Always Second… Best

“Cheers to you, Seb.” Santiago and Sebastian clinked glasses and drank from them.

“Thank you.” Sebastian put the glass on the table and leaned back in his chair. “I wouldn’t have done this without your support, Santiago.”

Santiago smiled and refilled his glass.

“Dad would disagree.” He gulped the whole thing at one go.

Sebastian gave a deadpan look. “Must you spoil the mood?” Santiago rolled his eyes. “I don’t care what Dad has to say. You played a major role in making sure this deal was sealed, so take it in. You deserve it.” He tapped the table.

Santiago sighed and placed the glass on the table. He kept using his fingers to line the edge of the glass as he looked at its content.

“Sometimes I wonder what would make Dad loosen his grip on me.”

Silence filled the room for a second, then Sebastian spoke.

“Probably a hot Hawaiian dress with coconut bras,” they both burst out laughing.

“He needs to get laid, you mean?” Santiago chuckled.

“Maybe he’ll get some release at least,” Sebastian shrugged.

Santiago shook his head and stood to his feet. He walked to the small table across the room and came back with his briefcase in hand.

“There are things we need to work on to accelerate the current finance of Deluix Business, meetings we need to set up in a couple of weeks, and—”

“Stop, Santi. We are here to celebrate. We can always get back to work later. Just relax and enjoy our success of the day,” Sebastian said while putting away the document Santiago brought out.

Santiago sighed in relief and took the glass again when the door opened, revealing a tall man with short, dark curly hair and a sleek suit on.

A wide grin was plastered on his lips when he closed the door and walked towards them.

“Daniel the man” Santiago raised his glass to him.

Sebastian stood to hug him. “How are you doing?”

“Good man. How about you? I heard you’re closing deals recently,” he teased.

“It’s teamwork, bro, teamwork.” Sebastian pointed at Santiago.

Daniel and Santiago shook hands, and he sat beside Santiago.

Sebastian turned to the small shelf behind his chair and brought out a cup.

“Congratulations to both of you. Brothers making an impact.” Daniel said. “This would make news, thank you.” He collected the glass and poured some champagne for himself.

“I don’t think it’s a new thing to the media, so maybe not,” Sebastian shrugged.

Daniel forced a smile and drank all the content of his glass, then refilled it to the brim.

“Careful, man,” Santiago cautioned.

“We’re celebrating, aren’t we?” Daniel asked, sounding slightly upset and annoyed but trying very hard to mask it with a smile. “Let’s get the party started.” He took off his jacket.

“And have our dad kill us three? Nah. We can head back to my place after work to continue celebrating.” Sebastian relaxed into his seat and sipped from his glass.

Daniel refilled and drank the champagne at once.

The door opened to reveal Julian in his middle-age glory. Salt and pepper hair slicked back. A dark suit buttoned down and a shoe that shone when the sunlight hit its surface.

He waltzed into the office with a proud smirk on his lips as he focused his gaze on Sebastian.

All three men stood as he approached them.

“A son all parents are proud to call theirs.” He stretched his hands forward, and Sebastian took them. “Well done. I’m proud to call you my son.” He patted his shoulder.

“Thank you, sir. It was a team effort.” Sebastian pointed at Santiago, who breathed out shakily as he looked at his dad. “Santi put in as much effort as I did into making this a—”

“Okay, no, no,” Julian interrupted him. “You don’t need to tell me who put in work or not. I watch the both of you, and I know who’s doing their best and who is wasting their time,” he said firmly, glancing at Santiago when he said the last words.

Santiago aggressively put down the cup on the table, making its contents spill on the table.

“I put in my best into this project too, Dad. I might not be as good as Sebastian, but I did my best.”

“Then maybe your best isn’t enough.” He turned to Santiago, eyes cold as ice.

Daniel quietly watched the drama unfold before him.

“You’re always a part of something; why don’t you start being ‘something’ instead for a change?” Julian asked plainly.

Sebastian frowned. “Dad, I’d appreciate if you valued Santiago’s contribution to the growth of Martinez Industries more and stopped downplaying him at every given chance,” Sebastian voiced his opinion.

Julian glared at him, nose flared.

“I would appreciate him more when he stops fooling around and becomes something of immense value!” he said firmly.

Santiago kicked the chair behind him and faced his father with eyes blazing like fire. His chest rose and fell with quiet fury.

“Congratulations once again, Seb. I expect something bigger next time.” Julian nodded at Daniel, who nodded back and walked out of the office with his head high.

“I’m gonna show him what great value means,” Santiago grunted.

“Santi, please calm down.”

“Calm down? You saw what that man came here to do. Every single thing he has been doing since I was a teenager.” He raised his voice.

“Don’t let him get to you. That’s the whole idea of saying all those. To get under your skin.”

“Well, he succeeded!” Santiago threw his hands in the air.

Daniel watched the exchange between the brothers while he sipped on his glass. A small smile broke on his lips.

Sebastian sighed and leaned on the table.

“I need you to calm down and stop letting Dad get to you. We all are aware of all the work you put in every project we engage in. Don’t let the criticism of someone make you think otherwise,” Sebastian tried to convince him.

Santiago didn’t listen, he paced around the room and kept muttering under his breath. His eyes were red from anger, and his heart raced from anger that surged through his entire being.

“Santiago, don’t do anything that will fuel Dad’s negative opinion about you,” Sebastian said when Santiago snatched his keys from the table.

Santiago stopped to look at him. “Nothing I do will make him see me differently, so what’s the point in warning me?” he said and walked out of the office, slamming the door behind him.