It's past 9:00 in the evening. From the dark corner of his room, Xander is drinking quietly, oblivious of the party that is being held for him. He is in deep thought. He just came from Paris, had he not been threatened by his grandfather that he would disown him, he would not come back. His grandfather is already 80 years old but he is still strong as a bull. When he came this morning, he went straight to his grandpa's office. When he came, he was surprised to see Victor, their corporate lawyer, and of the loyal employees of the Knight empire which his grandpa built with the help of his father.
"Hello Xander, it's been a long time", Victor greeted him and stood up to shake his hands.
"Nice to see you again, Victor", he said while he took a glimpse at his grandpa sitting in his executive chair. At his age, he can still function as the head of the family. He is a shrewd businessman and a manipulative grandfather. His hair is all gray, he is not fond of dyeing his hair, but it fits him. It gave him an aura of authority and wisdom.
Although Xander is the CEO, his grandpa is still the chairman and still the authority within and outside the empire.
"Why are we here, Mr. Chairman", Xander asked.
The chairman did not answer but motioned him to sit down which he did. He then took an envelope out of his drawer and gave it to Victor. Xander creased his brows, he has a feeling that this meeting will not end well.
"Thank you," Victor uttered after getting the envelope from him. He seemed uncomfortable and has been glancing at Xander from time to time as if weighing him.
"Go ahead", the chairman gave his order. His voice is full of authority.
"Well, ahhh", he started to open the envelope and out the several pieces of paper. He carefully gave it a look, sweats are forming his temple and his fingers are slightly trembling.
He looked at Xander, a look that says 'brace yourself.
"What I am about to read is the will and testament of Chairman Knight", he slightly nodded his head towards the chairman and Xander and he started to read.
'Crunch!' The glass of wine shattered upon hitting the concrete wall of his room.
This is not happening again. He can't believe how cruel and manipulative his grandfather is. He can remember the coldness in his eyes. He was beyond livid while listening to the will of the chairman.
He has worked his entire life helping to build this empire, he even sacrificed his own happiness, and for what? To share this with his father's bastard? There is no way in hell. He will beat him and once he does, he will crush him. They have no right to even be recognized as a family!
As to his bride, she will experience hell on earth. To her family, they will not be spared. As to the chairman, he will be disappointed.
He is so furious, and if anyone can see his face right now, would tremble in fear and run. He clenched his fist so hard, his nails digging into his palms and his knuckles turned white. He needs to release his anger somewhere.
He took his phone out and dialed a number. The line connected right away.
"Hey, who do I give credit for this call?" the voice from the other line said, the surprise is evident in his voice.
"Are you free tonight?", he asked. Based on the background, he must be in a bar because of the loud music and people chattering.
"Well, yeah", he chuckles.
"Where are you?"
"I am at Kevin's bar. Would you like to come over or do you have another plan?", he asked.
"I'll be there", he said and ended the call.
"Will you...hey, Xander are you there? Xander? What the…", the person on the line chuckles and shook his head in disbelief. He always hangs up the phone on him. He sensed that something was not right with him.
"You can disappear now", he said to the woman in one corner of the room without looking at her.
The woman fixed herself first and stood. She picked up her things that were scattered on the floor and ran towards the door of the private room.
"Don't you have anything to say before you leave?", he asked before she was completely out of the room. She froze. She tilted her head as she racked her head on what else this egoistic pig needs.
When she was about to turn around to face him.."get lost!" Clyde shouted. He got angry and he doesn't know why. The woman flinched and hurriedly left. "What an asshole", she said to herself.
Xander knitted his eyebrows when he heard Clyde shouted and he saw a woman scrambling to get out of the room. He thought he recognized this woman but since the lights are dim, he did not clearly see who it was. He shrugged his shoulder and went into the room.
"What the hell was that?", Xander asked.
Clyde just gave him a wry smile and sat on the couch. He puffed the cigarette on his hand and said. "Women are crazy and hideous, you know that?"
"You tell me …. Since when were you interested in women?" Xander asked curiously.
"I'm not, I am just being observant" and he chuckled.
"When did you arrive?"
"Yesterday",
"Hmmm. So what's up? What brought you here?"
Xander released a deep sigh. He is in a mess right now and he wants to forget everything.
"Let's just drink"
Clyde ordered 2 bottles of cognac for them and they started to drink.
They just sat there and drank. Nobody talked, just enjoying the silence and the alcohol.
Clyde was already drunk, as he drunk half the bottle. But Xander is still sober. He has a higher alcohol tolerance than Clyde.
Barf! Barf! Clyde almost did not make it to the washroom to vomit.
Xander just shook his head.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah" barf! Barf!
Xander laid down on the couch as he felt dizzy due to the alcohol. His mind is still clear but his vision is hazy and his head is spinning. He closed his eyes.
He felt better after a few minutes. He stood up and went to check on Clyde. He was already sleeping on the floor. He clicked his tongue and dragged him over the couch.