Chapter 2
"You are late." Benji said to him from the sofa he was curled on.
"Why are you lying down there? And in my office?" Brandon asked him with a frown.
He took in his surroundings and the only person who appeared to be working was his brother. Alec as always was neck deep in a video game. His hoodie, covering half of his face. Benji looked like he was about to pass out on the sofa he was lying down on.
"I feel sleepy. I don't understand all your business jargon. The only thing I understand is something that has to do with fists but Kevin dragged me here." Benji told him with a yawn.
"Wrong, I never dragged them here…."
"Forced, more accurately." Alec added not once lifting his eyes from the video game he was playing.
"....I never forced them. They just happened to be present when I got the news. They took it upon themselves to be present." Kevin said to him with a yawn.
Brandon took note of the bags under his brother's eyes. He appeared tired.
"How long have you guys been here?" Brandon asked him as he moved to his chair.
"Few hours." Kevin said.
"Six hours thirty six minutes, forty seconds, oh, make that forty one now." Benji said to him.
Brandon wasn't surprised. Benji was a time freak. He was one who made sure his time was spent doing something worthwhile. Brandon turned to his brother.
"It's been hours since you found out about this and you are just telling me?" Brandon asked him.
"I'm sorry. I thought I could handle it but then things spiraled out of hand." Kevin said to him with an apologetic gaze.
Brandon sighed. His brother was always trying to prove himself and no matter how many times Brandon told him he was doing good, he always felt he wasn't doing enough.
"Give me everything. What is going on?" Brandon asked him.
"Basically what I told you on your way here but, JJ is annoyed and wants to speak with you. He thinks his goods have been destroyed." Kevin said to him.
"Thinks." Benji chuckled.
"Okay, they were lost in the disaster." Kevin corrected himself as he gave Benji an eye roll, not that Benji cared. He just chuckled again.
"I'm guessing this is what Godson revealed to the public?" Brandon asked his brother with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes." Kevin said as he avoided his gaze.
"You know you don't have to do everything by yourself right? There is a reason why grandfather made both of us CEOs." Brandon said to his brother.
"I know but you were having your time off and I know you needed the much needed rest." Kevin said to him.
They may be twins but Kevin was the one who cared more. He was the only one in their group who openly cared for the others like he did his lover. It was no surprise that he was the first to get a girlfriend. The rest had none. Well, Benji was in a different situation. His ex wife had divorced him. And the ex cop still did not tell any of them the full story. Then there was Alec. No one knew if Alec would actually settle down any time soon. And they also did not know if it would be with a girl or a boy because he swung both ways.
"Have you guys eaten?" He asked them.
"Nope, waiting on Carson." Alec said as he bounced his legs.
"He's back?"
"Yeah, but he's spending time at his mother's restaurant. He should be here soon." Kevin said.
"He better be. I can't function without food." Benji growled out.
Five minutes later, Carson barged, yes barged -because he had little respect for privacy- into Brandon's office.
"Did someone say foo…"
Before he could finish the question, Alec took a bag from his hand and went back to his seat to devour whatever it is that Carson's mother had prepared.
"Trust Alec to interrupt me." Carson said as he gave the others their food.
"What is it?" Brandon asked as he took the food.
"Nigerian, jollof." Alec moaned out.
"Thank your mother for us." Kevin said to him.
"Will do. I have to run though, I need to take mama home." Carson said to them.
"Are we still up for dinner night?" Alec asked him.
"Yup. Same time, my place." Carson said as he walked out.
Alec nodded and focused all his attention on his food.
Carson was the only black person among their group of friends. His father was Nigerian but he died a long time ago. His mother is Hispanic though and she loves cooking. Her restaurant sells mainly Spanish cuisine or food from her Hispanic culture but there was a time when it was a mix of both Hispanic and Nigerian. She and Carson's father had run the restaurant together but after he died, she stopped cooking anything African but ever since her diagnosis, she started cooking the little African dishes she knew how to. Carson had not given them the full story but Brandon knew his mother was dying. And Carson was spending every waking day with her. Any break he got from shooting, he spent with her.
