Creed
Pushing out a deep breath, I steeled myself before grabbing ahold of the door handle and opening the door to my dad’s office. The last time I remembered seeing my dad’s name on my phone this much was over six months ago and it was about some shit I couldn’t care less about. When I walked out of my brother’s hospital room two weeks ago, he wasn’t happy since I’d left without agreeing to temporarily take over as CEO. I didn’t expect to hear from him, but these past couple of days he’d been persistent.
My dad was behind his desk when I stepped inside the office. The closer I got, the noticeable change in him was present. He looked thinner than he had two weeks ago, also paler than before too.
“About time you make time to come see your old man,” he started before I could even sit down.
A low chuckle escaped my mouth and I took a seat in one of the chairs across from him. “Nice to see you too, Father.” I stared him in the eye. “I assume you weren’t calling me because you missed me.”
An unamused expression passed over his face. He shifted in his seat and folded his hands on his desk. His eyes leveled on me, dark as coal, just like I remembered.
“My treatment is turning out to be more bothersome than anticipated. I hoped to wait it out until your brother woke up, but it’s looking like that’s not going to happen. You need to step up and help the family out until Rome is up and able to take his rightful position.”
Folding my hands in my lap, I dragged my tongue across my teeth and kept a blank stare on my dad. My younger self, who craved his parents’ attention and father’s approval, would have jumped at the opportunity he’s giving me. But now that I was older, more confident, and had made millions on my own, building my own success, there was no need.
“I told you at the hospital I had no desire to take over Global Track Finances. Steel Freight is in a position to expand and is doing well. What makes you think I’m willing to put more on my plate?”
Dad’s jaw twitched. It was subtle but I had grown to learn his quirks from years of pushing his buttons.
“This is your legacy.”
I sat straighter in my seat. “No, it’s Rome’s legacy. You’ve made that clear my whole life.”
“Regardless, your brother isn’t able to take over at the moment, which means the responsibility falls on you. After all I’ve done for you in your life, this is the least you can do!”
The corners of my mouth tilted downward and I leaned forward. “We must have two different memories of what you did for me because all I remember is being surrounded by nannies while you spent all of your time with Rome. I don’t owe you or anyone else anything.”
My dad slammed his hand down on his desk. The veins in his neck as well as a large one on his forehead bulged. His eyesbucked. “You ungrateful little shit! I gave you a good life, made sure you were fed and clothed in the finest clothes, enrolled you in the most elite schools, and you say I did nothing for you!”
I knew this conversation would go nowhere fast. Neither of my parents ever saw how they treated me as an issue. Once I got old enough to take care of myself, I was practically on my own. My dad trying to guilt trip into anything didn’t move me.
Standing up, I adjusted my suit sleeves and brushed my hands over my slacks. “If you only called me to talk about this, then it was a waste of time. I want nothing to do with your business and I have no plans of being a temporary placement for Rome. If you need to take time off, then your VP can take over until Rome wakes up, but I’m not.” I turned to leave.
“Creed!” my dad called out in a low voice, causing me to still. “If you walk out that door then you’re dead to me. You can kiss your trust fund goodbye and I have no younger son.”
My tongue poked the inside of my cheek while I straightened my tie. “I hope your treatment works out for you, Dad.”
I continued toward the door without giving him a second thought. Him threatening me with my trust fund didn’t affect me because I haven’t touched it since I was allowed to at twenty-five. The money my company brought in was more than enough to make up for it.
Dad called out to me again, but I didn’t respond or turn back. I had been written my parents off. The relationship with my brother was shaky, but I still cared whether he lived or died, which was why I’d stayed originally. My life was good and that was all that mattered to me.
____
When I got home, I kicked off my loafers, hung my jacket on the rack near the door, and proceeded down the hall toward the smell filling my nostrils. Bella was at Nakyra’s side in the kitchen barking. She must have just come in here because Nakyra didn’t allow her in the kitchen, especially when she was cooking.
Nakyra didn’t flinch, however, her head was down and she was working on her tablet. Lifting one corner of my mouth, I approached her and leaned down, wrapping my arms around her waist and dipping my head.
“Hey, beautiful.” I kissed the space right under her left ear. She had her aids in but I didn’t know if they were on.
“Hey.” She twisted her neck with a small smile on her face. Moving in I kissed her, moving my hand up and gripping her braids.
“Mhm,” she moaned against my lips. “I can’t wait to get these taken out tomorrow,” she said when I released her.
“Your braids?”
“Yes, they’re way overdue.”
I grinned. “That means I get to see your natural hair.”
