Angel in comparison

 Still Corban's POV 

Usually, my reply to Jotham's proposal would have been brief and swift. A simple, no would suffice. But instead of doing that, I had a weird inkling to accept his proposal.

I know, I know. It makes me look unsure. But something was telling me to take up his offer. I spent the whole night thinking about it, and a million possible ways to say no. Instead of going with one of them, I found myself in front of the receptionist's desk the next day.

"I'm here to see Jotham." As opposed to a negative reply, I voiced out these words to the lady behind the desk staring at me idly.

Not looking so pleased, "You mean Wright?"

I knew what she was trying to imply, I didn't have any right to refer to Jotham using his first name. Pfft.

Refraining myself from rolling my eyes, "Yes."

Still looking quite unimpressed, "Do you have an appointment?" She stared me down, twirling a pen in her fingers.

"No."

I didn't think I needed one to see my brother. The only problem here is that, she didn't know that. In fact, nobody knows that we are even related, to begin with.

"Then I'm afraid you can't go in." She said, now turning her focus to some bunch of files on the desk.

Heck, she probably thought I was one of those random people who pretend to have real connections with the Wrights. Only to end up being strangers. The quickest way to know them is whether they have appointments.

I don't have one.

Not having much of a choice, I walked away briefly from the desk to call Jotham. I was sent to his voicemail on the first ring.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, "Why don't you inform him of my presence?" I asked, trying to find a way to get in. "He must be expecting me."

Actually, I don't think he's expecting me. I never come here.

Forced to look at me, she shook her head. "I can't do that. You need an appointment."

"Just tell him I'm here to see him," I told her, with the grimiest expression possible. Standing at the reception was beginning to become a bore. Why doesn't Jotham show up when you need him to?

"Fine." After allowing a few seconds to pass, she added, "If this backfires, I'll blame it on you."

Of course, it wasn't going to backfire. If anything, Jotham should be pleased.

The corners of my mouth curved into a grin, "Do as you please." Confidence, I had that.

"What's your name?" She asked, proceeding to use the wireless intercom.

"Corban." Making my voice sound a tidbit more authoritative, "Corban Wright"

Rather than actually sending a call across to him, she burst out into a fit of laughter. Much to my dismay.

"Hahaha." Wiping away tears from laughing so hard, "You are funny."

I am funny? I had no idea that I had become a stand-up comedian. Imagine my surprise.

By this time, my smile was long gone. "Is anything funny?"

"You are. If you are going to waltz into this place impersonating someone, try not to be an amateur."

There was no use hiding the anger in my voice, "Excuse me?" My hands were clenched into a fist, firmly placed by my side.

"You said you're Corban?" The sides of her mouth twitched, "Corban Wright?"

"I believe you heard me the first time." I stomped my feet, huffing like a child. Why not humor me and just call the guy??!!

"Yeah. There's no Corban Wright." Her eyes darkened, "I'll advise you to leave before I call the security."

She scrunched her nose in disdain. I could come up with a bunch of nasty words she wouldn't mind calling me at the moment.

Yet, I felt like a bad person for bugging her. I should have called Jotham before leaving home. It would have saved everybody the stress.

I hoped my eyes looked pleading enough, "You wouldn't want to do that." Starting to sound like a broken record player, "Just inform Jotham that I'm here."

I knew she wasn't going to do so, and calling him Jotham rather than Mr. Wright wasn't exactly helping me.

This is the kind of spotlight I was trying to avoid. Imagine if everybody had to go through this stress before seeing me.

Arching her brows, her eyes danced with humor. "If you know him so well, why don't you tell him yourself."

"He isn't picking up my calls." I wanted to say `do you think I have tried that??! ʼ but refrained myself at the very last second.

Instead of lashing out, I tried calling him again. My effort was futile, as I was directed to his voicemail once again.

"How convenient. Do you think I'm 3?"

"Hmph." I muttered under my breath, "You are acting like you are."

Apparently, it was a pathetic excuse of a mutter because she heard me loud and clear. A scowl immediately found its way to her face.

"That's it." Banging her hands on the desk, "I'm calling the security."

"I wouldn't advise you to do that." I remained composed, even though she was very close to losing it.

"Yeah. Keep your advice to yourself." She picked up the intercom for the second time, this time to inform the security of the unruly impersonator.

Ever heard of being saved by the bell? I was saved by something, but it wasn't a bell. Instead, it was a voice. My mother's voice.

"Corban?" She had just walked in, perplexion written all over her face.

"Mum?" I let out a sigh of relief I hadn't even realized I was holding. Phew.

Why didn't I think of calling her earlier? Terrible mistake.

"Oh, baby." She walked to my side, ruffling my hair, "What are you doing here?"

