“What about me? You and I are very different in outlook and life experiences. I worked hard to get where I am today. You were simply the eldest-born son of a prominent family.” Rio looked disdainfully at the arrogant man standing in front of him.

“Throw a rock and hide your hand.” Kaiser’s gaze was condescending as he walked closer to Rio, “I call you Grenier not because I don’t know your name but because that is the entirety and value as to why you were even given the opportunity to grow into who you are today. Many talents beg to be signed to Platinum, many of equivalent or greater talent than you. The reason you were signed cannot be attributed only to your skill, you must thank that father you hate so much for some of the opportunities you get and the ease with which you navigate the world as an artist. The fact that you even have the audacity to speak to me like this with minimal fear of repercussions is because of that last name.”

“That’s not true at all!” although Rio vehemently denied it, there was some hesitation in his voice.

“Isn’t it?” Kaiser’s words were poisonous, as he continued speaking, “I dare you to say that you would be where you are today without depending on the Grenier family? Daring to talk to me like this, in my own home? If you were anyone else, security would have dragged you out but I give you face because 1. You’re my girl’s friend 2. You’re close to my brother and 3. Your last naame is Grenier. That’s all there is to it. There’s no shame in admitting it, everyone needs help to climb up. This world is built on connections and who you know. However, you cannot make accusations against me when you are also a beneficiary of being the eldest son of an illustrious family and using that status gain additional backing in a company owned by family and run by my brother. Isn’t it nice when things make a full circle?”

“...”

The two men stared at each other, one smug, and one slightly bitter before Rio broke the silence.

“I have no plans to depend on Platinum forever and depending on how I feel about your words today, it might end sooner than that if you don’t watch your words. There are plenty of other agencies who would beg to have me, so the fact that you can call me an employee or whatever won’t last. After that, I’ll stand on my own and use my own power to chase what I want. Instead of someone who throws around their weight as they please.”

Seeing Rio’s bold declaration, Kaiser smirked at him, “Ah? Is that right? I think you’re very mistaken about something. Maybe it’s because you’re friends with Roman that you think you can talk to me anyhow but I am not my brother.”

“You-”

“If you think you can come here and threaten me, the only thing I have to say is ‘go for it’. Break your contract, leave Platinum. That’s Roman’s problem. You see, I’m in charge of all the Grayson Conglomerate companies, not just one company. In the grand scheme of things, you’re just a financial blip on my screen and not even one I deal with directly.

If you want to cancel your contract despite the fact that you just renewed it, do so. I’m not sure why you think it’s a threat. Go. Leave to another agency. If we can raise one of you, we can raise another. There are thousands of just as talented people just waiting for their opportunity. But you know what I think Rio? I think you won’t do that.”

“And why is that?”

“Because you’re afraid. You don’t want to rock the boat so you accept scraps that are offered you by the Grenier family instead of fighting for what’s yours. Music might be your passion and trust me, you have done well, but I don’t think that’s the totality of who you are. You’re far too smart and ambitious for that despite your occasional hypocrisy. That younger brother of yours who’s being touted as the next in line? A useless piece shit. If I found a monkey and taught it how to read and write, it would be.”

At the insult toward his half-brother, Rio couldn’t help but laugh, but Kaiser continued as if he didn’t hear it.

“But, you won’t be fighting for what’s yours at the Grenier family and you certainly won’t be leaving Platinum anytime soon because you’re obsessed with my lady and you want to be close to her.” Kaiser gave him a twisted smile and Rio had to look away.

“I’m not obsessed. Valentina and I are friends and she’s not your lady. You know what I think Kaiser. I think you’re projecting. You messed up, chased her away, and revealed your true colors, and now you’re doing damage control to chase away any man around her. You’re just afraid I’ll replace you.”

“Afraid? Of you? Why?” Kaiser looked at him in genuine confusion before continuing with a cocky smile, “By any measurable metric, I’m the superior choice. Who would choose you, ‘The Friend’ when I’m an option? Money, resources, connections, family name, looks, I have it all.”

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“Everything you are is because of your family name and the companies behind it.”

“And what about it? If you have complaints, you should blame your ancestors and yourself for not working hard enough. And even without my family, I have built a name and wealth for myself. If the Grayson family goes down today, I can say that I’ll still be in a high position, with the same standard of living, and wealth and connections from what I built privately.

What can you say for yourself? You depend on a subsidiary of my family which is fine if you are content to stay there, but your bones are proud and arrogant which I don’t think is a bad thing either.

You’re a Grenier. If you had the hunger and the drive, you could have fought and been the one in charge, the one to be heir, and pushed your younger brother aside. Who cares if you’re illegitimate, display your talents and seize what you want instead of cowering away.

But you won’t. You caved like a weakling and ran away from your family. You’re circling around my woman in the name of a FRIEND even though you and I both know your true feelings, and you’re out here hurling insults that apply to your own self. I don’t know if I should call you willfully stupid or ignorant and dull. Either way, I am someone who is very clear with my likes and clear with my dislikes, my wants and my goals. Hearing you compare yourself, an indecisive wimp, to me is quite disgusting. There’s no comparison at all.”

