Chapter 1

Liam

Six months later

"Another one". I call out to the bartender. I'm nowhere near as drunk as I need to be to get through this day.

Completely oblivious to the bursts of loud talking and laughter that surround me, I sit here wallowing in my own misery.

"Make that two". Jake tells the bartender as he joins me at the bar. I knew he'd follow me here. Jake is my best friend. He may not be blood but he's family.

I've been told that at a passing glance we look similar enough that we could be mistaken for brothers. With the exception of my hair which is darker than his.

He takes a seat beside me but I ignore him and take another shot. I can't believe he's really gone. After all this time I didn't think it would hurt this much. I spent so much time angry at him and now what?

My father and I used to be so close. But everything changed in a moment. My mother died and I learned what kind of a man he really was.

It's like I lost them both that day. I left home and never looked back. I was only 20, barely out of my teens.

After I left we never had any contact. He tried to entice me by depositing money into my bank account every month like clock work. He was hoping it would make me come back but I never did. Until today that money still sits in my account untouched.

After we buried him today. I needed some time alone. It felt like I lost him all over again. With so many people at my father's house coming to pay their respects I felt suffocated.

"We should head back." Jake speaks for the first time since he sat down.

"You need to face this. Let yourself mourn him. Running away won't do you any good."

I glare at him "I'm not running from anything. I just buried my father. Can I have my drink in peace?"

Jake gives me a tired sigh, he's used to my less than pleasant nature. We've known each other since college. He's not only my best friend, he's also my business partner.

He turns towards me "Look, I get it, this must be hard. But you're not alone in this." he says with his hand on my shoulder.

I know he's right and I'm just being stubborn. I decide to give in. I stumble as I try to stand up.

"Wow! you good?" Jake reaches out to hold me steady.

"Yeah, I'm good. Unlike you I'm not a lightweight." He chuckles as we walk out the door.

I throw my car keys to him, "You're driving".

"You're letting me drive your precious car? You really are drunk." He says as we get in my 67 chevy impala, this car is my baby.

"You better hope we both end up dead if you crush it." He laughs as if I'm joking.

We drive quietly through the city until we reach the mansion. The guards outside recognise my car and open the gate for us.

It's a journey from the gate to the main entrance, the path is surrounded by trees on both sides. Jake circles the water fountain at the center front of the house and parks at the entrance.

At least there aren't as many people as there were before. I get out of the car and head towards the front door with Jake following behind me.

Ignoring everyone, I walk straight to my father's office and Jake disappears towards the kitchen probably for food. The guy never stops eating.

I close the door behind me and go pour myself a drink. Before I even take a sit behind my desk I hear a knock at the door 'great'.

"What?!" I bark. The door opens and I see Mr. Linden behind it.

"Hey kid, I came to see how you're holding up. We missed you at the wake." He lets himself in and sits opposite to me.

"My apologies, I just needed some air." I try not to sound irritated for being interrupted.

I respect Mr. Linden. He's been my fathers COO since my father started his company and a friend much longer than that.

"Don't worry about it, I understand" he says.

There's a long stretch of silence before he speaks again, "He regretted what happened between you two you know."

I hold my breath. Despite how much those words affect me, I mask the emotions from my face.

"Well it's all in the past now. How can I help you Mr. Linden?" My patience is weighing thin already. I just want to be left alone.

"Right straight to it then. I think you know we'll be needing a new C.E.O now that your father is no longer with us. Since I know you already have your hands full, I'd be more than happy to step in and help you run things."

I hadn't even thought about that. "I haven't had time to consider anything yet. Why don't I think on it and I'll get back to you?" He didn't expect my answer but recovers quickly.

"Of course. I'll be heading out then." he goes to stand up. Before he opens the door, he turns his head towards me.

"I'm sorry for your loss Liam, your father will be missed."

I swallow the lump in my throat before I can respond to him. "Thank you". He nods his head and walks out the door.

I stare at the envelope on the desk once his gone, the one my father's lawyer gave me earlier. Mr. Kent was the one who informed me of my father's car accident.

I downed the rest of my drink in one go. The alcohol burning my throat as it goes down.

I pour all the contents of the envelope on the desk. Most of them are documents concerning my father's estate. As I sort through them, I see a letter.

I take it in my hand and stare at it. I take a deep breath trying to find the courage to open it.

Dear liam,

I never thought that when you left home that would be the last time I saw you. I should have found a way to fix our relationship but my pride got the better of me, so many regrets.

I can't change the past, but know that no matter the wrongs I've done I loved you and your mother very much. Not a single day went by that I haven't thought of you, my son.

I'm so sorry for the mistakes I've made, I tried to do my best but I guess my best wasn't enough.

I've watched you from a distance and I'm so proud of the man you've become, I could never wish for a better son. I know you don't need my money or anything I've left for you but I hope you still keep it, I worked so hard so I could provide for you and your mother, everything I built was always for you. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive your oldman.

Love always,

Dad