45. Hayden

FORTY-FIVE

HAYDEN

Yesterday was a fever dream.

After the crowd dispersed and our father was far from the premises, Elias went into a state of shock. His new position hadn't sunk in yet, but that didn't stop his board from swiftly taking over. They provided him counsel. Scheduled meetings with department heads. And whatever other boring things coincide with becoming America's largest entertainment corporation's new CEO at the ripe age of twenty-eight.

I didn't stay to watch it all, and instead went to lunch with Juliana, Amber, and their lawyer, Lauren, the latter of whom footed the entire bill, thanking us for the "most entertaining ten minutes of her career." She even bought us a round of drinks, ones we literally toasted to my father's ruin on the grounds that it was just the beginning.

It was toxic, and I loved it.

In fact, as I stroll through the cubicles for perhaps the last time, I realize the entire office would've loved the toast, too, and have maybe already clinked their own glasses.

There's no mistaking the upbeat presence in the office. Not just on this floor, but in the lobby, the elevators, and undoubtedly across all one hundred and five floors. Employees smile brighter. Hang over their cubicles, chatting. Some even share doughnuts and other sweet treats.

I know gossip travels fast in an office setting, but this is on a whole new level. I have no doubt videos of my father's dramatic exit are spreading through this company like wildfire, because yesterday, the crowd of spectators did more than just watch security drag my father from the conference room. They wore radiant smiles, whipped out their phones, and recorded the scene all the way down to the lobby.

Their enthusiasm toward his ousting proves my father's cruelty stretched beyond just our family and makes me wonder what other atrocities he inflicted. I may never know what he did to garner such a reputation with his staff, but judging from his transgressions against Amber, I don't want to find out.

In the breakroom, when Juliana told me the hell my father put Amber through... it was another nail in coffin, split right through the final one already there. I couldn't watch from the sidelines when he met his reckoning. I had to be in that board meeting. Not just for my own gratification, but Juliana's.

Warren deserved every light we shined on him. Amber's audio snippet. His pitiful work logs. His poor understanding of his company's bylaws. The board turning on him, elevating Elias to power. All of it.

For so long, he had me believing Amber, the woman who practically raised me, willingly entertained his affair for years. During and after my parents' divorce, I fought the urge to blame her by reminding myself Amber was just one of many affairs for my father, while simultaneously seeking her love, a substitute for my own mother's absence.

More often than not, the task proved challenging, at best, which means... learning the truth must've been absolutely heart wrenching for Juliana and Jeremy, who were just as clueless as I was.

Too bad Jeremy was swamped with work and couldn't join the celebratory lunch yesterday. Juliana was glowing with a sense of justice, something her brother would've shared had he been there. Although, perhaps his absence was fortunate—or intentional.

Aside from sending the occasional text, outlining in grave detail each and every thing that'll happen to me if I hurt his little sister, Jeremy hasn't spoken to me much. Yesterday would've been his first time seeing us together, since finding out about our feelings toward each other. Even though nothing is official— yet— the lunch could've still turned ugly. Whether we're in a public setting or not, there's no predicting how Jeremy will act, when the time inevitably comes.

Amber, on the other hand... Despite my tendency to cause trouble as a child, I must've done something right in her eyes, because not only did she welcome my affection toward her daughter, she didn't even seem surprised.

Trust me, I'm still counting my blessings.

Near the top of that list is what I'm doing today—breaking my corporate handcuffs. Sure, I've only worn them for a couple of months, but they hurt my wrists.

As I approach my workstation, I anticipate Doris's verbal slashing, only for my shoulders to droop lower and lower with every silent step, until I'm looming over my tiny desk, finding hers empty. Elias's office is dark, too, a sight rarer than a deserted Central Park on a sunny Saturday.

I sigh, slapping my moving tub down on my desk, feeling stupid the second I do. Why did I bring a box? I can't have over three items in these drawers. A sketch book and a pouch stuffed with graphite pencils, charcoal sticks and a straightedge. Other than that... maybe a name tag, but I'll just leave that behind for—

Like an army closing in from the distance, a subtle rumble vibrates through the floor, growing heavier, alongside the sounds of synchronized steps. I whip my head, as others in the room do the same, before a fleet of suits rounds a corner, trailing one man.

Elias.

Bursting with pride, I watch my brother delegate the group with his chin pointed high. His lips move on some silent command, directing a minion away from the flock, bustling in a hurry, just as another joins and awaits orders. I inhale sharply when I spot Doris keeping pace at his side, clipboard in hand, as always.

Gosh, when did I get so attached?

As they draw near, oblivious of my existence, my brother's voice elevates in strength.

