Family Conversation

The sharp knock through the door instantly awoke Lincoln.

He groaned, stirred around and then opened his eyes. The sunlight that shone through the window, casting its rectangular hues into the room practically blinded him and he shut his eyes.

The knock came again.

“Bro, are you still asleep?”

Lincoln sat up and then opened the door.

Rahim stood in the doorway, dressed in a dark suit as usual, “Morning. Your father requests your presence at the dining hall.”

“I'll be right there.”

Lincoln turned and headed into the bathroom, then splashed some water on his face.

He found his family in the dining hall, having their breakfast.

His sister, Ana was on her phone, texting and eating simultaneously. His father was reading the newspaper with a satisfied smirk on his face. Obviously, he was reading about the engagement held yesterday. His mom on the other hand has a frown on her face.

Rahim stood by the door while Lincoln sat on one of the empty chairs.

“Morning.” He said.

“Morning.” They chorused.

Even though this family was one of the wealthiest and famous families in California, one would have thought that they had happiness.

But happiness was void in this family.

Well, just as the saying goes, money doesn't buy happiness… or maybe it does for some people.

Harry dropped the newspaper, “Ana, today is your first day in college isn't it?”

Ana wanted to roll her eyes but was afraid her father would see it, “Yeah,” She mumbled a response.

“Remember what we talked about in our last conversation?” Harry raised an eyebrow questioningly.

The urge to roll her eyes was so irresistible but she managed to contain it.

“No boys, no distractions, ace all my exams like Lincoln did.”

“Good.” Harry nodded, “You won't be staying in the school's dorm, you'll be driven to and brought home from school by Arthur and he'll be by your side at all times and be watching your every move.”

“What?!”

“I can't have you do anything that would mar this family's reputation.”

“I'm not a kid, Dad!”

“I never said that.” Harry hissed, “I'm only taking precautions here.”

“But watching my every move? Isn't that…”

“That's enough, Ana!” Harry snapped, “I've made the decision and that's that!”

“Ugh!” Ana angrily got to her feet and ran upstairs.

The tension was now tight and suffocating.

“And you, Lincoln.”

Lincoln flinched, “Yes?”

“You won't be coming in much at the office any longer, maybe two or three times a week.”

Lincoln blinked, “And why is that?”

“You'd have to be spending most of your time with Evie from now on,” Harry explained, “If you both are gonna get married, you should get to know her first, don't you think?”

Lincoln shifted, “Um… yes, Dad.”

“Rahim has prepared your schedule for the whole week. You must abide by them.”

Tessa slammed her fist on the table and sprang to her feet, “I've lost my appetite. Excuse me.”

And then with that, she exited the dining hall.

“Eat up, son,” Harry said, digging his fork into his cut-out steak and shoving it into his mouth.

Lincoln glared at his father. God, I hate this man!

Meanwhile on the other side of town, in a hotel room, Ethan blinked awake.

He turned to the other side of the bed only to come to face with a naked man by his side.

He started up, furrowing his brows as he tried to remember who the man was.

Then all of a sudden, the memories from last night came flooding back into his head and he calmed down a bit.

Yes, he had an awesome night last night. He had fucked this man senseless and he wasn't one but gentle neither was he tender like he was with Lincoln.

His phone on the nightstand dinged and he picked it up.

“Hey, big bro, Dad wants to talk to you. Can you come over?”

“Yeah, sure. Be right there.” He sent the reply.

He wanted to take a bath but didn't want this man to wake up and see him.

“Hey, get the car ready.” He sent a text to Mark and then quickly fumbled into his clothes.

He pulled out a two hundred dollar bill and placed it on the nightstand then dashed out.

Mark was already waiting in front of the hotel inside the car.

“Morning Boss.” He greeted.

“To my father's estate.”

“Yes, sir.”

Mark started the car and drove off.

Half an hour later, the car pulled up in front of the magnificent estate.

“Welcome home, Mr Burns.” The head maid greeted.

“How are you, Martha?”

The Burns were having breakfast and unlike the Smiths, the atmosphere in the air was lovely and cheerful.

“Hey, Mom.” He leaned in and kissed his mother on the cheek, then moved over to his father, and did the same, “Hey, Dad.” and then to Evie, “And my little cutie, little sister. Mwah mwah mwah!”

“Haha, stop it, Ethan!” Evie chuckled.

Ethan took a seat, “So, Dad, why did you want to see me?”

“Hello, Mr and Mrs Burns.” Mark greeted and stood by the door.

“Oh, hello Mark.” Ethan’s mom, Kim waved, “You're looking great, come dine with us, son.”

“Yes, son, come.” His father, Felix encouraged.

Mark’s gaze shifted to Ethan for approval. Ethan gave him a slight nod.

“Well, thank you, Mr and Mrs Burns.” He said thankfully, taking a seat, “That’s wonderful of you.”

Everyone was now settled down and shoving food into their mouth.

“So, Dad, what do you want to talk about?” Ethan repeated the question.

“Um… we want to talk about you,” Felix answered.

“Okay, shoot.”

“Son, we know it's your life and we have no say over it, what we want to know is if you have someone in your life.”

“Someone? What do you mean?” Ethan asked, feigning ignorance.

“You know, like a boyfriend or something.” Felix answered, “You'll be turning twenty-nine next year and we're… you know… getting old. If you have someone in your life, introduce us to him, we have your support.”

Ethan's eyes shifted to Evie who was staring at him intently and he felt a pang of guilt.

“Mom, Dad, you're not getting old, you're still in your fifties for God's sake.”

“We're still old.”

“Ugh! I have no one.” Ethan said, amidst mouthfuls.

“Liar. Didn't you told me you were dating someone named Robin last month?” Evie asked.

“We broke up.”

“What of Ace?”

“Ace was before Robin.”

“What about…”

“Geez, Evie, are you gonna name all my ex-boyfriends?”

“Sorry.”

“It's just… we're worried about you.” Kim said, “We don't want you to end up lonely like most gay people.”

“I won't end up lonely. I promise.”

The family exchanged glances and then decided to leave it at that.

“Guess what? I'm meeting with my fiance today.” Evie said cheerfully and Ethan stiffened.

“What?”

“His father thinks we should spend most of our time together so we could get to know each other before the wedding day.”

Ethan's jaw tightened, “And what did your fiance say?”

“He's all for the idea.”

“Oh really? That's great then, I'm happy for you Evie.”

“So son, will return to Texas to run your company?” Felix asked.

“I'm not sure yet. Please, excuse me.”

He got to his feet and headed towards the backyard and sent another text to Lincoln.

“We have a meeting and you agreed on a date with my sister?”

He waited and saw the read icon.

But no response came.

“You're ignoring my texts huh? You better meet me at Amy's in thirty minutes or else the whole will know your sexual orientation.”

He didn't mean to threaten him, but it was the only way.

He waited and saw the read icon. Then the texting icon and he smirked.

“I can't meet you. I'm being watched. My assistant will report to my father.”

“Look for a way to escape or whatever. Meet me there in thirty.”