Rejected and Insecure

In charge

FRED

"Did you obtain the partnership?" Father asked. 

"Yes, it was pretty great, and we have a profit of 50% from whatever amount they earn." I drop the file on the table with a grin plastered on my face.

"Have you cross check the other files?" He asked.

"All done Father."

"Thank goodness, do you know you're a blessing fallen from heaven?" He smiled.

"Yeah." I chuckled.

"I have some other files to check you can take a break." He ran his fingers through his hair. 

"Father I think you need a break." 

"No no I don't, I need to close some files and cancel some, sign some, I still have lot of works to do, I can't permit myself a break." He stood up wiping his face with his palm. 

"You are tired, you've been doing that since eleven years now, I think you really need some air, out of this country." 

He stood up crossing his arms "who will take care of everything here? The wrong contract, the perfect contracts, the-" 

"Father calm down, see you're stressed you really need a holiday, two weeks or more." 

"As I've told you, I can't, there is too many things I can't permit myself to just leave."

"I'll take care of it, I'm the vice president." 

"I can't deprive you from your life, running a company is not easy, you've to be fully dedicated."

"I know but I must try, I can't let you work while you're so exhausted, bringing the boys up alone and running the company have wear you out, you need time to recover so take a break." Father can be so stubborn. 

"I-" 

"Father trust me you really need a long holiday! Please." 

He sigh, "okay but two weeks not much." 

"That's all I ask." 

~~~~~~~~~~~

Father had his stuffs ready, he was taking a flight to Africa, he wanted to spend his holiday discovering new forms of advertising and have some knowledge from a foreign country, I tried reasoning him, he need a break not a research but he won't hear me out.

"Please do not stay awake too long, and don't let the boys give you gray hair, you're the man in charge. They'll miss me." He smiled. 

"Okay thanks for your advice. I'll tell them to call you often so you don't feel lonely." I wave him off as he entered his private jet. 

I drove back home, I did a little meeting with all the employees in our house, made new rules and prepared everything. 

The only people missing are my brothers, I have not taken care of kids before, but I'm pretty sure I won't have problems with them. 

~~~~~~~~~~

The S650 Pullman pulled in our drive way, I watch my brothers hop out racing inside, except Christophe he slammed the door really hard, the strap of his bag remain hook on the closed door, he kicked the car as he yell something I didn't hear, he yank it open before slamming it again and stomping away.

Father had told me he had anger issues, I really need to find a solution to that. 

I waited for some hours, before calling them in the living room. 

Nathan, Jack and Zack sat on the long white couch typing on their phones, Christoph sat at the other side of the room, pressing his little body against the couch arm. 

I cleared my throat drawing their attentions. They all stare at me like some little kid before returning back to their phone. 

"Please a little respect, put your phones away." I instructed, they groan before putting that addictive technology away. 

"Christoph please join them on the couch please." 

He gave me the 'are you crazy?' Look, His gaze constantly shifting from me to the couch. 

"Christopher please." I'm trying to hold myself back, I really don't appreciate disobedience. 

He sigh before shuffling to the long couch and seating at the far end, I found it weird but decided to shrug it off. 

"I want you all to listen attentively, father is away for a trip leaving me in charge, the rules are still the same except for the few ones I added. 

No one skips dinner without a valuable reason. 

Maximum three hours on your Xbox or whatever game you decide to play.

Your home works must be done before you go to bed. 

No breaking curfew, no fighting, no illegal activities, no swearing! And most important of all no one bully anyone! You know the other rules. Breaking any of the rules comes with severe punishments you'll discover once you break a rule." I made my words firm and my stare too. 

"Why three hours on games?" Zack asked. 

"Because is not healthy to play for long hours." 

"About the home work and skipping dinner stuff, I don't think is necessary." Jack said arrogantly. 

"John Jackson you'll show me the proper respect, and I think is really necessary, except you want to go against my words and see what comes next." I simply said.

He sigh before nodding, "fine." 

"About curfew, I really need an extended curfew." Nathan said. 

"No sorry, you're the eldest you need to set an example for your younger siblings, coming home late will only make things worst." I simply said. 

He raise his hands in surrender.

"Good, Christoph are you okay with that or do you have something to say too?" I asked the younger lad who was blankly staring at the space.

"Christopher!" I half yelled, he flinched blinking twice. 

"Yeah...?" 

"Where you paying attention?" 

"Yeah..." He trail off.

"What was the last thing I said?" 

"Uh.." He shrugged staring at his feet. 

"You can all leave except you." He stare at me wide eyes, the boys were all gone before I had the chance to say something else. 

I walk toward him towering over him he flinched softly pressing his body in the couch. 

"You didn't hear what I say did you?" I crossed my arms. 

"No, I'm sorry." He blurted out. 

I sigh, "I won't repeat myself you'll have to ask one of them." I said before walking away, back to my office. I pulled out some files and started working. 

I heard a soft knock on the door, "come in." I didn't take my eyes off the important document till I heard his voice. 

"I... Need my stuff back." 

"You don't merit them, with the way you were behaving since you came. 

"I need them back, my grounding is over, I need to call people." He said calmly. 

"Like who if I may ask?" I was expecting a rude response like non of your business. 

"Brian, Father and my tutors. I'm starting practice tomorrow and I need to stay updated, I can't do that without my stuffs." He spoke politely. 

"Hm, okay, meet Henry he'll give them back to you."

"Thanks." With that he exited the room. 

There is something I'm not getting clearly about my brothers. But what is it? I'm gonna find out anyway.