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He’s frowning, thinking. Slowly he nods his head as he turns things over in his head.
“I always thought you were smart, Xander,” he says softly.
And I figure he’s talking about me hooking up with someone half my age, thinking about marriage after only one night together.
But he shakes his head to silence me when I open my mouth to speak.
“I mean about all this,” he says louder, holding his hands up, and shifting his eyes around the room.
“I had two kids, ya dummy! Two kids to two different mothers. I was young and reckless like you too once,” he says, laughing to himself until it obviously hurts him to do so.
I have to agree with him, maybe it’s low blood sugar from not eating, but suddenly I don’t feel too bright.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about…,” I start.
And then the penny drops.
Echoed back to me as he recounts my life in a few words.
“Orphan, aged eight, receives a scholarship to a prestigious school, then the same for college. Age twenty-one, lands on his feet again, scoring an executive role with one of the wealthiest men in the country….”
I feel my mouth go dry. The room feels like it's spinning and I sit down again, resting my head in my hands.
“…Works his way up to the top job. Global Manager, shares in the company, which he’s allowed to cash out even when it looks like the company will fold…Free house and car… More money than he knows what to do with, and he really doesn’t do that much. Does he?” Kenneth Condor spits, sounding bitterer with every word.
“I knew you were my son the second I saw you,” he continues.
“And I thanked God you got your mother’s genes instead of my own,” he says, briefly smiling and looking up to the ceiling.
“You were always strong. Always smart. But I couldn’t bring myself to tell you the truth. Not even after twenty years,” he sighs, looking past me.
Almost surprised I’m even still in the room.
“When were you gonna tell me?” I ask, suddenly indignant, filled with feelings of a right to know more.
But still surprised at how few feelings I still have for the man, father or not. He’s still an asshole.
“I wasn’t. Not until Ms. De Laurent actually turned up,” he sniffs.
I feel my blank stare as he considers it with one of his own.
“She’s your half-sister, Xander. Took her mother’s name at the orphanage, I guess. Her mom passed years ago…went peacefully in her sleep,” he says clinically.
No emotion at all.
I should be stunned, but somehow nothing Kenneth says or does would surprise me anymore.
I often wondered if the man even had a soul. And I think I’m getting my answer today.
“How come you didn’t recognize her as your daughter?” I hear myself asking him. Mindful of the similar physical characteristics they share.
“I didn’t want a girl running things, Xander,” he snaps impatiently.
“She could help out. Do the books like the job was advertised just for her, sure. But I didn’t want a girl running an empire. I guess I was just old-fashioned,” he says, shrugging to himself.
“Was?” I ask. “Sounds like your mind’s already made up. So what difference does it make to you if I quit?”
“I only changed my mind once I found out you were telling yourself you’re smitten with some kid half your age,” he scoffs.
“Since I found out you spent the night in her room.”
I don’t even give him time to think of anything else insulting.
I’m done here.
Chloe and I can grab a bite on our way home.
Her parents can learn to deal with things the same way this guy can.
From today onward, and up until we have kids of our own, there are only two people left in this world.
Chloe and me.
Everyone else is just cramping our style.
“It’s not telling myself anything,” I snarl, getting to my feet and heading for the door.
Reminding myself which way it is to the dining room so I can grab Chloe on my way out.
“You walk out now, marry that trash instead of a society girl, and you’ll get nothing!” Condor calls out after me.
“Stay and do as you’re god damned told for once in your life, Xander, and you’ll be a fucking billionaire!”
The sound of the heavy door closing behind me drowns him out.
Puffing air out from my cheeks, I pop my neck as I start to make my way down the museum-sized hallways.
Wondering who the hell cleans a place like this, and would I really want anything like it.
Uh. No, I wouldn’t. And those acres of manicured gardens and the golf course outside?
Just a mowing headache for somebody else.
My heart lifts at the thought of Chloe waiting for me somewhere nearby.
I can literally sense her feeling the same as I do.
Both of us just want away from here.
