The Billionaires Duel

HENLEY "Wine?" The waiter asked me. "No, thank you." I shake my head. My eyes scan the room for any sign of Jason and Karen. He's the host, where is he? "Brother!" Jason called from behind me moments before he slapped my back with his palm. His usual way of greeting. I forced a smile and nodded as I firmly shook his hand. We both smile at each other for the public, purely for the cameras all around. I really don't know why I still put up these pretenses. Our family is broken on the inside and yet they come out everyday like it's alright. It really isn't.. My smile falters as soon as my eyes lock with hers. There she is, standing quietly behind my brother looking like she doesn't belong to this world and is oblivious to the hungry stares that are directed at her. Her lips move upwards in a smile as she walks forward slowly with her right hand stretched towards me for a kiss. "It's good to see you Henley," She said, her whiskey brown eyes focused on mine. I lower my lips slowly to her knuckles. Her skin is so smooth and the scent of her perfumed wrist goes to my head like cocaine. I plant a kiss with a hint of teeth and hum in pleasure to myself when her hand jerks in mine. She felt it too. I look up at her to find her staring at the area my lips touched. "It's good to see you too Karen," I say softly with a smile. She nods and smiles at me and then looks at Jason who was oblivious to us the whole time as he engaged in friendly banter with a business associate. MERC has a lot of associates and it's important to be friendly with all of them though sometimes I fear they're getting too familiar with us and forget their place. "I didn't think you'd come," Karen said suddenly. I didn't think I'd come too until Father convinced me. She doesn't need to know that. I turn my head to look down at her. She's 5ft8 to my 6ft1 so she has to tilt her head to look up at me giving me a nice view of her beautiful face. "Why?" I ask. "Because I know how much you hate gatherings like this," She replied with a small smile. A voice tells me not to place too much thought on it, that she's naturally observant. "What else do you know about me Karen?" I know how that sounded because of the way she looked up at me. Something passed in her eyes but before I recognized it she blinked and it's gone. She gives me a sly smile and chuckles. "I know you like brandy," "Everyone knows that," I scoff. She laughs out loud. My tie feels like it's choking me and I pull at it to loosen it, grunting in the process. Karen takes a flute of wine from a waiter's tray and rolls her eyes at her partner who seems to be having the best time of his life on the other side of the room. "I wonder what they are discussing," She takes a sip of the wine. "Probably business." I say. "Har. Har." She replies. Jason has the most beautiful woman in the world as his partner and he's on the other side of the room without even a glance at her. My teeth grind together as I stare at him. "He looks happy," She comments, her eyes still on my brother on the other side of the room. "Be that–" I am unable to finish whatever it was I was going to say as a waiter bumps into Karen from behind while trying to avoid an overenthusiastic guest. Without thinking, my arms go around her cradling her and taking her to a more quiet place. "Oh! Henley your shirt!" Karen says in horror as all the contents of the wine glass dripped from my white shirt and blue jacket. "It's nothing. Are you okay?" I ask her. She nods rapidly. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have been in the way." Her eyes are fixed on my shirt that's clung to my skin as she fishes frantically in her purse for a tissue. Something in her voice pulls at me, I place both hands on her shoulders pausing her movements and her eyes meet mine in horror. Why is she suddenly scared? "It's alright Karen." I say firmly. She nods and blinks repeatedly. "Let me wash your shirt at least. It'll be ready in minutes." She offers after an awkward silence. I want to refuse but my brother still hasn't remembered that we are here and Mother and Father are yet to make their entrance, I can spare a few minutes. "Alright then." I nod in affirmation. "Come with me," She says and turns around, leading me to the elevator. "I'm so sorry." She breaks the silence as the elevator rides up. "Karen, it's really not a big deal." I say with a puzzled look. Why does she keep apologizing like she's scared of me? She looks up at me and there's an emotion in her eyes I can't understand like she's pleading with me to read her mind. As I open my mouth to question her, the elevator doors slide open. "We are here," She walks into the living area and straight into the bathroom. I take off my tie and jacket as I follow her. "In here," She goes into the laundry room at the far end of the corridor. I hand her my tie and jacket as I watch her. Immediately she gets busy with getting the stains off the material. "Your shirt?" I nod without making a movement. "There's a robe over there," she points to a dresser, "you can put it on and hand me your shirt," "Alright," I say as she walks out closing the bathroom door gently behind her leaving me in silence. "Henley, you done?" Karen calls out. I open the door to let her in and I must surely look ridiculous in a bathrobe and tuxedo pants because she giggled. "I'm a 10, I know," I remark with a smile. I wish she laughed often. "You're not mad at me for spilling my drink on your shirt?" she asks, avoiding my gaze. I frown at her question. "What do you mean?" She shakes her head repeatedly and hurriedly puts my shirt in the machine. "I just don't want you to be angry. Though I understand if you are seeing as it's a total inconvenience but–" "Karen!" I say firmly and thankfully it stops her awfully sad speech. What's happened to her? This isn't Karen. "You didn't spill your drink on me. The waiter caused this. This isn't your fault you know," I have to space each word though I don't know why but it's very important for her to understand she's not at fault and I am not angry at her. She looks at me silently, the gentle hum of the washing machine filling the air. She opens her mouth to say something but her phone rings, cutting her off. Immediately she's become the fidgety Karen again. "I'm so sorry but I need to be downstairs with my boyfriend. Your shirt is ready and your jacket is ready." She hands me my jacket and my shirt on her way out without even meeting my eyes. "What's wrong Karen?" I ask as she walks out but get no response from her. What is going on with her and my brother? Her horrified expression remains imprinted on my mind as I shrug into my shirt. Who is she scared of?