FAMILY BANTERS

ZANE:

“Grandpa, how could he come back from God knows where and you just hand over the company to him?” Eric my cousin ranted, shooting me a fierce glare which I just met with an indifferent look.

This was the last place I wanted to be, but grandpa had been on my neck for days to attend this meeting.

I knew it was going to be the same old complaints and protests about me being the acting CEO. And my expectations were not cut short.

I'd been sitting there for about 30 minutes, and felt like my ears were bleeding out already. I let my eyes wander round the room for the nth time, completely zoning them out.

The study was carefully arranged in its decor. There were floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lining one wall, complete with a sliding ladder. A large oak desk sits near a tall window, organized with files, documents and a freshly brewed cup of tea.

A cozy wingback chair in the corner, paired with a side table, invites quiet reading, while potted green plants and soft curtains add life and light. Framed artwork and notes on the walls complete the space, blending function with charm.

The old man had impeccable taste, and put in a lot of details into his study, though it didn't distract me from the tension in the room.

Speaking of the old man, I turned my attention to him. He was seated behind the table, with a grave expression on his face as he listened to one of my uncle's rants.

“Dad, we've poured our heart, blood and soul into this company and you just handed it over to Za–” My uncle was cut short by my grandpa who raised his hand, signalling for everyone to be silent.

“Your complaints won't change anything, the company has always been and will always be Zane's–except he gives me a reason to think otherwise” His sharp gaze shifted to me.

I simply shrugged, leaning back in my chair, amusement flickering in my eyes. They put their hard work into the company, what a joke! They wouldn't know hardwork if it slapped them in the face.

“Father, my son has had sleepless nights working late hours at the office reviewing files” My aunt interjected, her tone dripping with self pity as she rubbed her son Jaden’s back. Jaden nodded solemnly.

“Oh, but last I checked, you're famous for your nightly escapades–You know different clubs, different girls,” I finally spoke up with an amused tone, watching as his face flushed red.

“Tha.. that's not true” Jaden stuttered out, his panic betraying him further.

Gandpa’s furious glare silenced every excuse he was trying to come up with. “You all think I got to this level by being easily fooled? Don't insult my intelligence!” He thundered as everyone shrank under his glare.

Any remaining complaints must have died on their tongue. The room was filled with an awkward silence.

“Leave!” He ordered. “And when you are able to contribute anything significant to the company, you can then come with your complaints!” He said, leaving no room for arguments.

“You stay” He directed at me.

“How are things going at the company?” He adopted a more serious tone.

“Good” I said simply, things had been running smoothly, though they were a lot of incompetent people there.

“What happened with Mr. Monroe?” He asked, cutting straight to the point.

“Nothing important. He tried to bite more than he could chew” I said calmly, holding his gaze, with a knowing glint in my eyes.

He sighed, his weathered face betraying his age. “Just be careful, Zane. You returned suddenly, and many are unhappy. They won't stay quiet much longer.”

The worry was evident in his eyes. His once sharp gaze had softened with age, and his snowy white hair, was a proof of how he'd carried the family for years.

“You're still not ready to speak?” He asked quietly, referring to my disappearance. He only knew fragments and not the full story.

I remained silent.

He nodded, disappointment flickering in his eyes. “Fine, You may leave. But do know—if you give me any reason to doubt your position, I'll have no other choice than to take it away”

I nodded politely at him and swiftly strode out of the study, ignoring the glares from everyone.

Family, my foot.

~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been days since I last saw Sienna, but I couldn't get her off my mind. The way she pouted when I insisted on her taking coffee and pastries with me, how she enjoyed her pastries, savoring each bite. They had always been her favourites.

I remembered how she always asked for pastries whenever we passed a cafe or bakery.

** “Zi, let's get some cinnamon buns” Sienna yelled, her eyes darting between me and the pastries, like the only things that mattered in the world.

“You're drooling everywhere” I teased. “We are not getting anything, you've already had so much you'll get a stomach ache”

She pouted, her lips curving downward in the way that always made it impossible to say no. “Oh, so now I'm fat?”

I couldn't help but burst into laughter, I couldn't take her seriously when she looked like a bear with her puffed cheeks.

“Alright, alright you can have one cinnamon bun only” I couldn't help but concede, I could never win against her.

“That's why you're the best!” She squealed and ran into the cafe…**

As I recalled the good memories, a smile tugged at my lips, but the warmth faded quickly.

