The vast modern styled room had an enclosed books cupboard making the room look more spacious with just a desk and chairs at one side of the room.
As Liam entered the study room, exhausted Secretary Harrison left the room, dismissed for the day.
Casper was busy checking a file while his PA stood at the side waiting for the orders. Liam couldn't understand why his father kept the PA to follow him 24 by 7 despite knowing he works for Gianna.
Well, Casper was aware his PA reports to Gianna about his whereabouts. He kept the PA around him to let his wife know he doesn't care about anybody, much less another woman.
"Dad…" Liam greeted. There was no smile or fear on his face. It was like he was being forced to do this work.
Casper didn't bother looking at his son. "Did you convince him?" He came to the point.
When Casper got the news Liam was planning to meet Alvin, Casper had asked him to convince Alvin to go back home. The place was never Alvin's home.
Liam had mentioned it to Alvin, "Alvin won't come." Although he would like to live as a big happy family, there was no happiness. Even Liam preferred Alvin to stay away from his mother as the latter won't let him live peacefully.
"Useless," Casper muttered under his breath.
Liam heard it and ignored it. People who couldn't do Casper's work are useless for his father. Liam was used to it.
"Alvin warned you to behave." He simply stated.
'Thud.'
Casper slapped the file on the desk and his face twisted in an ugly scowl, "How dare he!?"
Liam faintly smiled, "Dad, he is capable and you know that."
Casper fumed hearing his elder son daring to talk back to him. He gritted his teeth and glared at Liam. He was aware Liam hated this business and being controlled by him. Liam was merely doing it as a responsibility of a son.
Casper stood up and growled at Liam, "Are you a man?"
Liam just stood there. The man in his dictionary was different from the man in Casper's dictionary. He couldn't change his father's view and he wouldn't change his view for his father.
"People out there are hungry for wealth. They fight for power. Don't you feel threatened by your brother? Why don't you have zeal?" Casper who tried his all to make Liam motivated failed every time.
Numerous times, Casper used Alvin's name to fire the desire to win and crave power in Liam. The latter was like a placid lake amidst the forest. Liam was disturbed by nothing. The interest Liam shows in business or power was zero compared to Liam's attention on his daughter and wife.
Casper was appalled each time thinking where he failed in bringing up his son. He was always career-driven and hoped his elder son would be the same.
At the same time, Casper always ignored his younger son. He wanted to avoid his birth history coming up and staining their images. But Alvin grew up much stronger than he expected.
Casper was scolding Alvin as he was useless in academics, Alvin came first in his class to prove Casper wrong. He had snickered that Alvin was just a bookworm, Alvin was spectacular in sports.
Casper laughed at Alvin saying he was nothing without Matthews. Alvin left the house and proved him wrong again.
According to Casper, he lost to nobody but his younger son, his illegitimate son whose birth history shouldn't be known to the world.
Liam who would have silently listened didn't hold back this time. He hoped his father would understand that they aren't little kids to be controlled. "I don't want to be you, Dad."
To the person who is self-obsessed and gave high importance to his own opinions and views, Liam's words were like an insult.
Casper's fury peaked. He was sensible to understand he couldn't use physical force. He snarled at Liam, "Don't forget I am your father."
Liam felt like laughing at it. He held back and became the puppet his father wanted him to be, "Yes, Dad."
How could he forget Casper Matthews is his father who never showed him a fatherly love?
If he can't teach his elder son, how could he be called Casper Matthews, the business tycoon of the Country Narnia?
He went through the different leather folders on the desk and picked one. He threw it at Liam and passed his orders, "Leave tonight and seal the deal."
Liam, who caught it, didn't have to check what was inside. It was an oil project from a deserted country. "Yes, Dad."
He left the room and sighed when he stood at the door. He didn't regret talking back to his father, instead, he pitied his secretary who will have to follow him.
He smiled when he looked back at the closed door. His father was a fool to think of this business trip as a punishment.
As soon as Liam entered his bedroom, he indulgently whispered in his wife's ear who was putting their daughter to sleep, "We are going on a vacation."
A beautiful smile bloomed on the petite face of his pretty wife before she burst into hearty laughter leaning to his shoulder.
"Lim, you knew Dad would do something like this, didn't you?" She asked between her laughter, shaking her head in resignation.
