Fate in Captivity

Chapter 17- His Family

(Aubrey)

Our lips are still sealed but our eyes are busy glancing to each other, testing the atmosphere if we can ask something or just comment to the answer he gave to us. I did not know that Ken was his stepbrother and I don't think I heard anything about it when we were still at school, or is it just like other rich families that they wanted to kept things or controversial issues as this one? If so, why now? Why do we have to discover it now and why they are both in my company? Looks like I would go home later and ask my parents personally about it. They did not say anything to me aside from the fact that Aly just gave me a folder where I can see their personal backgrounds, it is just like their curriculum vitae but just for formality. 

"He is my stepbrother." as what Julius exclaimed to us. 

"Now this is a scoop." Camilla mumbled and we all looked at her, she just shrugged her shoulders like it was normal for her to consider revelations as major scoop for reporters. 

"How is that possible?" I just asked, I know my question does not make any sense but that are just the words I can say right now. 

"What do you mean how is that possible? My dad got impregnated her assistant, it was a long term affair but my mom was not saying anything, just being the martyr." He explained to us. 

"Then, years passed they revealed the truth to mom and she just accepted that lad without saying anything back." he continued and I saw how hurt he is about it. 

"Why are the two of you in my company?" I directly asked to him and he just sighed upon hearing it. 

(Julius)

The four of them must be wondering how did I got a stepbrother and why we are indifferent to one another, as anybody would notice when we got together in that welcoming event for interns. We are not close, of course, he was only brought to our home probably two or three years ago while we are still in middle school. That is the time dad told me that I am in an arranged marriage and he introduced us his son to another woman. Mom got stressed and probably out of her mind right now, so the woman I cam with during that dinner date we had is my stepmother. Of course, not all people knew about this, aside from the families within the circle of industry. 

I don't have anything to say to them, it is just the matter of endure how bad is your life is, or leave and forget everything you had. People with situations like mine would understand that at the end of the day, obeying their wants and plans for your life is more peaceful than resisting and explaining your side. I still remember that day when dad brought that kid and he was only staring at me with his kind smile, the usual face you could see on him. I did not bother to ask at first, he might be the other kids that dad brought to our home for adoption, I did not know that it was because he was preparing my mom for it. 

I asked my mom that day of revelation if she knows about it already and she just gave me a weak smile, that is when I thought that maybe mom already knew from the beginning but she just chose to remain calm and accept everything like it was her planned fate. That very day, I also decided to protect my mom and just be obedient to my dad, I rejected Aubrey, I finished fashion related course that I did not like in the first place and even accepted this marriage. But I did not know that our paths would crossed again and she would be the person arranged for me, that sure compensates all the sacrifices I made. However, not all came in one package, there would always be issues that might arise in between, dad just told me yesterday that Ken would also apply to Aubrey's company and he might also be the one being arranged with Aubrey, I was mad, I went in rage but it was all in me. I just decided to make moves and have the upper hand and I did not expect that this jerk would also use his cunning tactics.

I did not tell this to her but I actually saw them at the park that morning. I saw how he nonchalantly approached her without any warnings. I just felt relieved when Aubrey do have her unique personality with her, not being gullible and easy to trust to everyone she met. This morning I saw him smiling at her, signaling how did their first encounter went, I sudden felt anger as my blood boils, still I calmed myself down and still give Aubrey the smile she always see with me. 

"Julius..." I looked at Aubrey who is now tipsy. Hours passed and I did not notice that they are already drinking alcohol while listening to my story. 

"Aubrey! You are drunk!" I exclaimed to her and she waved her hands like she was telling me she is not. 

"Let's go home." I said to her and grabbed her hand. She quickly shook it off and she grabbed another glass of wine. I saw her other friends and they were now knocked off. How could they drink publicly with their drunk habits like this? I just mumbled to myself. 

"Julius, you say that either one of you might really be my husband, right?" I looked at Aubrey who was now talking while her eyes are half-closed. 

"Right, but we can talk about this later." I said to her and I was about to put away the glass she was holding but she moved her face towards mine. 

"What if I fell for him instead for you?" she seriously asked and I cannot answer her question immediately. 

"Come on, you are drunk." another pair of arms grabbed her from me and I saw it is Ken, I did not react right away and I just silently fixing her things. 

"Her secretary is here, you don't have to give her a ride." he said to me of course with his kind smile. I distanced myself as I know I cannot do anything at this point. I just moved towards the three and started shaking their shoulders to wake them up. The same time as Aly arrived, Aubrey was now a bit sober and her friends are just staring blankly. I don't know what kind of alcohol they drank but for them to be wasted like this? This is definitely not the regular one. 

