And I realized that there's a big difference between deciding to leave and knowing where to go.
- Robyn Schneider, The Beginning of Everything

Neil Harris

The phone rang once again and I dropped my bottle of Jack Daniels in frustration.

Does she never get tired?

Apparently not. Sighing, I swapped my finger on the screen before placing the phone on my ear.

"Don't you ever get tired of calling me?"

That was always my greeting for this annoying woman who called me daily.

"When it comes to you, no." She replied softly. "I love you, Neil. Don't ever forget that."

"What are you, three?" I scoffed but swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. Her pure voice washed over me like a soothing balm.

How I missed her!

"No, but Evan turned three." She said, her voice dripping with sadness. "He waited for you, Neil but you never showed up."

"I told you I couldn't come. Why didn't you tell him?" I retorted as my insides hurt, imagining the birthday boy waiting, in front of his green fist cake. Evan was such a huge hulk fan. Just three years old and he wanted to be as strong as hulk.

"And break his hopeful heart?"

"Well, it's broken at the end anyway when I didn't show up. You should've just told him straightaway that I won't be there for his birthday." I said, taking a swig from the bottle in my hand. Although, Evan's birthday was in the April along with my parents' death anniversary, Kate celebrated his birthday at every other month on the same date in order to not taint a celebration with the darkness of the death looming over it. Though, it was suffice to say, Kate made up for it by celebrating every month of that 26th except in the actual date in April. Almost two and half years passed, yet it still hurt to remember that gruesome day.

"Why are you being so cruel, Neil? He misses you. I miss you. Come home, Neil. Come home to us."

"My home is here. I have to take care of the family business, remember?" I sighed, leaving the bottle on the table and massaged my aching head.

"What happened, Neil? You were so carefree but now...."

"Responsible?" I suggested, getting defensive. "Isn't that what everyone wanted? I'm a responsible guy. I grew up. Isn't that what dad wanted? Why aren't you happy about that?"

"Because you aren't happy." She answered with a sigh.

After a pause, I gritted out. "I'm fine. I'm a grown man. I can handle my own damn life. Now, why did you call me?"

Her sweet voice turned wishful as she continued. "Thanksgiving is coming soon."

And I already knew where this conversation was headed.

"I'm sorry. I can't. I already have plans." I told her without a beat.

"But it's been long since you came for our family thanksgiving dinner."

Instantly, straightening up from my seat, my hands curled, feeling a rage unlike anything. "And it's going to be like this forever. Have you forgotten mom and dad died? That they're never going to be present on any family dinners? How could you go on and have these family dinners every year when mom's not there to cook with you, when dad's not there to carve the turkey for everyone?!"

"Neil, we can't possibly put our life on hold be----"

The rage drained me emotionally and I couldn't help but imagine Mom and Dad, smiling and laughing on every thanksgiving but no more.

"How could you forget them so easily, Kate?" I whispered. "How could you?"

"Oh, Neil." My sister cried. I could hear the tears in her voice and instantly felt like the biggest scumbag of all time. "I never forget them. They're my mom and dad too but they wouldn't want us to waste away our life and not spend time with the family we still have. You're my family, Neil. You're my only connection to Mom and Dad. I need you, brother. I need you so much."

I pressed my mouth onto a thin line and closed my eyes in regret for reopening old wounds. Through the line, I could hear my sister cry out for her husband.

After a moment, Derek's voice came through the phone. "Hey, man...about that thanks---"

"Derek, I can't come." I cut him off before he could guilt me into visiting them.

"But why? My wife is crying for her brother, my son is wishing for his Uncle to visit for ages." He protested angrily.

"You won't understand. None of you can." I stated before hanging up the call.

None of them could.

Kate had always been the ideal child of Parker and Marie Harris. She was always focused in her life. She knew what she wanted to be since she could talk.

Now, look at her.

Famous and successful pediatrician in all of Seattle with an even successful attorney husband and a healthy baby boy. Kate's life was perfect. She had a family who would take care of her.

But what about me? Who do I have?

No one. Because none believed in me. Before I could even show my parents and the whole fucking society that I could change, that I could be sensible and responsible, my parents were brutally taken away from me.

The need for severe vengeance arose in me once again, lightening a fire so ferocious that threatened to burst out any second. My limbs were aching to do serious damage. It was hard to stop shaking, hard to not think of any immediate plans.

I looked at the glass wall ahead and saw a malicious grin take over my face.

They would be paying soon. He would be paying for his crime soon and I would be starting with his favourite daughter.

