Chapter 19: Family Time part 2

Leo

The scent of sugared strawberries hung heavy in the air, a sweet counterpoint to the city's symphony of honking horns and distant sirens. With a satisfied grin, I pulled into the familiar parking lot of Collin's imposing corporate building. Tonight was a surprise night.

The afternoon's double date with Matthew and Cereus lingered in my mind, mostly just because of Molly, a warmth that spread through me despite the underlying tension. Spending some time together, happy and comfortable, had sparked a pang of… something. Peace maybe? It was a feeling I couldn't quite decipher. Maybe I just missed how me, my brother Collin and our parents used to go out for dinners each month and how we used to spend time as a family binge-watching shows and eating a strawberry cake, though nobody liked it, just because it was my favourite. A smile spread on my lips.

Shaking off the unwelcome thoughts, I dialled Assistant Wang's number. "Assistant Wang, it's Leo. Listen, I'm here to see Collin, but I'd like it to be a surprise. You think you can manage that?"

A hearty chuckle came through the receiver. "Mr. Leo, always the charmer. Consider it done. I'll send someone down to whisk you right up."

Moments later, a young woman with a sharp haircut and a smile even sharper materialized by my car. "Mr. Leo, right this way. Assistant Wang instructed me to use the CEO's private elevator."

Following her brisk pace, a shiver of unease ran down my spine. The gleaming chrome and plush carpeting of the exclusive elevator felt like a million miles away from the cosy cafes and dusty video game stores I frequented. This was Collin's world now, a world of polished facades and high-stakes decisions.

The doors slid open onto a plush waiting area, a stark contrast to the sterile efficiency of the rest of the floor. Assistant Wang gestured towards a plush armchair. "Mr. Wang is currently in a meeting that could last another hour or so. May I offer you some refreshments?"

"Just water, thanks," I replied, sinking into the chair. Reaching into my bag, I pulled out the small box containing the strawberry cake. A silent apology to Molly for not letting her steal a bite earlier, the cake still remained untouched and looked heavenly.

Unfolding the vintage game I'd snagged at a quirky shop on the way, I plugged in my headphones. The world shrunk to the vibrant pixels on the screen, a temporary escape from the weight of the surprise I was about to deliver. Hearing Matthew ask about Collin earlier felt weird. For some reason, I didn't want him to know about my brother.

Will Molly not judge me if I don't tell her soon that my brother is the CEO of Wusan Conglomerate, right? I mean, who wants to publicize that their brother runs the Wusan Conglomerate and is the youngest CEO of it ever? All it does is attract bootlickers on the way; as much vulgar as it sounds.

Time blurred as I navigated the digital battlefield, a lopsided grin plastered on my face. Just as I was about to unleash my ultimate attack, the door creaked open. I glanced up, expecting Assistant Wang, but my breath hitched in my throat. It was Big Brother. Shit, I cannot let him confiscate my new video game too. He has already too much video game stash of mine.

Standing there, a frown etched on his face, was Collin. The CEO facade was firmly in place, but beneath the pinstripes and the sharp gaze, I saw a flicker of surprise – a flicker that quickly morphed into something akin to… happiness?

"Big brother," I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite the churning in my gut. "I thought you're meeting would take some more time to complete"

What had I gotten myself into? Maybe a surprise visit from his long-lost brother, complete with a peace offering of cake and a nostalgic attempt at bonding, wasn't the best strategy after all.

Collin's gaze darted between me, and the cake box. He understood instantly, as he turned to face Assistant Wang, and said, "Cancel the rest of my appointments for today. And make sure no one disturbs us for the rest of the night", to which I think Assistant Wang replied by nodding and getting himself out of the office with a bow.

Collin brought his laptop to the couch where I was, kept one of the popular movies on Netflix, kept the laptop on the coffee table so it was visible for both of us and started to open the container in which the strawberry cake I brought was in. Guess that was our plan for the evening.