The two of us helped Aly to support these four drunk girls to their car and for them to go home. After letting them to get in, Ken and I just stood there staring how the van left the parking lot. We looked at each other and he quickly went ahead. I followed him until to the elevator and stood beside him, waiting for the lift. 

"Did you did something funny with the drinks?" I firmly asked to him and he only looked at me. 

"What are you saying?" he answered in his emotionless tone. 

"Pretentious jerk." I mumbled. 

"Are you now done?" he arrogantly asked and he get in the elevator upon the doors opened. We are just weighing each other's stares and when the doors were about to close, I put my hand in between resulting for it to open again. 

"If you are thinking you could seduce her, dream on." I said to him upon entering. 

"I don't plan on seducing her. I just plan to be the opposite of you." he plainly answered to me and I swear, I want to punch him to his face here and now. 

"Crazy punk." I just said to him and he just started laughing, seems acting like he does not feel any fear with me. 

"Stop having inferiority complex with me, brother. If you want to win her back do something, not just always blaming it to me when you failed in the end." he firmly said to me especially the final part. He get off and gave me a smirk. 

The elevator closes and I just let it take me until the highest floor, my apartment. I bet that kid told them a lie that we are not the owner of that restaurant he was working in, this place was owned by his mother and the brand we are having is co-owned by my mother with dad. But things changed, he suddenly wanted to start the business at young age so it was initially named under his mom.

I entered my apartment and sat on the couch, it was a very tiring day. I looked at the ceiling and I still can't calm myself down knowing that he was playing with me. If I did not followed him here, Aubrey might have been in a situation that she cannot escape by herself. It was a bait, a strategical bait for him to be the final owner of the company. I did not felt any competition when we were kids, he was really a good kid, he would always follow you around, being curious about things you are doing and there is you explaining the adult world to a kid in front of you, that is heard- but I salute his mother for teaching him that at very young age, if that is about being greed and unsatisfied, sarcasm intended. 

"Julius! I did not notice you came in." I looked back and I saw mom working something at the kitchen. 

"Mom, you did not tell me you were visiting." I exclaimed to her and she just chuckles. 

"The perfect reason why it is called as surprise.' she answered as she were decorating her dish on the table.

"I did not notice you, though." I said and washed my hands. 

"Me too, maybe I was being so focus about my work." she answered and I was about to get some food she was preparing when she hit my hand, telling me to stop it.

"I am not yet done, just sit and wait for it." she said and I did what she said. She keeps on putting dishes on the table and she went back and forth thrice. She finally sat in front of me and one by one opened the lids of the containers she put the food. 

"What celebration do we have today? You brought a lot." I said to her and she smiled at me. 

"Today is your father's birthday, I cooked it for him but looks like she has dinner with that woman." she answered and I automatically put down the utensils I am holding. 

"Mom, this is not right." I firmly said and stood up. I was about to walked away and leave but she hold onto me, silently but her grasps was tight and her hands were trembling. 

"Son, it's alright." she whispered to me. I looked back and she looked teary-eyed, I now can't stop myself to shed also some tear, but I quickly wiped it off and turned my back on her. 

"I cannot see you live like this, mom." I said to her. 

"Julius, it's alright. Your dad seems happy and I just need you to be happy now." she answered. Why did deities gave me this very kind and pure-hearted mom? I am not great, I am not religious or something for me to deserve this. I am just nothing, for me to have her raise me. 

"How about you mom? Are you happy?" I firmly asked to her, stopping myself to choke myself from tears.

"Of course, you are with me. That is what all matters." she answered and I guess she was smiling at my right now, but I don't have the guts to see it personally. 

"I got it, just continue eating, mom. I would get something outside." I said to her and slowly put down her hands on my. 

I walked away, left my place and quickly get on the elevator. I entered the restaurant where I trust that I can meet them, especially my dad. But upon entering, my feet won't move, my eyes won't stop crying and my hands won't stop trembling- not because I am afraid or something but instead, it is because I was mad. I saw them sitting one table, laughing, being a real family. I saw how dad laughed at all Ken's jokes and responds to all the things he is saying to him. His mom was beside dad and they were eating like a great family, a family that is brought by moral and fate. 

"I told you, son. They are happy especially your dad." I looked beside me and I saw mom smiling at them, contented and peaceful. 

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