2.
1610 Words
It had been a month since my brother came back. His plan for hotel chain was going smoothly. Saoirse' Cuisine had been a success and he had been planning to launch another branch in Ireland. It was strange. For once, when I was assured that he might be genuinely concerned about his future, that he might've been meaning to get sensible now, he comes back with the plan to launch a branch in Ireland of all the countries. If he really wanna extend the chain, then why not London. Our business was more prominent there. I f he extends his chain there, it would be more successful. There was something wrong, but I just couldn't seem to grasp the hint to it. I needed to do something.
"All my suspicions are leading to the only outcome, that he might be involved with black market." I grabbed the lighter, lightening the cigarette, I bought it to my lips. I wasn't ignorant to the history of our family's relationship with Irish mob.
"But that's a low chance. How would he even get to it?"
I exhaled the smoke while leaning back and tossed the lighter towards him which he professionally caught.
"That's the main thing. Send someone more professional to keep an eye on him. Check his records from the time when he was in Belgium. Even hotel receipts. Try to find if he met anyone suspicious during that time."
"Understood." As he left, the door closed with a soft squeak. I leaned further back in my seat, letting myself be engulfed by the soothing darkness.
What the hell are you doing, Rowan?
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I exited the meeting with a final greeting with Italians. The matter was getting further bad. They wanted land which was equally important to me. I had chosen not to get involved in any dark business. I had ended our empire. I had connections, but the thing was, I doubt I'd get much help since we've no business with people I needed, to solve this matter. I needed to discuss everything with Xavier and Adrien, but I couldn't even find time to go to them. As Rowan is my bigger, no biggest concern right now and I must do something before it's too late.
Reaching my office, I dropped my self on the black tuxedo couch in my office. I needed rest but with Rowan back and the pressure from Italians, it seemed impossible. I rested my head back. My office door opened without a knock. And my head shot up. There he was standing in his usual black attire. He opened his arms with a smile plastered on his face.
"It was a success again, bud."
"That fast?" I walked to him and he gave me a tight hug.
"You doubt my abilities?", he raised a brow, while sitting in the armchair opposite to me.
"Not at all. It's just that it took only one and a half month. I wonder how you managed to get that Irish hag to agree with you."
"I told you don't doubt my abilities." He leaned back in the armchair, resting completely.
"I don't. I just wonder how is it possible to lawfully get Luke to agree with you in such a short time, when he's been against us for years?...", I straightened my posture. "or that... how is it possible to lawfully get a billion dollars to transfer it to an ordinary sea transport agency. Or that how is it possible to to be so calm, when two of your closest friends had gone missing a month ago?"
He was staring back at me with the same fire as me.
"You spied me again?", he said trying his best to keep his cool.
"Could've" I shrugged my shoulders.
"Don't mess with me, little bud." He stood up and walked towards the exit.
"You better get everything right before it's too late.", I said not making any eye contact.
The door closed with a thud. And I leaned back, letting myself rest, before I had to go to Kazan.
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It's been two months since we haven't talked much, other than the usual greetings.
It was our mom's anniversary. A banquet was prepared every year. It was the most important day of the year.
It's the first time my brother was attending my mom's anniversary, which makes me scared even more that his trauma might be provoked. It's a big deal.
Everything was going downhill. The Italians were getting furious by now and I didn't even get to discuss it with Xavier or Adrien. Maybe I'll discuss it with them tomorrow, since they will be coming. I rubbed my temple out of frustration, letting my body fall back on the soft mattress.
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I looked at the big hall illuminated with lights. The interior was mostly golden, from walls to floor. There were the most expensive and rare portraits on each wall. Ever corner had a vase, each having a long history behind. My favorite one was the red one, gifted to my ancestors by the imperial family. Each art was the only one of its kind. My mom was a fan of art. She loved collecting these stuff. This was the only time of the year, I used the great hall. It was the most beautiful part of our mansion and had been my mom's favorite place too. My brother and I have a lot of precious memories here, with our mom. And the worst one too. Still it was her favorite place and so I always conducted the banquet here.
A hand rested on my shoulder. I turned back to find Xavier and Adrien standing there with Aria behind them. All of them were wearing black.
"How's everything going?", Adrian said in a little worried tone.
"Heard you're loosing your s**t cuz of Italians." Xavier said recultantly. He was always like that. Reckless, being the youngest one. He was facing the other side with hands in his pants pockets. It just seems like yesterday when uncle Ivan had bought him home. He was such a fragile kid. He had always been quiet. I wanted him to find someone he would love to talk to. Nevertheless he had grown up, quite really fine. From afar I saw Lucca coming towards us while waving his hand. He ran towards me, engulfing me in a giant bear hug. A smile made its way up to my lips.
"What's up with my baby?" He cooed.
"Watch your mouth, you mannerless i***t. If you're sober enough to remember that I'm the older one here.", Lucca pouted. That 20 years old man just pouted.
"Don't do that. That's the grossest thing I've ever seen.", Aria hissed
"Duh! I see your face everyday.", Lucca replied in the same sassy tone, making me chuckle.They were always like that.
They were My Escape.
The crowd went silent as my brother entered, catching our attention. He walked to me and engulfed me in a warm hug.
"Reminds me of a lot." He said while maintaining eye contact.
"Yeah!" My voice was low.
"Let's go! There are a lot of people to meet." He patted my back, smiling from ear to ear. He was clad in black too. He was 5 years older to me, but looked to be almost my age, thanks to the feature he inherited from our mom. I walked with him around the hall, greeting people one after another.
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The banquet had almost ended. I was exhausted. I gulped down the fourth shot as Rowan sat beside me.
"Hey lil bud! You seem dull." His voice was low and warm. I chuckled.
"Should I be glad that my only family is involved in some shady business and isn't even willing to tell me anything? That... he has changed.", My voice was painful.
"Bud!... I'm not... I'm the same. If only you consider me. I'm your same broth-"
"You're not my brother. You can't be. He's gone. If he were here, he would've... he... he would've never done anything what you are doing. He loved mom. He would've fulfilled her wish. He would've never followed our father.", my chest tightened remembering that hideous man.
He hissed. "Not even in my worst dreams would I follow our father. Why the hell would you compare me to him? He was a f*****g beast. A f*****g murderer."
"Leave it. Whatever you're doing. Please.", I pleaded.
"I- I can't." He turned his face away.
"Fine." I took another shot.
"I care about you bud. And whatever I'm doing-"
"Don't give me that excuse. Don't forget our father always used that excuse too and in the end it was us, he was ready to sacrifice. I do care about you too. And I would do my best to protect you too. Always. But not by hurting others."
"Bud-"
"I need to go.", I turned away, standing up. Leaving him there alone, to reflect on himself.
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- Writer
