Chapter 8: "Hi, Mom"

Alexander woke up earlier than he usually would on this Saturday morning. His weekends usually consisted of going to the private gym in his penthouse, entertaining last minute meetings, and trying not to think too hard about Lorenzo and his men's antics.

This past week had been difficult enough. Arielle had hardly spoken to him, not that he blamed her. She seemed to have magnified all of her focus into the work he had given her. He attempted to place less work under her nose, but to no avail. The unwavering brunette wouldn't sing a new tune any time soon for her boss.

Along with the freezing cold shoulder he had been dealt, his estranged cousin contacted him in the middle of his work week. Practically haunting every thought in his mind as he gave cryptic details on something he described as important, yet he remained vague in their brief chat. This cousin of his wanted to meet today. This very morning to be exact. Yet Alexander didn't want to move from the lush mattress below him. He blew out a breath as he stared at the tall ceilings above him.

Due to his sleepiness, it appeared as though they were moving. The coffered tiles held dark mahogany tones that swirled within each one. They were mesmerizing and the perfect distraction in his grogginess. Beckoning for him to remain in the comfort of the thick blankets that his elderly maid had selected for him.

Maybe just a little longer, he pondered.

His phone rang loudly, interrupting the silence of his room and the conniving suggestion of his mind. A groan escaped his lips as he propped his head up and glanced down at the number. The screen displayed a randomly colored background with his cousin's number shining brightly in the center. Alexander didn't know Vincent very well anymore, they had stopped talking in his teens, but he knew now that this man was insistent and mildly irritating to deal with.

Like a whirlwind, he slammed his head down back onto the oversized and overfilled pillows resting his eyes. Just a little while long-

Ring! Ring!

"Ugh!" He complained and yelled. "Fine!"

A knock came to his door.

"Yes?" Alexander called out.

"Sir, is everything okay?" Greta's voice called back with concern laced in her words. Alex sighed and pulled himself from the bed. He would not be getting anymore sleep, that became apparent to him. A long thick robe hung over the large, throne like seat by his fire place. He grabbed hold of it, quickly pulling it on and tying it close before yanking open the tall bedroom door.

The short gray haired woman smiled up at her boss. That smile almost immediately softened his heart. Greta had worked for him over the years and had quickly become like a mother figure to him. She cared more for his well-being than most people did.

"Yes, Greta. I'm doing well. Could you possibly tell your husband, Richard, that I'll be needing to leave in the next hour? I have a meeting."

Greta rolled her eyes and smiled. "You are always working. Do you know what off days are, by any chance?" She joked. Although she made light of it, the look of motherly concern always fell into her gaze. Alexander knew that her doting actions always sprung forth from a sincere place.

He grinned as his eyes filled with amusement. "This is new information to me or perhaps another language altogether. Maybe another time, you can expand upon this strange term."

Greta slapped his arm and shook her head. "Men," she began with a light laugh. "I'll never understand the lot of you."

"Ah, but you love us." Alex replied.

"As though you were my own," she smiled and stared at him for a little while. Her eyes traced his face, almost memorizing each feature. But the old maid caught him studying her. Greta quickly averted her gaze before he could catch the sadness in her eyes and soon she made her way down the long halls as though nothing had happened at all.

Alexander sighed. That wasn't the first time she had fallen into a trance-like state as she looked at him. His heart ached for her because he knew her pain, but in reverse. She had a son, around Alexander's age who died unexpectedly years before she began working here. Greta was disturbed in their first initial interview when she realized just how similar they appeared to be. Alexander saw photos of the young boy, Chester. They were similar in physique and facial bone structure, but the rest was all Greta's mind. In a way of never forgetting her son, her heart drew him on every canvas that she saw fit.

Alexander had quickly become one of her canvases. Although she'd refuse to admit to this. Richard had been the one to tell him. Alexander saw no reason to be upset. Could he blame her? If he saw someone that could be a canvas for him to see his mother one last time, would he turn it down? He truly didn't know. Greta looked nothing like his mother, but she certainly loved like his mother and that was enough.

They were a collection of mourning individuals that lived under the same roof. At least they all had each other.

Just as Alexander said, he left in approximately an hour and met up with Vincent.

Although Greta had never gone along with him to any of his meetings, he felt grateful that she wasn't with him right now. This estranged cousin of his looked like another version of himself. Another canvas for the mourning mother in his home. It was almost trippy. Vincent was nearly the same height as him and his hair was a few shades lighter, making it a noticeable brown. Yet his jawline and even his way of standing was creepily similar to Alexander's. He hadn't seen Vincent in years and didn't realize just how identical they appeared to be.