"... the quarterly performance overview must extend to the accounting department and heavily focus on middle management." A woman bolts from the group, disappearing through the cubicles. "Regarding the marketing department, our recent decline in sales among younger demographics calls for a bottom-up approach. Inform the director to expand upon their internship program and to prioritize recruiting talent with fresh perspectives." Another runner takes off. "And as for—"

Catching my eye, Elias stops abruptly, causing his corporate entourage to halt in unison—okay, kinda creepy. "Head over to Conference A and start the presentations without me." And just like that, they're off, marching like little green army men, except for Doris.

"Take notes in my absence," he instructs her, approaching my desk with a serious expression. "I'll be there shortly."

But Doris doesn't budge, her gaze flicking to me then wandering toward the group and back again. She thrums her nails over her clipboard, before scampering over.

"Mr. Kingston?"

"Yes?" He turns at the foot of my desk.

"Shall I push Marco's supply-chain presentation to last? I presume he has some questions he'd prefer you answer directly."

Elias hums. "Yes, go ahead."

"Perfect." As she turns to leave, she hesitates, side-glancing at me once more, noticing the box on my desk. "I see you're moving on."

Nerves bundle within me. I've never quit a job—never even had one before. What do I say? Farewell? It was a pleasure? Honestly, it wasn't. Doris isn't to blame, but it's the truth. This isn't the place for me, even if I had a shiny office like Elias, so I can't really thank her for all her valuable lessons. I was a terrible assistant and certainly a dreadful partner to work alongside.

So, I don't sugarcoat any lies. "I am," I say, offering a genuine smile, despite anticipating her snarky comment, possibly along the lines of good riddance. Except... nothing of the sort comes. In fact, she returns the smile—something I didn't know her lips could do.

"Well... best wishes for your next chapter." She nods, before trailing after the group.

Elias blinks, stunned.

"What's that look for?"

"I, uhh... I'm just surprised, is all. You got Doris all teary-eyed over leaving."

I snort. "Yeah, right. I said two words to her. Plus, she wouldn't have even come over, if it weren't for her question."

"Maybe, but I can't recall a time when she said goodbye to any of her junior assistants on their last day. Not even one girl who worked under her for two years."

"Seriously?"

"Mhmm."

"God, she's just ruthless, isn't she?"

"Yep. But that's the kind of person I need under me to do this job. Or..." He winces. "My new job," he corrects. "And my old job. I couldn't do either without Doris."

"How does it feel being the big dog, huh?" I nudge him. "One day in, and I'd say you're already up to speed."

When he shrugs, I nudge him harder, giving his shoulder a shove. A Kingston being modest? Not possible. "Come onnnnn. You know it's true. Walking in here, you looked straight out of a movie."

A smile creeps across his lips. "Okay, fine. Maybe being CEO is going to my head, even more than being Director of Finance did."

We both glance at his old office, shrouded in darkness. When I shift my focus, I find him wearing a serious expression again. "So..." I lower my voice. "You took Dad's office, then?"

"Temporarily. I'm having this one remodeled."

I raise an eyebrow. "Really? What for? I can't imagine anything was out of date."

He shifts on his feet, surely debating his words, until he sighs. "Look, Hayden... I came to say I'm sorry for the derby—for everything." Surprise knocks the wind from my lungs when I catch the remorse in his eyes as he continues. "These past few months, I shouldn't have treated you how I did. I know you were only trying to help me."

As he looks away, his rare sniffles prompt forgiveness from me. "Elias, it's okay, I know—"

"No." I'm met with his hand. "It's not okay."

Oh, Elias. Stubborn, as always. I walk into his field of vision, holding back emotions when I see his teary eyes. "You're my brother. Of course, I forgive you." A shudder rattles through him, enough that I pull him in for a hug. He stiffens on contact, his arms loose at his sides. "Come on, Elias. It's a hug. Ever given one before? It's a two-way thing."

His wet chuckle sounds in my ear, followed by more sniffles, as he squeezes his arms around me. "Thank you," he murmurs. "For what you did yesterday. I never would've thought Dad would..." His sentence trails off.

"His work logs surprised me, too." I retreat, finding him more composed. "He should've never put so much pressure on you. The way he used you, made you pick up all his slack, it's sick and pushed you to do things I don't think you would've ever done."

Shame clouds his features as his gaze strays to the floor. "I know..." he whispers. "I want to stop. I'm going to get clean."

I let loose a breath, relief washing over me, but it can't extinguish the sliver of doubt I feel. Although his intentions may be truthful, getting clean—it's easier said than done, and now he's taken on an even more stressful position. There's no convincing him to let it go, not when he's prepared his whole life for it. And in a way... I don't want to convince him. He's meant to be here, at this company.

