My Boss Is Secretly A Softie - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Family Meeting
“You seem happy,” a faint voice came from across Terrence’s shoulder, causing him to turn about to see a black-haired male with green eyes— It was his big brother.

Terrence glanced at him briefly before completely ignoring him which had Basil chuckling before sitting beside him.

“You know, gifting me a whole hotel doesn’t suddenly mean I don’t get your congratulations. Now, come on, stop being defiant and say it.”

Terrence glanced at him once more in response before finally saying, “Congrats.”

“See, not so bad, eh?” Basil teased, but all he got was a resounding silence, which left him feeling awkward.

This little brother of his was mad, very mad at him. Ever since he left for abroad, they had been on terrible terms, and he couldn’t blame him. Even he once hated his mom for leaving him to those suffocating duo.

That man, his father, and his sister, whom he had since cut ties with, were a different breed of toxicity. His father was a dictator who, despite his good intentions, wanted to dictate how a person could live their life and make sure they did, directly or indirectly. And his sister, with her borderline incestuous feelings for him, would act like a lap dog doing even worse things.

He got sick of it, and so he left. He wanted to take Terrence with him, but he couldn’t. Terrence was his father’s obsession, and his parents’ death, specifically his mother, who was his father’s beloved sister, was the reason he went from an absent but chill father to a present but toxic one.

‘What present? He’s still very much absent just present to force his desires on you…’ Basil thought with a huff.

“I’m sorry,” Basil apologized with a downcast look. “If I had a way, I would have taken you away, too. And later on, you wouldn’t exactly let me interfere at all…”

Terrence scoffed lightly before facing him, his gray eyes holding a deep calmness, “I don’t blame you, brother. As for father and sister, soon… But not now,”

Basil stared at the poker-faced male, befuddled, before bursting into laughter, which was drowned out by the room’s bustle. He patted Terrence back as he replied, “That’s good! That’s good! Remember that I’ll always be here if you need my help.”

Seeing the boisterous male wrap his hand around his shoulder while pouring wine with a wide grin, Terrence frowned lightly, “Don’t you have a groom to be with?”

“He’s fine,” Basil replied casually, “He’s having fun with his friends, too, and I wanted to give him some space. Anyway, why not have some drinks with me?”

“… Do I have a choice?”

“No, you have to listen to your big bro.”

“….”

While being forced to chug down drinks, a fleeting thought crossed Terrence’s mind. On the day Elara becomes his bride, there will be no giving of space for anything. He would stick to her till the very end.

***

The party was finally over and Terrence strutted back to his room. By the time he arrived, Elara had already slept off on the couch inside the living room, with a Dexter’s Lab episode playing in the background.

He smiled lovingly before scooping her into his arms in a princess carry and taking her to bed. After undressing, he showered and putting on a more comfortable home outfit, entered the bedroom where Elara slept.

Elara groaned, lightly slapping her cheek in a bid to brush off the feathery feeling that came from there. It came again, this time rubbing against her harder, causing her to slap it off harshly in annoyance.

“Ouch!” Terrence moaned wordlessly, with a helpless smile.

Elara truly was strong. Just a light slap was enough to bruise him. He became even more aware of how much she liked him, with the amount of tolerance he exercised to not throw hands at him.

Sighing, he sat at the edge of the bed beside Elara’s head, gently patting her messy locks, which spread across the bed. His mind wandered to when he first saw her today. Elara didn’t know, but as soon as she arrived, he had his eyes on her.

She was exhilarating. Her glamour was so magnetic that as soon as she came, everyone and everything faded into the background.

She looked like a fairy queen that descended among humans, effortlessly overshadowing her counterparts with an unmatched attraction. Of course, it wasn’t only him that was attracted, and many eyes fell on her without her knowing.

That was exactly why when Merlin left her all alone, he nearly lost it, but fortunately, nothing happened. His mind wandered off to his brother’s question asking if he had anyone.

He had answered no, not because he didn’t, but because the last thing he wanted was to drag his Ela into this mess of his called ‘family’. It wasn’t that his brother would snitch, but he would rather not take risks when his Ela was involved.

