IS THIS THE CLOSURE THAT I GET?

[ELLIS' POV]

My heart is beating fast.

He's so close to me, our bodies are touching and his arms are wrapping around my small body.

"I've missed you."

Should I be happy about that? Should I be mad because he suddenly hugs me? But he does that even before! BUT, we were kids back then. So? It's different now.

I'm debating with myself.

I just froze.

I don't know what to react or what to say.

"El, you're still the same little brother I know."

Little brother. How sweet is that? Did he even know what happened before he left me? Did he even remember that? It's unforgettable!

I want to go.

I want to escape.

But, I let these things go, I know that it will be harder in the future.

"If we're going to talk, let's talk," I say to him.

He lets go of me and looks at me.

"Okay."

I move far from him and takes my seat.

That was close, I thought I was going to explode or something or... hugs him back!

THAT WAS THE WORST!

He sits on my guest's chair.

"Let's start with the reason that you always wanted to know..." He started and continues, "To be honest, I want you to know why and how I left but I can't. I can't say it. I will live with that reason forever."

What's the point of talking now?

"Is the reason included me? Mom?"

"No." He answers plainly.

So, he didn't leave because of me or my mom.

Then, why did he leave us in the first place?

I want to know but he already told me that he will not say it, no matter what happens.

"Did mom know?"

"She only knew that I left because I want freedom and I want to live independently."

"Did you always want that?"

He kept silent.

"I did. But now, being the CEO of a big corporation is a big success for me. I have to do things at the end of the day, for the rest of my life."

I'm proud of him, for what he had accomplished all these years. I know he's a hardworking person and there's nothing wrong with that.

I still respect that he always wanted to be successful but... there's something that doesn't match up!

"You did? So, you're saying... something changed?" I asked.

"It's hot in here." He says and he removes his jacket, revealing his masculine built.

"Did something changed?" I repeat.

"Yes." He answered.

What did change? His personality? But he's still the same Eros I know except that he is wearing expensive clothes and go to expensive restaurants.

What did change? Did he... did he have a girlfriend? Wait, or a... boyfriend, maybe? But I'm not hoping that.

What did change? Is it the way he-

He cuts me of thinking by answering, "I'm not going to leave you again, El."

I slowly looked at him, he's already looking at me. What kind of expression am I making right now? I don't know to myself but, it makes me want to hide and not let him see it.

"El? El, are you alright? Are you crying?"

My eyes widen and I touch my left cheek, there's a tear that fell from my eyes, and I just really want to hide!

"Hey, El..." He softly said and the way he says it, my heart is beating so fast that I want to escape right now.

"I know, it's my fault for leaving you. I'm guilty of that and all these years, I just want to make it up for everything that I'm not there with you." He's saying it softly to me like the way he says it before, he used to say it so sweet and loving.

Shit.

"You can cry, don't worry, you always cry in front of me and I'm already here." He added and he's moving his chair to be beside me.

I can't move, I don't know what to do or to say.

I'm so soft when it comes to him.

I can't be angry with him I'm not used to it! If I'm angry at him, I would be guilty of it. Just like recently.

He's touching my hand right now and my heart is beating fast. I want this to stop but... I don't want it to end.

"El." He calls me.

I take a deep breath and let it out.

"T-to be honest..." I start and I'm wiping my tears using my other hand.

"I don't think we could be brothers again."

I finished.

"I know..." He answers and I just looked at him, confused.

WHAT DID HE SAY?

Did he just understand what I just said?

Wait, did he accept that we're not going to be brothers again? Because... shit.

It's not that, right? It's not what I'm thinking.

But, what am I thinking right now? No, it can't be. It's not... because...

Is there a follow-up, Ros? Come on, continue what you're saying. It has to be clear!

But, am I hoping? Wait, no, w-we're brothers!

Brothers can't be... more than that.

WE'RE NOT EVEN RELATED!

My head hurts.

"But I'm not giving up, El. As I've said, I'll make it up for everything that I'm not with you. Remember what we've promised to each other?" He says and I stay quiet.

He still remembers it.

Our promise.

But...

"I will keep that promise, whatever happens, okay, El?" He adds and he's still touching my hand and rubbing it gently.

Shit.

I remove it and I stood up.

