Arrogant Is My Middle Name!!!

Chapter Two

Word for the day - 오빠

(Romanised as ‘O-ppa’) - Elder Brother or close brother-like person, also can be used as a nickname for lover/husband (Only used by females)

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AIDEN’S POV

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(The Previous Night)

As I footed out of the airport, I let out a sigh. After six long years, I was back in New York. Since I migrated back then to move to London and launch a new branch there, I never had an opportunity to visit here.

And no one was here to visit them back then, either way.

“AK, I will leave you here, then,” Samantha asserted, pulling her jacket close to her. I set her trolley down and she clutched it offering me a small smile.

“Who is coming?” I asked. As her Boss, I should take into consideration of my employee's security and we had a late midnight flight because I didn’t prefer to face a lot of crowd or paparazzi.

“Seb is here to pick me up.” She informed me attempting to maintain a casual face but I knew how excited she was or she'd never ask for her leave on her own. I nodded in response not wanting to make it difficult for her.

“Text me when you’re home,” I instructed her and she nodded, departing while waving me a short goodbye. I was about to turn to find my way out but immediately felt a different pair of hands on my shoulder, from the back.

“Big brother!” I heard an annoying screech and was engulfed in a big hug. I didn’t need to turn my face to look, I knew who exactly it was.

“Alvin,” I greeted and he finally let go after receiving his acknowledgements. As a brother, who was younger than me by only two years, he was too childish to be a twenty-six-year-old man.

“Be a little enthusiastic, Aiden. We haven’t seen each other in six months and it was always me coming to visit you. Makes me happy to see you here.” He expressed, as he grabbed my luggage and started following me.

“There’s not much to be enthusiastic about,” I countered and he chucked at my response.

“Your lovely brother is here and so is our dear Grandpa. Isn't that such a big reason to be happy?” He formulated with a big smile and I shook my head.

“Thanks to you who wanted to settle down.” I glared at him. Because of that decision, Grandpa chose to move back here and he arrived here a month ago while I was wrapping up my projects and clients.

I had appointed my Vice CEO Chance as the new CEO to handle the business in London, and start new projects under his guidance.

“You are welcome.” He asserted while emphasizing every word and teasing me. I didn’t acknowledge it, though. He gripped the trolley and pushed it while we stepped outside.

"Where is Aria?" I inquired. Like the kind of girl she was, she'd have a big poster of me as a welcoming memento. So, I had mentioned thrice that she shouldn't know when I'd be arriving here.

"She's on a designing expedition. She'd be back soon, though." He informed me and I hummed, feeling glad that things were going better than I had anticipated.

She was wanting to be an architect to subsist in the family business but later she found her interest in designing so she decided to settle with it. I was proud of her and was going to support her in any of her sensible decisions.

One being not want to cram the entire house with K-pop merchandise. But she never makes that decision.

“What is that attire, brother? Sweats, tee and trench? You should've dressed up better.” Alvin scoffed and I scowled at him. He was concerned about all the little things that shouldn't even bother a person.

“That doesn’t concern my handsomeness, either way.” I retorted and he rolled his eyes at me.

“Look at that sharp tongue. Women in New York must beware of you.” He gossiped like he wasn’t chattering about me to me.

“Where is Miles?” I inquired and he snapped a finger while pointing at a red Ferrari. As soon as he pointed, a person got out of the car wearing exactly the kind of clothes I was wearing.

“Miles,” I greeted with a small smile and he came to hug me. We patted each other’s back before letting go.

“Aiden,” He greeted back.

“That is the reason you only have him as your friend.” Alvin scoffed before taking my luggage to another car that was behind him.

“You brought two cars?” I asked and Miles smirked.

“My brother from another mother is back in town. Was I to welcome you in a sedan?” Miles remarked and I chuckled.

“Where are Rob and Pat?” Miles inquired. Robert was my driver and Patrick was my bodyguard. Normally, I never departed without them.

“They were busy moving their houses back so I let them take a little more time,” I answered and he nodded.

Both of them and my entire team had moved to London with me six years ago and now they were relocating back.

“You’ve become generous,” Miles asserted as we walked to his car. He sat in the driver’s seat and I slid into the passenger’s seat.

“Only to the ones I care,” I responded and he nodded.

“What do you think about being generous by leaving Alvin behind?” Miles raised a question and I smirked at him. The answer to this question was going to be an agreement no matter what.

“Good business plans are never to be denied,” I answered and Miles pushed the accelerator.

“Traitors!” We both heard Alvin’s scream behind us. We both had a satisfied smirk plastered on our faces.

“Now you know why we got two cars,” Miles proclaimed and I chuckled.

“Let’s go for a drive before we go home,” I instructed him and rested back in my seat, looking and reminiscing about life in this sleepless city.

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(The current day)

When we went back home, to the huge Kingston Mansion, I recalled the time when I had left it. It had changed a lot from what I recalled it to be.

Since it was about to be morning, early light was falling dimly lighting up the mansion.

The walls were now white, unlike the brown they used to be. The theme had changed into white and brown instead of just brown. I liked this new change.

I pushed the door open and ambled inside, glancing around the entire place and feeling a déjà vu strike me. I had gazed around the mansion just like this when Dad had bought it fifteen years ago.

“Look at the child within you.” The voice belonged to Grandpa and I turned to see him walk down the stairs in a jogging suit, looking dashing and a very old version of me.

