Stolen building project

Elias POV

The rest of the morning dragged on like a weakened hare. By the time lunch hour arrived, my stomach was churning from hunger and anxiety. I hadn’t eaten anything solid since breakfast, and the dull ache in my body made every movement feel heavier than usual.

I headed down to the company cafeteria on the ground floor, hoping for at least a few minutes of peace. But the moment I stepped through the double doors, the atmosphere subtly changed.

Everyone's body language changed immediately I appeared. A few people who were laughing at nearby tables suddenly found their food very interesting. Others picked up their trays and moved to different seats. Some outright avoided eye contact and walked away.

It was the same pity mixed with discomfort I had felt in the hallway earlier. Word traveled fast in this building. Fred’s little show must have reached everyone by now.

I clenched my jaw and grabbed a tray, picking up whatever looked edible without really tasting it. My eyes scanned the room until I spotted Emily sitting alone at a corner table near the window. She was eating quietly, scrolling through her phone.

I hesitated for a second, then walked over and sat down across from her.

Emily looked up slowly, her expression cold. She stared at me for a moment before speaking.

“Why are you here, Elias?” Her voice was flat, laced with irritation. “You should be better off staying with your dad and brother to eat. Isn’t that where your precious family love is?”

Her words stung, but I deserved them after what I had said earlier.

“Emily… I’m sorry,” I said quietly, lowering my gaze to my tray. “I didn’t mean what I said back in the office. You’ve always been there for me. I was wrong to throw your past in your face like that.”

She didn’t respond. Instead, she picked up her fork and continued eating, completely ignoring my apology. The silence between us felt heavy and uncomfortable.

We ate without saying another word. The only sounds were the distant chatter from other tables and the occasional clink of utensils.

Every bite tasted like cardboard. I kept my head down, feeling the curious and pitying stares from around the cafeteria.

Even here, I couldn’t escape it.

I wanted to say more — to explain how trapped I felt, how desperate I was for any scrap of affection from my father — but the words wouldn’t come. Emily’s silence was louder than any shouting. She was hurt, and rightly so.

We were halfway through the meal when quick footsteps approached our table. I looked up to see my father’s secretary, a stern middle-aged woman named Mrs. Harlow, standing beside us with her usual clipboard in hand.

“Mr. Elias,” she said briskly, not bothering with pleasantries. “Your father wants you in his office immediately. He said it’s urgent.”

I nodded, pushing my half-finished tray aside. “I’ll be right there.”

Mrs. Harlow gave a curt nod and walked away. I glanced at Emily, hoping for even a small sign that she had softened.

She didn’t look up.

I stood up slowly, wincing at the familiar ache in my lower body. “I’ll see you later, Emily.”

No response.

I left the cafeteria with a heavy chest, the eyes of the room following me once again.

Another meeting with my father.

Another chance to prove myself.

Or another chance to be reminded of my place.

______

I took a deep breath before knocking on the door to my father’s office. My chest already felt tight from everything that had happened today.

“Come in.”

I stepped inside and froze for a second at the scene in front of me.

My father sat behind his large desk, smiling warmly as he fed Fred pieces of fruit from a plate. He even patted Fred’s head gently, treating him like a little child.

Fred leaned into the touch with a satisfied expression, opening his mouth for another piece like it was the most natural thing in the world.

The sight struck my heart like a knife. That gentle care, that open affection… I had never received anything close to it.

I forced myself to stay composed, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“Good afternoon, Father,” I greeted quietly, my voice remained the same despite everything.

Father finally looked up at me. “Elias. Sit down.”

Hope flickered inside me as I took the seat across from them. Maybe today… maybe he’ll show me even a little of that care too. I sat down happily, waiting.

Instead, my father pushed a bowl of tangerines toward me.

“Peel some for your brother,” he said casually, not even looking at me as he cracked open another egg and placed it carefully on Fred’s plate.

My heart twisted painfully again. I stared at the tangerines for a moment before mechanically reaching for one. My fingers worked on autopilot, peeling the skin while I forced the tears burning behind my eyes to stay down. I finished and placed the peeled tangerine neatly in front of Fred.

He didn’t even thank me. He just smirked slightly and continued eating.

Father turned his attention to me. “Tell me about the building project I asked you to handle.”

I sat up straighter and began explaining, trying to keep my voice professional. “I’ve secured a prime residential area. The location is excellent — quiet, with good accessibility, and perfect for development. In no time, we can start building a huge villa and high-standard residential houses. The potential returns are very promising.”

Father nodded. “Well done.”

A small warmth spread in my chest at the rare praise. But then he cracked another egg for Fred and placed it on his plate with the same care.

My heart ached again.

“Have you signed the contracts with the contractors yet?” he asked.

“Not yet, Father. I was going to finalize everything this week—”

“Good,” he interrupted. “Give the entire project to Fred. Let him handle it from here.”

I stared at him, shocked. The words hit me like a slap.

“Why?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

My father ignored the question completely. He simply said, “And don’t tell anyone you were the one handling it. Make sure everyone knows this was all Fred’s plan from the beginning.”

Fred smirked at me across the table, chewing slowly with clear satisfaction.

I felt something inside me shatter. My hands clenched tightly under the table as I fought to hold my tears together. After all the late nights, all the effort, all the negotiations… it was being taken away so easily.

I forced the words out. “I understand. I will drop the files and everything pertaining to the project in your office tomorrow morning.”

Father gave a small nod, already turning his attention back to Fred.

I stood up, bowed slightly, and walked out of the office with as much dignity as I could manage. The moment the door closed behind me, I rushed straight to the nearest toilet.

As soon as I locked the stall door, droplets of tears began to fall. I covered my mouth to muffle any sound, letting the tears flow for a few moments. The pain was too heavy.

After a while, I wiped my face, took several deep breaths, and stepped out to the sink. I splashed cold water on my face repeatedly, trying to erase the redness in my eyes.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

Keep pushing.

You have to keep pushing.

I straightened my suit and walked out of the restroom, my expression blank once again.