Normally, I would have complained about two things. One, I'm way too old to be called a baby. And number two, I'm too old to have my hair ruffled that way. But, I was too relieved to complain.

"I came to see Jotham...." I just noticed the color of her hair, "When did you dye your hair?"

The last time I saw her, it was black. Now it's red. 

"Last month. But you've been too busy to see me. How would you notice?" Her shoulders fell, as she puckered her lips, deep in thoughts.

Before I could apologize for being a terrible child, the other lady whose existence I had totally forgotten about stuttered her way into our conversation. Literally.

"Mrs...Wright... Yo-You-You know him?"

"Yes. He's my son." Noticing her unease, mum went further to ask, "Was there any problem?"

"Yes. She wouldn't let me in. I asked her to tell Jotham that I'm here but she refused."

It was easy to rat her out, remembering how she kept laughing in my face.

"I'm so sorry sir. I didn't know you were saying the truth. I'm so sorry." Her expression was pitiful, I could have sworn that she was on the verge of crying.

"Corban?" Mum nudged me by the side, waiting for my response. Her eyes gave no room for me to refuse the apology. Not like I was planning to anyway. She was only doing her job. Why would she get fired for doing that?

Speaking softly, "It's fine."

I heard her mutter something like a thank you, but mum started talking immediately.

"What brings you here? I'm sure you didn't come here to see me."

She was still upset with my absence. It was a bait. I wasn't supposed to take it.

"Actually...." I trailed off, "I was hoping to stop by the house later today."

"Seriously?" Her eyes widened with hope.

At that moment, I wanted to hit myself in the face for making her feel bad. I should really visit more often.

"Yes, mother. I didn't forget you." Taking her hands in mine, I planted a kiss on her forehead. Hoping it was enough as an apology.

It was, because she tried making excuses for me afterward, "You have been busy I know.... "

"But, I came here to accept the job proposal that Jotham offered me. Something about being a supervisor in the new movie Right production is filming."

"Does that mean you are finally joining the family business?"

"I don't know." I answered honestly, "I'm still not into showbiz."

"It isn't showbiz Corban. " She sounded just like Jotham. He says the exact same line.

"What's not showbiz?" There was another voice or rather, another person. But there was a voice before we turned around to see the person walking in.

"Hey, Dad." I waved at him awkwardly from a distance, as he walked in our direction.

The receptionist was still there yunno, but she now had to pretend not to be paying attention to our conversation.

Pausing in his tracks abruptly, "Is that Corban or are my eyes deceiving me?" He said teasingly, pulling my legs.

"You are both so dramatic." Scoffing, I was referring to both mum and dad. They are both full of theatrics and drama.

"Allow us to be. Our son remembered we exist. It's a good day."

Out of the corner of my eyes, mum nodded frantically, "Most certainly!!"

"Haha." Responding sarcastically, "Very funny."

"Your mother has been worried sick." Dad wasn't laughing when he glared at me, mirroring his disapproval.

"You know I don't live that far away right?"

Someone had to remind them sometimes. They could easily visit me too, rather than wait for me to show up for dinner.

"Yes, but she wouldn't stop talking about how you never visit."

I shrugged it off, "I'm her big baby." Earning a chuckle from my mother.

"Of course you are." Rolling his eyes at me.

"What are you two doing here?"

He was referring to our presence in the reception for what has been quite a while.

"I just saved him from getting thrown out. Our new receptionist doesn't know him." There was pride laced in mum's voice. As though she had just said, `some robbers attacked him, but I threw them behind bars. ʼ

"I'm so sorry Sir." Of course, the said receptionist had to apologize to the bigger boss. I didn't even know her name. It's probably out of my jurisdiction.

"This wouldn't be happening if you come here often." As usual, mum wouldn't miss her turn to remind me that everybody would know me if I showed up more.

"I know... I know. I bet you'll be happy to know that you'll be seeing me more often around here."

"Why is that?" Dad was oblivious to what I was talking about.

"He is working with the production firm."

Technically, I wasn't working with them yet. I was about to tell Jotham that I would be working with them. But, I knew better than to correct Mum.

Dad most definitely didn't sound surprised when he said, "Finally. It took you long enough." I bet he put Jotham up into asking me.

"Try not to miss me so much now."

"I didn't miss you." He continued, failing to hide the smile on his face. "Your mother did."

I bet he missed me as much as she did!!! He's a big softie too.

Patting him on the back, "Pfft. Keep telling yourself that dad."

"Let's go see Jotham." He swatted my arm away, playfully and with fondness.

"Yes, your rascal son."

Don't judge, I am actually the good son. Despite my feigned busy schedules and refusal to work with the family. In order words, I'm an angel in comparison to Jotham and I also make sure to remind him.