CHAPTER 2. BRANDED

“What?!“ Richard Tyson had his fist clenched in boiling fury.

“It was Ursula. I think this is one of her schemes to have me pander to her every sexual whim.“ Arthur spoke with much assurance, narrating in detail his encounter with her earlier.

“That scheming witch!“ Richard rasped. His fury was evident in his blue eyes. “Wait till I get my hands on her.“

“Ursula's one thing. The press is another. How could they buy a story so absurd as this?“ Arthur threw the crumpled magazine in a waste bin. 

“How could they not?“ Richard retorted. “You're one absurd personality. Your absurdity clicked perfectly with the story's.“ Richard gave a fake beam, rubbing at his jawline.

“Are you trying to get me cackling?“ Arthur asked. “If so, then try something else. Calling me absurd isn't doing the trick.“

“No. On the contrary, I'm being very serious. Something I haven't been in a long time. You're absurd. I think it's about time you realize that.“

“How so?“ Arthur leaned back on his chair, awaiting whatever reasons he had for calling him absurd.

“For starters? You've never been seen with any female. That includes humans and animals. You avoid that gender like they were some plague.“

Arthur tensed at that. His eyes flickered at the emotions that welled up in them. Richard waited for any arguments but Arthur had none. Richard was right. He avoided female company. And yeah, they were the worst plagues. Stacie was living proof. 

“Good.“ Richard nodded satisfactorily at Arthur's lack of words. “Another absurdity is the fact that you live in an apartment. “

“And what the heck is wrong with that?“

“Everything, man. You're a billionaire. The Belmont mansion is the best in the region. Who would wanna abandon it for an apartment?“

“I love my privacy. The apartment gives me that.“ Arthur shook his head. Richard would never understand. He practically lives in the heart of the city. He loved the buzzes and frenzies of the city, being the overly-social Casanova that he was.

“Arthur, what are the possibilities that you're gonna run into your uncle if you both lived in the mansion? None!“

“If you love the mansion so much, you could always move in.“ Arthur's sarcasm had a fake grin accompanying it.

“This isn't about the mansion, man!“ Richard snapped irritatedly. “This is about you. Your preferences. Your zero social life.“

“I tend to value my time and dedicate it all to the company.“

“And look where that got us. We're now seen as gays!“

“I don't think you should get worked up any further than you already are. It's not worth it.“

“Yeah, you're gonna say that because you got nothing to lose. I, on the other hand, have my social life hanging by a thread!“

“Tune it down, man.“ Arthur cautioned. “If you wanna yell at someone, then go look for Ursula.“

“You're the one who should look for her. When you find her, go down on her. Take her through a thousand orgasms. Do whatever it takes but be sure to convince her to take down this article. “

“I think this whole thing has done your brains pretty bad. Go cool off.“ Arthur gestured at him to leave.

“I'm damn serious, man!“ Richard was on his feet. “You gotta do something about this.“

The creaking sound from the door, followed by footsteps disrupted their talk.

“Am I interrupting?“

“No. Come in, Uncle. Richard was just...“ Arthur met his hard gaze. “...leaving.“

“You and I gotta talk. Do you hear me? We're gonna talk.“ Richard angrily stomped out of the office.

“What's up with that one?“ 

Arthur shook his head, unenthusiastic to go into the awful details. “Have a seat.“ 

Mr. Chad Belmont, Arthur's Uncle, was a plumpy man with primness and elegance. His freckled face aligned with his grey hair. His poise screamed authority, just like a Belmont.

“The Japanese architects canceled at the last minute.“ Chad Belmont stated.

“Yeah. Their flight was delayed. The meeting will be rescheduled for tomorrow.“  

“You wanna explain this?“ Chad threw a magazine on the table.

Arthur leaned back, puffing dejectedly. “Not this again.“

“What went wrong that such an article had to be printed? “

“Ursula went wrong, Uncle. I'm fed up with that broad. Getting me in bed with her seems like her life goal. This article just proved how far she's willing to go.“

“Then why don't you just do it?“ 

Arthur's dark eyes narrowed as he leaned forward. “Do what? “

“Be her lover.“ Chad said those words with so much ease. “For all I know, Mr. Devon has been much of a help to us.“

“Yeah. So the old man helps me and I bang his daughter to show my appreciation. That's awesome!“ Arthur threw his hands in the air in a fake glee.

“Well, if she's asking for it, who are you to say no?“ Chad shrugged nonchalantly. “Besides, you're in no position to be defiant. Go bang the shit out of that broad, or be called gay all your life. Doesn't look like you've got a choice.“

Chad's words ripped up the tiny patience Arthur had going. “Ursula's one promiscuous witch. I think what she's craving is a Belmont. It doesn't matter if it's you or me.“

“What are you trying to imply?“

“That I'm sick and tired of being pushed to that witch's arms. So please, feel free to take my place. In the meantime, do excuse me. I've got tons of work to attend to.“ Arthur rasped in a breath.

Chad Belmont stood and headed to the door. A little hesitation and he turned around. “It's plain stupidity, tying yourself to the chains of a love that didn't work.“ 

Arthur looked up sharply but his uncle was already gone.

He roughly tugged at his tie, feeling suffocated from everything happening lately.

All these months, he refused to look closely at his reason for avoiding the female company.

But deep down he knew. It was all because of Stacie. A yeah and six months gone but she still invaded his dreams and thoughts. 

He'd always known loving another would be impossible. But most times, he questioned fate for being so unfair. Stacie was probably happy somewhere. Why couldn't he be? If loving her was wrong, and suffering from it was his retribution, then hasn't he suffered enough? He deserved some peace. He's had enough pains to last a lifetime.

Arthur shuddered at the thought of Ursula being the one to heal his wounds. Stacie might have abandoned him but the times he'd spent with her were worth it. Ursula was a walking disaster. Or maybe all females were walking disasters, seeking the unlucky guy to destroy. In Stacie's case, he was the unlucky guy. And she'd dealt badly with him.