowing down in a curtsy beaming, Olivia royally answered, “Duke of Winchester.”

Chuckling, Alex replied, “I guess I am not the king since these hair strikes as grey growing into an old man.”

“Grumpa!” the angel hugged tightly at Alex’s waist.

“Come here, Olivia,” Alex lifted Olivia up squeezing tightly to his embrace. “What do you like to eat? I’ll tell Bobby our Chef to make it. Whatever the princess wants she gets.”

“She’s only five. No need to pamper more than needed.” I intervened faltering their tracks before they could wander further into the dining room.

“Hey now King Leonardo, it took this long to see my granddaughter. You bet she will be spoiled rotten. I might add she is the only grandchild I have.” Alex happily grated out passing through my guarded barrier gate.

Resigning the guidance, Alex was going his mind once it has been set. Not that I could not argue breaking the fenced boundaries. But Olivia’s essence required additional armor knights to lie down protecting her heart. Losing her mother was enough to blind her of a female role model to guide her through life trial. Sitting on the dinner table my baby ate the chicken alfredo. Her favorite. Another trait that was carried down from her mom.

Throughout the evening my stepmother took Olivia out to go for girl shopping. Alex left shortly after the expedition of the girl’s shopping. Taking the whole evening to night, she was weary quickly from all the activity. Ecstatically smiling and giggling reiterating minor details her day stumble upon with her grandma. Holding the book, I read to her as she gradually slept silently. Lightly kissing her forehead, tugging the blank to snuzzle her in. Admiring her slumbering breath, strong willful spirit like her mother and me.

Striding downstairs to the cellar, grabbing the most expensive scotch Liam value the quantity. Clinking  on the counter, the cap, pouring substance into the glass cup. Drinking leisurely fondly by the taste, I refilled the empty glass.

“Who would have guessed you were done here, brother.” Liam called out from behind.

 “Can’t believe you have a bar down here. How many guests pass through per night? Dozens?”

“You wouldn’t want to know, trust me.” Liam smirked while taking the empty aside from me.

“Quit whoring, Olivia doesn’t need to see or be surrounded by any of it. Nor having any of the female, late night snacks, shouldn’t be here while I’m living here as you solely request.”

“Don’t worry so damn much, no wonder you’re alone. In your bachelor days, every single to divorce eligibility had been into your bed.” Chuckling, he added, “Besides, I have other places to take them.”

Finding no amusement from the retort, “That was back then, now I have a family who needs me more than banging every woman in sight.”

“Well, I haven’t found mine. That is exactly the excuse for me to think with my dick.”

“Stop, do not finish rest of that thought. Just don’t catch anything nor kiss my daughter with that filthy mouth.”

Liam eyeing his glass as he slightly tilting it. “She gives me the kisses not the other way around. Plus, she calls me her prince charming.” Winking as to declaring ‘so does every other feel who fantasize over me’.  

Disgusted, but damn it, how awfully it was the truth. “Make sure you cleanse your mouth thoroughly with soap, several times, before you let her near it.”

“And your telling me? Shouldn’t I direct the same advice to you?”

Fuming a deadlock gaze to him, giving him a soulless response.

Within seconds he howled with laughter, “f**k, you deprived priest.”

Muscle ticking from my grinding jaw, rage rose ready for battle.  

Concluding the deadly battle glare, Liam swallowed his cup to clear the fume. “No joke intended, I thought by now you would have. You are very brave compare to most of us. I salute to that.” Reciting a bow, he continued gulping down the scotch.

“How have you been after all these years?” I asked changing the subject because diving deeper to the topic of Ezzie is unbearable.

“Great, the same old boring person I still am. Nothing changed.”

Snorting a laugh, he calls himself boring. Yet, he was the night owl prowling for prey. “How is Alex?”

“Father. Why don’t you just ask him yourself? He still wants you to take over the company. He’s trying to amend his cruelty to you.”

“And you would give it up like that?” Arching a brow, interrogating.

“Yes, if that is what father wants. I can run off like you and start my own business.”

“Don’t find it amusing, nor do I care what he wants, Liam. The company survive this long in your hands. There is no need for me. Don’t give a s**t of taking the reins. It’s all yours, I have my own business now.”

Bowing in a thank you gesture, “How is finding school for Olivia or are you going to home school her?”

“Probably home school, she barely knows anyone. But she is set on taking a pottery lesson. I might consider a private school.”

“Great to hear that, I know you home school her back at home. Private school would be a start, opening for new friends.”

“Yes, I’m not sure if I’m ready to let her out of my sight.” Considering how I lost my wife. And if I lost my angel, I couldn’t live with myself.

“Better now than later, her raging hormone in teens years will rip you apart.”

“And how could you possible know?”

“Like older brother like younger brother. I’ve had my few shares of widow in distress.”

Half disgusted and entertained, “Good role model, wasn’t I?”

“Quite the standard model, although I probably surpassed you now, old man.”

“I’ve been enlightened with my angel. No need to waste useless time on strangers.”

“Well, leave it for Liam’s magic touch.”

Now very disturbed, “When does the idiotic publicity start?”

“Soon, our competitor is holding a charity event.”

“What?” Dissecting his concerning expression, imagining the worst, “Is there something wrong?”

“Our competitor, we met weeks ago, she’s definitely hot and ready in my bed. Too bad she’s taken, and our father wouldn’t approve. Not a good look on our business either.”

Scoffing from his pointless comment. “That was it? Again, my attention span can sketchily heed the intelligent dick.”

Snorting, sipping on his drink, lazily retorting, “We have the same taste of woman may I horridly remind you.”

“Here for business, not for a good f**k. Or in your case f*****g every woman in sight.” I flatly outright said.

“Do prance around the holy priest disguise crap for now. Let’s wait till you see her.” In challenge, raising his glass to empty the liquor in one gulp.