"Don't think that it's going to be easy, Ros."

He also stood up and he says, "I know."

I looked at him and he's determined.

"Whatever. Just go now, you're keeping my time occupied."

He chuckles, "If you still have questions, you can still ask me as we hang out often, okay?"

My eyes widen and he's about to go.

"W-wait, what are you saying?"

He smiles and went outside.

"Ros!" I called.

Shit.

Ting!

Someone texted me.

See you later, little brother. :)

"You've got to be kidding me," I whisper.

"Good morning, sir Ellis."

"Morning, sir."

I was startled when the employees already arrived for the opening of the store.

"O-oh, you're all here, hi, good morning."

I say.

That 'see you later' got me so nervous.

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[EROS' POV]

"Mr. Beckett, I know that I've been informed that you're going to leave early but it doesn't mean that I can't stay with you and keep you safe."

He says as we went back to my office.

"Griffin, it's fine, Orion is there, he can do karate." I smile as I seat in my chair.

"Orion is a driver and even if he's with you, you're just allowing him to be in the car, not beside you."

I chuckle, "You're right. But, the car is parked at the nearest possible location. No need to worry."

I heard him sigh and I looked at him.

"I know you're worried." I say and he's looking at me and I continue to say, "Don't worry, I'll let you come every day and meet my little brother Ellis."

"Every day?"

"Yup." I playfully said and I open my laptop.

"Mr. Beckett, you have meetings every day, you don't have time to-"

"Griffin, who am I again?"

"Eros Beckett."

"And?"

"... you're the number one leading CEO internationally and here in the Philippines."

"Not only that but I can do my job perfectly even though I have to cancel meetings and other agendas." I smile as I open my emails.

"But, Mr. Beckett, these are our partner companies and if they knew that you canceled on them, they might result to a-"

I laugh.

"Sorry, it's just... Ares is sending me some funny videos."

He sighs, "Okay, I will not say anything and I will stay with you and meet your brother."

I look at him and I smile, "Really?"

"Yes, Mr. Beckett."

"Okay. But, when we're with Ellis, you're not my secretary. You're going to be my friend there, okay?"

"But-"

"No buts, Griffin," I added and continue to open emails from Ares.

"Why does Ares always sending videos at emails when he can send them somewhere else?"

I sigh.

"Mr. Beckett, where is your jacket?"

Oh. My jacket.

It's at Ellis'.

"I forgot," I said.

"I'll just get you another one." He says.

I've noticed that someone went inside.

"Eros!" He greets and he went closer to me.

"I excuse myself," Griffin said and he went outside.

Eryx sat on my lap and he hugs me.

"Eryx, I'm opening emails," I say to him.

"I know, but, I just... missed you. Griffin said you went out to meet your brother."

"Yeah, I just did."

"So, how was he? Did you guys made up?"

"He's doing great. We've talked. He thinks that... we could not be brothers again but, I said that I'll make it up for everything."

"You still have a brother's complex, you know."

I chuckle, "I'm happy that I already see him and I'm so happy that we will see each other again and even live together again."

"W-wait. L-live together again?"

I nodded and he stood up.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because... he lives alone and I live alone, and we're brothers, so there's nothing wrong with that."

"Okay but... I stay there sometimes."

"Oh, Eryx, about that. You know that... from the start, it's an accident and-"

"Eros, you're still going at it."

"But, Eryx, you're not listening," I say to him and he sat on my lap again.

"I understand everything. But, I always say to you that my feelings for you... it still the same, even though you can't reciprocate your feelings for me. I know it will take some time."

"Eryx, it's been years already."

"It's okay. Call me crazy and all but I'm still going to love you and only you."

He starts to feel me up using his hand and kisses me on my neck.

"Eryx, we're in an office."

"But, we did it before in China."

I sigh, "Eryx, I'm not in a mood."

"I'll make you." He opens my zipper and he's about to touch it when someone knocks at my door.

Knock! Knock!

Finally, someone knocks.

"Finish your paperwork, Eryx," I say.

He sighs, "Should I put a sign outside your door and it says, 'Do not Disturb, We're Having An Intimate Moment'?"

I just shook my head, closes my zipper, and sit-up straight, he stood up.

"Come in," I say.

Someone opens the door.

It's Ellis.

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