"Evie" Aviva glanced at the source of voice. Her eyes widened in astonishment, the most unexpected visitor had arrived.
"Jake? When did you arrive?" Jake sauntered toward her desk before opening his arms and hugging her.
"I thought it could count as a surprise." Aviva patted on his back as they sat on the couch.
"If you had told me, I could have come to pick you up." Aviva picked up a bottle of mineral water and handed it to him.
"Then, it wouldn't be a surprise." He drank after accepting it and looked at Aviva's curious gaze. He couldn't stand her penetrating orbs.
"Just fire away."
Aviva's lips tugged at the corner. "You surely know me."
"Twin telepathy." He shrugged his shoulder.
"Cheeky." She giggled at his remark. "Just when are you shifting your company?" Aviva asked. Jake went to a different city to attend college and eventually started a Gaming company there.
"Why? Did you miss me a little too much?" His brows quirked in amusement, teasing her.
"Who missed you?"
"You"
"No. I didn't."
"Yes. You did."
"Fine. I did. So, what are your plans?"
Expectantly, she fixed her gaze on him. Time has passed, but it has left traces; unforeseen circumstances and inevitable situations have driven siblings apart to different places.
Aviva never anticipated that their aspirations would pull them in different directions, making it increasingly challenging to find time to spend together as they matured.
"What do you think?" A slow smile formed on his lips. He rested against the back of the chair, covering his face with his hand as he struggled to stifle a yawn.
"Perhaps it would take six months or more. You have to wait for now."
Aviva's whole complexion brightened like a radiant sun. A sense of contentment, joy, relief, and something undecipherable washed over her face.
Jake's eyes softened, watching her excitement and happiness. His eyes glistened as if he had just seen his mother in her; he pushed back that memory and flashed a smile.
'Why their eyes are an exact copy of each other?'
"You are tired. You can rest here in the room." Aviva couldn't bear to interrogate him anymore. She noticed his stretched limbs and worn-out appearance. Her brother was sleepy and exhausted.
Opening the gate, she entered the attached room to the CEO's office and found a sleeping robe in the closet.
" Big Brother's clothes are still here; you can use them for now. I'll also put some for you later." She also saw new towels, shampoo, and body wash; taking them out, she placed all the stuff on the bed accordingly for him.
"I'm not a kid. I can do it on my own." His heart swelled, feeling the warmth and care. As affectionate as ever. But, he jested, sitting at the edge of the bed.
Aviva chuckled, "For me. You will always be. "Jake could only roll his eyes in response. "Anyway, have a shower, and yes, the sheet is new. Fresh and not used. Rest assured."
As Aviva was walking out of the room, suddenly, she remembered something and turned back.
"Hey, and guess what? Brother is back from his trip later today, so we can all catch up over dinner. It has been a while."
"Umm. I'll remember." He answered while walking to the bathroom door, ready to come over his jet lag.
She ruffled his hair, feeling nostalgic; he grew so tall, and the boy who used to run after her for everything was now mature, steady, and thoughtful.
"What a fool! What will you remember? Just sleep, and I will wake you up."
Jake tilted his head to one side, not minding her comment. He felt at home with her. Here and wherever she and his brother will be.
"OK. I'll go now."
*******
"See, it just went as we predicted." Markus's exasperation was at its peak, considering the disastrous meeting attended an hour back.
Markus was fuming, and his brows furrowed in contemplation. He sighed heavily in annoyance. "I'm telling you, it's just a new way to prohibit the semi-government autonomous functioning body. From the very start, it was an unfavorable deal for the organization. They just preferably delegated it to our heads."
Kayden listened to his rambling with a straight face, thinking how to get out of this situation. Luckily, his business mobile rang at the desired moment.
Waving his phone, he gestured for Markus to stop. "Wait. I have to take this."
Kayden came after five minutes. Sliding a chair with his legs, he sat calmly and ignored the perplexed Markus.
"Continue"
A single word rattled Markus. His ears were smoking, and he got infuriated. His eyes were blazing fire.
"Calm down. Let me tell you some good news."
"Are you going to be a father?" Markus asked innocently.
Kayden looked at him in mock offense.
"What? Don't give me a look of contempt." Markus defended his reiteration. "You shouldn't have said good news in the first place."
Kayden ignored him, just like the class leader who disregarded undisciplined students. "Wanna know or not?" He smirked. "You know, I'm not free as someone."
"Go on. Don't make a suspense."
Kayden gave him a pointed look, "The assistant to the CEO of Galaxy World reached out to me. Talking about the same land, they have a proposal regarding it and want to discuss it further."
Markus's eyes bulged in shock. He couldn't believe his ear. "The same Galaxy group. I'm thinking about."
Kayden didn't say a word, waiting for the man to behave like his age. Even Markus's daughters are better than him. "Man, it's not like, you have the contract papers. Never mind, just a call."
"Why are you a crow's beak? Don't jinx it." Markus was delighted, smiling happily as if he had got a lifeline like a sinking ship. "Galaxy group is a giant. Hospital chains, Pharmacy chains, Pharmaceuticals, and Medicine research, name something in the medical field. It excels in that."
Gavin Arnold Miller, the renowned CEO, inherited the legacy of Galaxy Group. The company attained an undisputable height and became unparalleled in its field.
He could guess the reason for Markus's excitement. However, for Kayden only the end goal matter. He can't rejoice until they sign the contract paper.
''Don't get eager soon enough only to cry later."
This time Markus neglected him, without giving a single glance.