8|Destiny

With several bookshelves and thousands of books lining the wood-panelled walls and the dark furnishings reminiscent of a centuries-old gentleman's club, his father's study was probably the most intense room in the house. But, it was also one of Liam's favourite places.

He remembered all the rare times he, Willow and Holly had spent in here, crowded on the floor while they read or played with their toys, happy to have their father home and wanting to be as close to him as possible because they never knew when they'll see him again. Clarke was always out of town, out of the country, chasing one big fish of a client after another. He missed so many important days. Probably why most had ended up as snapshots lined up on the fireplace.

Liam and his sisters never resented him, though. When Clarke was present, he was the best father in the world, and when he wasn't, he spoiled them rotten with insane gifts flown from all over the world to make up for his absence.

"Thank you for gracing me with your presence, Son," Clarke's wry drawl pulled Liam out of his thoughts.

His father turned off his MacBook and left his place behind the desk.

"Hi sweetheart," he murmured as he sat beside Lois and kissed her cheek. "Are you okay?"

Lois smiled, blushing prettily like a schoolgirl on her first date as they held hands.

Liam watched them wistfully and sighed. They always made him feel like a third wheel. Most of his friends' parents were divorced, he knew how lucky he was to have parents who were still in love today, as they were when they tied the knot over thirty years ago. Their commitment to each other was inspiring, and he prayed he finds something just as enduring and meaningful.

Mrs Horowitz, the housekeeper, knocked once on the ajar door and came in with a smile and a tray loaded with their afternoon refreshments.

Liam happily poured himself a cup of coffee and grabbed a handful of macarons.

His mother excused herself when she remembered she had to check on the catering for Monday night's dinner with the board members. If Clarke had his way, it would be Liam's first official engagement as CEO.

"The board meeting on Monday," Clarke began when they were alone again, and for over an hour Liam listened to him drone on about the importance of having good relationships with the board. Strong, healthy relationships would strengthen his position within the company.

"I don't need to remind you about your cousins," Clarke carried on. "They will do anything to undermine your position, and the minute they sense any weakness they'll attack. You cannot keep your guard down!"

Liam disagreed. Sure, Julian and Matthew were both highly ambitious and wouldn't shy away from senior positions in the company. But they had accomplished a lot in their own right.

He'd never admit this to his father, but he thought the brothers deserved a shot as CEO. They've poured their blood, sweat and tears into Anderson Logistics, Matthew in his capacity as a junior Creative Director and Julian as an Accountant. If he has to take over, Liam planned to make his cousins his allies. He could never understand how Clarke had sidelined his younger brother to a point where Sullivan, Julian and Matthew's father, had to give up all involvement with the company.

"Are you even paying attention?" Clarke demanded. "That Julian is a lying snake–"

"Dad, please," Liam shook his head. He didn't want to get into it with him. That 'lying snake' and his brother were not only his cousins but his best friends too. They took him to Crush last night to cheer him up. They were always there for all his tournament wins and losses. They pushed him into getting his competition license and even paid for his all racing courses when Clarke froze all his bank accounts in hopes he'd give up and join the family business. Without their support, Liam knew he would never have even earned himself a spot on Rock Union's motorsport team.

"I get it," Liam added as he downed his now cold coffee. He couldn't even finish half a macaron because it was too damn sweet.

"I don't think you do," Clark breathed in hard, a sign he was losing his patience with him fast.

To appease him, Liam nodded and leaned back in his chair, crossing his feet. His old man's speech wasn't anything he hadn't heard before; after all, this was all Clarke has ever talked about since Liam was old enough to read and understand the Business Insider. This time was different, though. He wasn't nine years old anymore. When he stepped into Anderson Logistics headquarters on Monday, he'll be the youngest CEO and board member in the history of the company.

As much as Liam hated it, and wished he could do something about it, as the eldest child and the only son, taking over the family's mega-billions operation became his destiny the moment he was born.

