DYLAN
“Ma! This is a pleasant surprise, how are you doing?” I asked pleasantly, praying to the heavens that she wouldn’t ask about dad.
“I’m doing alright honey, but this isn’t a social call.” She said to me in a rush. “Are you at work? Is your dad around? He hasn’t been answering my call for two days, and I’m worried. I even want to cancel my stay at your Aunt Helen’s place because I really have a bad feeling about this.”
There she goes again; Always interested in her husband so much that she overlooked petty things such as my feelings.
Typical ma.
I was used to it now, but that didn’t mean it made accepting it any easier. She always had this notion that if you pretended a problem wasn’t there, it would go away on its own eventually, and I think that notion had been responsible for ruining our perfect family.
I guess we all never got the closure we needed to begin our forgiving process as a result.
“Ma, calm down, calm down.” I assuaged her worries, while desperately thinking of something to tell her.
Dad had made me promise not to tell her anything… at least until she got back from her trip, and knowing how she was going to worry, I completely agreed with him this time.
“Dad is fine, very busy with work, but very fine. I was just in the office with him about thirty minutes ago.” I lied.
“Oh really?”
“Yeah.” I replied. “You know, he was telling me his phone had a little problem… I’m guessing that’s why he hasn’t been able to answer your calls. I’ll call when I’m around him, so you two can speak, alright?”
She was silent for a moment. “Alright, son. I would appreciate that very much. Now away from all that… tell me, how are you doing? Settling into the company fine? Are you and your dad getting along well?”
Oh, so now she cared?
I shook off the petty feeling of jealously. “Yeah, yeah ma… it’s not that bad. I realise I like working over there actually.” I admitted, albeit begrudgingly.
My mother chuckled slightly. “See? I told you everything would be just fine. You were just being absolutely hot-headed for no reason.”
She gasped dramatically. “Oh, that reminds me… I managed to convince your sister to come over for a visit.”
What?!
Impossible!
Now, I don’t know how Ma had been able to accomplish such a feat, because one thing everyone knows about my big sister Savannah, is the fact that she is a very stubborn woman…even more stubborn than I was, which was saying a whole lot. Once she makes up her mind about something, she rarely changes it.
Savannah had sworn never to return home right before she had left for New York, and she never told me she was in touch with our mum, so this came as a huge surprise. I was convinced I had been the only one she called occasionally, but even I had not heard from her in almost three years.
So what had changed now?
To the best of my knowledge, no one knew that Dad was sick, except Brielle and the few people that had seen the ambulance convey him to the hospital, so I was positive she didn’t know a thing.
“How did you manage to do that, Ma?” I asked in amazement.
Ma was the least likely person to get Savannah to come back, so you can imagine why this was even all the more shocking.
I didn’t need anyone to tell me that the old woman on the other end of the line was tremendously enjoying this moment. It was all over her tone. “Well dear son, if I told you my secrets, they wouldn’t be secrets anymore now, would they?”
“Ugh no?”
“Good. Then, don’t ask me about it.”
Wow, okay.
Well, either way… I was glad that after a very long time, I’d finally be seeing my dear sister again. It seemed like a dream come true, because even though we had argued and fought a lot just like every other pair of siblings, we had always been close, and we had had each other’s backs. This was why her sudden departure without telling me anything had hurt my feelings.
“Expect her anytime this week Dylan, and I’ll try to cut down the duration of my trip so I can be home as soon as possible, alright?”
“Alright, Ma. We’ll talk later. Bye.” I hung up and walked into the hospital.
BRIELLE
I had just finished a late lunch of pasta and was stuck in that wonderful space between satisfaction and sleepiness, if you know what I mean.
My phone started ringing all of a sudden and I lazily reached for it. It was Silvie.
Way to ruin my relaxation moment, bestie!
“Hey Syl, what’s good?” I asked after answering.
“Oh, nothing really… nothing really, Lu. You busy?”
“Uh yeah I was, but not anymore.” I declared.
