Chapter 3 Three

Benjamin’s POV

“This choice is entirely yours to make, son. Think about it. You have until tomorrow morning to make your decision.”

I watched my father in absolute disbelief as he dropped the legal contract on my dresser and stormed out of my room. 

This was not how I planned to start my day. Not with being dragged out of sleep to be bugged about taking over as the new CEO of Bavarish Cocoa Farms.

I sighed heavily, needing a smoke so badly, it made my lungs ache. But ever since my father caught me once years ago, he had made me swear never to light up a cigarette anywhere near his house, or risk being thrown out. 

That same threat, just packaged in a different, uglier format, was exactly what he had used to wake me up this morning. Only this time, it wasn't about a cigarette. It was about taking over the entire family empire.

The only thing I had ever wanted was to go as far away as I possibly can from this estate. But for that to happen, I would be needed a huge sum of money. Money I currently didn't have.

My phone started buzzing on the nightstand, cutting through the heavy silence of my thoughts. I glanced at the caller ID and swiped answer.

“Alex. What’s up?”

“Your shawty is back in town, Ben.” Alex's voice crackled through the line, laced with amusement.

“Which one?” I muttered, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I would have ended the call right then and there if Alex and I didn't go back so far.

“Who else but Cynthia?”

The mention of that name woke me up completely. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, sitting up straight. 

“She came into town for a while. She’s currently at our usual spot.”

On any other day, that piece of information would have had me driving straight to the bar, doing whatever it took to get her sliding onto my lap. But today, a suffocating weight was pressing down on my chest.

Sighing in deep frustration, I muttered, "I’ve got more important things to deal with, man."

"What could possibly be more important than smashing that girl? Or have you completely forgotten the bet you made with Jay and the rest of the guys?"

"I know, I know," I growled, running a hand through my hair. "But I'm in a serious mess right now. Some heavy family issues."

"Whatever it is, man, just come out. I might be able to help you sort it out. Remember what they say, two heads are better than one."

I didn't come home until late into the night. I had stayed out for the sole purpose of avoiding my dad and his twisted decision to replace Bernard with me.

As I jumped out of my SUV and headed inside the main house, I couldn't help but think today had actually turned out great. Cynthia hadn't resisted me the way she usually did. Who would have thought the same girl who gave me a red light for years would suddenly be all over me? What changed?

The thought was still in my head as I opened the door. Instantly, the chandelier lights in the living room flicked on, blinding me for a split second. Sitting right there in his usual high backed armchair was my father.

He shot me a hard, piercing glare that immediately turned my blood cold.

“Are you trying to avoid what we discussed this morning?” he asked, his voice deadpan.

A heavy, suffocating silence engulfed the room. His demanding look told me everything I needed to know. He was waiting for a response, and he wasn't going to let me sleep until he got one.

"You told me I had until tomorrow morning,"

“I want an answer right now.”

That stopped me dead in my tracks. Anger flared hot and fast in my chest. "What the hell, Dad?"

"It’s either a yes or a no, Benjamin. It’s a simple question that requires a simple answer."

"It’s not as simple as you're trying to make it look!" I snapped, taking a step toward him. "You suddenly expect me to step into my brother’s shoes, to take over his entire life's work, and you think it’s an easy choice?"

"Oh, spare me the self-righteous act," my father scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "Are you trying to tell me now that you actually care about your brother? The same brother you’ve envied and hated your entire life?"

He stood up, walking over until he was directly in front of me. "This is the easiest choice I have ever handed to you. Become responsible like Bernard, marry Amaya, and take over as the CEO. Or continue being a wayward, broke playboy."

My heart stopped.

"Amaya?" I repeated, the name tasting foreign and heavy on my tongue.

Slowly, I held his gaze, trying to see if he was losing his mind. He didn't just want me to take Bernard's title. He wanted me to marry my brother’s girl.

Amaya Philips.

She was one of those girls who appeared entirely simple on the surface, but possessed a quiet complexity that made her impossible to read. I knew for a fact she hated my guts.

What I didn't know was how the hell Bernard was going to survive me taking his company. And his woman.