TEMPTING THE BEAST

CHAPTER FIVE: The prank

Maxton walked back into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of orange juice which he took to the dining table, he drew out the seat and sat down, settling the glass beside him as he opened his laptop to answer some emails. He planned to use this few hours of break to get to those emails he hadn't been able to look at in the office. 

As he lifted his glass of juice to take a sip the doorbell rang. He hissed at the noisy interruption but ignored it to continue what he was doing.  

" I will get it, " he said to his housekeeper who had come out to answer the door when it continued to ring without pausing what he was doing. Martha turned around and went back to the kitchen to continue the food she was preparing. 

Maxton got to his feet and headed to the door, his irritation at the person growing when the bell was persistently pressed on.

Maximus who had just finished cleaning up his brother's room came out to see his glass of juice seating there unattended, and a wicked grin appeared on his face, his green eyes sparkling with mischief as his twisted brain came up with the best revenge for what his brother did to him in the bedroom.

He hurried into the kitchen and went to the side of the counter that had the cooking ingredients lined side by side. Two of the plastic container had a white ground substance that both resembled what he was looking for. 

" Which of these is the salt? " He asked the housekeeper, sounding clueless. 

Martha turned from the meal she was preparing to give the young man and gave him a suspicious look. " What you need salt for? " She asked, staring down at the young man which was not an easy feat as the young man is a lot of inches taller than her.

Maximus flashed her a charming smile, just a little surprise for my brother, he said giving her an innocent look. It was too innocent that it screamed that the boy was up to no good, Martha shook her head at the young man but decided to indulge him. She pointed at the right container.

Maximus grinned widely as he picked the container and ran back to the dining table where he used the tablespoon to add a lot of salt to his brother's juice. He quickly stared at it thoroughly so that it won't be noticed that it was tapered with it. He glanced around to make sure that no one saw, and at the sound of voices and footsteps coming his way he quickly sneaked back into the room, hiding at a corner that gave him the perfect view to see the result of his prank. 

Maxton opened the door to see his second brother leaning against the wall with his muscled arm exposed by the sleeveless t s**t he was wearing folded across his chest and a toothpick sticking from his mouth, his idea of trying to quit smoking. 

Marlon leaned off the wall when the door opened. " What is up bro, " he said with a grin when he saw the irritation glaring in those icy mismatched eyes. He knew how much his brother disliked noise especially when he is working that is why he had deliberately pressed on the bell just to irritate him. To him. his brother was too uptight and needs to lighten up.

" Is there a meeting going on in my house that I don't know about? " Maxton asked through tight lips as he glared at his grinning brother who he was sure had persistently pressed on the bell just to annoy him. He dislikes when his brothers just badge into his house unannounced but the more he complains about it the more they do it just to get a rise out of him so he had stopped entertaining them.

"  So that means Maximus is here, " Marlon said ignoring his brother's glare as he walked past him. It was when they were still kids that his brother's famous glare scared but not anymore cause he and his little brother have come to understand that beneath that cold thick exterior is a warm and very loyal brother.

 " By all means, come in, " Maxton muttered to the empty doorway, his sarcasm heard by his brother who was already making his way further inside. 

" I already did brother, no need to invite me in, " Marlon fired back, his tone light and teasing. 

Maxton shook his head smiling before he closed the door. 

" Where is Maximus? " Marlon asked heading towards the glass of juice he sighted on the dining table. 

" Cleaning up my room, I hope, " Maxton answered as he walked into the living room. 

" Hey! That is mine, " he barked to his brother as he lifted his glass of juice. 

" Get another one, " Marlon said and took the glass to his lips. 

From his hiding place, Maximus smacked his head as he bemoaned his brother who was about to spoil his plans. 

Marlon took a healthy gulp of the drink and as soon as they touched his tongue came pouring right back out splashing his clothes and across the dining table, as his face squeezed in disgust. 

" What the f**k man! " Maxton snarled, glaring at his brother and the mess he had made. 

Marlon wiped his lips of the disgustful taste and faced his brother, " you have got a really weird taste, " he said passing the juice to him. 

" What do you mean? " Maxton asked narrowing his eyes at him. 

" Find out for yourself, " Marlon said stretching out his hand again to his brother. 

Where he hid Maximus watched with held breath as his eldest brother took the glass and brought it to his lips. He began to gesture with his hand for his brother to drink quickly as his heart was suspended in a tense atmosphere as if waiting for something ominous to happen. 

Maxton looked at his brother who lifted his brow encouraging him to drink. He raised the glass to his lips just like Marlon did a few seconds ago and took a sip of the drink and immediately spat the drink back as its salty taste disgusted his taste buds. " What the hell man! " He exclaimed in confusion. 