“Good, good. Because I’m so bored at home, and I just can’t get my mind off you and the stranger you spent last night with.” She stated as a matter of fact.
Shit, shit, shit!!!
How did she know?
And after all the lengths we had gone to make sure she didn’t find out too.
We’re going to have to play dumb, Lucia!
Alright. Play dumb, play dumb… here we go.
“Stranger? What are you talking about Syl? I never went out last night, and I definitely didn’t spend the night with any stranger.”
Well at least one of them was the truth.
Silvie chuckled. “You know, sometimes I don’t even know why you bother, Lucia… especially when you know I’m going to fish you out only minutes after you lie.”
Fuck.
“I honestly don’t know what you’re still going on about. I have told you I was home last night… doing nothing-”
“Cut the crap, Lu. Was it Mark?”
What, how?
“Mark? Why would you—”
“Mrs. Robinson told me about you guys, Lucia. And I’m disappointed that I had to find out from her of all people, you know.” She pointed out sadly.
I winced.
That sleazy annoyingly frustrating old woman!
I sighed. “I’m honestly sorry I didn’t tell you about Mark. He was just a short time fling that’s why I didn’t bother telling you about him.” I explained.
I don’t know why, but I was actually ashamed of my short time relationship with Mark, and I guess that’s why I found it hard to tell Silvie about it.
“I was in the apartment with someone last night,” I admitted softly. “But it wasn’t Mark, and we actually didn’t do anything. I took care of him because he was drunk.”
“I see. Who was it, Lucia?”
“It was-”
I was interrupted by a quick knock and Chloe popped her head into my office. “Brielle you have a visitor.”
I signalled for Chloe to give me a moment. “You know what, Syl? I’ve gotta go, but I promise we’ll talk about this when I get home tonight, alright?”
She sighed dramatically. “Well, alright. Bye.”
I turned my attention to Chloe. “Come in, come in.”
She did as I said and closed the door behind her.
The pretty blond had finally come around now. I mean, we weren’t besties or anything… but we were much more cordial now, and weren’t glaring at each other menacingly like we had been doing in the morning or the days before that.
“Did he or she give you any information as to who they were or something?” I asked with regards to her earlier statement.
She shook her head in the negative. “The only thing he said was that his name was Ryan Rodriguez and that you were expecting him.”
Ryan!
I honestly don’t know why I was suddenly feeling all jittery and nervous. Perhaps, it was the fact that I considered his beauty other-worldly,
Or maybe it was the fact that I always felt like he was flirting with me, but it was so subtle that I had doubts as to whether it had happened in the first place.
Or was I attracted to him in a way?
No!
I didn’t think so.
Steeling myself and getting a grip on my wondering thoughts, I managed to thank Chloe and ask her to send him in.
The door barged open, and he walked in in all his glory.
He was a sight for sore eyes, but he seemed pissed.
Wait, pissed?
I stood up. “Mr. Rodriguez, this is a pleasant surprise.”
“Oh is it?” he stopped in front of my desk, and placed his hands on them, to support his huge frame.
I was confused, and so still had this weird smile stuck on my face. “Mr. Rodriguez, I don’t understand-”
“As someone who is an investor to this company, don’t you think it is only fair that I be informed that the CEO and president is seriously ill, and has been admitted at the hospital?” He demanded angrily.
Fuck!
“Ryan, we are honestly very sorry for keeping this information away from you, but in our defence… Shawn had kept his ailment secret, and we got to find out only yesterday, when he passed out and was rushed to the hospital.” I lied desperately, trying to calm him down.
He scoffed. “You mean to tell me that you didn’t know he was sick?”
I hung my head in shame.
He knew I was lying.
“I knew. I’m so-” I tried to apologise, but he cut me off. “I don’t need your apology for anything, Lucia. The deal is off.” He turned to walk out of my office but I quickly caught up with him, and grabbed him by the arm. “Ryan, please give us a second chance, I’d do anything to convince you to work with us.” I pleaded desperately.
He turned to look at me, the anger dissipating somewhat. “You’d do anything?” He asked.