Turning away from the penthouse view of the city beneath me, I stalked out of the building without stopping for any distractions.

Marco brought forth my rolling artwork, an Aston Martin. As soon as I hopped into it, I was flying through the busy streets of New York.

Soon, the Sanders Inc. was before me. Climbing out, I dropped the keys on the valet's palm before entering the premise. 

Everyone greeted me openly and I recognised some familiar ladies giving me secret smiles. Let's just say, Tyler's office was acquainted with me by more than a deal.

The busy CEO was already present behind his desk, signing away layers and layers of papers.

"I need you to do something for me."

That was my opening line as I made myself comfortable on one of the seat, propping my leg over my other knee.

The vicious workaholic didn't even glance up nor he stopped his fingers when he said. "I thought I had already done that. Just once, remember?"

The man before me standing in the middle of his living room, fisted his hands, storm churning in his grey eyes as he glared. "You're going to use that always, huh?"

"No. Just once, Tyler. I promise."

Oh, I remembered alright. How could I forget that unfortunate day? It was the day I saved a wonderful woman thus winning over her husband as an ally. Yeah, very unfortunate.

I sighed and leaned my elbows over his mahogany desk. "This is related to the same matter. So it doesn't count."

He kept quiet but his movements were fast and I was getting frustrated. As I said before, I had no patience.

"What the hell are you doing anyway?" I frowned, trying to get a look at his work.

"Holiday bonuses."

"We're supposed to give holiday bonuses too?" I asked him, putting surprise in my voice.

Finally, he glanced up, mortified. "Ofcourse. What have you been doing these past three years?"

I laughed, waving away his worry. "Chill. I was just kidding. At least, now I have your full attention."

"Immature." Tyler muttered, shaking his head. "And Claire says you have changed. Like hell, you changed. You are still the same pain in the ass."

"You wound me, old man." I pressed my hand over my heart before leaning back comfortably on the seat. "And speaking about bosslady, I'm hungry for some red velvet cakes."

The boss himself gave me a dry look. "I thought you needed something."

"Oh, yes." I sat up straight once again and made an innocent face. "I need an invitation for Marcus Davis's thanksgiving party."

Whole minute and Tyler Sanders just stared at me, his grey eyes unblinking. He really had some intimidating eyes. Hell, the man's middle name was probably intimidate. No one knew my middle name except few handful people but many would know his. After all, he was more famous than me. So why didn't I know it?

"And how do you expect me to do that?"

Guess, I'm asking boss lady.

I stretched my palms and gestured him with a grin. "Well, you got connections. Use them!"

"I don't have any connection with Marcus Davis." He narrowed his dangerous eyes and added. "But you have connection with his daughter. Why don't you ask her for an invitation?"

I swallowed nervously. If there was one person whom I feared, it would be him, the multi-billionaire intimidating Tyler -middle name unknown- Sanders.

Clearing my throat, I suggested. "Maybe your dad knows him. They're in that horse racing club thing."

"Maybe. I'll ask him about it later but now..." He scowled and pointed his finger. "You tell me why Ashley Davis was in your office two nights ago."

I muttered under my breath. "Two nights? Shit, it's been long."

"What?"

"Nothing." I shook my head and squirmed in my seat.

"I asked you something. Why was Ms. Davis in your office and why did she look so shaken up leaving the building?"

"Are you spying on me?" I asked him, appalled.

He merely shrugged. "You forget I have eyes everywhere."

I sighed, wrecking my fingers through my hair. "It's private. I can't tell you, Tyler. I'm sorry."

Tyler released a long breath and stood up before giving me a stern look. "Just don't hurt her."

"I wouldn't hurt her."

He picked his suit jacket and shrugged it on. "I am having a hard time believing you."

I halted on my way to the door and quietly said over my shoulder. "You're the only one who believed in me, who has faith in me now. Don't be like others."

"You underestimate others."

Without glancing at me or waiting for me, he walked out of the office.

I grimaced, following him and entered the lift.

"Why do you want to go that party anyway? You should be spending thanksgiving with your sister." He studied me from the corner of his eyes.

And I looked ahead at the steel doors. "This is more important."

"No." Tyler Sanders said. "Family is more important."

That was what he had been saying for the past years, urging me to at least spend the holidays with Kate and her family, but I always declined.

When there was only silence from me, he repeated his previous question. "Why do you want to go that party?"

Instantly, a grin appeared on my face as I imagined her sexy figure draped all over me and soft red lips pressing against mines. "There's someone I need to see. It's been too long already."

