Like a Loyal Dog

Ethan 

"This is all yours Eth," Uncle Edward clasped his hand over my shoulder then pulled me to him to give me a hug. He was sixty-three now but still extremely strong as he lifted me up and shook me about like I was a rag doll. 

All the hours I spent in the gym ensured that I was too big to simply lift up but Uncle Ed had always been stronger so it was not much of a surprise. 

I could not help but chuckle as he placed me back down on the ground, "I still find it so hard to believe. Pa is going to be so happy."

The top floor of Coleman Enterprise was strictly reserved to the CEO and COO of the company with their assistants. There was a board room as well with two small apartments for when one decided to work throughout the night. 

It was a floor I visited a lot of course but never would have imagined that it would one day be mine. 

"Vasilisa even though she is your assistant will be your acting COO just so you're not too overworked but she'll be more silent unless you want her to do a specific project."

I nodded as he showed me around. He had explained to me that he would be giving up a portion of his eighty percent hold on the company with Uncle Vas and gifting it to me. This time he was extremely serious about retirement and he felt he had enough money to last him for the rest of his life. 

That meant I would have a forty percent stake whilst the rest would be split up between himself. Uncle Vas, Uncle Yavok and of course the rest of Uncle Ed's and Uncle Vas's children. 

It was a big deal that he had given me such a large stake because we all knew how paranoid he was, but he believed it was only fair since I was the new generation of the Coleman Enterprise. I was going to run the company for a very long time and I needed to make my own decisions. 

"The kiddos won't really care, obviously you'll need us all to sign off on any new project but I think you'll do just fine," he smiled. "You can do whatever you want with your section. You can get it renovated and start next month."

"I don't think I'll change much," I grinned as I ran my hand on the grey wall of Uncle Yavok's office, "I think something brighter of course but it's perfect."

"We're also hosting a ball in your honour to introduce you to the clients," he chuckled knowing how much I hated mingling. 

"Will there be media coverage?" I groaned.

"There is always media coverage when it comes to us. After all you're the new successor of one of the richest companies in the world." 

I nodded as I stood in front of the window and looked out to the view of the London sky line. 

Uncle Ed came to stand next to me and let out a deep sigh, "When I first met you all those years ago in New Zealand with your missing teeth. I never thought one day we would be standing here Ethan, and I could not be more proud." His eyes already started watering as he waved his hands and let out a chuckle, "You're like a son to me Ethan and no matter what anyone says, you've earned this position and you should be more than proud of yourself." 

I blinked away my own tears as I turned to give him a hug, "I don't know how I can ever repay you Uncle Ed."

"You don't have to do a thing," he kissed the side of my head, "You just have to continue raising the flag high for me and I promise you'll get the same amount of blessings."

We had a very emotional moment before we finally let each other go. 

"When will the ball be?" 

"This Friday," he grinned, "the whole family will be here."

My stomach twisted slightly as I felt the back of my neck turn red, "The whole family?"

He nodded with a chuckle, "Even my blonde curly haired son." I pursed my lips and nodded as he looked at me with a quirked eyebrow. "Please don't try to avoid your own ball Ethan."

"I'm not," I held my hands up, "I- I-"

"You two haven't spoken since?" I shook my head. "Well I think it will be a good chance to."

"I don't think he wants much to do with me."

"You're family. No matter what you must always have each other's back," Uncle Ed shrugged, "What happened between you two was unfortunate but you were young. Especially Demy, I think he didn't realize the sacrifices you both had to make in order to make things work. You shouldn't beat yourself up over it."

I put my hands in the front pockets of my trousers as I clenched my jaw.

"Don't stress about it too much Eth. He wants to come. This is a big moment for you and we all want to celebrate your work. If you feel like it will take away from the moment I will ask him to hang back."

I shook my head, "It's partially his company as well. I want him to be there. Like you said we're family. I guess it's time I just face the music. After all I was the one who created this mess. I should have been the older one in the situation and gotten my life in order."

That made Uncle Ed smile, "Don't beat yourself over it. At least last time you saw each other you ended things on a good note. There's no bad blood."

I wanted to smile and pretend nothing about Demyan's appearance would affect me but I would be lying to myself. Just the mention of him had my stomach flipping. It was not only his appearance that worried me but who I knew would be tagging along like a loyal dog with its leash.