The night was long and dark. Especially at the Black's mansion.
Kyle was sitting in a wooden chair in silence. His elbows rested on the chair's hand as if waiting for something. In front of Kyle, there was a long and broad table made of walnut wood, giving it a rustic look.
The study was decorated with equity, though the materials used were old, the decor was sophisticated and elegant. The blend of the relic to contemporary was soothing to the eyes.
Maybe this was the reason Kyle once used to love to visit this room. Even now, when he comes into this room, the old memories ran through his eyes like a movie. The difference is between then and now is the person sitting in front of Kyle.
The owner of the study had changed. The place his father used to occupy was now owned by his elder brother.
"What is all this?" Dave's voice interrupted Kyle's thoughts.
Kyle missed his father, who understood him. If only his father was not hospitalized.
Kyle looked at the paper presented in front of him. Wasn't this the same information he gave Evelyn? Why was this here?
Kyle's eyes narrowed with a realization. Evelyn must have looked for Dave to complain. A small laugh escaped his lips.
"You can read it," Kyle's eyes stayed on the paper for a few seconds before it turned its path towards his brother.
Seeing such indifference in his brother's eyes, Dave was losing his calmness. "Keep this attitude of yours in check. Do you even know what your action has resulted in?" Dave snapped.
"What?" Kyle asked. He was always a priority in this family. Maybe that's why they tolerated his behavior.
Kyle was well aware of his own attitude, but his elder brother was always patient with him. Understanding and spoiling.
Kyle once thought they would fight for the ownership of the company, but that never happened. As they grew up, both brothers understood, the position was not all glorious but a hot potato.
Dave gazed at Kyle. He was searching to find some emotions in his brother's gaze.
Dave conflicted with himself. He doubted his vision.
'Have I spoiled him too much?'
'Who is responsible for this type of attitude? Me for fulfilling Kyle's every desire or father for neglecting his every mistake.'
'Kyle needs to understand his responsibility.'
Dave gathered his thoughts around and shook his head. It doesn't matter who is responsible anymore. What matters now was to make his brother walk on a strong and prosperous road.
Dave stood up from his chair and walked towards the window. After a brief silence, he said, "You are coming in the company from tomorrow."
"No," Kyle replied instantly.
"I am not asking you, Kyle." Dave did not turn around. He could imagine Kyle's expression now, "Are you not going to take responsibility?"
"Responsible for what, exactly?" Kyle's eyebrows shot up as he finally turned towards Dave.
The night darkness engulfed Dave as his shoulders were firm and strong. Kyle used to depend on Dave initially, but now he was not. He wanted to break through the shell.
Dave turned around and looked at Kyle. Their gaze scrutinized as none of them was ready to back down.
"Read these." Dave walked to the table and took out a stack of papers.
Kyle looked down at the pages and finally took the pages in his hand.
As Kyle started reading through, Kyle's fingers tightened around the papers.
"How.." Kyle whispered.
"Apart from this, there is also a lawyer's letter on my desk," Dave said in a low voice.
Kyle blocked all the voices from the surroundings as he got engrossed reading. All the conditions given were not something he could do. Accepting these was doing self-destruction.
"I cannot do this?" Kyle threw the pages onto the table, "I do not want to be bound by the family" His voice was covered in frost.
"You think you have any other option," Dave laughed in anger, "I want you in the company tomorrow morning."
Dave has recently taken over the company but soon ran into the problem with the investors. Now it was because of a simple mistake by his brother.
"You need to start owning up to your mistakes." Dave sighed.
"I am not coming there. You very well know it is not my passion," Kyle said. These terms irritated him.
Kyle's goal was to succeed, but if he succumbs now, his dream would be put on a back foot again.
"Then what is your passion? Blackmailing Evelyn?" Dave snapped.
"To be honest, yes." Kyle did not back down from it, "But I never knew that this could happen."
It was true. Kyle did blackmail Evelyn, but he never thought it would backfire so soon.
Maybe Kyle was too eager and did not think it through. But the time was right, and he was desperate.
"I will work in the company till I pay her back," Kyle had only one thought in mind, get it over with and move on fast, "But then I am free to do whatever I want."
"You are not working for our company." Dave interrupted.
"Then?" Kyle asked. It did not matter where he worked, anyway.
"You will report to us but work for Evelyn," Dave said in a low voice.
"That.." Kyle was unsure if he heard it right or was it just his imagination.
"Tomorrow, you will get all the instructions. Make sure you do not mess this up."
Kyle's breath stirred in rage. He wanted to say so much more, but when Kyle glanced at Dave, his voice choked.
Kyle got up and left with a single word, "Okay."
Dave looked at his brother, leaving the room, and sighed.
Dave could just think, 'Only if Kyle could learn something from this.'