The loud snicker behind them caused them to turn around to see their little brother laughing his ass off, barely holding himself up as he roared in laughter. Maximus strengthened up when he felt the gaze of his brothers on him but with one look at Maxton's disgusted face he broke down again. 

Marlon looked from one brother to another trying to comprehend what was happening. His eyes went back and forth twice before he grabbed what was going on and a grin curved his lips. 

"Guess we have a prank war, " he said as his smile grew wider. " Cool, I have missed that, " he said. 

" 10 points for Maximus, 0 for Maxton. " He quickly shut his mouth when his older brother turned to glare at him. 

Maxton couldn't believe that he fell for his brother prank, he turned to face his brother who had stopped laughing but his eyes were still glittering with mirth, " brother are you sure you want to go there, " he asked, his voice hard and cold as his mismatched eyes focused intensely on his brother, his expression stern and a little scary. 

Maximus swallowed at the hard look on his brother's face before he strengthened to his full height, they were no longer kids so he is no longer scared of his brother's prank. " Bring it on brother, " he said with bravado, his lips curved into a cocky smirk as his eyes held that of his brother in a challenge. 

An evil grin stretched Maxton's lips as he returned his brother's stare. 

Marlon looked from one brother to another, before turning to focus on his younger one. " Zi are you sure you want to take on Maxton, as I recall you have never won against him since we were kids. " 

" That is different, we are adults now I believe I can take him. " 

" Alright, I will judge, as usual, is now ten to one, " Marlon said with a shrug of his shoulders but inside he was extremely excited, has enjoys it when his brothers pranks on each other, is always a very fun entertainment.

"  Sir, lunch is ready, " Martha said from the doorway breaking into the conversation. 

Maxton turned to face his housekeeper. " We will have it here, " he said pointing at the dining table. 

Maximus breathed out as his brother's intense gaze shifted from him. His brother's stare has always been able to reduce grown men to trembling idiots and despite being his brother he was not spared from the effect of those laser mismatched eyes, he just learned to hide his nervousness better cause his brother can smell weakness from miles away and that does not bode well for the person. 

The three brothers sat down to enjoy their meal, their game momentary set aside as they caught up with each other. One of the phones on the table rang, and three eyes swung in its direction. It was Maxton's phone. 

Maxton used his left hand to check who was calling. Laurel's name was displayed on the screen. Without bothering to pick it, he let it ring. His action piqued the curiosity of his brothers. 

" Who is it? " Marlon asked looking at his brothers. 

" No one, " Maxton answered coldly without lifting his head to look at his brothers, his countenance growing dark. This further made his brothers more curious, which grew when the phone rang and their brother didn't bother to look at it. 

Maximus reached out before his brother could react and picked up the phone. 

Maxton didn't bother to stop him just continued to eat his meal like he didn't have a care in the world. 

Maximus's brow lifted when he saw his brother's girlfriend's name on the screen. On the screen were several missed calls and messages which went unanswered. 

" Who is it? " Marlon asked leaning in to take a look. In unison, they turned to look at their brother who was still focused intensely on his food as if it held the answer to the world's mystery. 

" Are you having issues with Laurel? " Maximus asked softly. 

" Is over between us, " Maxton answered, his tone emotionless just like his face, sounding as if he was talking about some business deal and not an end of a relationship with someone he cared about. 

The brothers weren't a fan of their brother's girlfriend but at least her presence made their brother marginally happy, so they were confused about the sudden breakup. 

" What happened? " Marlon asked sounding concerned. 

" Don't want to talk about it, " Maxton said, his tone curt and hard, telling his brothers that he wanted the topic dropped. 

" Well, good for you, brother, I am sure there is some better woman out there for you, " Maximus said while 

Marlon nodded his head in agreement. In his mind, he knew that his brother was hurt by the breakup even though he isn't showing it but he was happy that the relationship was over, his brother was better than the manipulative gold digger.

His brother's words brought the memory of the blonde to Maxton's mind, and he couldn't help imagining her beautiful and adorable face, and without knowing his expression brightened as he thought about her. 

His brothers paused and stared. 

Maxton noticed their focus stare and looked up, " what? " He growled wondering why they were looking at him. 

" You are smiling, " Marlon muttered, sounding confused. 

" And you have got the look, " Maximus added, narrowing his eyes at his brother as viewing him through a microscope to find out his secret. 

" What look? " Maxton asked staring at his brother making sure that his face was cleared of every emotion. 

