Page 8 of Gary

“I like it. The old man’s office?”

“Will be yours, if you decide to stay.”

“I won’t.”

“You only just got here, give it time. I need your help, Gary.”

“You seem to be doing very well on your own.”

“Looks are deceiving. Moretti’s is a diversified business and it is finally where I dreamed it would be. The employees are satisfied and no longer staying because they are afraid of the consequences of them leaving. I would love for you to be part of it.

We have made incredible strides since my brother decided to become legit. There is a plaza just a few blocks from here that ismy pride and joy.” His gray eyes glowed. “It took several years to build, but the result is amazing.”

Gary sipped his coffee and could not help but notice his uncle’s enthusiasm. And he had to acknowledge it was contagious.

“You are running things now.”

“For the time being.” He gave his nephew a meaningful look. “As much as you refuse to admit it, the company is your inheritance. I have a minimum share in it. Yes, I am interim CEO, but eventually, it will go to you. And it’s not a bad company now. It’s on its way to be something to be proud of.”

Finishing the coffee, he rose to pour himself another cup, taking it to the window where the spectacular view of buildings towering towards a serenely blue sky captured his interest for a minute.

“I used to dream of one day working here.”

“You did. During the summers and when you were back from school in the UK.”

“Then I hated coming home. I couldn’t bear the stifling atmosphere.”

“You came back because of your mother.”

“I did.” Taking a sip of coffee, he continued to stare blindly at the scene. “She was the one motivator that had me coming home. And the old man used that. He tainted everything, turned it into shit.” He swiveled around to meet his uncle’s eyes. “I don’t see how you can ever forgive him.”

Graham shrugged. “He is my brother and yes, he has done some terrible things, but you have to understand what we were brought up with. They wanted to please your grandfather so badly and would have done anything to earn his approval.”

“But not you.”

“No.” A smile touched his lips. “And I suffered as a result of my disobedience and disloyalty. I hated Grant for the way he treated your mother and wanted nothing to do with him for a long time.

Then we lost George and things changed. I think losing him brought home the fact that he was not invincible. It forced him to realize his mortality. Then he was diagnosed with his illness and that was the final straw. Pour me a cup, will you?”

Gary brought the coffee over to him and went to sit on the sofa. “He called me son.”

Graham’s eyes crinkled with laughter. “What was your reaction?”

“I realized how much I had longed to hear that from him growing up, but when he said it, it meant nothing to me. I think he will do and say anything to get me to stay.”

Graham nodded. “We talked. You have to understand that I was never close to either of my brothers. We had nothing incommon, except our names and our resemblance. We belonged to the same clubs and worked at the same company, but that was it. Nothing more. It was always Grant and George doing things together.

One was an extension of the other. When George died, I think your father died a little too. He came to me and broke down; I had never seen that happen before and it shocked me. He cried and asked for my forgiveness.”

He shrugged. “I couldn’t say no.”

“I can.”

His uncle grinned. “You are stronger than I am.”

“It’s not a matter of strength. I lived with years of abuse from them both. I witnessed his treatment of my mother and the way he flagrantly flaunted his paramours. It disgusted me and made me hate him.

I saw the way they treated their so-called enemies, People who just wanted to go about their businesses,” he looked around the office. “I am not certain I want any part of this place.