Rawl's POV
I glared at my watch, my mind racing with the impending contract meeting. I had just one more hour before the meeting.
I needed to finalize the details and secure the deal. It had been a struggle trying to get everything in order for the past month.
"Sir, everyone's ready. The Japanese investors called to say they are on their way," My assistant said.
"Alright, make sure nothing is left out," I answered.
"I have already gone through that. All that's left is the document for the meeting," ny assistant spoke.
I raised my gaze to look at him. "Aren't you supposed to have that?"
"Uhm, not really sir. I sent you the files yesterday. You requested to check them," she responded.
I scanned the table with my eyes and began to open the files but they weren't what I was looking for. I patted my pockets as if the files would ever fit into it, and my heart sank.
"Damn it," I muttered as I remembered where I had kept it.
I could already imagine the consequences of showing up to the conference room empty handed.
"Mr. Bennett, is everything okay?" She asked.
"Yes," I replied, grabbing my keys and sprinting out of the office.
My assistant's voice echoed behind me. "Sir, would you like me to do anything else?"
I didn't respond, already racing down the hallway and walking into the elevator. The moment it got down and opened, I bursted through the door.
I hurriedly answered whatever greetings I could hear from my workers and got into my car.
The engine screeched to life as I sped out of the parking lot, weaving through traffic with a growing sense of unease.
I glanced at my watch and my heartbeat raced. I had less than forty minutes. The red lights made me more frustrated and I was ready to cuss.
Immediately the traffic lights turned green, I sped into the road and turned onto my street.
My eyes scanned the familial landscape. I drove closer to the gate and the doors moved open.
I spotted someone, a figure standing outside my front door talking on the phone.
Who was that? My mind raced with possibilities of my daughter being hurt and I was ready to fight whoever it was.
The figure knew of my presence and turned when I parked, stepping out of the car.
I froze staring into the familiar eyes of the last person I ever wanted to see.
"Hello, brother," he greeted.
I didn't want to hear his voice or be around the same place as him.
"What do you want?" I questioned, looking into his eyes.
"That's no way to welcome your brother," he replied.
"Spare me the bullshit, Sam. What are you doing here?" I demanded.
Sam's smile flickered for a moment before it widened. "I was just dropping by to visit my niece and favourite brother. My only brother."
I felt the sarcasm burn down my throat and I maintained my hard glare on him.
I stepped closer, making sure to be at his face. "I don't have time for this, Sam. You're not welcome here. Leave and don't come back, ever!" I warned.
Sam chuckled, his eyes glimmering with amusement. "Oh, come on, Rawl. Are you going to send your brother out? Can't I pay my family a visit?"
"Not ever. Now take your baggage with you. Don't make me say it again," I said.
"You don't mean that, bro…" he said calmly. His voice was surprisingly calm.
I glared at him and spoke. "Get out!"
Sam's smile turned into a smirk and I could feel his anger threatening to burst any second. "Fine, I'll leave. But this isn't over, Rawl. Not by a long shot."
I watched as he turned and walked away to the gate pushing it open. I tried to dispel the unsettling sensation in my stomach. Anytime, Sam was near. Trouble never seemed to be far away.
I turned back into the house, unlocking the door and pushing it open. The house was awkwardly quiet and I wondered if Vanessa had left.
But as soon as I stepped inside, chaos erupted. Objects flew through the air, striking me hard on the face with girly screams and I almost passed out.
"Ugh, God damn it," I groaned, rubbing my head as I struggled to make sense of what had happened.
I felt a presence and I turned to look at Vanessa and Claire's eyes staring at me. They stood before me with a surprised look.
"Dad!" She yelled.
"Oh, my God, I'm so sorry," Claire apologised.
"That was some welcome," I murmured.
"Why are you here?" Vanessa asked.
"I forgot the contract document. What's happening here?"
I noticed Vanessa's gaze flickering to Claire, who had the same bewildered look.
"Sorry, Dad. We thought you were Sam," she replied.
"Sam?" I asked. "He came in?"
"Yeah, you should have seen him. He was out just some minutes ago. I chased him out," Vanessa chimed.
That would explain Sam standing at the front porch.
Claire's eyes narrowed. "Who's Sam?" She asked.
"My nut job uncle who's always a mess. I don't like him," Vanessa explained.
I left the girls and went to my room searching the table for the file. I found it in the drawer and checked my watch. I had just twenty minutes more.
I ran out of my room, holding the file. "Hey, girls. Don't stay up. I'll be back late to…day," I said, staring in shock as I noticed Sam walk into the room.
How the hell did he get in?
"Hello, niece. Hi there," he greeted the girls and my blood began to boil.
Vanessa's gaze fixed on Sam and she looked terrified. I took a step forward, my instinct telling me to protect the girls.
However, just as I was about to act, Sam's eye locked onto mine. "You still keep the spare under the carpet," he said, smiling at me.
I stepped forward and was ready to punch him if he made any love. "I believe I told you not to come back here."
Sam's grin widened. "Well, brother. I am not leaving."