IN THE ARMS OF HIS BROTHER

CHAPTER TWO

Lucas’s pov.

“When it rains , it pours.”

This shitshow of a day makes me want to believe in this adage .

I’ve been working on this big deal with Ashley homestores for six months only for them to cancel the deal today saying an internal e-mail was leaked to them that I rushed product testing.

Stocks were in free fall saying that consumers were complaining about our products.

I wonder who must have hacked through my emails.

The only person I have ever trusted with my passwords is Emery and she definitely won’t betray me .

My IT team has spent hours this morning trying to put my security system back in order.

I suspect that Austin and his mom will surely have a hand in this .

“Talk to me ,” I growled angrily at my manager.

“The press has been on my neck saying they need an explanation from you on the rumors concerning the low quality of our products.”

“I can’t talk to the press now . It’s your job to deal with situations like this Richard .” I said, slamming my hands on the desk .

“Yes sir.” He had no choice than to leave .

I’m angry and confused at the same time . Everything was going as planned until today .

“Dammit .”

My phone buzzed with persistent calls from my father .

I was already expecting an earful from him.

He always berated me saying that I always messed up things .

He also threatened to make my step brother the next CEO if I don’t prove to him that I’m not a disappointment.

Ever since we lost mum , he became a completely different person. The fatherly love I experienced was all gone .

“Hey Dad .” I answered the call taking a deep breath to calm down a bit .

“ Lucas, you're full of disappointment. You don’t have the balls to ever do anything right ,” he shouted through the call.

“Dad I …it’s …fuck ,” I stuttered, tapping my free fingers on the desk.

“ I don’t need your unnecessary explanations. We’re having a family dinner tomorrow by 6pm . Make sure to be there on time . I have an important announcement. As usual I’m always going to clean up after your mess .” He chimed in and ended the call .

I held my phone with a tightened grip before placing it down on the desk. A wave of frustration clouded my chest.

I hate family dinners. It never boded well. Seeing the face of my step mom and step brother makes me want to puke . But I have to attend to please Dad.

Ever since they came into my life , it has always been a competition to please Dad . My stepmom always does this pretentious act in front of my Dad that she loved both sons equally . If only Dad could see the truth.

For a moment , my gaze fell on Emery which made me a bit calm . I admired the way she tucked her blonde hair which made her look like a fairy behind her ear . I felt like caressing her neck which was now exposed, and her lips looked so attractive with the red lipstick applied on it . f**k what I’m I thinking .

I snapped back to reality and she also stared at me . I quickly went to close the window blinds of my office .

I was dying for a drink . I reached out for a bottle of whiskey from my drawer, poured myself a full glass and downed it in one go . The burn of the alcohol finally cleared a lingering heat inside me .

I needed to take my mind off , I was not satisfied. I filled up my glass again as I chugged down the entire bottle of the drink .

“Lucas…Lucas ,” I felt her warm breath behind my ears .

“ It’s late already and everyone has closed from work. Why’re you still here?”

I didn’t realize that I’ve been sleeping for a while now . My eyes were still blurry from the effect of the alcohol. I still felt dizzy.

I gave a gazing look at Emery and pulled her into my laps . Her hazel eyes were so attractive . Tingling heat spread throughout my veins as I tilted her chin closer with my shaky fingers.

I tried to brush my lips against hers, but I ended up landing on her shoulders.

“ You’re drunk.” She huffed .

“ I miss you .” I whispered.

If I wasn’t betrothed, our relationship would have taken a better turn but I can’t challenge my father and lose being the CEO .

She helped me to my car, and called my driver to take me home . She has been so caring to me , but I chose to hide my feelings from her .

The next morning was hell . I woke up with a hangover that came with a headache , which made me to reschedule my meetings at the office to leave early from work, and besides I have a family dinner to attend.

We lived under the same roof, but having dinner was never our thing. Everyone ate behind closed doors except on days like this when my Dad summoned us for dinner.

I got home by 6pm, but everyone was already seated at the table. Austin sat across from me staring an awful glance at me . Georgia maintained her forced smile like she was posing for a portrait as we ate . My Dad broke the silence.

“Lucas , I can’t watch you humiliate my company and put our legacy on the line . It’s high time you got engaged with Brielle . ”

Austin had this grinning look as Dad scolded me but I shot him an annoyed glance .

“Dad but it’s still early,” I arched an eyebrow as I paused my meal.

“I know, but that’s the least you can do to save your face from this humiliation. You will be engaged publicly to Brielle in order to distract the press ,” he contradicted .

He never cared for my opinion.

“Don’t anger your father …Lucas,” Georgia interrupted.

“This conversation is between me and my father,” I responded with a sneer .

It was annoying the way she faked her love in front of my father . I miss my mum.

“ Enough!” he snapped in ,banging his hand on the table.

“My decision is final .”

“Brielle will be coming over soon for the engagement.”

Marrying me off to Brielle will secure an expansion for our business in the nearest future because the Sinclair family had no male child and she being the first daughter is to my advantage.

“Alright Dad ,” my cheeks ached from the forced politeness of my smile .

“Since we’re on the topic of engagement,” Austin chimed in,pushing his chair backwards , “ Dad I’ll love to introduce my new fiancée to you .”

“She just texted me that she’s waiting outside,” he added.

“Excuse me .”

Why a fiancee all of a sudden? I thought . Austin was free to marry whoever he wanted but I had to fulfill my duty as the first son.

As he walked in with the lady, the hour-glassed figure with long blonde hair seemed familiar. They approached us with smiles gleaming on their faces . Panic twisted my chest.

What! Emery!

Dad seemed surprised but of course it's predictable from the look on Georgia’s face that she knew all along.

“ Here is my future wife .” He introduced her, looking at me with spite and pulling out a chair for her to sit on.