It was important to talk to Sienna– tell her everything. I knew what she wanted the most was to get answers to her questions, but I can't give her those answers. Not now.

Seeing her angry at me, her gaze cold when she glanced at me, hurt more than I could explain. But it would always be better than seeing her hurt.

Sebastian had gotten off easily with just that cut. The only reason I hadn’t done more was Sienna. The thought of her was the only thing that kept me from dealing with him properly.

When I saw her text the other day, I expected it—but I couldn’t help but be apprehensive. Did she care about him so much that she’d put her anger aside just to confront me? But her words had been clear. She wasn’t upset because of him; she was angry because I was the one that got revenge for her.

Relief washed over me in that moment, far stronger than I’d anticipated.

Suddenly my phone buzzed with a notification, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I looked to see a text message from the last person I expected.

Si: Tell your men to stop following me around.

My lips tipped up into an amused smile as I read the message. I had completely forgotten about those two guys, at least they were of use and got her to text me.

I typed back quickly, my fingers dancing along my screen.

Me: What men?

Si: Don't play dumb, Zane. The men you sent to the hospital–Remember them? The ones who kidnapped me.

Me: Correction, brought you, not kidnap you.

Si: Oh, sure. And what’s your twisted definition of kidnapping then? Forget it. Just get your men off my back. They’ve already apologized, and now they’re insisting I slap them.

Me: Then do it. What's so hard?

Si: Seriously? They didn’t do anything wrong; they were following your orders!

Me: Then you'll have them around until you are able to slap them. They're really guilty and trying to clear their conscience Si.

Si: You are fucking twisted!

Me: I know Rossa.

I smiled seeing she wasn’t replying anymore. I could imagine her face flushed and her fuming because of the nickname.

I could only hold on to moments like this–until or if I'm able to get her forgiveness.

“Sir, these are the invitations to some functions you've been invited to.” James said, snapping me out of my thoughts. I hadn't even noticed him come in.

“Trash them all and send a present, with some excuse” I said, not sparing the stack of cards a glance.

“Sir, your grandfather, instructed me to ensure you look through them. He said it's important you socialize” Jacob added nervously.

“Do you work for me or him?” I asked coldly, meeting his gaze. I hated such functions, they were full of kiss ups trying to curry favor.

“You, sir “ He stuttered, his grip tightening on the cards.

“Good, now leave” I turned my attention back to the documents I had forgotten.

The sharp ring of my phone broke the silence. I wasn't surprised when I glanced at the caller ID and it was my father.

“Hello” He said in his familiar gruff voice.

“Hello” I replied curtly.

“I'm sure Jacob mentioned the invitations. You will have to attend some of the functions. We've at least given you the leisure of choosing.” He said, cutting straight to the point.

“I'm not going” Without waiting for a reply, I ended the call.

I had barely dropped the phone when it rang again. I sighed, ready to ignore it until I saw the name flashing on the screen. It was Alex, my self proclaimed best friend.

“Hey buddy” Alex’s annoyingly familiar voice rang out.

“What do you want Alex?” I growled, already regretting answering the call.

“Grumpy, as usual. Your dad called, we have some functions to attend.” He mumbled, was he chewing while talking? Idiot!

“We?” I asked, frowning. He was meant to be in Italy.

“Oh yeah, I'm in Orlando. Landed yesterday. Surprise!!” He said with exaggerated enthusiasm.

I gritted my teeth as I spoke, “What are you doing in Orlando?”

“To see you of course” He said. I almost believed him. Almost.

“We also want to establish a huge subsidiary over there” He added, confirming my suspicions.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, exhaustion creeping in as I thought about how to handle him.

“So about the function?” He asked, sounding like a dog wagging his tail asking for a treat.

I hung up, throwing my phone aside as I ran my fingers through my hair.

“Sir, about the cards” Jacob began hesitantly, “One of the invitations is from Hayes family'’

“The Hayes?“ I muttered to myself, The name stirred an odd sense of familiarity.

And then it clicked.

I shot Jacob a look of approval. “What's the event?” I asked, a thoughtful look on my face.

“The old man's 80th birthday”

“We'll attend” I said, dismissing him with a wave of my hand.

As he left, a smirk tugged at my lips. “Well Rossa” I murmured. “I guess you have a surprise in store for you.”