"Marcus?" He inquired.

And my grin dropped. That name was like a horrifying cold shower.

I scoffed and walked out of the lift. "Let's just go. I can't wait for the lunch. Claire better be preparing a feast and red velvet cakes."

******

"I love you, Claire."

I stared at the brunette, with stars in my eyes and entered a piece of soft, fluffy red velvet in my mouth.

Her beautiful laugh greeted me as she replied. "I love you too."

"I'm right here." Tyler growled from the head of the table.

"Don't worry, dad." Lydia, the nine year old offspring of Sanders said and petted her dad's hand. "We love you too."

He frowned at the smiling face of his daughter. "We?"

Lydia, who sat on the left of her fathers, swallowed and gestured to me. "Well..I love Uncle Neil too."

Tyler's head snapped to my direction and threw a dark look. "When will you stop stealing all my ladies?"

"What can I say? I got this natural charm." I shrugged and winked at Claire and Lydia before flicking the toddler's chubby cheek, who sat on a high chair beside her mother. "Don't you love me too, Libby?"

"Yes!" Libby, the two and a half years old shouted, her little brunette pigtails bouncing with joy.

This was why, my lunches and dinners were mostly spent here. There were so much joy in this house that it was addicting.

"So..." Tyler started after few moments. "That Thanksgiving party is three days. Are we going together?"

I was just about to reply when Claire perked up. "Are we talking about Marcus Davis of Davis Lumbers?"

Tyler and I snapped our head to her, twin surprises on our face.

"What?" She glanced up before rubbing away frosting from Libby's chin. This family had a obsession with sweets and it was contagious.

Her husband pointed to himself and me. "We are talking about him, not you." But on a second thought, he added hesitantly. "How do you know him?"

"Well, there were lot of rumours surrounding him.....more specifically his company." She answered nonchalantly and popped a piece of cake in her mouth.

"Rumours?" I asked her. "From where?"

She swallowed and explained further. "The club. I visited yesterday with Helen and let me tell you, those ladies know how to gossip. Phew!"

"What did they say?" I intervened hurriedly, when Claire looked about to ramble on. She really had a bad habit of rambling and eating when anxious too.

"Oh yeah. Did you know that most of his company shares were sold to an anonymous rich guy? He's not even the sole owner of the company now."

My blood went cold. If the women in the club knew these things then their husbands would surely be aware of it. Hell, what if they were the first ones to know? They were some of the famous investors of the city.

If somehow word got back to Marcus Davis then my plan would be ruined before I even started anything. I needed to work fast and make Ashley Davis mine before her father put a lockdown on his family from me.

Urgently looking at Claire, I was about to ask more questions but found Tyler caressing her cheek and gazing at her intently.

"You're so sexy when you talk business." Tyler grinned and leaned down to feast on his wife's mouth.

A scowl took over my face, not because of jealousy. Hell no, they could be humping like wild rabies for all I cared but not at this time. Not now when I was impatiently waiting for Claire to complete what she started.

"Come on, you two." I cried out to the couple and placed my palm over Lydia's eyes then threw my table napkin over Libby's face. "There are kids here."

The man in the head of the table pulled back and frowned at me. "These are my kids."

Before I could say anything, the napkin was thrown back at me. I looked at the toddler laughing and clapping. "Throw it back!"

I shook my head and looked at Claire but Lydia pushed away the hand I had kept over her eyes and huffed. "Uncle Neil! These are mom and dad. They're always kissing. It's not a big deal."

Groaning, I looked up at the ceiling for patience but failed. I bowed my head and hands before the nine year old smarty-pants. "Sorry, Sanders Jr. Now eat your food please." Then grimaced at the still waiting Libby. "You too!"

She pouted but nonetheless, started picking whatever that was on her plate.

Sighing in relief, I glanced at Claire expectantly, who was laughing at the whole ordeal. "Can you continue now? What else did you hear?"

She stopped laughing when she heard the urgency in my voice and complied with a confused look. "I already told you. They were saying how he isn't the owner of the company now. The anonymous guy who bought all the company shares has more rights on Davis Lumbers than Marcus Davis himself! I wonder who he is."

Tyler, who was silent till now glanced at me suspiciously and said. "Is that so? I wonder who he is too, darling. I wonder."

Silence followed after him but Libby picked up a fork and started poking her food with it so Claire turned her attention on that.

I nervously cleared my throat and made myself busy with finishing my food.

Busted, Neil. You're so busted.

*******