4

Kylian's POV

It was Monday, unlike most people, I actually liked Mondays. Mondays were a fresh beginning. It was like New Year’s, fifty-four days of the year. I fired up the laptop and began to scroll through my emails, trying to distract myself from recalling the previous weekend escapades.

I couldn't help but bit my lower lip as I recalled how soft Yvonne's lips had been on mine and how she'd given me a taste I'd been craving for so long.

“Hey!” Kieran said walking into my office, that Monday without knocking.

“What do you want, Kieran?” I grumbled.

“You’re grumpy.”

“I am not. You barged in without even knocking.”

He sat down on my couch, crossed his legs, and stretched his arm over the back of the couch.

"Does that even count?" he asked, a grin playing at the corners of his lips.

"Yes, it counts. If my door is shut, you knock. Everyone knows that," I retorted sharply.

He chuckled softly. "Feels like old times, doesn't it? You scolding me for barging in."

"That's because it is. You used to do this all the time," I replied, my tone firm.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Back then, no one cared. Now, you're the only one to call me out on it."

"I am."

Changing the topic, Kieran asked, "So, what did you do this weekend?" I shrugged in response. "Not much, really."

Kieran nodded, offering, "I caught a Broadway show. Pretty thrilling."

I couldn't help but stare at him, wondering why he was here in my office. We weren't friends who chatted about weekends or shared Monday morning updates.

"Kieran, what's the real reason you're here? It's definitely not to discuss weekend plans," I stated, meeting his gaze directly.

He leaned forward, unfolding his legs and resting his elbows on his knees, locking eyes with me. "I can sense the tension. You're angry with me for some reason. It's about the will, isn't it?"

"Kieran, I've put in endless effort to build this company. I believe I've earned the right to lead it," I asserted.

He shrugged casually. "Then take it. It's yours for the taking. I have no interest in it."

"That's nonsense. I know you do. How could you not?" I countered.

He shook his head firmly. "I'm not interested in being the CEO. It's never been my ambition. I'm content with my current role."

"That's absurd. Why settle for less?" I questioned, frustration evident in my voice.

"I've never aspired to be the CEO. I don't see myself as your competition. You don't have to view me as the enemy," he explained, his tone calm yet resolute.

I struggled to trust his words, memories of past betrayals clouding my judgment. It had been a quarter of a century since he played a similar game on me, but the bitterness lingered. Kieran, like any typical younger sibling, enjoyed getting under my skin, pushing boundaries whenever possible. The incident with the go-kart remained etched in my mind—a coveted prize he claimed he didn't want, only to snatch it away later with ease.

"Kieran, forgive me if I find it hard to believe you. You have a history of deception. Remember the go-kart fiasco?" I challenged, my skepticism clear.

He arched an eyebrow. "I can assure you, I'm not plotting to impregnate someone right now."

"I find it hard to believe that none of you are eyeing the Litt Group's top spot. It's a lucrative business. Your disinterest doesn't sit right with me," I argued.

"I genuinely have no desire for that role, and I don't believe our brothers are scheming to overthrow you either. Relax, nobody's gunning for your position," he reassured, his tone earnest.

I considered trusting his words, hoping it would ease my concerns. However, years of past deception made me wary. Despite scanning his expressions for any signs of dishonesty, I couldn't discern anything definitive. He might have become better at hiding his true intentions, making it a risk I couldn't afford to take by letting my guard down and potentially losing my leadership position.

"Fine, so can you get out of my office?" I stated dismissively, walking past him and heading straight to the wet bar in my office. Pouring myself a small measure of scotch, I added, "There's a little something to celebrate."

"Oh? What's the occasion?" Kieran inquired.

Raising the glass with a smirk, I replied, "The fact that you won't be taking over as CEO."

"What does that mean?" Kieran's smile faded, and I responded by throwing him a mocking smile, as I raised my glass to my lips once more.

His expression looked grim as he stood up and walked out of the office, without waiting for me to answer. Irritated by his attitude, I waited for him to return. When he didn't, I poked my head out of the door to see him walking down the hall toward his office.

The situation with Kieran left me questioning if I had unintentionally given him an advantage by revealing my confidence in winning the leadership race. Despite his claims of disinterest, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was playing a game to gain an upper hand, not especially when he'd always and undeniably my main competitor, all my life.