AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"We don'tdoanything," Trey snorts. He takes another bite, ripping the paper aside, crumbs falling. "We rake in money from people who have too much to count. It's disgusting."
Heratio scrunches his face, I get the idea he's heard this before. "Trey doesn't care if our company goes under or gets taken over by our step mom."
"I care," he replies.
"You say that, but your actions are the opposite."
"Heratio, Heratio, Heratio," he sighs, leaning back in his chair. His eyes slide to me as he grins. "We just think differently. You want to micromanage our empire, I want to turn it into something less offensive."
"What's offensive about it?" I ask.
Trey lights up; Heratio groans. Yup, I was right, this conversation has happened before.
"It's excessive, for a start," Trey says. He bends closer to me, more engaged than I've seen him before. "Rich people just being wasteful. And for what? Nothing that helps society. If anything, it harms it. Our ships pollute the ocean daily! Why can't we transform this company into something thathelpsthe world?"
"You're naive," Heration grumbles.
"And you're a coward."
"I am not!"
Trey sneers at his brother. "Oh, yes you are. You're terrified of trying anything new. You always have been."
Heratio turns beet red. Trey knows how to get to him, that's clear. Sensing that the tension is about to explode in the center of a busy brunch, I act on impulse––I knock my drink over, spilling it on Trey. "Hey!" he gasps, jumping to his feet.
"I'm sorry!" I say quickly. Both men stare at me in shock. I hope I look surprised; I'm not the best at lying.Why do so many of my problems get solved by spilling drinks?I remember the plane incident, cringing at the painful memory of my former career.
Last time this happened, I got fired.
I hope this time I prevented a fight. What if I incited something worse?
"Ugh," Trey sighs. He stands, taking a napkin, drying his pants. "Great."
Heratio's anger dissolves––he starts laughing. I brace myself, hoping Trey won't become enraged. To my shock, and delight, Trey starts laughing too. "She made it look like you pissed yourself," Heratio notes.
"I'm really really sorry," I insist.
Rubbing his neck, Trey chuckles. "It's fine. I was going to get changed anyway, I'm supposed to meet Nathan for a scuba dive session."
"That sounds fun," Heratio says. "Wish I could come along, I've got paperwork to finish first." Their eyes turn to me.
I hold up my hands. "I'm good, thanks."
"What? Can't swim?" Trey chuckles.
"Opposite. I grew up in Orange County, the beach was my second home."
"Then what's the issue?" Trey asks.
Heratio is watching me closely. He knows I want to go look for Marco. "I just ate," I say, searching for an easy excuse. Patting my stomach, I laugh lightly. "Last thing I want is to make you rescue me once those cramps kick in."
"Fine, fine." With a roll of his eyes, Trey walks away with Heratio. I watch them leave, their heads close, talking––smiling. I'm impressed at their ability to shift from bad vibes to good ones so smoothly. If only Marco could manage that with Derek, maybe this family business drama could be resolved.
Left to my own devices I hurry to my room to see if Marco is there. He isn't, and there are no signs of him coming back without me knowing. No clothes moved, no blankets shifted, the shower is bone dry.
Where is he?
My gut tingles with worry.He can't still be at the gym. Impossible.I rush there as fast as I can.