" Who is she? " Maximus asked with a knowing smirk. 

" Don't know what you are talking about, " Maxton responded looking away. 

" Come on you have got the look that says I am intrigued by someone, and I surmised that it could only be a female who could generate such look unless you have something else to tell us, " Maximus teased wriggling his brow at his brother. 

Maxton glared at his brother before throwing the grape he plucked from the fruit bowl at him. " Don't think that s**t, " he growled at him. 

Maximus chuckled, before picking up the grape thrown at him and chunks into his mouth. 

" So who is she? " Marlon insisted also knowing the look that Maximus was referring to. 

Maxton sighed knowing that his brothers will not relent if he doesn't tell them about Franklin. Maxton doesn't know why his mind chooses to refer to the blonde as Franklin instead of Ashley but he found out that he likes the sound of Franklin for the blonde more. He looked up to see his brother still looking at him waiting for his response. " Just one of the applicants that I interviewed yesterday. " 

" I didn't know you were hiring, " Marlon said. 

" We are not, just looking for Marilyn's replacement, " Maxton answers dropping his fork. He was done with his meal. 

" Don't tell me you have fired that sweet good lady, " Maximus cried in horror at his brother. His brother is known for firing his employee at the slightest provocation, but his African American secretary was different, the woman is like family and they reckon that their father will not be happy if their brother fired her. 

" Relax, brother, she is going on maternity leave so I need a temporary replacement. "

" Oh, " Maximus muttered relaxing. 

" So what is special about this applicant, " Marlon questioned focusing his eyes on his brother. When it comes to his brother you need to be very observant to glimpse that which he doesn't say because communicating his feelings is not a thing for his brother. 

" She didn't flinch, " Maxton said in a light surprised tone as if he was still stunned by the blonde's reaction. Its been a far-distance feeling for him to have someone treat him as if he wasn't scared, that luxury was only provided by his family and very close family friends like his housekeeper and his secretary. 

The brothers immediately understood what their brother was referring to when he said she didn't flinch. " So is she getting the position? " Maximus asked. 

" Haven't decided yet, " Maxton muttered coolly, done with the topic he stood up and walked away. 

                                                        *********

Ashley can't fathom how she allowed her friends to cajole her into going shopping with them. Shopping has been one of her worse stuff to do and only do it when it is necessary and hopping from one shop to the next watching as two friends tried on so many clothes while squealing so loud that people are beginning to regard them as mental patient will not be considered as necessary. 

When they left the new cafe they have gone home and with nothing to do, Harper had suggested that they go shopping since their groceries have finished. Amelia had readily agreed with Lily consenting because Amelia is going. Sometimes Ashley wonders if the girl has thought of her own. She has politely turned the offer to go, explaining to them as if talking to children that three was more than enough to do a grocery run, but all that fell on deaf ears as Harper brought out her persuasive weapons that I am yet to win over ever since our days in school, her famous pout and puppy eyes. The tall brunette perfected the look very well for the easy prey boys in high school, but it seems is not just the boys that are susceptible to her charms even I can't seem to resist and this is how I found myself at the mall today instead of staying home review my options for employment. 

Right now we are heading to yet another shop with Amelia and Harper skipping excitedly ahead with their both hands laden with shopping bag, while I and Lily the fewer enthusiastic ones brought up the rear. I hope this is the last shop if not I am leaving them to go home because this is my limit. 

Feeling so much exhausted I found a seat in the shop and sat down to watch my friends sample all the clothes of which they will not buy one-third of it. In the words of Harper my good friend if you don't try them all how will you know the ones that you like. The logic is that only she can probably explain. 

 Luckily they didn't spend much time in this shop and when we came out Amelia and Harper were groaning in exhaustion and readily agreed for us to go home when I made the suggestion. 

We were all heading towards the entrance when Lily unknowingly collided with a woman coming in the opposite direction.

 Looking at the woman she looked sophisticated and rich and what she had on probably cost more than our salaries for those of us that are working. 

Lily quickly picked up the things she knocked down from the woman and presented them to her with stuttered nervous apology not looking at the woman but the woman didn't care as she began to scream at the nervous girl further worsening her anxiety which made her trembling worse. 

I was about to step forward and defend our friend who was now trembling badly now when Amelia beat me to it. She screamed at the woman, her voice so filled with rage and her eyes glaring daggers at the woman that she became scared and stepped back from our furious friend who looked like a mama bear defending her young. 

The raised voices attracted the attention of the security who came and walked us out with the woman throwing one more harsh glare in our direction before she walked ahead which Amelia responded with a finger that earned a chuckle from us as we walked through the door.