Teal eyes, fair skin, chiselled face, resembling me but with wrinkles and his brown hair with white streaks. Though he was fit, his six-pack abs had now turned into a flat stomach, unlike mine which I sported arrogantly.

“It’ll only be within,” I countered and he chuckled.

“You’re still angry? It’s been a month, Aiden.” He justified and I looked away, folding my hands to gain a stance.

"Exactly, my point," I responded and he huffed.

“You have to know that after six years, now it felt like we could have a family back together.” Grandpa defended and I sighed.

“Did I ever make you feel like that in London? Like we didn't have a family?” I implored and he shook his head. He put both of his hands on my shoulder and made me look at him.

“You, Alvin and Aria are the only ones in the family I’m left with. I wanted to stay together in our home before I have to say goodbye to all.” He expressed and I glared at him.

“Try doing that and it won’t end well,” I cautioned him but he just chuckled.

“You know, my only wish is to see you get married and have a child, just settle down.” He conveyed and I sighed.

“That’s the only way I know to stop you here,” I replied and he shook his head.

“So, I won’t force you to settle down right now at least, since Alvin is. But not for too long. Be ready to be pestered whenever I feel like it.” He subtly reminded me and I hummed.

“Let’s not have these serious talks on this beautiful morning, Grandpa.” Miles’s voice boomed and he came to hug Grandpa.

“Good to see another young man in the morning. Might your charms rub on me, a little.” Grandpa teased and I smiled looking at him to change his mood so soon.

“Do you even need that? I would marry you in a heartbeat.” Miles played along and Grandpa laughed.

“Stop buttering me to get your arrogant butt of a best friend out of a serious talk. Go and rest now.” Grandpa patted my shoulder before leaving for his morning jog.

“Do not invite me to your wedding. It’ll be a weird occasion for me.” I retorted along with his earlier play and he grunted.

-----

We happened to rest the entire day, just laying on the bed and watching movies. For the first time in six years, I had permitted myself to accept a rest like this.

My normal rest consisted of reading files or contracts.

“Aiden, let’s go and celebrate your return,” Miles suggested when it was late in the evening. I gave him a look.

“Come on, stop being an old man. Grandpa gets more excited than you hearing the word ‘party’.” He taunted me and I rolled my eyes at him.

“You need looks and charms, not just excitement,” I retorted and shook his head.

“So, we’re going. Alvin will be introducing his fiancée to you.” He informed me subtly and I narrowed my eyes at him.

“You traitor. Trying to fool me? Didn’t work.” I told him and went to my suitcase. I didn't set my cupboard yet but I knew someone would when I would step out.

“You have to meet your sister-in-law one day.” He reminded me and I whirled to look at him.

“That one day didn’t have to be today,” I too out to him and opened the bag, pulling out a regular navy blue three-piece suit. Miles's eyes lit up as he witnessed the clothes I had selected from the bag.

“We will only go to a bar, not a club,” I warned him and he agreed. The club had too many greasy bodies and too loud music. In a bar, we can just sit and drink some good whiskey.

“Set me a suit, too. I’ll be back.” Miles announced before leaving. I pulled out a black suit for him. We both were the same in measurements so it wasn’t an issue.

I went for a short bath before changing into my suit. When Miles was back, I was almost finishing up getting ready and he scrambled into the bathroom.

I was ready exactly at 8.30 p.m. I walked down the stairs and into the hall. I didn’t wait for anyone as I was about to leave.

“Aiden! Wait!” I heard and whirled to see Miles struggling down from one staircase and Alvin from the other side. I glanced at my Rolex and shook my head in response.

“Your car is in servicing!” Miles yelled from the back making me halt. He just knew what would make me stop.

“2 minutes is all you both have,” I warned them and like Flash-speed striking them, they were ready to move.

“Let’s go,” Miles affirmed, leaving a big sigh. I nodded and followed him out to his Ferrari. Alvin, like a kid he was, called dibs on the passenger’s seat.

I sat in the backside and was pretty satisfied to have my own space before meeting Alvin’s fiancée.

I had nothing against her or even with her, just the thought that she was willing to celebrate her entire life with Alvin was daunting. I had to read her. I didn’t want anyone to hurt Alvin because even though he was a beast CEO in business, he was childlike at heart.

My phone rang loudly.

“Get away out of my face…” I immediately answered the call but didn’t say anything.

“오빠! How dare you not tell me that you were coming?!” She yelled on the call. Talk about a crazy K-pop fan who only spent money on albums, posters, concerts and all the merchandise they have.

As I heard her speak Korean, I was reminded of those emerald green eyes, who sang and danced in front of me. Since that incident, I did pay a little more attention to Aria’s K-pop stuff and came to know about all the songs I heard those Emerald Eyes mutter.

I happen to love the lyrics of this song so it was my ringtone for Alvin, Aria and Miles. Suited them the best.

“You didn’t tell me you had a trip,” I replied and she scoffed.

“It was okay that you came back but you’re partying without me.” She screeched and I put my phone away but still heard all her words.

“Aria, we’re just visiting a bar. I don’t think it’s a kid’s place.” I retorted and she let out a dramatic gasp.

“I’m twenty-two! Spare me.” She scoffed in response.

“I’m sparing you… from partying,” I asserted and hung up the call. I put my phone on aeroplane mode because I knew she’d call back.

“Great Lord,” Miles and Alvin said at the same time and I just rested back.

Suddenly, Miles pushed the speed and I jerked.

“What’s going on?” I questioned him and I saw him smirk through the mirror.

“A race,” He answered and I huffed.