8 Presley’s plan
“It’s not like I’m messing things up,” Marc retorted, his voice rising. “I’ve been managing things just fine until now.”
Axel’s patience wore thin. “This is not about your competence. It’s about the sensitivity of the matter. I need to ensure it’s handled discreetly.”
The frustration evident in his voice. “I get it, Axel. But constantly hovering over my decisions won’t solve anything. You have to trust me too.”
“How about the task I gave to you which you are still yet to start.”
“I just don’t know where to start, Axel,” Marc admitted, running a hand through his tousled hair. The task you gave me… it’s overwhelming. I’ve been stuck because I don’t even know where to begin.
“Are you genuinely dense, or just acting like it?” Axel sat up, and was frustrated by how clueless his brother was. “Marc, you’ve had access to all the resources you need. We’ve discussed this search for weeks. Why didn’t you seek help?”
Marc felt a pang of guilt. “I thought I could figure it out on my own. But it’s more complicated than I anticipated.”
Axel sighed, with both disappointment and frustration evident in his voice. “You’re not alone in this. I provided you with a team, access to experts, and a wealth of information. You should have utilized those resources. I expected more from you.”
Marc fell silent, realizing he had indeed overlooked the vast support available to him. He had let his pride cloud his judgment, attempting to tackle a daunting task single–handedly. He knew what his brother was thinking, even without him saying a word. Axel’s silence only made him imagine his brother swearing at him on the other end..
“I’m sorry, Axel,” Marc finally spoke, his tone filled with remorse. “I should have asked for help. I’ll do better. I’ll start utilizing the resources you’ve given me.”
Axel leaned back, his expression softening. “I know you’re capable, Mare. But sometimes, knowing where to seek guidance is just as important as knowing the task itself. Don’t hesitate to reach out next time. We’re a team, after all.”
Marc nodded with a sense of determination filling him. He knew he had stumbled, but he was ready to learn from his mistake and make things right. Axel’s guidance meant everything to him, and he wouldn’t let this setback define his approach to challenges in the future.
Marc slumped back against the pillows, his expression troubled. “I have enough from the company to last me a long time. Let’s just put work on hold, or we can discuss it later.”
Axel glanced at his brother, his features furrowed in concern. “You know this isn’t just about. inheritance, right? We have a responsibility towards the company. Dad built this from scratch.”
“But why should we stress over it?” He countered, his voice tinged with frustration. “We don’t fight
over who gets what. I’m not interested in competing, especially when it’s not necessary.”
Axel sighed, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. “It’s not about competing, Marc. It’s about preserving what Dad built. And we’re part of it, whether we like it or not.
Mare did not want to do anything that required going back to work. After all, theirs was not a family that needed to compete over inheritance.
“I’m calling you to inform, not to negotiate. You know the consequences if you don’t show up,” Axel’s voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
Marc’s expression tightened, a faint tremor in his voice. “Yeah, I get it,” he replied, trying to mask his discomfort. He was well acquainted with Axel’s intolerance for excuses.
Axel’s stern tone lingered in the silence that followed. The weight of his words hung in the air, creating an uncomfortable tension. He hated having to exert authority, especially over family matters.
He shifted in his seat, his mind battling between rebellion and compliance. Axel’s directives were often non–negotiable, a testament to his assertive nature. Marc accepted although the idea of complying didn’t sit well with him. He despised being cornered, especially by his brother.
In the softly lit room adorned with elegant décor, Brandy layed, her arm interlinked with Presley’s. The glint of an engagement ring caught the light as she sighed softly. “This party, Presley, it’s making us look awful. Even Grandma Melissa didn’t show up,” she murmured, her frustration
evident.
Presley, sporting a forced smile, nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I thought she might attend, even after all the nudging. But she didn’t. It’s noticed by everyone here.”
Brandy’s fingers absently traced patterns on Presley’s hand as they sat in a shared moment of contemplation. “To make matters worse, Flora, with her graceful presence, glided into the room, drawing everyone’s attention. Her presence seemed to amplify the absence of Grandma Melissa, casting a shadow over our joyous occasion.” she murmured softly.
“Even though I invited her to the party myself, I never expected she’d turn the party around that way. Father was even furious that she was invited to the party.” Brandy continued.
Presley nodded, though he remained silent, his hand tracing gentle circles on Brandy’s back as his mind drifted away into a sea of contemplation. His thoughts seemed distant, absorbed in a world separate from the moment.
Anxiety gnawed at Brandy, she felt uneasy as she observed Presley’s distance action. They were not even married yet, and he was already lost in his thoughts, ignoring her. A surge of insecurity moved
within her.
“Say something,” Brandy urged, her tone tense with a hint of accusation. “Unless you still have feelings for my sister. It’s okay if you do. I could step back now and give my blessings to you.”
Presley’s attention snapped back, catching Brandy’s agitated words. He met her gaze with
reassurance, striving to dispel her fears. “No, no feelings for her. I’m just trying to prevent any interference from her in our lives.”
His
response eased Brandy’s worries but left lingering doubts. “But why are you so caught up in it? It’s making me nervous,” she admitted, her voice wavering with concern.
Presley’s brow furrowed in frustration, a tinge of exasperation in his tone. “I’m just figuring out how to keep her from getting in our way. I don’t want anything affecting us. Trust me, it’s just a complication I need to sort out,” he explained, attempting to reassure her.
“Obviously, it’s by getting to her children,” Brandy blurted out without much consideration.” They’re a disgrace to our family. Exposing their situation will bring her to public opinion and shame,”
She added, “But those two children are pitiful. They don’t even know who their father is.”
“What difference does that make to us? We don’t need to consider them. Let’s rest. I know what to do,
Presley declared, extinguishing the light before settling into sleep with Brandy in his arms.
As Brandy lay awake beside him, an unsettling feeling of nausea consumed her. Presley’s unilateral decision left her unsettled. She felt excluded from the choice he had made.
Deciding to wait and observe, Brandy awoke the next day to find Presley absent from the hotel. Carrying on with her routine, she pondered the situation.
As she journeyed home, her phone buzzed incessantly, flooded with inquiries from close friends. about Flora and the children. The abrupt action from Presley surprised Brandy, yet she contemplated if this swift action might alleviate her stress.
Crafting puzzling responses to her friends‘ inquiries, Brandy fueled their speculation, mindful that
Flora’s status as a mother wasn’t a hidden truth.
A sense of satisfaction enveloped Brandy at the prospect of unsettling Flora. However, her elation swiftly waned.
Entering the villa, she was met with the shattering of an object followed by Albert’s furious outburst. Who spread the news? Does our family have no shame?”
Realizing the repercussions beyond just Flora, Brandy’s initial excitement turned into deep concern. Their father held their family’s reputation in high regard, and this incident wouldn’t just affect Floral but also cast a shadow over the Anderson’s family.
Brandy’s appearance shifted from jubilant to somber as she stepped further into the villa, weighed down by the gravity of the situation at hand.
