I drank the last shot of champagne from my wine glass when Jarold asked me for another glass. "Want more?" He asked while holding the bottle of Armand de Brignac. So, I handed over my wine glass to ask for more. He smiled and gave me another shot. Right now, we're both in the roof top of the mansion. Jarold chose for us to have drinks here than to the bar room inside. Because, he wants to have fresh air outside. So, I agreed. Then, we both came up here. As we both drink the shot of champagne from our glass wines, we both took a deep breath as we watch the different kinds of vehicles from up here. Then, he looked at me. "So, how's school?" He asked. I didn't look back, and I gave a sigh. "Nothing but usual, bro. I think I'll just finish this thing only to make dad satisfied." I replied. He laughed a bit after hearing those words from me. "As if you have any other choice? You knew him, we have to follow his orders." He replied then drank another shot from his wine glass. "Yep. As if I have any other choice but to do so." I replied. Then, I looked at him. "How about you? How's your day in the office?" I asked. "Well.." He said then stopped from speaking and took a deep breath. He looks so bothered after I asked that question. "Why? Is everything alright?" I asked while still looking at him with curiosity. "Nothing, I had a small argument with dad a while ago." He said. My eyes widened after hearing those words from him. "You argued with dad, again? What happened?" I asked. Well, to be honest, Jarold and dad are always arguing about things. I don't know but they have different point of views in life. And, since, Jarold is old enough to decide for himself, there are times that he disagrees with dad's decision for the company. While, me? Every time they argue in front of me, I'm the one who's just absorbing their thoughts and opinions. But, in the end, even though I have my own idea as well, I just remain silent and let them argue about it. Knowing that they are both not giving up with the opinions that they have unless one will surrender, and allow the other one to win. And, yeah.. In the end, since dad is the one who's more powerful, he surely wins. That's also the reason why I just remain silent sometimes because I knew already who will be the final decision. "It's just a small product from one of the producers, I just suggested that we try another one since we are not gaining any enough profit for that product anymore. And, as expected, he doesn't want it. He scolded me again, then.. I walked out of his office because of that." He said while looking at a distance. I smirked after hearing those words from him. "Why can't he just listen sometimes?" I said while looking at a distance as well. He just smirked as well while shaking his head. "Oh, before I forgot.. Are you going somewhere tomorrow? It's your rest day right?" He asked while looking at me. I raised an eye brow after hearing those words. "Nope, I'll be staying here. Why?" I asked. Then, he snapped his finger. "Bingo! Join me tomorrow." He said. So, I looked at him with curiosity. "Huh? Where?" I asked. "We're going to visit the branches of Wilmart in Carolina. So, you have to come with me. It'll be boring if I'm all alone there." He said while looking at me as if he's showing me his puppy eyes. I laughed because of what he's doing. "What the? Will you stop that Jarold? That doesn't look good on you!" I said while still laughing. "Why? Where's dad? He's not coming with you?" I added. He rolled his eyes after that. "Oh, you know that old man. He's busy doing his own stuff. I also avoid him, because all we gonna do there is argue. I'll not enjoy the whole trip if that will happen." He replied. "So, you have to come with me! You don't have any other choice, I'm your big brother. So, you have to do what I say!" He said while laughing. I gave him a look of disbelief after hearing those words from him. "Wow? You're now deciding for me, huh?" I said while laughing as well. "Oh, common.. I'll treat you bowling after that. Deal?" He said. I rolled my eyes after that and took a deep breath. "Oh, okay!" I said.
We're in the middle of our conversation when someone from our backs called Jarold. "Jarold! Finally, I found you." She said. Then, the both of us looked at her. She's wearing a green cocktail dress with a diamond earrings. "Mom! Hi!" Jarold replied and greeted her. I smiled while looking at her as well and greeted her. "Hi, Diana." I said while smiling. I can feel the awkwardness as I greet her that way. She just looked at me with no expression and came closer to Jarold. "I've been looking everywhere for you." As soon as she came closer to us, she hugged Jarold and kissed him on his cheeks. Jarold hugged her as well. Diana is the mom of Jarold. If you're asking why am I calling her on her first name, well.. She told me to. Jarold and I are brothers, we have the same father but with different mothers. In short, Diana is not my biological mom. Dad also told me that my mom is Catherine. She died when I was a baby. So, I never had the moment to see her. And, ever since I was a child, Diana is obviously and secretly treating me and letting me feel that I'm not a legitimate one. Yes, my dad had an affair with my mom even though he's married with Diana. I understand why she treats me that way because she can't forget that moment that dad had an another woman besides her. That's why she even told me that day, that she doesn't want me to call her mom. Yet, even though she's like that, my brother Jarold, treats me as his real brother. Good thing that Jarold didn't get the same attitude as his mom. "Come with me now, dinner is served already!" Diana said while wrapping her arms towards Jarold's waist. Jarold laughed after that. "Oh, really? So, what's our dinner for tonight, huh?" He asked. Diana just shrugged. "I don't know what Madam Rose prepared for us, but based on it's smell, it's really delicious." She said while looking at him. Then, the both of them started to walk. As I watch them from their backs. Sometimes, I wish that mom is with me, for me to experience how moms treat their children. But, nah.. I have to accept the fact that she's gone. So, I have to live my life like this. I saw Jarold looked back and waved at me. "What are you doing there, Liam? Let's go! Dinner is ready!" He said. As soon as I heard him, I nodded. "Yeah, yeah.. I will." I replied. Then, I started to walk as well.
