William was seated on the couch in Alexander's office, skimming through a book by a finance expert Alexander had bought some months back but hadn't read. At the desk, Alexander worked in silence, and William flipped to another page before rising from his seat and returning the book to the shelf where it was.
The midday sun filtered in through the spaces in the blinds, and the silence of the room was peaceful as if nature was lounging right in their space. William had shown up unannounced and claimed he had wanted to pop by and say hi, but two hours had passed and he still lazed around, scanning through books and letting Alexander handle his business in peace.
Alexander glanced at his friend. William was on leave for a week, and being a luxury real estate developer, the idea of leave to William involved cruising around town with Bimp, his Samoyed, and most times a quiet day of rest at home. He had wanted to try something different, a trip to Athens, but canceled the idea last minute when Bimp got ill again, something that was becoming recurrent now.
"William," Alexander called to him. William set down the book he was holding and directed wide eyes that looked too innocent for a man his age at Alexander. He was one of those men who still maintained their boyish handsomeness, his face framed with a tousled mane of rich brown hair, and behind his expressive chestnut eyes, a mischevious spark lurked.
"Why don't you go to Robert?" Alexander asked. "I'm sure he'd find a party for you both to attend."
"Not interested," William said in his posh British accent. "I'd rather wallow in this boredom." He picked another book and then set it down before he returned to his seat on the couch, slumping on the chair with a weary sigh. "I'm just trying not to go crazy thinking about Bimp in that hospital. The vet asked me to personally leave for some hours, talking about how my worry is giving my dog anxiety."
Alexander hid his laugh at that. Everyone knew William loved his Samoyed like his own child.
"When were you asked to return?" Alexander asked, reading the email that popped on his computer screen.
"Three hours remains roughly two more," William said. "Something about getting him relaxed for surgery." He cussed under his breath. "A tumor. How didn't I think it was something a lot severe?"
"Relax, it's benign," Alexander said. "No wonder the hospital was so quick to kick you out."
But William didn't catch the humor. Instead, he tilted his head back and closed his eyes. Alexander let him be, but the knock on his door soon disrupted the peace. Tyler, Alexander's new hire for the position of digital marketer, popped his head of unruly red curls into the office.
"Hi," he looked between William and Alexander. "We've…uhm, we've got a situation."
"Tell Tatiana to handle anything marketing-related," Alexander checked the time on his laptop. "Your team should still be in the meeting scheduled for today, isn't that right?"
"Yeah," he looked out the door, and Alexander caught the nervousness in his eyes when he faced him again. "We were in the meeting, and then we ran into a situation with…uhm…your brother."
Alexander rose from his seat, and William sat up.
"Jeffery?" Tyler gave a vigorous nod of the head. "What's he doing here?"
"He…" Tyler trailed off. "Well, he came to see Tatiana."
Alexander didn't need to be told anything more. He walked past Tyler, who was quick to step away from his path. Eyes followed him as he walked to the elevator, and Tyler and William stepped in after him. The meeting was being held in one of the smaller conference rooms on the second floor, and Tyler led the way once the elevator doors opened.
Jeffery was there, and he had managed to corner Tatiana into a wall. She was red in the face with anger, and as she tried to move past him, he was quick to step in her way.
"Come on, all this playing hard to get is a big turn-off," Jeffery said.
"I said no," Tatiana said hotly into his face. "Please be respectful of my choice, and if that isn't enough for you, I'm also married."
"How about you give me a little…"
Before Jeffery's hand could touch Tatiana's arm, Alexander yanked him back. Jeffery stumbled back, surprised, and then a sly smile spread on his lips when he saw Alexander.
"Someone let the cat out," Jeffery pocketed his hands into his jeans. "The mice were just having fun."
William walked over to Tatiana. "Are you okay?"
She nodded, cautious eyes on Jeffery. "He wouldn't back away."
Alexander's hands turned into fists. "What's your problem?" He asked Jeffery. "Why would you come to my office and harass my staff?"
"Harass?" Jeffery laughed. "Ask her who was enjoying whose company better?"
Alexander stepped up to Jeffery until he was face to face with him. Everything in him was telling him to punch the smirk off his face, deal with him until he would never try any of such nonsense in his life again, but the rational part of his brain held him back; he was related to the scum, anything harms him and Alexander was going to pay for it dearly by one scheming way or the other. If Jeffery didn't make sure of it, Abigail would, and it would definitely involve a lawsuit and bad publicity.
And the unfortunate yet important part, he was his brother.
"Go ahead," Jeffery's smirk turned into a grin, knowing fully well who was to lose more. "Give me that knuckle sandwich you've been craving. I'd take as many as you want to dish out." His eyes flickered over to Tatiana, and William stood in his line of vision.
Jeffery squinted his eyes at him. "I know you." He said. "I'm a little high right now, but you're one of Alex's guard dogs."