Liam gently shrugged his shoulders. He had expected it as he didn't convince Alvin to come back. He quickly wrapped his arms around his wife and covered their daughter's ears, "Shh… Don't wake her up."
His wife chuckled more in his arms. She slowly shifted their daughter to his arms, "Let me pack quickly. Where are we going?" She excitedly asked.
Thus Casper had no idea until morning, Liam left with his wife and daughter. So the one who was loaded with work was Casper as Liam's headquarter's work shifted on his head.
Well, it was just the beginning of the change.
—————
At Oasis mansion,
Alvin woke up, got fresh, and went to the gym. Not to work out but to speak with Young Mommy who was busy with her son.
Entering the gym, he caught sight of a lissom figure in a blue sports top and tights. She was holding the pull-up bar and doing the pull-ups at ease. The sheer layer of sweat on her skin was making her glow under the light.
From the side, he could see her perfect curves, flat stomach, and agile and slender legs. She was undoubtedly sexy, he wondered how many must have tried to get her attention. But he wanted her chubby. She looked cute with bangs on her forehead and swoon-worthy dimples on her pink cheeks.
'Wait,' He looked right and left, he breathed in relief when he didn't see Dennis around. Then he furrowed.
When did he start worrying about what people think of him?
Starting the day looking at his Little Donut, he was in the mood to tease her. He went to her, caught the pull-up bar next to her grip, and pulled himself up faster than her.
He was so swift that Anya was shocked to see his face up so close that his breath was caressing her skin. Looking at the playful gaze and tempting smirk of his lips, the images of their kiss flashed in her mind.
It would be a lie if she says she didn't like the kiss. She flustered at her thoughts while looking at his lips. She left the hold on the bar without realizing it.
'Thud,' She fell on her butt with a groan.
Alvin was yet to open his lips to tease her, he saw her on the floor. Standing on the floor in confusion, he was about to taunt her, an adorable voice sounded worried, "Momma…"
Zane, who was watching outside through the glass wall, ran up to Anya. The latter endured the pain as she couldn't rub her bum in front of two men.
Alvin: "…"
He watched Little Brat press the sweat-absorbent on Anya's face and neck as he spoke with her in concern.
He craved to grab the Little Brat's collar and throw him out. The previous night, Little Brat had eaten his head asking many questions. Now he wasn't giving him some time to speak with Anya.
After knowing Anya wasn't hurt, Zane lifted his head and looked at Alvin. His mother was doing pull-ups earlier, when he turned around at the noise, he had seen Alvin holding the bar. Although his mother said she fell because of her negligence, he knew the culprit was the strange man.
Displeasure was apparent in his expression. He pointed to the other side of the fully equipped gym, "Mr. Matthews, my Mommy is exercising here. Please choose a different one to exercise." He sounded dominating instead of requesting.
Anya smiled listening to her protective son. She looked at Alvin to know what he would do.
Alvin looked down at the mother and son. His Little Donut's bodyguard is truly remarkable. But he scoffed pettily, "This is my gym." This Little Brat always makes him feel like he was at his place. Thus he showed his dominance to a little boy.
Zane was speechless. But it was true they were in Alvin's mansion. Zane looked troubled for some time before turning to Anya, "Momma, how about you choose a different one?" He didn't like this option. He wanted his mother to do what she wants.
Anya giggled. Looks like her son also understood Alvin was unreasonable. She stretched her hands asked cutely "Momma fell. She needs a hug."
Zane, who would jump into her arms, frowned hearing her. His eyes swept over her before he went away, "Momma, you should take a bath first."
Anya went behind her son in the gym and he kept running away saying she was sweating.
Alvin: "…"
'Did they just ignore me?'
He watched Anya do post-workout stretching. Zane also followed her to do the stretching, more like playing with her. Then under the cold eyes, mother and son merrily left the gym.
Alvin: "…"
He discerned Anya was avoiding him. He wanted to see how long she could do that.
————
After working out, Anya got fresh and quickly got ready as she had to fly to the Coastal city for the investigation. She was speaking with her son when the door of the bedroom burst open.
Alvin was livid, but he controlled witnessing Zane frightened. He clenched his fist, gritted his teeth before he passed his decree, "You are not going anywhere." Then he strode away.
Zane pressed his lips to a thin line, disliking how Alvin spoke to his mother. Anya frowned, looking at the open door.. She was rational to think something triggered Alvin.