I place a palm on his arm. "I'll help any way I can."

"Thank you—I mean it."

When silence settles between us, I wave a hand casually, hoping it'll splice clean through the tension in the air. "As for yesterday, I just thought if you're going to work yourself to the bone, you might as well get all the credit, whether you're CEO or not."

"Actually, about that."

My jaw drops. "You're quitting?"

"What? No!" he barks, a laugh sputtering from his mouth. "Do you think I've lost my mind?"

There he is.

I match his cocky grin. "What, then?"

He looks around suspiciously, before patting me on the chest. "Get this..." He leans in, whispering in my ear. "Being CEO is easy." More laughter.

I roll my eyes, jerking from him. "Okay, now you're head's inflated like a balloon."

"I'm serious! I hardly have anything new to learn. Dad already had me doing all his work, things I didn't even realize weren't part of the Director of Finance's responsibilities. And now that we've elected Shonda as the new DOF, I'm walking on easy street! I have one job, not two."

I blink.

Elias. Fucking. Kingston.

Perhaps the only business professional in New York City who would equate being the Chief Executive Officer of a mega-corporation with strolling down easy street. Honestly, his words are a little disheartening, knowing the challenges he endured to develop such a strong work ethic, but...

They're also brimming with hope.

My heart thunders with anticipation, as I gesture to his dark office. "Is that why you're remodeling?"

He nods. "That's right. No more pull-out couch."

Tension falls off my shoulders in one big clump. But wait—"What about the closet?"

"Yes, that'll be gone, too."

"Oh, thank God." I slump over, dramatically. "Maybe you have a fighting chance, after all..." I wink. "If you dial back on those screaming phone calls. I mean, Doris can stomach how thin your walls are, but I don't think that's the case for the rest of the floor."

A curse shoots from his lips as his cheeks stain with embarrassment. "I really wish you didn't hear all that." He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Yes, yes, I'll work on that. No more scaring the employees."

"I'm sure they'll appreciate that."

We share a smile until his fades, his gaze dropping to my box. "You know I'll always have a place for you here, Hayden. A real job with opportunity to grow and move up in the company. Not the hands-off bullshit Dad put you up to."

Now it's my turn to laugh. "Come on, Elias. Be real. I'd rather hike a mountain than sit in on another stuffy board meeting."

He smirks. "Thought I'd try."

"Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it, especially now that my trust fund's a goner. But don't worry, I've got a decent amount saved up."

He lifts a brow. "Why do you say that?"

"About my trust fund? It's just the truth. You think Dad will continue to support it after what happened yesterday?" I leave out the part where Elias's trust is surely safe, not wanting to tear a rift between us, when we're already mending one. Warren wouldn't jeopardize this company, his legacy, by cutting off the future of our family.

Elias shakes his head. "Didn't you hear? Dad will stand trial. Multiple cases, I'd guess, after hearing that audio clip."

"So?"

"In the case against Amber—which I doubt he'll win, not after hearing the evidence and seeing who her lawyer is—the trial will revolve heavily around his image, which is bad enough already. Messing with his child's trust fund, especially one who has close ties with the prosecution, will only make him look more guilty."

I immediately start on my rebuttal, only for a tiny sound to escape and my mouth to snap back shut. Huh, that actually makes a lot of sense. It'll probably take some time and several months' worths of bank deposits to sink in, but... I guess that's one less thing I have to fret about.

"Wow," is my only response, to which he purses his lips in a precise way that says that's why I get paid the big bucks.

"Well…" He pats my box. "I'd stay around to chat longer, but Doris might kill me."

I snicker. He's not wrong, there.

As he turns to leave, I snatch his arm, earning his attention. I'm not quite sure of my next words, or why I stopped him, so we stare into each other's eyes for a moment. His, a mirror of my own, but swirling with clouds that are already beginning to clear, ones I desperately hope never return.

"I know you'll lead this company in the right direction."

His teeth sink into his lip, stopping the tremble. "Thank you," he croaks out. "That means a lot." Several heartbeats pass, until he whips around, aiming for the conference room, just to stop abruptly and face me once more. "Oh, and Hayden?"

Box in hand, I lift my head. "Yes?"

"You'll find your way."

Like a crater splashing into a cool lake, his words reverberate into my gut, their innuendo understood instantly.

In life.

I'll find my way in life.

If he would've said that to me months ago, I wouldn't be so sure. But now... now my mind wanders to Juliana, musing on the immense strength she showed in that boardroom, and the patience and love she's given me over these past months. By her side, I'm a better man. Anyone could see that. Even my father—maybe that's why he wanted to take her from me. But little does he know.

No one will.

"I already have."