Cole's burden

COLE’S POV

"You call this a quarterly report?!"

The thick file slammed against the desk, the sound echoing like thunder in the silent office.

 My father, the great Lucas Brooks, stood over me, his face twisted into a scowl of pure disappointment and my heart skipped a beat.

"I... I did my best, sir," I muttered, my jaw clenched so hard my teeth hurt.

"Your best isn't good enough, Cole!" he roared, his voice shaking the whole place. "You are my heir. You are supposed to be a king, not a disappointment. Fix it, or don't bother coming home tonight." He spat coldly and just headed out.

I didn't say a word. I just grabbed the file, my fingers pale. I hated him. I hated this life. I hated the golden cage he locked me in, because I surely wasn't enjoying anything, I was in a damn prison.

I stormed out of the office, my heart racing with a mix of rage and shame. I needed to break something. I needed to make someone else feel as small as I felt right now.

I drove home, my hands pressing the steering wheel until they hurt. The rain was still pouring, washing over the windshield like mockery and I hated everything right now. Everyone's just pissing me off.

Many will long for this status, but they clearly don't know that I have to work my ass off day in day out and still can't please him. Fuck this!

I swerved skillfully as the gates opened and stormed out, walking into the mansion, slamming the door behind me. The house was quiet. Too quiet as if everyone has gone to bed or something.

Then, I heard it.

A sound, it was a amazing. A melody with a nice rhythm. I can't deny, I loved it, but it mixing with the tage burning in me now felt like a fucking disturbance.

It was coming from the music room. A violin. It was soft, emotional, and... annoying. It was too perfect. Too emotional. It sounded like someone crying for help, and it crawled beneath my nerves, as if mocking me.

Did Dad hire someone to do this?

I marched straight toward the room, my footsteps heavy. I pushed the door open.

And behold, there he was. Liam. The annoying rat.

He was standing by the window, eyes closed, playing that stupid instrument like his life depended on it. He looked peaceful. 

How dare he be peaceful in my house when I was burning inside?

He didn't hear me come in. His body moved with the music, his face relaxed. He looked... somewhat fragile. Like a glass waiting to be shattered and thank God I was here to make sure that would happen.

A dark thought immediately setinto my head. I walked up behind him, my presence heavy like a shadow and choking to him.

"You're out of tune," I snarled.

He jumped, his fingers confused and scrambling across the strings. He turned around immediately, his eyes widened with fear.

"Cole!" he gasped, clutching the violin to his chest like his life depended on it.

 "You scared me."

I raised an eyebrow.

"This is my house," I spat, stepping closer, forcing him to back against the piano. "And that noise is giving me a headache."

"It's... it's Bach," he stammered, his voice trembling.

"I don't care if it's the fucking angels singing," I growled, my face folding into a thick scowl. "Just stop it!"

"I need to practice," he argued, his eyes glowing with a spark of defiance and that angered me the more.

"I have an audition." He explained.

Those words annoyed me the more. He should be afraid. He should be begging.

"Give me that," I demanded, snatching it.

"No!" he cried, pulling it away.

But I lunged at him immediately, my hand grabbed the neck of the violin and we struggled. He was weak, very pathetic.

And it snapped, and everyone rested. The sound was loud in the small room. A string had cut off, and it snapped against the wood.

Liam gasped, fear filled his face. He looked at the instrument like I had just killed him.

"You broke it!" he screamed, tears immediately filled his eyes. "You monster!" He cursed.

"Oops," I smirked with a shrug, laughing softly behind him.

"Accidents happen."

"You did that on purpose!" he yelled, and before I knew it, his fist connected with my jaw.

What?! 

But it didn't hurt much, but the audacity? That's what got me mad!

Ragw burned through my soul and I grabbed his collar and slammed him against the wall.

"Don't you dare touch me!" I roared, raising my fist.

"Cole! Liam!"

My mother's voice pierced the air. 

She and Lucas rushed in, faces pale with shock.

"What is going on here?!" Lucas demanded, his eyes burning with fury. He was still angry with me from the office and I wonder why he has come back home just now.

I let go of Liam, stepping back and smoothing my shirt. I put on my best innocent face and turned to them.

"He attacked me, Dad," I lied smoothly, well, not completely lying because he fucking hit me first. "I was just trying to help him tune it, and he went crazy."

"Liar!" Liam screamed, holding his broken violin. "He broke it! He hates me!"

Lucas looked at me, then at Liam. He sighed, rubbing his temples…I didn't want him to bring up the office again before this rat and with this headache we've caused, he may. Shit!

"Liam, calm down," Lucas said calmly. "Cole was trying to help. Don't worry, it's okay." He calmed him softly and rolled his eyes at me.

I know he must be burning now to hit me too.

Liam didn't take it nicely, he felt betrayed and that's one scene I enjoyed watching.

“But…” he still struggled and Dad shut him up.

“It's okay," Lucas said, pulling out his wallet. He brought out some money and handed it over to him. 

"Get a new one. You boys should stop making a scene." He warned sternly and turned to me, his gaze lingering for a little further and then hissed loudly and left.

Liam looked at the money, then at us, his mom was still in shock and speechless. He looked at me with a hatred so pure it almost impressed me. I liked it raw.

"I don't want your money," he whispered, his voice shaking and allowed it drop to the ground.

Such disrespect!

He grabbed his case and ran out of the room.

I stood there, watching him go. My heart beat with joy. I should be happy. I won. But seeing him run away, looking so broken... why didn't it feel like a victory?

"Clean this up," Lucas ordered me, gesturing to the money, and walked out, alongside mom.

“Don't worry, he'll come around,” she smiled and left 

I kicked the chair in frustration, my heart burning with anger. Of all people, me! Clean his damn room!

"Damn it!" I yelled at the empty room.

I hated him. I hated how he made me feel. And I was going to make sure he regretted ever stepping foot in my world.