Chapter 16: Sibling Insight
Inside the polished walls of Hawthorne Industries, the tension surrounding Drake Hawthorne was palpable, though most wouldn't notice. He kept up appearances well—sharp suits, firm handshakes, calculated decisions—but those who knew him best could see the cracks. And Elizabeth Hawthorne, Drake's younger sister, had a talent for finding them.
Elizabeth had always been a contrast to her brother—where he was composed and meticulous, she was rebellious and free-spirited. Despite her unconventional nature, Elizabeth had a sharp mind and an even sharper sense of humor, and she had been watching the ongoing saga between Drake and Mila Morgan with keen interest. To her, it was like witnessing a live drama unfold—one where her usually unflappable brother was beginning to stumble.
Late one afternoon, Elizabeth wandered into Drake's office without knocking, a mischievous gleam in her eye. The office was, as always, meticulously organized. The expansive windows let in streams of golden sunlight, casting shadows across the room's modern, minimalist décor. Drake, sitting behind his glass-topped desk, looked up from his work, his brow furrowing slightly at the interruption.
"So," Elizabeth drawled, leaning casually against the edge of his desk, her arms crossed. "How's the future Mrs. Hawthorne?" She grinned, clearly enjoying herself, knowing full well that the arranged marriage between Drake and Mila was a sensitive subject.
Drake's expression remained unreadable as he turned back to his paperwork. "This isn't a joke, Liz."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued even further. Drake rarely dismissed her teasing so seriously. "You're right—it's not," she said, her tone shifting as she studied him more closely. "You've never looked this conflicted before. Tell me, Drake, is Mila really just another deal to you?"
Her question hung in the air, and for a moment, Drake didn't answer. He continued to scan the document in front of him, but the hesitation in his movements gave him away.
Elizabeth's grin widened. "Oh my God," she laughed, the sound light and teasing. "You actually like her. I mean, I knew you had a thing for strong women, but this is hilarious. What happened to 'it's just business'?"
Drake scowled, finally putting down the document he had been pretending to focus on. "It is just business," he said, though there was no real conviction behind the words.
Elizabeth shook her head, sliding into the chair across from his desk, her amusement giving way to something softer. "It's complicated," she echoed, mimicking his tone with a knowing look. "Yeah, I can see that. But it's only complicated because you're making it that way."
She leaned forward slightly, her voice gentler now. "Look, I get it. Mila's not exactly the type to sit back and let you do your thing. But maybe that's not such a bad thing. I mean, if anyone can keep up with you, it's her. Just… don't lose yourself in this, okay? I know you, and when you start to blur the lines between business and personal, things get messy."
Drake met her gaze, his jaw tightening as her words hit home. He didn't want to admit that she was right, that Mila had started to affect him in ways he hadn't anticipated. His life had always been about control—about winning, about staying one step ahead. But Mila was different. She was a rival, yes, but there was something more to her, something that unsettled him.
Elizabeth, reading the conflict in her brother's eyes, softened even more. "I'm not saying don't go for it. Hell, I'm all for you finally finding someone who doesn't bore you to death. But just… don't forget who you are. This is still a business deal at the end of the day."
Drake exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. He had always prided himself on keeping his emotions out of his decisions, but with Mila, it was becoming harder and harder to maintain that distance. She challenged him, excited him, and frustrated him all at once. But Elizabeth's warning lingered—he couldn't afford to let himself get swept up in something that could compromise his position.
Elizabeth stood up, her trademark smirk returning as she grabbed an apple from the bowl on his desk, tossing it playfully in her hand. "Just saying," she added with a grin, "you might actually be falling for her."
Drake didn't respond, but his silence said more than any words could. He watched as Elizabeth walked to the door, taking a bite from the apple before turning back to face him one last time. "Good luck, bro. You're gonna need it."
And with that, she was gone, leaving Drake alone with his thoughts.
As the door clicked shut behind her, Drake stared out the window, the city skyline sprawling beneath him. His sister's words echoed in his mind, and for the first time, he allowed himself to really consider the possibility.
Mila Morgan wasn't just another deal. She wasn't just a means to an end. And that realization, more than anything, terrified him.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone