A Bitter Rejection

Aiden was not sure what to answer.

"Oh my, Aiden, you have truly grown into a handsome young man!"

Cheryl Matthews approached Aiden with a bright smile. Ignoring Aiden's distrustful gaze, she patted the young man's upper arm affectionately.

"Don't you think so, Jack?"

Jack nodded.

"Certainly, certainly."

Whether it was certain or not, Aiden hated to say that Jack had paid for his years of upbringing. Then again he was not there to show himself to Jack just so that the man could pat himself on the back for a job well done.

Aiden did not say anything in response. His gaze swept over the three people, from one to the other, and then he spoke with a cool and even tone devoid of his true feelings for the three people.

"Nice to meet everyone again. Aunt Cheryl and Alain, can I have a minute with my father?"

Cheryl and Alain exchanged looks. Alain got up from the sofa and threw Aiden a glance before he and his mother left the office. Jack motioned for Aiden to take a seat on the couch.

"Do you need money?" Jack asked straightforwardly.

"No," Aiden answered right away. "I need you to pretend to give me money."

Jack Matthews was taken aback. He clearly did not expect that kind of request. He got up from his seat and went to grab a cigar. After lighting up the cigar and taking a few puffs, he went back to confront Aiden.

"What the hell are you talking about, Aiden?"

Aiden pursed his lips. Naturally, he did not wish to tell Jack about Grandma Thompson's illness.

"I just need you to tell anyone that asks that you give me a large sum of money every month for a year. You do not need to know anything else."

Jack Matthews raised an eyebrow. Anger was boiling in his eyes.

"Then the answer is no."

The jut on their throats rolled up and down as the father and son exchanged glares.

"I am not going to vouch for a sum of money which origin and purpose I know nothing about."

"But I am not asking for money," Aiden said stubbornly.

Jack Matthews slammed his hand against the table surface.

"The conversation is over," he said with gritted teeth.

Aiden was done with his attempts to coax his father. He turned around and left without another word. After slamming the door shut behind him, Aiden inhaled a lungful of air. His hand went up to massage his aching temple. He had lost the only person who could help convince his grandmother about the trustworthy origin of the money.

"Aiden, is everything alright?"

Mrs. Wells approached him and grabbed his shoulder. Aiden shook his head.

"Mrs. Wells, where is the restroom?"

"Oh, over here..."

Aiden went in the direction that Mrs. Wells pointed at. He threw his satchel to a nearby counter and rushed toward the water basin. After splashing some cold water on his face, Aiden blinked at the wall mirror in front of him.

He did not come to see his father with huge expectations. After all, this was the man whom he had not been in contact with for years. Aiden had become a stranger to his father.

Although Aiden was willing to swear on his life that his father would never be burdened by the white lie, it still took an immense trust between the two people to establish a lie. Jack was just being careful. Just like his grandmother was.

Aiden gritted his teeth and slammed his fist down to the black quartz countertop. A soft chuckle was heard coming from a corner. The door of a booth opened and Alain Matthews came out. He casually walked toward the basin next to Aiden to wash his hands.

The half-brothers exchanged glances via the wall mirror.

"I overheard your conversation with Papa," Alain said with a light and pleasant tone.

"Overheard" was indeed a better word to use than "eavesdropped". Aiden slowly turned his head to stare at Alain's side profile. This half-brother was dressed to the nines as the heir of Matthews' Boulangerie. Too bad he never touched a single baking appliance in his life.

"Considering that we are brothers, why don't I help you out? You just need someone to lie for you, correct?"