Glen sat in a restaurant with a luxurious interior. Finely lit, a big and majestic chandelier dangled from above his table, the expensive silverware and and exquisite dishes served on his table.
The refined smell of Henry's cologne filled the air, moments before he walked into the restaurant.
Glen nervously sat up straight to appear composed and blend in. "Hi." He said in a low tone as Henry sat down across the table.
Henry observed Glen's appearance, even though his clothings were cheap, he looked tidy enough.
A suggestive smile etched his face and he leaned his elbow onto the table stroking his chin. "How's your body handling that night?"
Glen's face turned red, he hung his head low. "I-I'm okay, I don't feel the aches anymore." He stammered.
Henry chuckled. "You're really something." He continued with a simper. "We are in a relationship now aren't we?"
"Yes…" Glen responded with a frantic gaze.
Henry picked up the glass of wine on his table and took a deliberate sip. He set the glass down to the table, cleared his throat and began to speak. "I see…but I have some requirements since this is new to me."
"Requirements…?" Glen enquired quite uncertain.
"We can be affectionate when we are in public, but the moment we are in school, don't get too friendly with me." Henry said in a stern tone.
"But…I don't…"Glen furrowed in discontent, he didn't know how to respond to such requirements and saying 'no' might call everything off. He breathed and added. "I..see."
"Good." Henry said with a simper smile. He glanced at his watch and stood up. "I have somewhere to be right now."
"Ah, w-wait." Glen stammered propping himself up. "I…I don't feel satisfied right now." He said, his head hanging low fidgeting. "You said in public…we…"
Henry's brow furrowed, his expression a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "Oh.." A throaty chuckle escaped his lips with mirth in realization. "come with me." He said, his tone laced with warmth as he pulled Glen to the elevator.
Glen's back leaned onto the elevator wall, their lips roughly crashing onto each other's. A rough and yet affectionate display of pent up emotion.
A vivid memory of the time he'd seen Henry kissing the female senior Sarah during that welcome party flickered in Glen's mind. His grip on Henry's shoulder became firm.
"I finally get it…this feeling." Glen mumbled against Henry's lips.
Henry towered over Glen, his small frame partially obscured by his coat. Their kiss deepened, the elevator camera silently recording the moment.
— — -
As they exited the restaurant walking up to the parking garage, Henry's spotted Raphael, his father's secretary, standing beside his car. His expression crumpled instantly, he stop on his tracks. "Glen, you'd have to take a cab home today, I have a business to deal with right now." His said, his tone filled with displeasure.
Glen swept a brief glance to Raphael's direction. He wondered why the strange man's presence swung Henry's emotion all of a sudden. He returned his attention to Henry . "It's fine…thanks for today though and, I-"
Henry flickered his eyes at Glen cocking a brow with a serious expression as Glen halted his remaining sentence.
Glen's lips pursed. "Never mind, I should be on my way now." He said in a somber expression and walked back to the entrance door, but paused and swept a fleeting glance to Henry. The word 'I love you' hanged in his mouth unspoken, his eyes crammed with emotions. He clenched his chest as if pained and step through the doorway.
***
"What does the old man want now?" Henry grumbled under his breathe as he approached Raphael. He paused his steps crossing his arm over his chest, his expression an apparent displeasure.
Raphael spoke in a composed but dissaproving tone. "Your father called a meeting two days ago but it was canceled because you and your elder brother refused to show up."
Henry chortled out a short but unamused laughter. "I thought I made it clear I'm not in the mood to see the faces of those bastards associates of his. " He said his voice brimming with annoyance. "If he wants to will his businesses, he should just go the fuck ahead and do it, I don't have the luxury to fight for any darn position."
A dissaproving sigh escaped Raphael's lip. "Mr. Henry, your father is serious this time. There'd be consequences If you don't attend today's meeting, one which includes confiscation of your assets.
A scornful laugh escaped Henry's lips. "This is preposterous, the hell?" He said, His expression went stern. "What time is it?"
"4:30pm at the main house." Raphael responded moving away from Henry's car.
Henry got inside the car and turned the engine on, without a response, but bitterness on his face and drove out of the parking garage.
Moments later, Raphael pulled his phone out of his suit pocket leaning it close to his ear. "Sir Benjamin, it's done."
