Chapter 6: The Parcel

“Good morning, Mr. Brooks” My Driver, also my personal assistant, greeted me and he held the door for me while I entered the car.

“Morning Justin, let’s head home first. I need to freshen up and have a proper meal.

“Okay Sir” he nodded and walked back to the driver’s seat and started to drive.

Justin is the only driver who has lasted a year working with me. Others who had been recruited in the past either tried to steal from me or exhibited gross incompetence.

Just then my phone vibrated, I brought it out of my pocket and the screen showed my mother’s name.

“What does everyone want from me? Today of all days? “ I sighed, bracing myself for what was to come before picking up.

“Ethan”

“What do you want mother! Please don’t waste my time. I’m not in the mood for any family talk” I said, my voice laced with annoyance .

“Ethan Brooks! Didn’t you see you missed my calls ? I called you all night!” her voice screeched into my ears.

Shit! I remembered my phone vibrated the previous night. I was having the best time of my life with a strange lady. I didn’t know it was my mother calling.

Even if I did, I will probably not have picked the call. I can’t imagine a call from my mother disrupting my night of great pleasure.

“I’m sorry Mother. What’s Up?” I said, sounding so uninterested.

“What’s Up? Ethan it’s been 5 years. I have tried to reach out to you. I have sent your secretary to you, your close friends! Who have I not sent to help speak to you?”

Why are you so adamant about seeing your family again? She asked, her voice shaky like she will breakdown in tears the next minute.

“Oh please Mother! You can’t emotionally blackmail me after everything that happened. After everything you and your husband caused me. I don’t have any business with the family” I snapped my voice sharp.

“Ethan, are you still holding on to the past? I thought you moved past it already. We were only looking out for you”

“Please go straight to the point, or I get off the phone now.” I retorted.

My parents and I don’t have the best relationship. Especially my father. We don’t have a relationship at all. He’s a very wicked and self-centered man and I was glad I left.

“Fine, wait! I’ll stop pestering you. But come home, Richard Wilson has finally agreed to let our family collaborate through marriage. I want you to be the groom, even though Lucas already agreed but I think it’s best if you get married instead. You know, to make up for..”

“Don’t even piss me off Mother” I cut her off even before she finished her sentence.

My mother sighed. “Alright, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault and I sincerely apologize. I should have stopped him but you know your father. He takes out whatever might stand in his way”.

“I hope Richard Wilson knows what he’s getting himself and his family into. I hope he’s aware that all these arrangements made by your husband is to save the company from bankruptcy”.

“Stop! Don’t say that about your father’s company. The company is yours as well. You’re the rightful heir. This is why I want you to come home and take what rightfully belongs to you. Come home and marry this girl” she spoke softly.

I just knew my father must have put my mother up to this. I had cut every access to me and the only person he can use is my mother. He knows I could help him put the company back in place. He knew I was smarter than Lucas.

But he always made me feel like I’m not wanted in the family. Like I was so useless and I have proven him wrong with how my company is scaling up even in a short while. Now he’s crawling back to me.

I really want to see how all these unfolds. I muttered, grinning spitefully.

“Listen! I’m not interested in getting married to someone I don’t know anything about. Lucas can gave her. I don’t want him thinking I always want whatever he wants please”.

“You know your brother was just being childish when he said that, he didn’t mean it. In fact he misses you, we all do. Please come home Son, I haven’t seen you in five years”.

“Okay, I have heard!”. I ended the call abruptly.

“We’re at your residence Sir”. My Driver said

I didn’t even notice I was home already. That must have been a long conversation I said to myself.

“Thank you, Justin” making my way out of the vehicle.

Oh what a morning! I muttered as I walked into my house. It was almost mid-day.

“Good morning, Mr. Ethan. Breakfast is served.” My maid said appearing from God knows where.

I ignored her making my way upstairs.

“Also, a parcel came in this morning Sir”. She spoke louder, her voice rising.

“Fine! Bring it to my study.” I snapped back.

I couldn’t wait to get a warm bath.

On getting back downstairs for my breakfast, the doorbell rang.

“Nora get the door” I called out.

It was Peter, my close friend and business associate.

“My man, how are you? Why do you look unsettled?” he inquired with worry in his eyes as we exchanged handshakes.

“My mother wants me to come home for some wedding between my brother and some girl”

“Woah, your brother is getting married? That’s good news but is that why you look so unsettled? That can’t possibly be the reason why you’re wearing a long face.” He further inquired.

“I had a One-night stand with a stranger at the club last night”. I finally opened up.

“Okay so? What’s the big deal? You do this almost every time .” He replied chuckling.

No wayyyy, No way Bro! You like her? Whatttttt??? You’re hooked with a slut? He said laughing so loudly, his eyes elated.

“That’s not the case Peter!”

“Then what?”

“She left before I was up. I didn’t get to even know her name. That has never happened before. They always stay back waiting for more or some form of commitments.”

“You know these girls just want my money, but this is different.” My voice quavered with concern as I queried.

“This is strange. I have never seen you worry so much about a One-night stand. Some girl you barely know that you just met and would probably never see again”.

“If this isn’t witchcraft, then I don’t know what it is.” Peter teased, patting my back slightly.

“It's what it is mehn! Life goes on.” I said, trying so hard to convince myself that I had moved on.

Shortly after, a call came in from the office.

“Uhn, I need to send some documents to my secretary. I will be with you shortly” I said walking hurriedly to my study.

Opening the door, the first thing that caught my attention was a parcel on my study table.

“That must be the parcel that came in earlier” I thought to myself reaching for it.

Opening it and I couldn’t believe what my eyes beheld.

“The Fuckkk!!!!”