Capítulo 18: You Wish!
Dan remained in his car long after he stopped his black saloon car by the driveway of his family house. He had been informed that his father had just been discharged from the hospital after receiving his first chemotherapy, and he had returned home straight from the site where they had been shooting a movie.
He looked at the big white mansion in which he had grown up. The type that most adults could only dream of owning. It was secluded among trees in one of the country's most exclusive areas, and it had a turret, dormer windows, a balcony, a gazebo at the side, and a pool.
He tapped on the steering and took a deep breath as he considered the wisdom in his decision. This was his last chance to turn around and leave while he still had the opportunity. He understood that the moment he went in there and opened his mouth, there would be no turning back.
He sighed before stepping out of the car and walking into his family house; he gave the butler a cut nod as he mounted the stairs and went straight to his father's bedroom.
"How're you feeling, old man?" He asked teasingly, even though he was very worried about his father.
His mother was seated beside his father on the bed, while the two young nurses who had been employed to look after Dan's father couldn't contain their excitement at the sight of Dan Williams.
"Please give us a moment alone," Dan's mother, Claire, told them quietly the moment she noticed their excitement.
"I'll feel better when you tell me what I want to hear," His father said with a weak smile immediately after the nurses left, and they were alone.
"Have you considered what we spoke about the last time?" Claire Williams, his mother, asked him.
"Can we just focus on dad's health for now?" Dan asked with a sigh, even though he knew the discussion was inevitable.
"I can't go to the office in this state. Someone has to take care of things," His father reminded him as he tried to sit up with the help of his wife.
"The last time I checked, Trick works at the company, and I know he is doing a pretty good job of it," Dan reminded his father as he moved closer to sit at the edge of the king-sized bed.
"You know as much as I do that your half-brother, Trick, is far too irresponsible to be left in charge of the company," His mother objected before his father could say a word.
Patrick Williams, called Trick for short, was the firstborn child of Mr. Williams from his first marriage, which had ended in a cold divorce. Both Mr. Williams and Juanita, his first wife, had been forced into an arranged marriage by their families, despite the fact that they both felt nothing other than indifference for each other.
The marriage had lasted just long enough to produce Patrick (which had actually been a mistake from one drunken moment between the couple) before Juanita decided the whole marriage thing wasn't cut out for her, as she preferred having different men, young ones, at her beck and call.
And so she had abandoned her husband and one-year-old son to pursue her carefree lifestyle. Mr. Williams had married his wife Claire exactly ten months later, after meeting her during a business meeting, long story cut short.
"I can't give up my career just to do this. I'm not sure I can even sit still in the office long enough to sign any damned document!" Dan exclaimed. It was a lost battle, and he knew it. For the sake of his parents, there was nothing he wouldn't do, but this time he wanted to reach a compromise with them.
"We are not asking you to do that. That wouldn't be fair to you. You know how much I invested in the pursuit of your ambition and dream. I wouldn't want you to give up all of that," His father assured him quietly.
"So you're saying I don't have to stop acting and any of that?" Dan asked hopefully as he stroked his jaw.
"We have had time to give it a thorough thought. You don't have to give up your ambition," His mother assured him with a smile.
This was beginning to look more accessible than he had thought possible, Dan thought to himself happily. Maybe it wasn't as bad as he had thought after all.
"So what do you want me to do, then?" He asked, turning to give them his complete attention.
"You don't have to be at the office every day of the week. All I want you to do is, attend the important meetings and sign all the important documents on my behalf. That is all," His father told him with a tired yawn.
"You don't think Trick is going to be livid when he hears about this?" Dan asked him thoughtfully.
"When I hear about what?" Patrick asked as he stepped inside the room. He was dressed in a navy blue colored pristine suit, unlike Dan, who looked like a rogue in his polo shirt and jeans trousers.
"I'm putting your brother in charge of the company until I'm strong enough to return to work," Mr. Williams told Patrick quietly.
"Why him? He is just a mere actor and singer. What does he know about the company business?" Patrick asked arrogantly.
"At least he won't be caught pant down in the office with his cock in the mouth of a staff!" their father snapped at him angrily, making his wife pat his hand in an attempt to calm him down.
"It was you, right? You put dad up to this?" Patrick asked, looking at Claire suspiciously.
"And you, you really want to accept the job? I'm your big bro, remember?" He asked, turning to look at Dan.
His friends were already getting ready to celebrate with him at the club since they heard his father wasn't returning to the office anytime soon. They had all naturally assumed it meant he would be assuming the temporary position of CEO.
Dan looked away from him, not knowing how to respond to his question. He had always wanted a very close relationship with his half-brother, but they had never gotten along very well. He didn't want to be caught in this crossfire between his father and Patrick.
"It has nothing to do with family allegiance. I'm only doing what is best for the company," Their father answered.
"And Dan is best for the company? You think he doesn't go around with ladies? There will always be groupies at his disposal!" Patrick asked heatedly while Dan and his mother simply watched them quietly.
"Have you ever seen any news of his scandals?" Their father asked with a raised eyebrow. "I've made my decision, and it is final. Make sure you give your brother all the support he needs," Their father said, making Patrick scowl at them all.
"Support? You wish!" He muttered before walking away angrily. He was just going to prove to his father that he was making the wrong decision.
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