Chapter 5.

Zayden

I looked from the trunk of the minivan and back at my secretary. For the first time in my life I was dumbfounded. I had no words.

I looked over to the driver. “ I swear on my grandma, sir, I have no hand in this.”

I looked over at Mr. Ace. She shifted uncomfortably on her feet, pouting her lips.

 I honestly did not know whether to be angry or not. She had just spent thousands of dollars on food stuffs that were enough to throw a party. 

 The groceries ranged from all kinds of fruits to cereals, snacks,rice, pastries,fruit drinks and even wine. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. Maybe I should have just laid her off and saved myself the trouble. The only reason I gave her my credit card was to appease my conscience for yesterday. 

  “Mrs. Ace, please tell me that you at least got yourself more than one dress”. I sighed.

“I thought you said just one blazer for the conference”. She whined.

I only stared at her. A mixture of unknown emotions swirling through my chest. She was totally unbelievable. “ Just.....just go back to work ". I told her.

“I'm…. I'm sorry “. She whispered, turning on her heels and heading into the elevator. 

I only sighed and followed her back to my office, hopefully my day wouldn't get worse. But it did because I was busy working with Mrs. Ace behind her desk. My so-called brother barged into my office like he owned the place.

“ What's up my dearly beloved brother!” He exclaimed, throwing a glance at Mrs. Ace behind her desk.

The memory of yesterday came flooding back into my head. Aiden had never visited our mother since her funeral so finding him there was absurd.

“What do you want ?” I asked plainly. Him coming here meant he was here for trouble, and I've had enough trouble the past few days.

 He stood in front of my desk, eyeing me. “ Just because father was pleased with your presentation today doesn't guarantee your stay behind this desk.”

I relaxed further into my chair. I was already used to his confrontation whenever he failed to surpass me. “It wasn't my fault you couldn't impress him”. I retorted.

I saw the flash of anger in his eyes and the clenching of his jaw. “You can't and would never be able to compete with me. So why don't you lie low and enjoy the privileges you have now.

I hate that we looked alike. I hate that we had so much striking resemblance that you wouldn't be able to tell us apart. The only difference between us was that I was a bit taller. We looked alike yet shared nothing in common.

He suddenly smiled, displaying his white set of teeth.” Happy birthday brother, even if it's coming late”. 

I tensed, my knuckles tightening into a first. Him of all people knew how much I hated to be remembered on the day I was born. 

“I actually came to give you this.” He placed a box wrapped in a white ribbon on the desk and shoved it towards me. “ It's a gift for your birthday, even if you don't deserve to have one”. 

I remained silent, trying to calm my raging nerves. We were not alone in the office, Mrs. Ace was here. I so badly wanted to punch him in the face and maybe break his jaw. Maybe add more scars to the one he had on his face .

“It's you who should be in that box, you should be six feet below, not her !” He had amusement in his eyes. 

“Get out” I simply told him.

"You won't stay here for long, Zay, I'll make sure of that even if I die trying”.

“ Then I'll be happy to be at your funeral, now leave my office”. I snarled, raising my voice a little. 

He smirked before turning away. He didn't leave immediately, he went over to Mrs. Ace, which only angered me more. I suddenly had the urge to drag him out of the office myself, but I remained seated. 

   He remained there for a few minutes discussing with her. He must have said something funny because she had laughed, something she had never done with me around. Her smile didn't fade away even until he finally left the office.

I gritted my teeth as I stared at the box in front of me. I initially wanted to toss it in the trash can but changed my mind. Aiden does things like this to piss me off. 

    The last time he gave me a gift, it was a bloodied photo of me and my mum. He had soaked my photo in pig's blood and wrapped it in a nice box. 

 I finally opened the box, to find a necklace inside. My mother's necklace. At least there wasn't pig's blood on this one. I took a deep annoying breath to calm myself, soon after I returned to work completely forgetting about Aiden. 

 Mrs. Ace came up to me a minute later, her face devoid of every emotion. Where did all that smile earlier go?

“ Umm, you have a phone call, sir ”. 

“ Is it urgent?” I asked, not bothering to look in her direction.

“ I think so ”. 

I sighed. “ What's it about?”

“Your presence is needed in the boardroom”. She told me.

“Cancel it! ” I told her. I wasn't in the mood for any meeting right now. Not only that, but I was still pissed and didn't want to end up venting my anger on others.

“But ….” 

I glared at her. She flinched and returned to her desk. I finally had my undisturbed peace back. The all too familiar clacking of heels filled my ears the next second. 

I'm groaning. The fact that I'll have to deal with people was annoying. 

Helena came rushing in, looking like she had run all the way here.

“Mr. Kent !” 

I finally snapped. “ What !” 

She paused, clearing her throat. “ Your father wants to see you “.

“ Tell him I'm busy !”

“ He's really mad .....like really mad”. 

“ So ?”

She came closer, glancing over at Mrs Ace before lowering her voice to speak." I think the contract was canceled ”. 

My eyes widened. That was impossible. The presentation went well yesterday and everything was concluded, so this can't be true. “ How .......the contract was closed yesterday”.

“I don't know, but it seemed there were some issues. Your father is really pissed. I heard him saying that he should have let Aiden handle the presentation.

I gritted my teeth. I had a bad feeling that Aiden's sudden visit earlier wasn't just a simple visit. Not only that, but I should have expected this. Everything went too smoothly yesterday. Aiden doesn't back down without a fight. I just hoped he doesn't have a hand in this, if not, then I wouldn't let this one slide, not even for our father. 

   I had millions of dollars on the line and this wasn't his first attempt at running my contracts or partnership with other companies. 

 Maybe this was what Mr. Ace wanted to tell me. Clenching my fists I stood up. 

“ Where ?" 

" The boardroom". 

 I just hoped I didn't find Aiden there, or I might actually make him kiss my fists.