Chapter 4

He didn't want a relationship. He didn't suffer any trauma from it, but he felt it just wasn't his style.

It wasn't because he was bad at expressing himself, quite the opposite really.

Always an open book, he was quite blunt. And if you asked him why he didn't do relationships, it was quite simple. It was "just too complicated to deal with". And even after being ridiculed by his best friend only a week ago, he didn't give any care nor caution to his words. It was his life and his decisions to make.

He'll settle down when he wants to. Right now, he's young and single and full of energy to take on the world.

Alex almost always took girls. He rarely looked for boys. It confuses people when he's caught in those rare times, and when the media asks him, he says nothing about it. Why should he? There's nothing to explain.

He likes who he likes, and that's about it. He doesn't care about labeling his sexuality or his identity. He doesn't give a shit about it, so why should anyone else?

Looking to his desk, he sees another article about him. "27-year-old Casanova CEO of Parr Industries--Finally Settles Down?". He frowns at it, then at his phone, where Michael, his brother, decided to "fix" his mistake by outshining his twin's mistake with his own engagement. And, of course, the media being the media, somehow managed to still use Alex as the article's topic.

Sighing, he buzzes in his secretary, asking for his schedule that afternoon.

"You're free the entire afternoon, sir," Grace hands him her timetable, to which Alex nods. "Alright, thanks," he replies, cracking his neck before typing away on his computer. "Alex, what are you doing?"

The secretary walks around the table and peeks at her boss' screen. Her eyes widen in shock at what she sees.

"Alex," she chastises, slapping his arm. "Ow--what?"

The CEO whines, rubbing the area. It's probably bruising now, he thinks. Alex rolls his eyes, going back to typing. "Alex," Grace says once more, in that motherly tone she often uses when Alex is about to do something she doesn't approve of. "What? I'm busy," he says, a frown on his face as he types. "Cussing out the media is not something you should be 'busy' with," Grace sighs.

"Yeah, well, it is to me. Especially when they go and talk shit about me in front of my little brother," Alex's frown deepens, sucking his teeth as he thinks of words to say. His secretary shakes her head. "He's your twin. You're only, what? Ten, thirty minutes apart?"

"Two hours and twenty-five minutes," Alex corrects her, pressing the enter key. "There, done. That should tell them what I think about their BS article," he dusts his hands dramatically, as if he'd just solved world hunger.

Well, to be fair to him, he did do multiple food charities worldwide. So in a way, he helped.

"I hope this doesn't backfire on you," Grace says, taking a look at his statement. It was written on a Google document, the link posted on Twitter. As she reads through it, she smiles.

It reads:

"My response to the articles on my brother's engagement:

-First of all, congratulations to my dear baby brother, Michael, and his fiancé, Kelly. I look forward to the wedding. Whatever you need, big brother is here to provide.

-Second of all, I would like to give a big F you to the articles and the media discussing me and my personal life during my brother's greatest and happiest moment. You are all the same, full of bull and hypocrisy.

This isn't about me. This is about Michael and his future. Instead of wishing him a happy life with his fiancé, you decide to talk about a bunch of bullshit about me, causing my little brother discomfort.

You can do and talk shit about me but not my family. Leave them out of this or I will come for your asses. You lot should know by now I am not afraid of a court battle.

I demand an apology towards my brother and his fiancé.

Good day.

Alexander Theodore Parr

CEO, Parr Industries"

Grace chuckles and looks at Alex. "You held back on the cursing," she says, amusement filling her voice. "I'm impressed."

"Yeah, well... I still have some decency to uphold," the CEO replies, reclining in his office chair, looking a bit tired. He looks up at his secretary, biting his lip. "Can you call Mike? I want to make it up to him with a boys' night out," he says, sitting back up. "Should I call Arthur and Tyler, as well?"

Alex simply shakes his head. "No. Let me do it," he says, sweeping his hair back with a smile. It's been a while since he and his brothers have gone out together. Michael has been busy as the President of the company, Arthur's been busy with University, and Tyler's in his final year of high school. It's been a while since they had some time together.

"Right, then," Grace says as she makes her way to the door. "I'll leave you to it then," she shuts the door as Alex gets back to work, feeling less stressed from the conundrum the media had riled up in him.

Three o'clock couldn't have come sooner, he complains.

Arthur would finish his afternoon lecture by then, and he wanted to pick his little brother up. It's been a while since he's done it. With a smile on his face, he dials Arthur's number as he closes his files on the computer.

"Hello?"

His brother's sweet voice, he misses it. "Hey, Artie," Alex replies, shutting off his desktop and packing his things for the afternoon. "Well, this is a surprise. Hey, Al," the boy's voice sounds tired. "Sorry, things have been busy at the office."

"Mhm, so I've heard. Another rumor came out and ruined Michael's special announcement," Arthur muses. Alex hears shuffling in the background and students chattering. "That was the media's fault, you know that, right?"

The CEO shakes his head. He doesn't want this to be how he and Arthur reconnect after a year of disconnection. "I know, Al. Sorry. People talk and college kids love a good gossip," his brother replies. This makes Alex frown. "They're not bullying for this, are they?"

"No," Arthur replies, relief clear in his voice. "Thank goodness for that, at least," the young man chuckles at the other end of the line while the older nods. "Okay, anyway," Arthur pipes up, a smile in his voice. "Why did you call?"

"I'm picking you and Tyler up from school. We're going out. I owe you guys," Alex responds, picking up his briefcase before heading out his office. "Wait, really? No last-minute cancellations this time?"

The fact that Arthur added that last bit made Alex realize how much of an ass he was to his brothers. "No, none of that today," he replies, much to the delight of the younger.

Alex bids his secretary farewell as he exits the office and takes the elevator to the office parking. He opens the door to his 2019 Chevrolet Cruze and drives off to L University.

He parks by the sidewalk, checking his watch to see if it's close to four. He still has to pick up their youngest from school. Spotting his brother by the gates, he beeps his horn, catching his attention. Arthur walks towards the car with a smile on his face as faces look towards the car and back to him out of curiosity.

A pair of eyes, in particular, seemed aggressively apprehensive.

Just as Arthur goes to walk behind the car towards the passenger seat, a hand grabs his. "Where are you going?"

A man, probably at least a year older, says. He wore a blue hoodie and loose jeans. Tan and tall, he had a frown on his face. Arthur scowled up at him, pulling his hand away. "With him, obviously," he says. "Why? You know who this guy is, he's that playboy on the news. Getting involved with him will only end badly."

"You have no right to tell me who I can and cannot be with. We were done MONTHS ago," Arthur growls, getting all up in the man's face. He continues walking towards the passenger seat. Alex could only watch from inside, seeing the scene from his rearview mirror. His brother opens the door, dropping his bags inside. "And another thing, Nick," Arthur stops, glaring at said man. "You have no right to call my brother a playboy after you cheated on me with all those girls."

Slamming the door, Arthur quickly wipes his eyes before they fill with tears. Alex doesn't say a word and just drives off, a scowl on his face as he pulls away from the sidewalk.