I realised just then, that perhaps I had been too hasty. “I’d do anything, only if it’s in my power, and won’t go against my principles.” I amended.
Ryan smiled. “Fair enough. My request is simple, Lucia. Go on a date with me, and I won’t call the deal off.”
I stood there looking at him in shock.
DYLAN
“Son, do you think you can convince your sister to let me talk to her when she does arrive in New Orleans?” My dad asked as I got ready to head back to the office.
He was doing so much better and was probably going to be discharged the next day or something.
I paused to look at him.
You know, it’s so funny how about a week ago, I could barely stand to look at this man. Now, when I do look at him… all I see is a broken man who was still trying to make amends for mistakes he had committed a long time ago. It was sad, really.
“You know how Anna is, dad. I barely hear from her anymore, hell I think the last time I spoke to her was three years ago, but I mean, I’ll try… just don’t get your hopes up, alright?”
“That’s all I ask for. Anyway, how did it go with Brielle?” He asked, changing the subject.
Yes, he knew.
He had found out that I liked her when we had gotten to talking, and he was the one who had even suggested I apologise when I had been too ashamed and was contemplating avoiding her instead.
Needless to say, his plan had worked.
Brielle and I were friends, but I was going to change that pretty soon.
Fingers crossed.
“We’re talking now, dad. And I guess I have you to thank for that.” I declared with a smile that caused him to chuckle slightly. “Anything for you, son.”
“You should know though that she doesn’t know that I’m no longer competing with her for the vice president role yet, so don’t go blabbing, alright?” I warned.
Brielle deserved the role, if for no reason at all, for the amazing way she had handled everything at the office this morning. Everyone back at RetroCorp had been so full of praise for how she had been able to just take control so easily. But I didn’t want her knowing that the position of vice president was all hers for the taking… not yet anyway. I loved the competition, hell it gave me a chance to rile her up even more.
“Crystal clear.” My father agreed as I helped him sit up at his silent request.
I took one last look at him. “Alright, I’ve got to go. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow, alright?”
“Alright, son.”
I turned to leave but he reached out for my arm. “Honestly, Dylan. Thanks for doing this… for giving me a second chance. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
I smiled wanly. “Well, we all deserve second chances, don’t we?”
I walked out of the room.
******
In all truth, I almost drove myself home.
It was just the thought of seeing Brielle that had brought me to the office instead.
The elevator doors opened to our office floor and I quickly walked out with the intention of going straight over to see Brielle, but Chloe calling out my name had me making a detour instead.
“What is it Chloe?”
To be honest, I was very surprised to see her prancing around, doing tasks for Brielle… I mean, I knew they definitely had some cold feelings towards each other, (I’m not that oblivious, you know) so it completely took me by shock.
It was great to know they could set aside their differences.
Chloe snapped me out of my thoughts. “You have someone waiting for you in your office, Dylan.”
I raised an eyebrow.
Who could it possibly be?
“Okay. Did they give you a name?”
“Well, she said she was your girlfriend, and from her demeanour, I didn’t want to get into trouble with her so I just let her in.”
My girlfriend?
My gut was telling me it was that Madeline woman I had slept with… you know, the investor. I prayed to all that was true that I was mistaken because I was honestly in no mood for her antics today.
I was pissed off at Chloe too. I mean, couldn’t she at least call me to confirm if whatever the person had said was true before letting them in? I was going to have to talk to her about this, but I’ll do so later.
Let’s deal with the more pressing issues first.
“Alright, thank you, Chloe.”
I barged into my office, my whole senses completely poised and ready for confrontation, but the person I saw sitting in my office chair was the last person I had ever expected to be waiting for me.
“Savannah!” I whispered, taking in her whole appearance.
It really was my big sister.
She looked different, but yet still the same if that even made sense.
“Oh my God, it’s really you.” I declared, still in a daze. It honestly felt like a dream. My sister just chuckled. “Yes, it’s me.”
She stood up from my chair, walked over leisurely and engulfed me in a hug. “Hello, little brother. Missed me?”