"I'm ready to work now." Alec said with a loud belch.
"That is just so irritating. And how the fuck did you finish that in just a few minutes?" Benji asked him.
"I eat fast, I don't know why you are acting surprised." Alec replied to him with an eyeroll.
"Yeah, I have no idea either." Benji said as he went back to his food.
Brandon wasn't that hungry so after taking a few bites, he went to work. They worked into the night. And even after that, they still had things to do. Brandon would have to call a meeting the next day with the staff although his brother would be put in charge while he spoke with JJ. Alec and Benji had no need to be present because it wasn't really their expertise but Brandon thanked them for what little help they could provide. Now, all he wanted was to take a quick nap before the buzz of the next day.
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A phone rang in the distance, awakening Brandon from the little nap he was trying to get.
"Put it off." He groaned as he adjusted on the bed.
"It's yours." He heard a voice say to him and opened his eyes immediately.
His assistant stood with Brandon's phone in his hand.
"Your grandfather." Charlie said to him.
Brandon took the phone with a groan and answered his grandfather.
"Grandpa, could you not look for a better time to call?" Brandon groaned out.
"What better time than now? The day is bright, the sun is up in the sky but my grandson is down on his bed." His grandfather replied to him.
"Very funny."
"Someone's grumpy."
"Work."
"I heard. I trust you and your brother so I'm not bothered. You guys have done a lot more than your father could even do in his time." His grandfather said with a hearty laugh.
"I was the only one father, they are two." Brandon heard his father grumble.
"Are you with dad?"
"Yes. We are going fishing."
"Fishing? This early?"
"It's never too early to catch those little things with fins." His grandfather replied to him.
"Too bad you've never gotten one once in your life." Brandon heard his father say to his grandfather.
"Your father has started his series of disrespecting me. I don't know how Riley copes with him." His grandfather said.
Riley is Brandon and Kevin's mother and she was the best person Brandon knew. Well, along with Carson's mother. She was the only one their father gave a little ounce of respect.
"Mum loves him so she keeps up with his nonsense." Brandon said to his grandfather.
"I know. I still thank the stars that she stayed with your father all this time." He said with a chuckle.
"Have you spoken with Kevin?" Brandon asked him.
"He's my favorite grandson. Of course I have."
"Way to rub it in, grandpa."
"I support you both. I'm just a little bit biased to your brother. I trust you both will do what's best for Silver enterprise." He said to him,
"It's just another hurdle. We will. Thank you grandpa." Brandon said to him with a smile.
"I'm the coolest grandpa you would ever get." He replied to Brandon with a big smile and ended the call.
Brandon took a deep breath. Today was going to be hectic but they will get through it. Godson thought this little trick could bring them down, but he thought wrong. Brandon stood up from the bed and moved towards the little bathroom. He was lucky that there was a little bathroom and bedroom in his office. It came in handy anytime he worked overtime.
"Is my suit ready?" He asked Charlie as he gave him his phone.
"Yes sir."
"How about Kevin?"
"I'm ready to get this started." Kevin said as he walked into the room.