The three of us are going downstairs to the dining area when we saw the maid rushing to approach us. Diana raised her eye brow and looked at her. "What's wrong with you?" She asked. The maid stopped in front of us and looked at us. "Ma'am, Sir William is here.." She said while catching her breath. Diana looked surprise after hearing those words. "What? Really? Where is he?" She said while looking at the maid. "He just went out of the car and is about to change clothes to prepare for dinner." She said. As soon as she heard that, she nodded and removed her arms around Jarold's waist. She faced Jarold and touched his face. "Son, your dad is here.. So, you have to be ready." Then, she looked at me from head to toe. "The same as you, Liam." She said. "The two of you, proceed now to the dining area and wait for us there." She added. Then, she ran all the way to approach our dad. The two of us just looked at each other and proceeded to the dining area.
As soon as we get there, we sat down on our designated chairs. Dad's chair is on the other side of the long table, while Diana's on the other side. Jarold's seat is in the middle while mine is facing his. We both made ourselves presentable as our dad approaches. The maids immediately brought out some of the delicious dishes that they have prepared for our dinner. They put everything including the salads on the table, they checked the utensils if it's complete as well. They are doing this everyday. Especially, when dad is here. Because, he's too meticulous when it comes to the things that he will use. As soon as dad and Diana entered the dining area, Jarold and I stood up and greeted our dad. "Good evening, father." We both said while looking at him. He just looked the both of us and smiled a bit. "Have a seat." He said. So, the both of us sat down, while Diana assisted him all the way to his seat. She was about to drag the seat for him when dad suddenly spoke. "Oh, common, Diana.. I'm not that old for you to do this. Go to your seat now." He said while looking at her. Diana just smiled and still continued dragging the chair. "Let me do this for you, my husband." She said while smiling. Dad didn't reply and just sat down after what Diana did. As he sat down, he stared at all of us. "So, what are you waiting for? Bon Appetite!" He said. So, all of us started to take our dinner.
We're in the middle of our dinner when I saw that dad is staring at me. So, I looked away and pretended to be busy eating because of that. "Liam.." He said with an authoritative voice. As soon as I heard him say that, I immediately looked at him. "Yes, dad?" I asked and put down my utensils. "You're really handsome." He said. My eyes widened after hearing those words from him. What is he saying? I already knew that. "Pardon me?" I asked pretending that I didn't hear him right. "And, because of that.. I want you to meet the daughter of someone that I knew." He said. As soon as I heard that, I cleared my throat and looked at Jarold. He just bowed while smiling. Look at this guy. He even managed to smile like that while dad is setting me up on a blind date! "Why? You don't want to?" Dad asked. Then, Diana looked at me while raising her eye brow. I laughed awkwardly because of that. "That's not what I mean. Well.. To be honest, I don't want to set up my mind for that. I just want to focus with my studies first, since I'm graduating already." I replied. But, to be honest, my heart is already pounding because of thinking what will be his reaction. Then, his face became serious while looking at me. Shit. I think I've said a wrong word. Then, suddenly, dad laughed so loud. "You really changed, son! That's the son that I've been looking for in you." He said while still laughing. As soon as he said those words, I gave a sigh. I really thought that I've said something wrong. "But, I'll still let you meet the girl. I assure you, you will like her because she's really beautiful." I shook my head after that. I thought that I've already stopped the blind date thing. But, I'm wrong. Why on earth am I always being set up on a blind date? I looked at Jarold who's quietly eating in front of me. Why is this guy living peacefully like this, without being set up on a blind date, too? Why is it always me?