Family

Alexander Sterling

My shoes echoed against the marble floors as I stepped into the Sterling family estate, a sprawling, old money mansion in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side. It stood like a palace amid the city’s chaos, all white columns, sweeping staircases, and shimmering chandeliers. I hadn't been here in weeks, but nothing ever changed. Even the scent, amber and lavender with a faint trace of aged leather, was exactly the same.

The butler opened the door before I could knock. “Mr. Sterling,” he greeted with a slight bow.

“Thank you, Harold,” I said, stepping inside. Harold has been working for my family since I was a child, he's practically a family member, and has been there when my family was passing through the worst.

The scent of roses drifted from the fresh arrangements lining the foyer table. Everything was pristine, just as my mother liked it.

My mum was waiting in the drawing room, her silver-blonde hair pinned back into a flawless twist, a silk robe tied around her waist as if she were royalty on her morning rounds. She glanced up from her tea, eyes flicking over me like a scanner.

“Alexander,” she said, setting the cup down. “You’ve lost weight.”

“Good morning to you too, Mother.” I leaned down to press a kiss to her cheek. “You look so beautiful as always.”

She offered a tight smile. “Sit. Tea?”

I declined with a wave, sinking into the chair opposite her. She studied me for a moment, the way she always did, reading beneath the surface. It was both unnerving and annoyingly accurate.

“Is there someone new?” she asked bluntly, raising an eyebrow. “You have that look. And it’s not your usual storm cloud. It’s... conflicted.”

I exhaled. “No one worth mentioning.”

“Which means there is someone.” Her smile grew, victorious. “Tell me about her.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” I lied. Zara’s face flickered in my mind like a sudden spark, soft lips, big eyes, and the way she looked at me this morning like she’d seen a ghost.

Mother tilted her head. “You never were a good liar, Alex. You should’ve taken after your father in that department.”

“Speaking of,” I said, glancing around the room, “where is he?”

“He went to visit a friend in Montauk. Some business associate.” She waved a hand dismissively. “Probably another poker game he’s determined to lose.”

I smirked. “Sounds about right.”

She picked up her tea again. “Just don’t wait too long. The right woman won’t linger forever.”

I nodded, rising. “Noted.”

We spoke about random things before I went back to my apartment.

The next morning, I walked into the office just in time to see Samantha, my sister, perched on the edge of my desk, legs crossed, scrolling through her phone like she owned the place.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, shutting the door behind me.

She didn’t look up. “I was bored and I was in the neighborhood. Figured I’d drop in and check if you’re still brooding or if you’ve managed to become a decent human"

“That’s your reason?” I raised a brow.

“Yes” she replied with a grin, finally meeting my eyes. “Besides, I wanted to see the great Alexander Sterling in action. I haven’t been in this tower of yours in months.”

“Because you hate it here.”

“True,” she said, hopping off the desk and smoothing her tailored blazer. “But I missed annoying you.”

“You could’ve texted.”

“But then I wouldn’t get to see your face when you’re brooding over coffee.”

“You didn’t tell me you changed your secretary,” she said as while scrolling on her phone, her lips already curling into a smirk. “Or did you scare the last one away?”

I leaned back in my chair and pinched the bridge of my nose. “goodbye, Samantha.”

“You know I hate being left out of the loop. I show up for five minutes and already the office smells different. Like overpriced perfume and nerves.” she added

“I’m working.”

“Clearly,” she said, glancing around. “And judging by the way your new assistant looked when I saw her earlier, I’d say you’re still a tyrant. Though, to be fair, she’s gorgeous.”

“She’s competent.”

“She’s hot,” Samantha corrected. “And looks nervous. Which means you either yelled at her, flirted with her, or did something very Sterling-esque.”

I didn’t respond. I just stared at my monitor until she sighed.

“Fine. I’ll leave you to be your cold, emotionless self. But seriously, try not to scare this one off. She seems... interesting.”

She kissed my cheek and breezed out before I could say another word.

One wouldn't believe she is my elder sister with the way she behaves.

As if on cue, a knock came at the door. Zara entered a second later with a fresh cup in hand. 'Your coffee, sir,” she said, placing it on the desk.

“Thank you.” I picked it up, sipped, and finally, perfection. No bitterness. Just smooth, dark roast and a touch of cinnamon. It took her eight tries yesterday to get it right, but she’d nailed it today.

Still, I gave her no reaction.

She lingered. “Would you like me to review your schedule for the day?”

I nodded. “Yes. Sit.”

She perched on the chair opposite me, flipping through the tablet with calm efficiency. I didn’t let my eyes wander, but I was aware of every breath she took, every shift in her tone. She kept it strictly professional, though I caught the slight hitch when her gaze met mine.

The day dragged.

By six, I was wrapping up a meeting when I noticed Zara wasn’t in her office. My jaw clenched.

The next day, I called her in. She entered quickly, standing just inside the door, her hands clasped together.

“You left before I dismissed you,” I said flatly.

She blinked. “I thought we were done for the day.”

"you must never leave before I leave" I said in a sharp tone.

Something flickered across her face. Hurt. Embarrassment. Her throat bobbed as she nodded.

"Understood" she replied

"I don't like to repeat myself", Now, you can go.

“Yes, sir.”

She turned and left.

I stared at the closed door for a long time. I hadn’t meant to come down so hard. But I didn’t like the way it felt when she wasn’t here.

What's happening to me, get a grip of yourself, Alex.

Back in my apartment, my own steel and glass fortress overlooking the city. I loosened my tie and collapsed onto the leather couch. The skyline glimmered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, a cold sea of golds and grays.

I was about to have my bath then my phone rang.

“Hi, Mum.”

“I miss you already,” she said.

“You just saw me yesterday.”

“Exactly. That was too long ago.”

I laughed softly, one of the only real ones I’d managed in days. “I’ll come over this weekend.”

“You promise?”

“Yeah. I promise.”

I ended the call, staring out at the city below, wondering why the thought of seeing Zara tomorrow made the silence in this place feel even louder.