— — -
Glen went for his part time, his thoughts wandered continually, one of his colleague noticing his distant expression, gently tapped his shoulder to pull him back to the pending task.
He got startled and his thoughts withdrew, shifting his gaze to his colleague.
"You've been spacing out lately, are you okay?" His colleague enquired with a concerned look.
"Oh…it's nothing…I'm just a bit unwell." He said beaming a constrained smile.
"I see…but be careful not to make mistakes." His colleague said and walked away.
Glen returned his gaze to the floor, the memory of his moment with Henry in the elevator lingered in his thoughts. His grip tightened on the mop stick he held, his eyes heavy with unspoken words. It's just not enough…
— — -
Henry parked his car in front of his father's house, his grip on his steering became tighter as a vivid flash back of his stepsister's mocking grin reignited familiar emotions.
Henry is the biological son to the official wife of Benjamin. He had a very close relationship with his step siblings Beatrice and Christopher, but when they all reached their teenage years, conflict began to develop. Henry felt left out in almost everything both of his sibling did and his suspicion became apparent when he learned they both were vying for their father's approval to secure a share of his inheritance and businesses. This discovery stirred up a resentment in Henry, who believed he is the right successor to his father. The family relationship declined with Henry always picking fights with his step-older brother. Each sibling perceived each other as a rival and obstacle to their success.
Henry swung the large sitting room door open, his cold footsteps walking in as everyone in the room turned their heads to his direction.
He darted his eyes at both of his step-siblings who were already outraged awaiting his arrival. Their eyes fixed on him with hostility.
Beatrice tone brimmed with scorn as she snapped. " let's cheer for the star of today's show, how lovely that you have kept us waiting."
Henry's presence was characterized by a sly grin. "Pardon my lateness dear family, I had an important matter to tend to on my way here." He said, his tone tinged with sacarsm aimed at pissing his step-siblings off.
Beatrice chuckled lowly and crossed her arm amused. "We all know that the only activity you're best at is fucking here and there." She remarked with mockery.
Henry cocked an eyebrow, his lips angled into mocking grin as he said. "You sly bitch, like you don't go around begging celebrities for dicks."
Henry's word pulled a trigger inside her and she snapped. "Fuck you Bastard!"
"Says the actual title holder." Henry sneered at her even more.
"Arrgh…" Beatrice trembled furiously clenching her fist, her eyes shot daggers at Henry.
"That's enough." Henry's step-older brother, Christopher tapped her shoulder. "Let's get this meeting done with." He said locking eyes with Henry before walking back to his seat.
She glared at Christopher momentarily and returned her glare back to Henry before plopping down on her seat, her anger still lingering.
Their father Benjamin got up. "Are you all done?" He enquired cocking an eyebrow.
"Yes father, meaningless people should be given no time to spew nonsenses." He said sarcastically and sat on an empty sofa, crossed his legs elegantly and leaned back. "So father, what calls for this show down."
His father sat down back and cleared his throat. "You all should know by now that I'm not getting any younger, and I still haven't decided who should inherit the majority of my businesses…Henry, it seems you're not trying to make an effort."
Henry uncrossed his legs and sat upright displeasure tingling in his tone as he said. "I won't compete for what's supposed to be mine. I'm am the biological son to you and my mother that you openly got married to, these two? How the hell are you even sure your blood runs through their veins?"
"I've made my DNA test results clear from onset". Benjamin stated. "As a successful father, I expect my children to have a stead fast understanding of my business operations. He paused and took a brief sip from the glass on his table and set it back down. He continued. "With all these I've said, Henry, are you ready to take on the challenge of learning the intricacies of my businesses and prove you're worthy?"
Henry's gaze moved to his step-siblings, their disapproving stare met a sly grin that crossed his lips as he returned his gaze back to Benjamin. "I wouldn't mind, but I need your guarantee that this is would not be a fruitless endeavor."
Benjamin stood, adjusting his suit jacket. "This is a vie for worth and excellence, as long as I'd see the value that you have brought forth, then it is a guarantee." His secretary Raphael, handed him his briefcase as they walked to the doorway. Benjamin paused turning back and added. "I'd also appreciate if you all amend your ways while on this pursuit." He exited the door alongside his secretary.