Chapter 74"Hey," Emma said to the blonde woman as she took a seat next to her on the bench. She was lost in thought and it was obvious she had been crying. The woman wiped her tears and turned to Emma with a frown.Emma gave her a sad smile. " You are Victoria right?"The woman nodded but she still had a frown plastered on her face. "I knew Hunter. I was in the car with him...he protected me." Emma said to her.Victoria's eyes widened in recognition. "You are Emma? Brandon's fiancee?"Emma chuckled. "Fiancee is a stretch. We are not even dating.""What?""But it's not like I don't want to date him or anything. I do but…." Emma released a heavy sigh. " Can we just talk about the reason I'm here?""I'm all ears. We can talk about anything." Victoria said to her with a small smile."I'm sorry about Hunter."Victoria stared into space. It was clear that Hunter's situation affected her so much."I'm trying to be strong for him," Victoria replied.Emma nodded and they sat together for a w
Chapter 73Emma cried in relief when she saw Brandon. She wanted to move to him to give him a hug but her hands which were handcuffed limited her movement. Brandon wasted no time in getting it off her and then she was in Brandon's embrace. He held her close, taking in her scent and her face. He inspected for any signs of injury on her body and fussed over her. Emma did not imagine for once that Brandon fussing over her would be something she appreciated. It was obvious he was in love with her. She hated that it had to take a scare before she was finally able to admit to herself that she was also in love with him. She was immediately taken to the hospital and it wasn't until later that she found out that it was because of luck that Brandon had been able to find her. Lydia had been lying when she said the phone was in the building with them. It was a lie and after everything Emma had passed through at the hands of her supposed friend, she wasn't so sure she would be able to forgive Lyi
Chapter 72Kevin was over the moon. Zoey said yes. He was about to tell his friends when he received a call from Benji. The urgency in his voice was what made Kevin move. He had no idea if he would be able to make it in time but he was willing to try. After convincing Zoey to stay, he got into his car and drove towards the direction of Emma's previous home. He hoped he would be able to make it in time. Not just for him but for every single person in their circle who loved her.—--------------------------------------------------------------Emma had no idea how long she would be able to keep up the pretence. With every new information gotten from her ex-best friend, she fought the urge to throw up. How was she so evil and how had she been so blind to everything that had happened? Lydia had wanted everything about Emma. She was so obsessed with Emma that she slept with her cousin while screaming her name. Emma had no idea why Lydia had told her the information. If Lydia thought it was
Chapter 71Brandon had been so excited to get to Emma. He knew there was no way she would have been expecting him when he showed up at the prison that was if she was still there. He felt the meeting with Mr Chen had been a waste of time. The issues discussed were issues that could have been resolved over the phone but the man had wanted to see them. With every passing minute during their discussion, he had to fight the urge to punch the man's face. At least it is over now.He turned to Kevin who was no doubt texting Zoey."Walk fast, I need to meet Emma." Kevin ignored him and continued texting. Brandon was sure he was chatting with Zoey but he had no idea why his brother was so immersed so he sneaked up to his brother who did not notice and took a glimpse at the conversation."You are planning a surprise for her?""Holy fuck!" Kevin said in shock as he moved away putting some distance between him and his brother."Why are you so surprised?" Brandon asked him."I don't know…because y
Chapter 70Emma groaned. Her head ached badly. She tried touching her head, as if willing the pain to go away but she could not move her hands. She struggled and found out it was handcuffed to a bed. Emma was widely awake now. She observed her environment. She was on a bed in a very tiny room. She was sure this wasn't the place Hunter had been driving her to….wait, she thought to herself with a frown. What if Hunter had been behind this? She shook her head. That wasn't possible. From the way Hunter had spoken it was clear that he was very much into his wife and family and she was sure Benji wouldn't employ someone who wasn't trustworthy. After a few minutes of trying to determine where she was, she remembered the accident. A vehicle from nowhere had hit them. She had no idea what happened next because she blacked out. That was why her head hurt, she thought to herself. That could be the only explanation. But if there was an accident, what had happened with Hunter? The room in which s
Chapter 69Emma had no idea what had prompted her cousin to say that but it gave her something to ponder on. Was he talking about Brandon and his friends? No, she shook her head. She was not a good judge of character but she knew this had nothing to do with Brandon. Maybe it was something else? Someone in the future?"Watch where you're going." She heard a voice say to her which made her pause.She took in her surroundings and saw she was headed straight for a wall. The person jogged to meet up with her."The vehicle is the other way. You were so lost in thought." He said to her,Emma gave him an appreciative smile as he led her to the car which was parked on the other side. He entered the car also and turned to Emma."Am I to drive you back home or…."Emma smiled. "Benji said you have somewhere to be so I don't plan on wasting your time." He gave her an appreciative nod but then his phone rang. "I'm sorry, I have to take this."Emma gave him the go-ahead. But he wasn't being secret