"Why have you called me here?" Alexander asked. His eyes scanned the crowd sitting within the fairly plain coffee shop. It hadn't been as nice as the one that he had gone to the other day. Yet maybe that had nothing to do with the shop itself.

"Because your girlfriend is in trouble." Vincent began. The tall man stirred his coffee, likely trying to act normal. Alexander rose an eyebrow and studied his cousin.

"Claire?" He asked in disbelief. Sure she wasn't the easiest for him to be around, but surely she couldn't have gotten herself into any disasters. Not in such a short time.

"Don't treat me like a fool, Alex. I know that you're not dating that woman. I'm talking about the woman who works in your office." Vincent corrected shortly. Alexander's eyes widened in an unadulterated reaction; betraying him.

"What are you talking about. I am not dating my intern." Alexander defended himself, but his voice cracked. He cleared his throat and swiped at his button up. All distractions or maybe simply coping mechanisms. Neither distracted Vincent from his blatant break in character.

"Yet if that were up to you, that would be different wouldn't it?" Vincent pressed.

"Get to the point, Vincent. What are you talking about and why are you telling me this?" Alexander interrogated through gritted teeth. He could feel his control slipping, likely due to his own pride and failure, but he fought internally to keep himself calm.

"Because we need each other. You had your parents much longer than I had mine. They've attacked much of our family. We can't allow them to go any further, but we have to keep tabs on each other."

"How... sweet." Alexander responded sarcastically. It was truly remarkable how detached he could be towards his own blood. Maybe it was a way to protect himself, but he felt a churn in his stomach. It wasn't good nor kind. How would Arielle feel if she saw him acting this way? He pondered. If she witnessed him lie blatantly, or speak pridefully, or treat his own blood like they were of no value to him- she would be disappointed in him. Or so he thought. Maybe if she cared for him in any way and he wanted her to care for him.

"My apologies," Alexander corrected himself. "You're right."

"Ah, she's already gotten a hold on you." Vincent replied with a glint in his eye.

"How would you know?" Alexander's defenses were failing him. What could he do? His cousin was correct. She had found a way to get a hold of his mind and heart without him even realizing until it was too late.

"I've observed you for many years, cousin." Vincent replied with a smirk, breaking through Alexander's thoughts.

"That's creepy," Alex mumbled into the small mug as he took another scolding sip of coffee. His eyes fluttered up towards a scowling Vincent which in turn roused a grin from him. Alexander felt the panic from earlier begin to fade.

"Not what one usually says when their family is looking out for them." Vincent responded calmly.

Alexander shrugged. "I'm not used to it. At least not anymore." He replied stoically. He moved around in his seat with little comfort as sniffles began to make themselves known. The tall CEO blinked rapidly as he tried to push away the memories of losing his mother or his father after her, but to no avail. Tears pricked at his eyes and so he averted his gaze altogether.

Vincent sighed. "We may not be siblings, but I've been watching you as a brother would. I know that there are envious men out there who would love to take your spot. I just want to ensure that they will not succeed."

"I get it." Alexander said shortly. His attitude was on a short fuse as everything that brought him pain flowed through his mind. Yet regret began to form for his unnecessary response. He glanced up at Vincent who seemed unaffected by his blunt attitude. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Look, I have a meeting later today, but I wanted to visit my aunt and uncle first."

Alexander's eyes widened. Vincent knew that his parents passed away. How would he expect to visit them?

"My bad, cousin, I meant visiting where they were buried. I've only gone to their funerals. And I sat far in the back too, so I never got to see her one last time. I don't even have a photo, just a poorly held memory. My brain hurts." Vincent laughed dryly. "I want to see her again in person, but I can settle for an image of her. I know you placed a good one on there." Vincent answered the unspoken thoughts of Mr. Marquee.

He sat there frozen as he pondered the seemingly odd request, but eventually nodded. The two men slapped down bills, covering each of their drinks. They paused and stared at the other's cash that now made a pile on the quaint table.

"Oh, that's alright, cousin. I've got it from here." Vincent assured. Yet Alexander's eyes narrowed. He never took a handout. Not even for a small coffee.

"Oh no, that's alright, cousin. I've got it. Really. Save that for something important."

Vincent rose a brow at his tone. He knew Alexander to be independent, but he sensed pride in the CEO. Working in business for so long could have it's downfalls if those within the industry weren't careful. Success could make one go mad.

"This is important, but thank you for thinking of my finances." Vincent shot a grin at Mr. Marquee, who only returned said grin with a scowl.