Waving off the thoughts in his mind, his deep grey eyes stared intensely at the sleeping woman. He leaned inwards, kissing her forehead before sliding into the blankets.

He spooned her into an intimate cuddle and then he kissed her again… and again… and again. This feeling within him, just how would he go about controlling it?

***

“He has arrived,” a calm voice announced, followed by a deep voice that bellowed, “Finally!”

Terrence walked into the exquisite room steadily with a serious poker face before making his way to the table.

Across the table sat five people, father (uncle), mother (aunt), sister (cousin), brother (cousin), and brother’s wife.

“How many hours does it take you to prepare? Are you a woman or something?” Basil chastised with a deep frown.

“That’s quite sexist, Basil. Your brother probably had his reason. Right, Terry?” Mother, a beautiful red-haired lady with green eyes and a naturally polite gaze questioned softly.

“Yes, Mother,” he replied while placing a napkin on his chest.

Ariel rolled her eyes, “You would think he’s the one who got married.”

“Enough,” Father interrupted, “Let’s get on with today’s main agenda.”

“Ah, you mean my lovely husband, yeah?” Basil spoke shamelessly, leaving his groom glaring at him fiercely with a deep blush, to which he responded with a wink.

Mother chuckled, her hands covering her mouth like a shy maiden while Father’s expression, along with Terrence’s, remained the same, and Ariel rolled her eyes at the corniness of it all.

As soon as the meeting officially started, the topics that had brought them there were laid out. The meeting of the groom’s family, their business relations, the legal and official matters that would need the family’s involvement, and the rest.

“You have a lovely groom, son. He’s perfect in every way,” Father praised gleefully. He had been immensely pleased with how the new member of the family conducted himself.

“Thank you, sir,” the male replied gratefully.

“You’re welcome, dear. I just wish my wife was more like you.”

Mother rolled her eyes before fiercely retorting, “She would if you weren’t such a jackass.”

Basil: This is fun. (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)

Ariel: Mom, how dare you?! (╬ Ò ‸ Ó)

Terrence: I fully agree with you. (¬_¬)

New family member: Oh boy, it got real messy in here. (￣▽￣;)

After the meeting, Terrence was about to immediately leave when Basil besieged him.

“Your face tells me you want this to quickly end,” Basil said with a deep laugh.

Terrence: If you know then hurry it up.

Basil smiled warmly before speaking, “Mum said you should come visit sometimes.”

“Why?” Terrence asked in confusion, “I thought she didn’t want to associate with anyone in relation to father.”

“She…” Basil sighed while rubbing the bridge of his nose, “She feels apologetic. After I told her how much they fucked up your life, she felt so bad she nearly sued father to court.”

Terrence sneered before responding sarcastically, “On what charges exactly?”

“Look, I can tell you are pissed with us for ignoring you for so long and letting those two ruin your relationships. But we had no choice. Father was so obsessed with controlling you that he wouldn’t hesitate to ruin anyone who dared to intrude, even his blood.”

“And he’s not now?”

“Terrence, don’t be like this man. You know what I’m trying to say. You’ve become powerful. You can easily escape from his clutches. So why are you clinging to those that ruin your life all in the name of loyalty?” Basil persuaded agitatedly.

Terrence huffed, “They didn’t ruin my life. I just have terrible luck. Everyone who ever entered a relationship with me just wasn’t meant to be. You could even say they saved me.”

“That may be the case… but it doesn’t change the fact that they had no right intruding in your matters. Whether those people were meant for you or not, it’s on you to find out. And don’t forget, some would have worked if they didn’t interfere.”

Terrence was silent for a while before responding, “It doesn’t matter. Cutting them off is something I’ll conclude on my own. So stop interfering, brother. You chose your path, so leave me to mine.”

Basil groaned in exasperation, “So stubborn. Fine. But when you finally make the right decision, just make sure to call me so we can have a drink with Mom in celebration.”

Terrence stared for a bit before responding quietly, “Sure.”

“What’s that?” Basil beamed, “So you’ll really consider it. Aha! I knew it! Hey— wait, wait. Why are you in such a rush? Let’s talk a bit more….”

Needless to say, Terrence who was in a hurry to meet his Ela, blatantly ignored the talkative male.