30. Resolution

CHAPTER THIRTY

REED'S POV

Did she just slap me twice? No woman has ever done that before. The feeling that came along with it was indescribable. It was like I was angry and at the same hurt that she had the nerve to slap me when I only pointe out what was exactly there.

"I-I’m sorry," She stuttered.

She was scared of me, scared of what I would do to her. That was not what I wanted. I wanted her to realize I was the right man for her. Dominic was no good, he has never been ever since he was young. I traced my fingers on the edge of her chin, bringing it up so that she was staring at me.

"Darling I want you and I’m not going to stop until I have you in my arms," I stated.

"Reed, I’m married to your brother," she pointed out.

"He is not my fucking brother! How many times do I have to tell you that Nicole? Dominic is not my brother, “I was already angry enough.

If I stayed a minute longer I knew I was going to do something irrational, something worse like hit her. I shuddered at the thought, choosing to storm out. I stood outside of the house running a hand through my hair in frustration. I decided to call Jade.

"Can we meet up tonight? Drinks on me," I offered.

I really needed someone to talk to and my parents were obviously the last resort. Hell, I hated it every time I had to stay in the same room with them for an hour.

"Great. Dinner first though, at my place. Sean isn't around," She chirped excitedly.

"Sean? Who is Sean? I asked confused.

"Sean my new boyfriend. God! You met him just the other day. You know what? Just forget it. I'll see you at eight," She was disappointed.

She can't blame me. Of late my mind had just been on Nicole and honestly I had lost track of the people around me.

"See you then," I cut off the call.

This was going to be such a long day for me.

"What are you doing in my house, Not-my-little-brother? “I turned to face Dominic. I had not heard him approach.

Of course he was drunk. What does Nicole even see in him? Who gets drunk at this time of the day? It was barely eleven and he was already drunk.

"Oh, hello there. You feel like hitting me again? “I sneered.

"Me? Of course not. On the contrary I want to congratulate you. You achieved what I couldn't," He laughed drunkenly while slapping my back.

"You know I could stand here, listening to you but I can't tolerate your annoying self-Dominic, “I stated finally. It was no use getting into a fight with him when he drunk.

"Why? Because you'd prefer Nicole's presence?"

"Precisely. Sometimes I wonder why she is still with you. Just look at yourself. Do you even know her middle name? Her birthday? Her first novel? Her bestselling novel? Her favorite color? Her favorite dish? Answer me Dominic. You pretend to love her yet we both know you are the one craving for her love. She fears you Dominic. She hates you," I spat, letting a victorious smirk build on my lips.

"I don't have to listen to your bullshit Reed. Why don't you go back to your daddy? And by the way you can have your father's company back. I already handed over my resignation. I don't need it for me to survive. As for Nicole let me not catch you near her ever again or I swear this time, I will fucking kill you with my bare hands," He burped before staggering into the mansion.

********

"What did you tell him Reed? Answer me now," My dad thundered. Hell, he was fuming; something I rarely saw except when he was scolding me for something.

Mum was silently watching us from the corner of Dad's home office.

"Speak up," he hit the table as I gave a start.

Honestly I have never seen my father looking this angry before. He was breathing a fucking firestorm.

"Please Reed. Just tell him the truth, “My mum pleaded.

"Really? And have you told Dominic the truth about his real father?" I countered spearing her a meaningful gaze.

"Reed stop trying to divert the attention," Dad countered.

"Fine. I just told him you gave him the company because you felt pity for him. His father dumped him in a slum and we all know it’s the fucking truth," I replied watching my father's face conform into a deeper frown.

"I have given you everything in life Reed. Why do you still have to ruin your brother's life?" He spat.

"Yes, you have given me everything Dad and that's the problem. Dominic learned how to work but not me. You know why? Because I have everything handed over to me," this was the first time I had actually had an outburst before my parents.

"You hate our money? “My mum asked.

"Yes I hate it. I hate it so fucking bad. With Dominic you always sit down and talk about his achievements but with me? There is nothing to talk about. I’m the useless one. I’m the one who can't achieve anything in life," I stated angrily.

"Then why didn't you tell us? We could have let you work with Dominic in the company, “Dad spoke up.

"I’m not Dominic Dad. I can never even get close to what he is. I wanna go out there and learn too," I stated finally. Even though I hated him for being the apple of my parents eyes, I had to hand it to him that he knew his way around the business world more than anyone I had ever come across.

"What are you talking about Reed?"

"Exactly what I’m talking about. I want to go out there as Reed not as a Valiente. I just need 90 days. So that when I come back I will be proud of myself, “I looked at them.

They were both staring at me like I had grown a pair of legs on my forehead.

"I knew you'd never understand," I sighed.

Nobody was ever going to understand.

"Son, I’m so proud of you, “I was engulfed in my mother's arms.

"Thank you mum,"