"You know," Alexander began. "I'm capable of handling myself. I don't need this familial bond, if that's what you'd call it. You're not my brother and you don't have to like we're siblings."

Vincent ran a hand through his perfectly tamed hair. A breath flew from his mouth as he realized that it would practically become a war to pay for something a simple as a hot cup of black coffee. It didn't even have any cream. Not even an ounce of sugar. His cousin was a strange man, but one that he promised to protect.

"Fine then, I'll allow you to pay. I don't want to upset you."

Alexander could hear the sincerity in his voice. It almost disturbed him. He had gone so long without a family and this was something that he couldn't quite wrap his head around.

"Okay, let's go then." Alexander responded with little expression to match his plateau'd tone. He tried to hold in the variety of emotions that he felt churning within him. He yearned for his mother to be on this side of the earth with him again, yet she was further away than he could ever reach anytime soon.

The two men left the small cafe and sat in perfect silence as Vincent followed the curves of the road before them. Alexander's stomach fluttered uncomfortably as his eyes darted out of the fast moving vehicle. He knew these hills and slopes all too well. It was a beautiful sight, really. Yet it always led to the painful image of his mother's tombstone.

Minutes went by as Vincent continued to drive quietly. Unbeknownst to Alexander, Vincent's mind was occupied with a promise.

"We're here," Vincent announced as he turned one last time into the large cemetery. Alexander nodded and swallowed. The stinging pain behind his eyes threatened to make its presence known, but he pushed each tear back and quickly exited the car once it came to a stop.

As expected, the cemetery was empty on that day. They walked along the dirt path, all the way to a large squared stone. The top of which had an open book, also made of stone. Alexander cried every time he visited, but his tears always flowed a little harder when he'd take the time to read each stone page. His father had always been a poetic man and his mother had been his muse, so Alexander took the very first and last poem that his father had written for her and placed it on each slab of stone.

In the center of her tombstone was a preserved photo of her that was encased to keep it safe from the changing weather. Her dark, near black, hair flowed over her shoulders and perfectly contrasted with the light pink dress she always loved to wear. She smiled so brightly at the camera, it could be that she loved photos or the camera man, being his father. Alexander did everything he could to stop from crumbling to the ground. The gravity around him felt heavier or maybe that was simply his heart.

"Hi, mom." Alexander greeted through a choked sob. As quickly as it began, he fought it back. Yet the pain remained etched on his face, exposing his emotions to any bystander.

"It's okay to cry, cousin." Vincent's voice was calm, but he still managed to startle Alexander who had forgotten that he had gone with him and was standing so close to him. The world had closed itself in on him. He was there alone in his mind, but not in reality. A rogue tear took his cousin's advice and leapt forth from his eye.

"I know." Alexander whispered in reply. He knew that, but it didn't bring her back.

"She was always such a good mother." Vincent complimented. His own tone was beginning to betray him and reveal his emotions that were usually perfectly tucked away from the human eye.

"I know." Alexander responded again, but this time a smile began to form on his face. His mom was the best mother. He was sure of it. He had never witnessed someone be so selfless for their family and even strangers. Her morals stemmed from her faith and the way she was molded to be through the trials of her life.

"When my mother passed away, Gloria stepped up for me. Remember?" Vincent asked while glancing over at Alexander.

"Ah yes. All of the larger meals she would cook to include you and your father."

Vincent nodded. "And all of the rides to and from school, the tutoring, the hugs when I felt that my worth had died along with my mom."

"I'm very sorry." Alexander apologized.

"Don't be. My mother loved me and I will always love her. Your mother loved me too and took me in emotionally and cheered me on. She didn't have to. I will always hold a spot for her in my heart as my second mom." Vincent smiled. "I hope that doesn't upset you." He added.

"Of course not. It'd be hard not to share her. So many people loved her and I don't blame them." Alexander responded softly while staring at the small photo of his beautiful mother.

Vincent chuckled, but Alexander saw the tears beginning to prick at his eyes and for a moment he felt bad for being so harsh to his cousin. He could see the love on his face and the brokenness mixing with it. He knew that Vincent truly did love her as a second mother.

Alexander would never quite understand why his father cut all ties with Vincent and his own brother, Vincent's dad, just after the death of Gloria, but right now they were mourning and it simply wasn't important to focus on old family drama. He didn't realize that Vincent completely ignored his father's tombstone. His mind focused on memories of his mother. Whatever had split his dad and his cousin wasn't any of his business.

It probably wasn't important anyway, Alexander thought to himself.