"Ross Michael, where are you going?" Brandon's face was frustrated as he struggled to control his raging fury. His eldest son did not seem to care about what he was trying to explain, which infuriated him.
"You can train Shaun yourself, Dad," Ross declined. He rose from his chair and prepared to leave, as he could no longer listen to his father talk nonsense.
His father wanted him to pave Shaun's road, after which he would be free to marry the woman he loved.
Therefore, the result is the same: whether he will marry Shenna. His father wants him to be a pawn to covet the Villegas' wealth.
His father wanted him to make sacrifices, and he had no choice but to endure. He told him he could not marry Shenna. However, his father wanted to proceed with the marriage since he could divorce her one day.
Ross dug his fingers into his palm to suppress himself and not reveal his true feelings. He wondered what his father would think if he were honest with him and confessed that it was Yonah he wanted to marry.
Would his father give his blessings?
No… he could already sense that his father was adamant about marrying Shaun to Yonah.
"Get your ass here, Ross Michael. I am not making a request, but I am ordering you!"
Ross halted halfway and turned around to make eye contact with his father. After a momentary silence, Ross opened his mouth and uttered, "Tell them there's an urgent matter that needs my attention."
After stating that, he headed for the door without looking back. He turns deaf even when his dad keeps calling him out.
Shaun and Yonah stood side by side in the hallway while looking at the camera. They were picking out the best ones to upload to their social media accounts, barely noticing the man passing them.
"Brother, where are you going?" Shaun looked up when he caught sight of his brother's silhouette. However, Ross didn't reply. He simply walked past them, and this puzzled him. "What's going on?"
Both Yonah and Shaun left stupefied, having been ignored. Shrugging a shoulder, Shaun led the former toward the private room.
It was oddly quiet. And the only person sitting at the long table is Brandon.
"Dad isn't here?" Yonah wondered.
Shaun stepped forward and greeted his dad. He looked around to search for Yonah's father. He could sense the strange atmosphere looming in the room.
"What happened, Dad? Where is Uncle Tony?" he asked worriedly. First, his brother left without bidding them goodbye, and now his father was alone in the room.
"Ah, he went to the balcony to answer the call," Brandon replied, gesturing at the glass sliding door.
Yonah followed Brandon's gaze. She saw her dad speaking earnestly on the phone at the glass window. "I'll go check on Dad."
"Go ahead, honey." Brandon assented, and Yonah left.
Shaun took the chair that Ross had emptied. He inquired, "Dad, why is my brother left in a hurry? Is everything okay?"
"Everything is perfect, son. Your brother is a grown man. Now, let's focus on you." Shaun cannot comprehend his dad's cryptic phrase. Seeing him confused, Brandon tapped his son's shoulder and whispered, "I know you like Yonah, and Dad is here to support you."
Shaun was delighted to hear that. "Thank you, Dad! I honestly love Yonah," he confessed to his father, who was over the moon upon listening to him.
"And Dad is here to support you." His two sons are not the only men after the Villegas sisters. He must encourage them not to miss out on such an opportunity. "You understand what I am saying, right?"
He would rely on his youngest if he couldn't count on his eldest son. Shaun is eager to lend a hand in achieving his goals, which is a blessing.
"Now, listen carefully, Shaun. You must show you are the perfect son-in-law to win over the Villegas elders. You can't miss this opportunity to marry into a great family!"
"I understand, Dad," Shaun affirmed. Anyway, he truly has feelings for Yonah.
'I don't care whatever status Nana has. It doesn't matter, even though she is from a humble family. I love her and will marry her when she is of marriageable age!'
Shaun had this thought playing in his head, completely misunderstanding the hidden meanings of his dad's words.
He was oblivious to his dad's paramount plan to make them—siblings—compete to become the Villegas' perfect son-in-law.
'Ross, if you think I can't mold another you, I have your brother to achieve my goals! Just watch.'
It's easier to teach someone who is head over heels in love, thought Brandon.
He will teach Shaun himself the way he disciplines Ross, but this time, it will be different. Since his youngest son was in love with Yonah, it's easier to wrap him around his fingers.
~
Soon, the glass doors from the balcony opened, and Tony and Yonah emerged. Brandon quickly changed the subject of the conversation and merrily invited the father and daughter.
"Oh, sorry if that call took too long. Laura and Keira will join us later at the academy. So, we can have lunch now… Oh, where's Ross?" Tony apologized, but then he noticed Ross was missing.
Brandon smiled apologetically as he responded. "I apologized if Ross couldn't join us. He had important matters, so let's dig in without him."
"Alright. He sure is busy…" Tony understands. In fact, he was happy to have a responsible future son-in-law. He went on,
"I can see how hard a worker he is. Don't worry, Brandon. I will tell my daughter to remind her boyfriend to care for his health. I was like that in the beginning. All in my head is to strive for my family so that I actually neglect them."
"I share your sentiment, Tony. Hah." Brandon laughed, supporting Tony's statement. His gaze was fixed on his son. He said, "Shaun, you heard us. We adults have walked this earth longer than you, our children, so listen to what I tell you, son."
"I got it, Dad." Shaun knew he must impress his future in-laws by working hard and caring for his future wife.
He already had plans for his and Yonah's future. All that matters is to make them trust him; he would only achieve something if he had accomplishments.
'My brother Ross achieved a lot at a young age. And so, I must follow in his footsteps and accomplish even half of what he did.'
In his eyes, Ross is his hero and his inspiration. He admires him to the point of putting him on a pedestal as the best man he has ever known in this world.
Now that he is on the adulthood journey, his older brother is the first person he wants to seek out. His knowledge is exceptional, and he was outstanding at handling affairs in the company.
'I must seek my brother's help!'