CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: BATTLE OF AGES.

Left in my own silence once more, my thoughts wander back to him. It's been three days since I last saw or spoke to him and since reporters have been camping outside my apartment I've been staying at his. I hope he's okay. Stupid Yuzuki. Leaving without saying goodbye. What did he mean about putting him in a predicament with my decision? I realise that by saying I was being independent, I acted selfishly but you don't just disappear. Isn't that in itself selfish? Karma?

A soft knock brings my attention to the door in time to see Hugh's step in followed by William. Great, now I'm thinking about him even more. As though knowing what I was thinking he smiles warmly at me, sitting on the small sofa as Hugh's busies himself with making us tea.

"Good Morning, Ms. Ingram." He says the last name in a matter-of-fact tone, and I shift uncomfortably. I really hate that last name; but it is mine. Hugh's was right. Professional.

"Mr. Fairchild." I reply, returning his smile.

"A part of me thought you'd turn down my help." He retorts, his brow arching slightly.

"I admit, I did intend to."

"What changed?"

"At the end of the day, minus our relationship with Yu, I'd hope we were still business professionals." He nods in response to my statement, his eyes darting around the office before settling on me and I chuckle helplessly.

"Are you about to tell me this setting doesn't suit me, Mr. Fairchild." He coughs, blocking the smile creeping along his lips. On the nail I see.

"Hmm, now I see why Jason said nothing gets past you and to treat you like I would any business partner. It's our second time conversing and I find you rather refreshing."

"Thank you for the compliment and thank him for the vote of confidence. Though I'm sure he praised me more than I deserve credit for." He smiles and accepts the tea placed before him.

"He only ever praises those who deserve it, so I'll have to believe in my brother."

"You brothers really are something else." His soft laugh echoes through the silent office and Hugh's excuses himself, returning to his office.

"Now that we're alone, I'm sure you've got questions?" His knowing eyes find mines again and I simply smile knowing there's no denying it.

"Is he alright?"

"Yes."

"Has he been eating well?"

"As well as a man who left his heart half-way across the world can." I frown slightly at his statement but remain silent. He sets his mug down removing a folder from the case near his cane. Forever a businessman. Straight to the point.

"This is for you sweetheart. I've signed and amended accordingly; I leave everything else to you." Looking through the contract I find his eyes and he shakes his head as my glare finds him.

"I assure you my terms are based solely on your promise and business ethics, father also approved of it and Jason had nothing to do with it at all." I study him briefly before nodding.

"Thank you for trusting us."

"You seem to be mistaken. I don't trust 'us' I trust you, Atlas." Huh? Isn't he meant to be formal right now? Why's he being so casual with me?

"I see my reputation precedes me."

"Huh...?"

"You've been staring at me rather dumbfoundedly and I can only imagine it's because of my casual tone."

"Ah..." I reply laughing nervously. Clearing my throat, I sit up straighter meeting his eyes again.

"I was informed that you're rather strict when it comes to business. Considering my age and minimal experience in your world I thought you'd have been an extremely pompous 'do as I say' strict type." He chuckles at my straightforwardness before crossing his left leg over his right. He winces slightly at the movement but quickly covers it up.

"What happened to your leg? Although I know it's a rather old injury it seems phantom pains are still present."

"Is that your way of saying I'm psychologically damaged? That it's all in my head?" His brow arches slightly as he waits for my response and I could tell I'd touched a nerve. Sighing inwardly, I meet his sharp gaze unfazed.

"No, it's my way of saying although it's been years the pain is still there. You've recovered physically and mentally from both scars, but you can still tell where your old self used to be."

"And do tell, why I'm missing my old self right now, Ms. Ingram."

"Jason. You're a bro-con, I'm sure whatever he's doing is making you stressed. You had a similar reaction when we first met and he told me about his past."

"Hmm, this meeting seems to have turned into an interrogation, Ms. Ingram. I'm not sure I like that."

"I apologise if it seems that way. However, like you were testing me from the moment we met I suppose this is my test. Winters projects main goal was built around family and friendship values, with that I suppose in a cliché world, your values are what this project represents. Also, the way you react makes me nervous for that idiot of a man." He stares at me slightly and I hold his gaze. If I faltered, he'd know. The fact that my own words scald my mouth would surely be the death of me. Hypocrisy. How could I claim to carry those values when everyone who returned my love was dead and those who were meant to be at my side hated and cast me away. Those I consider family and friends were chosen by me, but they fill the space of the ones I lost only to an extent. I envied their bond. I envied how close these brothers were. Not even blood related yet they would no doubt die for each other. I hated this me. I hated not know where he was and what he was doing. I hated that he hasn't told me anything. I hate that this is how I made him feel. I really hate this me right now.

"Do you hate yourself, Atlas?" His question throws me off guard but I hold back my emotions.

"I do."

"And, do you hate your brother?"

"Yes. It's hard not to hate the one who didn't trust in you and then left you when you needed him the most - without saying goodbye. It's hard not to hate him, but I love him. Despite his hatred of me he never once forgot my birthday. I hate that he chose fathers venom over me, but he still acknowledged my existence, that made me happy."

"You sound like you miss him." Instinctively my fingers find the necklace around my neck. The place I kept them.

"I do miss him. He's my big brother after all." His smile was soft, but his sympathetic eyes hit home. What... what was that? A small smirk plays at the corner of his mouth before he masks it.

"I hope you've made up your mind up." He takes his phone out of his blazers breast pocket before putting it away into his trouser pocket.

"Sorry?" A cryptic smile creeps along his lips before he looks at me again.

"I hope you've made up your mind about Jason. Will you wait for him?"

"Whatever that crazy guy's doing right now, I know it's for me. So, I'll wait no matter how long it takes."

"Even if it takes four years." My eyes search his, and he chuckles at my confused frown. What's he talking about? Four years? I'm about to ask but Hugh's knock brings my attention to him entering the office.

"Sorry to interrupt Young Master but it's ten twenty-five and everyone's arrived for the meeting." He hesitates before meeting my eyes and I can tell he's nervous. I see the old man's here.

"Everyone huh." I retort, chuckling cynically.

"Master Ingram is insisting we start immediately."

"Alright then."

"Your fathers here?" William asks, his question bringing my gaze back to him and I nod my response. Taking out his phone he sends someone a message before putting his phone away again.

"Is everything alright."

"Yes. Everything's quite alright, thank you." Hmm? Something's off.

"Mr. Fairchild, I hope you don't mind joining me for this meeting? You may not be a shareholder but you are the top investor, so I felt it appropriate to invite you." He stares at me briefly before nodding; a look of understanding flashing across his face.

"Thank you for the invite. I'll gladly accompany you and get acquainted with the shareholders." I nod at his response getting up to lock the contract in my safe.

"Well then, shall we." Nodding, he collects his cane and case before following me to the door.

Besides the soft click of his cane on the floor behind me, his presence swarms around me. Even his choice of cologne is similar to Yuzuki's. Yu-Chan, is this your way of being at my side even when you're not. Damn these brothers. Damn this bloody bro-con. I won't be surprised if he's the one who got that cologne for Yu to begin with.

"Ah, Ms. Ingram. I have a gift for you from Jason, it should be ready in a short while. I hope you'll like it." Looking over my shoulder his wide grin greets me.

"A gift? From Yu? What is it?"

"Well, it's a secret." His grin widens and he winks at me playfully, chuckling softly as we enter the conference room. Wish me luck Yu.