2- Impossible Deal

My father stood stoically beside his secretary, holding an umbrella for both of them. He dared not show a trace of sadness. He was as callous as ever, and the only thing he cared about was his public appearances. And he never showed weakness.

The cemetery was packed with his father's business associates and a few friends that Ezra called himself. But when he glanced at them and noticed how they looked at their watches, he wondered if anyone was actually Ezra's friend, or if they were just interested in his connections.

The service was over and his father walked back to the limo that was idling for them. Forbid the vehicle was too cold when they got in the car. As they left the stately place, he followed his father, staring out the window. 

Her mother was bedridden for years now, and the only machine was giving life to her, So he is angry with his father because of the condition of his mother, he even made a mistress. Even back when her mother was fine, it was obvious that Lorelei and her father had a relationship. 

Maybe they have something to do with what happened to his mother. Because of that, he became even more distant from their family. Unlike his twin, Ezra accepts what his Dad is doing, because their father is a man and needs hot flesh. For him that is wrong. It's wrong not because of his sympathy for his mother but because it's wrong to betray your wife. 

His parents have also arranged marriages so maybe their relationship was like that. That's another reason why he doesn't like the arranged marriage thing.

As he sit there thinking about his twin, he couldn't help but think of when they were much younger and they acted like brothers. But the years distorted their relationship, tearing them apart until they were almost strangers.

As the first son, his twin brother will succeed his father in their family business. Azrel Gomez wants one of his twins ready to take over the reins if needed. Ezra is ready for the role. He was born for it, and Storm is the opposite.

Ezra had the charisma, intelligence, and unwavering business sense to have taken their company to new heights. Storm is the spare son and he was very happy with it. He never wanted this company. He never aspired to be in the spotlight or crave what the CEO position brings.

Now, he will never escape it. He knows it's coming after his twin's death. Before the ink dries on his brother's death certificate, his father had a plan.

While Ezra had the drive to succeed in his father's career, Storm just wanted to live a quiet life away from the responsibilities that their father gave them. It was almost within his grasp until his late twin!

"I know that even if I'll be CEO the management was still yours."

"Then you know you need my consent to take over."

"I'm not seeking your consent. This is not the life I want. I will never run this business," he said, turning around and walking towards the door. 

"Then they'll vote for Enzo Ventura."

He stopped, closed his eyes, and tried to calm himself down after hearing the name. Enzo is the guy he hates more than his dad, and his dad knows that. Enzo used his sister Hazel against and betrayed him. They've been dating for over a year and he feels sorry for her because of her stories about his older brother's treatment of her. But everything about their relationship is a lie.

Hazel played him, conspiring with her brother Enzo to make him CEO. They thought he would take over one day and he would eventually rule the company through her. But he never thought about working in the company. When she found out, her hatred flew out of her mouth like a blue flame.

She never loved him. He had never had a thing she liked. She was more interested in his twin brother. He doesn't understand why until she called off their engagement.

He knows very well that his twin brother has always known her intentions. Ezra just didn't notify him. They never talked about it, and he never knew why he didn't tell him what Hazel's real plan was until-until he caught Hazel in Ezra's room naked and on top of his twin brother. Only then, he realized that his twin turned Hazel into one of his flings.

That's disgusting and Enzo knew it!

But Enzo is still fighting for that top spot, and if he gets it, he's going to ruin his family. He doesn't care about business, but no matter how much he hates his dad, he still doesn't want to see him or their business that his twin's worked hard for fall into Enzo's hands forever, ruin, and gone.

Slowly, he turned to his father, his nostrils open with anger. "There's no guarantee he'll be picked."

"He's been against me for years, you know. I thought I'd this taken care of with your brother, but-

He nodded, realizing that everything was ruined now. He stroked the stubble on his face with his hand and sighed. Is he really willing to sacrifice his life and happiness for a father who never gave shit about him as his son or acknowledge his wife?

He was never good enough for him. He was a family rebel he can't control, and if he decide to take his place, he'll own him. His life will be taken away by a man who doesn't care about his and her mom's happiness. The knock on the door made him turn around.

"Sir Azrel, Gael Mendez is at the door," Lorelei said eagerly.

He swallowed hard and did something he swore to himself he would never do. He gave in. "I have this," he said hoarsely. He adjusted his suit to put on the face he have trained in all business relationships. Then he walked out of his father's office to prepare for the inevitable - his marriage to Gael's sister.

***