Chapter 10

Derrick's POV

I stared at the bottle of Scotch, lost in thought as memories of our younger days flooded my mind.

Particularly memories of Spencer always getting into fights with our father while I was trying to be the good one so father would always choose me- always see me.

I poured myself another glass of Scotch and leaned into the couch as a particular memory replayed in my mind.

'You! Come here!' Father thundered as Spencer casually strolled into the house, his school bag hanging over his left shoulder and his uniform shirt nowhere to be found. 'Where have you been?'

'School,' Spencer replied, his tone casual and filled with his usual confidence and indifference. Two things that always sent my father into a rage.

I watched in satisfaction as my father's face darkened from his attitude. Loving how the sound of his hand meeting Spencer's face echoed through the living room.

'How dare you use such an attitude with me? You ungrateful son!' my father scolded. 'Your brother came back four hours ago, while you hang around those useless thugs!'

My lips curled up as I noticed Spencer scowl directed at me after being grounded and his gaming set confiscated. I knew he figured I had told on him but I didn't care.

Seeing him and father have a fallout always filled me with satisfaction because then, he'd be the rebellious son while I'd be the perfect son. I'd learn under father to own everything he had.

I closed my eyes as I remembered how I had followed him that night, gloating at his misfortune.

I remembered how he was preparing for an important event at the time. It was a party that would have been his ticket into the entertainment industry to pursue his dreams with the right connection and exposure.

I knew how much he needed to be there and that was why I made sure father grounded him.

At the time I was happy... ecstatic at the success but now as his words echoed through my mind, I realized how much of a fool I had been.

'You think he'll like you because you are the better child?' Spencer sneered. 'He won't. And when you realize it, you'll be deep in regret because then you won't be able to fix everything you've destroyed."

I laughed bitterly, the humourless sound echoing through my dark office. Spencer's words had proven true yet again.

It was always infuriating how right his words were. He was always the smarter one. He could see things that I couldn't.

I downed the content in the glass and poured another as father's threat echoed through my mind.

"You can forget about having the CEO position if Florida files a divorce."

I downed the alcohol, loving how it burned my throat. Ditching the cup, I brought the whole bottle to my lips.

"Now that Spencer is alive and well... you can be replaced."

I sneered, lighting a cigarette allowing it to burn between my fingers.

I had quit smoking. Natasha hated it and I had no problem letting that habit go.

But now....

I regret it. I regret it all.

I hate every decision I had made to please my father.

Every time I put his compliment over what I had truly wanted.

I hate how Spencer is right again.

But most importantly I hate how I sacrifice the only woman who ever loved me.

The only one who ever saw me.

As the alcohol blurred my senses, Natasha's smiling face and giggles lashed through. The way her eyes would light up as she reassured me of her love and support.

I brought the cigarettes to my lips, coughing as the smoke went straight to my lungs just as another memory from our younger days flashed by.

It was of me in a hoodie and thick-rimmed glasses and Spencer in ripped jeans and sweatshirts.

I was the nerd. He was the socialite. I was quiet, timid, and riddled with low self esteem.

He was popular, confident, outgoing, outspoken, smart, and the perfect image of the bad boy girls loved.

Despite him always skipping classes and sleeping in the one he managed to attend, he always ranked first in our class.

He was everything I've always wanted to be. Maybe that's why I have always hated him.

Or maybe it was because the girl I liked back in middle school had told me she could never like me and I was an embarrassment to Spencer. To my twin brother.

God, I'm such a fool.

"I'm the biggest fool to have ever existed." I choked as I stared at the photograph of Natasha and Rose scattered on the table.

'It's too late now.' I could imagine those were the words Spencer would have said to me if he were here.

'I told you so.' would have followed.

But no I won't let him be correct again this time.

"It's not too late. I'll make sure of it." I muttered, eyes blurry as I picked up a photo bringing it to my lips, while imagining kissing Natasha and Rose's forehead. "I will make it up to you. I promise."

***

"You've continued to be nothing but a disappointment," Florida scowled as I stumbled into the house, barely able to keep myself up.

My head felt dizzy, my stomach churned from all the mix of alcohol I had swallowed. I shrugged off my jacket, loosened my tie as I dragged myself into the dimly lit living room that smelled of Jasmine.

Florida's favorite flower. And now my most hated scent.

"And it appears you have really embraced your role as a coward that hides behind alcohol." She added, her brows furrowed as she took in my pitiful appearance.

"What do you want?" I asked, too tired for a retort as I sat on the closest couch to the door

"What do I want?" She scoffed. "Is that even a question?"

"Well, it doesn't sound like a statement," I replied, closing my eyes and massaging my nape to reduce the headache brought by her presence.

"Have you found a way to deal with Natasha and those things trending online?" She asked and I sneered.

"No,"

"What do you mean no?" She demanded, her voice taking a higher edge as she moved closer to me. "Did you not hear me when I said it's ruining my reputation?!"

"So many movies directors have cancelled their partnership with me since your scandal to the screen!" She bellowed.

"I missed an endorsement to another actress today because they all thought I was an accomplice to your schemes! And you are here telling me no?"

"And so?" I replied, opening my eyes to see her reddened face. If this was one of those cartoons Rose always watched she would have been steaming from every hole in her body from how upset she appeared to be.

But I honestly don't care.

"You knew you wanted me to fix it and yet you keep making it worse?" I continued pausing as I took in her flinch.

"Haven't you already decided to leave?" I gritted out. "What's keeping you? My money? The sponsorship our marriage certificate brings to you? The prestige the title Mrs Robinson could still bring you?' or better yet, the fame you can get from being a victim?"

"I'll have you know..." I paused, cutting myself off as I remembered my father's words once again.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and began climbing the stairs.

Since I already lost everything listening to my father, I'd keep listening to him until I got everything back.

I can't lose my mind now. I can't afford not to care at the moment.

Stopping at the top of the stairs, I turned back. "I'm working on sorting it out. Please be patient with me."