Hey, guys. I feel like it's been a while since I last greeted you, folks. How are you guys holding up? Good? That's nice. Cause I'm not doing too good here.
I thought I could finally have a normal life. One where I won't be shackled to my dead family's expectations. One where I'll finally meet my real significant other and build our family happily then die at old age. One where I'll finally be free.
Who would've thought the skin I'm wearing is hiding such a big secret underneath.
TToTT
Goodbye, normal life.
Sitting here in the study of my newly acquired bro's penthouse makes me feel like I'm sitting on pins and needles. I don't even dare to breathe as I look at Edgar's contemplating expression while rummaging through those documents. I can't tell what he feels right now. Don't even mention the awkward silent drive back home. It was agonizingly silent!
When I see Edgar finally placing the documents down, I can't help but tensed up a little.
"These are the proposals from my uncle's side. The scribbles on these match the ones on the notebook. I guess Aaron must have been the one making the amendments on the proposals."
I nodded absentmindedly. Waiting for detective Edgar to solve the mystery of these documents. I'm a person who only has food in my head. This situation stresses me up so much, all I could think is to binge on some snacks for some relief. Hearing the words spoken by Edgar, I can feel chills slowly running down my spine.
Pointing at one particular document, he said, "I remember this development project is presented in a meeting once. It receives a huge compliment from the boards and just started the initial stage of commencement last year. Looking at this draft, I can see there's a lot of loopholes and mistakes but Aaron's comments on the side perfectly patch it up."
Yeah. Aaron is such a genius he could even patch up the Hill's proposals on their behalf. Just what kind of brain does he have? Thinking to this point, I feel like this brain is wasted on me right now.
"This one and this one are on the final stage of completion as of now. The amount of profit expected from these two is very high. Firming my Uncle's position on the board. But, these notes, something fishy is definitely going on. Seems like they're trying to exploit from these projects."
I once again nodded absentmindedly. I saw the notes too when I was skimming through them back in the dorm. I'm not sure where this is going, but I already don't like it.
"I can only assume these were kept as evidence. There might be something dubious about Aaron's suicide after all. Seems like he was quite prepared to drag the other side down if he falls. Looking at the ink, some of these notes were recently added to the documents."
Detective Edgar kept on making deduction after deduction and I nodded like the good listener that I am. In fact, all I can see is Edgar's mouth opening and closing but no words seem to reach my brain. I guess I do have selective hearing after all. Can't blame me, I have no experience in this type of internal power struggle in a big company. Gobble Up is just a small humble chain restaurant!
I guess my lack of response is a little unbearable to Edgar. He finally put the documents aside and called out to me. "It's alright, I'll have someone look through these. Let's eat."
As if the curse has been lifted, the muted mouth of Edgar finally produced a sound and I perked up my ears. It was already dinner time when we arrived and looking through the documents took quite some time. All the stress almost starve me to death!
"Yeah!" I jolted from the chair and scurried into the kitchen which causes me to miss the troubled expression on Edgar's face.
*****
Opening the fridge, I can see a lot of fresh produce and meat in stock. It's quite a rare sight in a bachelor's home. I can't stop the urge to ask, "Did you cook, Ed?"
We're now in the nickname base. As a good bro, I decided to play my part to the fullest.
Edgar, "...No. But I heard from Devon that you cook a lot. So I thought it's best to have the fridge filled so you can cook whenever you want."
"Most foodie knows how to cook. You made a good judgment. I'll be responsible for the meal if you want." I gave Edgar who was leaning on the kitchen counter a wink. Take it as my rental fee bro!
"...Sounds good. Almost feel like I have a wife at home." He returned my wink with a bright smile.
Placing the ingredients on the counter, I gave Edgar's words a good laugh. I never knew Edgar could crack jokes before. I guess there is a difference between being treated as a subordinate and a bro. Bumping his shoulder with my fist, I replied enthusiastically, "Right? Almost. Too bad we're both men here! Hahaha!"
Edgar, "..."
While my hands are busy, my mouth decides to probe into this golden bachelor's life. Can't blame me. He was the one who brought up the issue of 'wife'. "Now that we're on this topic, why aren't you married yet? Aren't you 32 this year?"
From the corner of my eyes, I can see Edgar who was standing silently on the side stiffened. "We're only five years apart. I just turned 29 last month."
Hearing that, I generously corrected him with a grin on my face, "Eight years apart now. I'm 21 this year."
Edgar, "..."
"You haven't answered my first question." I'm desperately multitasking between chopping the onions and probing for gossips. I won't let you off so easily, Ed!
"I just don't feel like getting married yet." Edgar answered nonchalantly.
I nodded, "I feel you. Being a hunk myself, I can understand your reluctance to be tied down right now."
Edgar, "..." Not sure if I should take this as a compliment or warning signs...
For a while, the kitchen was only filled with the sound of chopping, water boiling, and pans sizzling. I was so focused on my masterpiece, I ignored Edgar's presence who stood a few feet away from me. Silently watching my every move. When he finally opens his mouth again, I almost chopped my own finger off.
Edgar, "I heard you were married."
"...Yeah." Blame me for being such a busy body. Now Edgar mercilessly returned the topic to me.
I can feel his burning gaze burning through me, "How was it?"
"Pretty bad. Haha!" I really don't want to be reminded of this anymore. I've had enough lamenting in my stupidity. Whatever happened to Dakota has nothing to do with me anymore.
Edgar, "...Sorry to hear that." I can hear a little guilt behind his voice.
"It's alright! It was just a bad investment on my part. I lost and gained life at the same time. Guess it's a win-win." I comforted my bro with a smile. You don't have to feel guilty. My marriage was unknown to the outside world. We didn't hold any ceremony and no announcement was made either. It's only fitting he's curious about it.
Edgar, "...Yeah." There was a long pause before he continued, "But I'm not sure if this is a win for you right now."
I tilted my head in his direction with a raised eyebrow. What do you mean, bro?
He let out a long sigh before explaining patiently, "You are currently too involved in Hill's family matter. The failed suicide and the explosion of news on your accidents might be initiated by my uncle. He's pretty well known to resort to this type of dark way to deal with matters in the family. He's been desperately climbing to the top these past three years during my absence from the board. I can see that Aaron is quite valuable to him. For him to do this, Aaron might have offended him somehow."
...
Σ(°△°|||)︴
Seeing my panicked expression and my hand holding the knife trembling a little, Edgar tried to console me, "But if he doesn't kill you outright, that means it was just a warning. You should be fine if you lay low. I guess your decision to quit the business circle was right after all."
"But...Aaron IS dead..." I uttered in a small voice, looking straight into Edgar's eyes with tears threatening to spill from my own.
Edgar, "..." That's right...
Does that mean I might have a price on my head?
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