"What? A trip?" Alekis’s brows shot up, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Yes, Father," Layla replied with a bright smile, gently pushing a saucer with a steaming cup of tea toward him. "You, , and Lucius will go to this place I’ve carefully chosen for us. That’s the birthday gift I want to give you, Father."
Alekis accepted the cup, his gaze fixed on her as his glasses slipped slightly down the bridge of his nose. Her statent delighted him because out of all, she ca up with such a beautiful idea of spending ti with the old man while including his son too, a man who always would stay away from such things.
However, a thought also occured in his mind at the sa ti. "Hmm. And why didn’t you include Fiona and Roderick in this plan?" he asked, his tone inquisitive.
Layla maintained her composure, her smile unwavering. "Lucius and I discussed it beforehand. We thought their presence might make the trip... less suitable for what we intended. However," she added thoughtfully, "if Father prefers them to join, I have no objection."
Alekis’s lips curved into a small smile, appreciating her straightforwardness. "Let’s keep it as a day trip," he proposed. "We’ll return by night."
Layla’s hopeful expression faltered slightly, though she quickly recovered. "Won’t that be too short, Father? I was hoping for at least three days together in this place," she suggested earnestly.
Alekis placed his cup down with a gentle clink, his gaze softening. "Layla, I truly appreciate the thought and effort you’ve put into this. It warms my heart to know you think of as your own father and wants to give ti," he said sincerely. "However, you have responsibilities as well. I appointed you as chairwoman yesterday, and I need you to step into that role soon. Attending the board etings is just the beginning."
Layla nodded slowly, understanding the weight of his words. "That’s why I believe a day trip is best," Alekis concluded. "We can enjoy ourselves without compromising your duties."
Layla nodded her head, apologizing to Alekis for not thinking that way.
As he sipped the tea, he found she suddenly turned all quiet.
"Didn’t you like my decision?" Alekis asked.
"Huh?" Layla got flustered for a mont. "I am just... Surprised. Why did Father choose ? I an... Even not my family have declared their daughter in front of the world yet. And here, my father-in-law declared the heiress to his company, his empire. Am I really capable in your eyes?" Layla asked.
"More than capable," Alekis replied, resting the teacup above the saucer. "Lucius was never interested working in the company. When Antoine died, he reluctantly entered the company for the director’s role. While Roderick isn’t mature enough. You were right about him. Fiona never cared about the matters related to the company, so that left with your na only. You are ambitious, Layla. You are focussed and know what you want. I have known you well in these few months," he explained.
"I won’t ever disappoint you, Father. If I find Roderick is capable to be the chairman, I’ll surrender this position. He’s upset for not getting what he desired all these years," Layla stated, lowering her eyes for a mont.
"I think I failed to make a second Antoine," Alekis remarked. "However, I’m glad to have a daughter like you, Layla. You don’t need to give up on this position. I have trusted you this company for a reason," he asserted and finished the remaining tea.
Layla’s heart filled with imnse happiness when Alekis called her his daughter rather than daughter-in-law. She promised herself to do everything in her capabilities to take the company to newer heights.
~~~~
"Where’s Layla?" Lucius asked the servant, who was ticulously wiping down the table in the living room.
Before the servant could respond, Roderick’s voice echoed through the room, breaking the quiet atmosphere. "Fuck! My head still hurts," he groaned in frustration.
Lucius turned toward the staircase just as Roderick descended with heavy steps. At the bottom of the stairs, their gazes t, and for a brief mont, an uncomfortable silence stretched between them.
Roderick’s face stiffened as fragnts of last night’s events flickered in his mory. He quickly averted his eyes, avoiding Lucius’s piercing stare, as guilt—or perhaps regret—seed to weigh on him.
Lucius strode over to Roderick and extended a small bag toward him. "Here. It’s hangover dicine," he said firmly.
Roderick hesitated before taking the bag, his reluctance clear. "You didn’t have to bring it, Uncle," he murmured, his gaze shifting to the floor. "Don’t trouble yourself over my small pain."
Lucius narrowed his eyes, his expression hardening slightly. "Why do you always speak in taunts?" he muttered. "By the way, Layla and I are taking Dad on a trip," Lucius announced. "Want to join? You can ask your mother too."
Roderick’s brows shot up in surprise, though he quickly masked it with a look of intrigue. He knew his uncle rarely extended such invitations. "A trip?" he repeated, a flicker of excitent in his eyes. "Yeah, why not?" he agreed without hesitation.
Lucius nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. He had initially decided with Layla to exclude Roderick and the others, but sothing inside him had shifted. Perhaps it was ti to fulfill his long-neglected role as the second son of the De Salvo family. Monts like these, he realized, were what held families together.
"But," Roderick added, pointing to the faint bruises on his cheek, "Grandpa’s going to grill when he sees these. Save , will you? Aiden didn’t even step in last night when those bastards started swinging punches at . He just stood there!"
Lucius smirked faintly, shaking his head. "You brought this on yourself, Rick," he said, his voice laced with amusent. "Honestly, you need Dad’s scolding this ti. It might do you so good."
Roderick groaned, running a hand through his hair. "You’re supposed to be on my side, Uncle," he grumbled, though his tone lacked true frustration for the first ti in a while.
~~~~
A small ssage:
I worked hard for this story as it was a part of the contest. However, I couldn’t win it. It made upset because this ti I worked really hard. Still, I love all the readers, who supported so far through privilege buying and gifts, by spending coins on my story. I am truly grateful to all of you.
Thank you
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