Words I Was Afraid To Hear

Masaichi Xiu pursed his lips as he stared at the steam emerging from his hot black coffee . His eyes were dazed and his brows were furrowed . He recalled his conversation with his son when he visited City T .

"Mantkun, I have something to ask . "

"Sore wa nan desu ka, Otousan?*" Manta blinked adorably as he looked up to his father . Since he was in City T, he was used to speaking the language more often . However, he still perfectly converse in his grandfather"s native tongue .

"Did you really tell your aunt that Okaasan had a baby when she left to see me . "

The little boy pursed his lips then nodded . His eyes were starting to water .

"Who told you that?" Masaichi kept his gentle tone .

"Okaasan . . . she said that I will soon have a brother . . . or a sister . . . and she will give it as a present for you . . . but she . . . " Manta was already sobbing .

"Sshhh . . . It"s okay . . . Don"t cry . Otousan believes you . "

"Tousan . . . I could"ve been a brother right?" Manta looked up at his father, seeking confirmation that he had a correct understanding of things .

Masaichi pursed his lips, deeply sighed before answering, "Hai . " He embraced his son who let go and cried all he wanted .

At that moment, he had confirmed that his wife was indeed pregnant when she died . However, he could never believe that it was not his child . He still believes that his wife will never cheat on him . This was actually strengthened by his son"s account that the baby would be a present for him .

Masaichi"s thoughts abruptly ended with a knock on his office door .

"Come in . "

Secretary Ta came in her professional smile . "CEO, the CEO of ZFC is here for your requested meeting .

_

Hours prior, Dan was pacing back and forth on his condominium unit . Secretary Ta informed him just the night before that his brother-in-law had requested an audience .

His jitters even become worse when he got a message from his wife .

[MXZ: Hey, I forgot to tell you . Brother knows I"m pregnant . Have a great day!]

[Why are you telling me this just now?!]

[MXZ: I told you, I forgot . I just heard from Riley that they told you to meet him for a "business partnership" ]

[You really want me dead, don"t you?]

[MXZ: Of course not, I love you! ]

[If he kills me, remember that I love you . ]

Dan pulled out a dozen of suits, shirts and ties . On a normal day, he could wear his work clothes with not much thought on them, but still coming out in stylish combinations . However, this is definitely not a normal day, and his wife was miles away so he could only decide for himself .

_

Dan came into the CEO office wearing a pair of black suit, under which was a plain white shirt and narrow black tie . It was rather plain looking, but because of his face and his height, he looked dashing in the outfit .

His goal in deciding on this was to not get too much attention which could trigger his brother-in-law .

He was convincing himself that he will not get killed . "It"s business . They did not lie to my a.s.sistant . It"s just business, Dan . You will not face him as your brother-in-law, but the CEO of XCG . That"s right . It"s gonna be fine . . . "

Though these thoughts run through his mind, he kept an indifferent face .

"It"s gonna be fine . You"re fine, Dan . " When the door was opened into the office, he gulped . "I"m fried . "

Masaichi Xiu walked towards him and offered a hand to shake .

Verdan Zhou shook the hand firmly but briefly .

"I will be back with refreshments . " Secretary Ta bowed before leaving .

"CEO Xiu, what can ZFC do for you?"

Masaichi Xiu gestured that they sit on each sofa, directly facing each other .

Dan complied without a word, keeping his indifferent expression .

Masaichi Xiu sat, elegantly crossing one leg over the other .

"Shouldn"t you be calling me "Brother" by now?"