Kaiser gave him a scathing look before lighting up another cigarette.

“Now, leave and go do your job as a ‘Friend’. I don’t like anybody keeping my lady waiting, especially someone who is pretending to be righteous while waiting to swoop in when things go wrong.”

“She’s not your lady!” Rio protested before continuing, “And I am not trying to swoop in.”

“If thinking that helps you sleep at night, so be it. I thought you had something important to say but since you don’t, get the hell out of my house. And don’t let me catch you in the news again, Mr. Friend.”

“You’re a bastard you know that Kaiser? I’m going to make her see reason about how terrible you are.” Rio promised.

Kaiser lazily pointed at the door with a refreshed smile on his face, before repeating his words.

“Do your best. Now, get the hell out.”

As Rio left, Kaiser couldn’t help but feel fully refreshed as he got to let out some stress for the first time in a while.

Passing by Luca’s room, he saw the little boy watching something on his tablet so he went down to find Doctor Howard.

Seeing the man sitting in the room, he propped his legs up on the table and leaned back.

Leo Howard took a sniff before lightly commenting.

“Stress smoking again? Trouble in paradise?”

“You could say that? Question for you doc. How would you feel if I told you ‘After all I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me’?”

“Well not pleasant. Why do you ask?”

“Really? Why?” at his response, Kaiser sat up and stared at Doctor Howard in surprise.

“Well, it feels like you’re holding something against me. Or do you expect me to pay you back? A feeling like that.”

“Is that right? Seems I really messed up then. I’ve said this so many times to Roman and Aubri…” Kaiser murmured to himself and seeing it, Dr. Howard sighed.

“I’ve said it before, you siblings have such a…unique way of interacting with each other. That is the normal response to that kind of statement especially when said in anger.”

“Is it?”

“Then let me ask you this. Swap the situation around. If Roman said that to you what would you do?”

“Beat him up. Then ask him what the underlying issue was or what bargain wasn’t I upholding.”

“Why are you beating him up?”

“Assert dominance and beat them while they’re young so they can’t fight back later.” Kaiser lazily responded.

Doctor Howard: “……” your brother is in his mid-twenties and fully grown. Is that still considered young?

Doctor Howard: “…let’s change the target to a woman. How about Lia? You’re close with her right?”

“Argue with her pretty aggressively while she tries to beat me up? Then ask her what the underlying issue was or what bargain wasn’t I upholding.”

“Why is there still beating up? Or arguing? This is an emotional friendship disaggreement.”

“Our relationship just happens to be that way. Fight aggressively then make up?”

“Would your feelings be hurt? Even a little bit? After all, those are some pretty harsh words.”

“Not at all. We know each other pretty well so it’s never malicious.”

“But you would still argue or fight first. Even though it’s a girl.”

“Yes. Otherwise?”

Leo Howard stared at the man in front of him who was talking as if his actions made sense before sighing.

“Is this question in relation to Miss Valentia?”

“Well, it’s not like it was hidden. I said that and some other unkind things but that one seems to be the crux of the problem.”

“Then a question for you. Do you like her?”

“Who Valentina?”

“Yes. Miss Valentina Salazar.”

“She doesn’t like being called by her last name so skip that from now on. As for liking her. Luca likes her quite a lot and she quite likes him so it’s a pretty good match.”

“I didn’t ask about Luca, I asked if you Kaiser liked her.”

Thinking about the pretty green eyes that were either plotting mischief, looking sleepy, or looking shocked when he did something, the hugs and kisses they shared, the scolding she sometimes gave him, the reluctance in which she drank her medicine, the sweet scent that wrapped around her, and the time spent together, he couldn’t help but give a soft, gentle smile which shocked Dr. Howard.

“I quite like her. Very much so. She’s probably my person.”

At the simple confession, Leo Howard widened his eyes before pushing up his glasses.

“Why do you say that?”

“Have you ever seen somebody not want to do something so badly but work really hard for it as if they have a gun to their head? Or offer someone a really good deal, and the more you offer it the more they reject it? So you can’t help but tease them and the next thing you know, you’re attracted to each other, you find yourselves entangled by a string of coincidences, and end up plotting the downfall of a family together?”

At Kaiser’s nonsensical answer, Dr. Howard burst his bubble with his blunt reply.

“No. Never.”

“Well, it’s something like that for me and her. You don’t have to understand it. Instead, let’s talk about what I said to her and you can give me advice on how to fix it.”

“I’m not your psychologist and even better I’m off the clock.”

“Aren’t we friends? It will be fun. Grab a drink and a seat. I’m trying to get married just as you recommended and give my son a mother so help a brother out.” Kaiser gave Dr. Howard a bright smile before slinging his arms over his shoulders and dragging him to the kitchen despite his protest.

It would be a long night of questions and answers for Doctor Howard and it was not in fact fun.