All three Clarke Liam Andersons before him spearheaded the family's logistics business through some of the most challenging economic meltdowns. They ushered in thousands of innovations to make Anderson Logistics the formidable giant that it is today and solidify their place in the industry. The time for Liam to step up and lead the group had finally come.

But it wasn't so much the leading he had an issue with. It was the cost that came with it, the price he'd have to pay. Surrendering his freedom and giving up on his dream. It's a loss he was struggling to come to grips with, a loss that sent him to Crush last night in a hopeless attempt to hold on to life as he knew it.

"But we agreed you'll give me time," Liam reminded him when it became clear they had exhausted all points of discussion. "I love what I do, and I'm not ready to give it up."

From the time his uncle, Sullivan, bought him his first life-size toy car, he must have been about five or six, Liam knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life behind the wheel, racing for the best team in the world. It was something he'd pursued relentlessly over the years, despite his father opposing him at every turn. It was a long hard road, especially without Clarke's support, but he'd made a name for himself in the world of motorsports and had recently won the Iconic 9 Hour Race at Rock Union's Grand Prix circuit.

"Do you think I was ready when I took over from my father?" His father whipped up his head fast, his eyes blazing with fury. "Do you think I wanted to? Trust me, I wanted nothing more than to live out my happy days with your Mom and you kids, but there were eight hundred people who needed me, who depended on me for their livelihood. Like it or not, Liam, you have a responsibility!”

"I didn't ask for it!" Liam refused to back down, and their Saturday afternoon meeting that should have been a quick amicable twenty-minute chat, spun out of control as they ranted and raged at each other.

Clarke did most of the shouting. And Liam reached for the whisky on the mantelpiece and did a lot of the drinking.

Clarke was tired of Liam's philandering ways and life of debauchery; he was continually disappointed with all the scandals he had to read about him weekly.

"For once, can you make me proud and earn yourself a cover of Business Insider? Is it so difficult?"

"For once, can you be proud of my achievements, I just had my seventh tournament win. I was on the cover of Motor Mag, doesn't that count for something?"

Of course, it didn't. Clarke thought it's time he gave up his 'hobby' and earned a living like everyone else.

"A 9 to 5 job will kill me! I'm not meant for it!"

A corner office, with its amazing 360 views, wasn't for him. He would die, maybe not physically, but it would break his spirit if he has to spend the rest of his life behind a desk.

Nothing came close to the raw adrenaline rush he felt every time he put on his suit, snapped on his helmet and took his place behind the wheel. Or the exhilarating feeling he got when he pushed his Porsche 911 GT to its limit and still come out of it in one piece. Not even sex, not the tons of money in his bank accounts, not even holding up a tournament cup while thousands of people cheered him on. It was an unparalleled feeling he couldn't bear to lose.

"Well that 9 to 5 job you hate so much has paid for your elite education! It's time you put that MBA to good use!"

Liam dug in his heels, refusing to be backed into something he wasn't ready to take on.

If his father had a more compelling reason for his sudden retirement, he would have no issue stepping in.

But Clarke wanted to focus more on the family he'd neglected for over twenty years, and maybe travel the world like he always wanted.

Liam was happy for him; he only wished it wasn't at the expense of his dreams.

"This is happening. All the paperwork has been processed, the board has agreed. Your first appointment is at 6:00 AM. Mrs Gibson will call you with the details!" Clarke's words were final, nothing Liam said would change his mind.

Defeated, Liam stood up, grabbed his car keys and wallet on the coffee table and stalked to the door.

"I will never forgive you for this!" He vowed over his shoulder as he rapidly made his way out of the study.

Liam was so enraged he knew if he's around other people he'd end up hurting someone. He jumped in his car and sped to the race circuit south of Rock Union's business district where he spent a good few hours on the track, lap after lap, burning fuel faster than his rage.

The call that changed Liam's life forever came much later when all the anger had eased from his body, and he was ready to try and see things from his father's perspective.