Hidden.

I.

"That's not fair!" I cried. I could feel my fists shaking and the white-hot anger climbing up my chest.

My Dad sighed and looked at both Sixto and me, "Ceres, this is not up for discussion. It's already been settled since you were little kids. And I told you, if one of you was unwilling to run this family, I'd be happy to give it to the other." He stood up and crossed his arms. "Neither of you wanted to back out, so here we are."

"Dad, she's a woman. How is she supposed to run a family like this?" Sixto protested. "It's supposed to be me."

This motherfucker.

"You really wanna go there you son of a bitch?" I started to step towards him but was caught off guard by Dad's booming voice.

"ENOUGH!" Dad yelled. Sixto and I retreated and looked at him. "Sixto, are you telling me that a woman is unable to run this family? Would you like to say that to your mother?" he turned to me, "Ceres, your anger will not win you any points for this. This is final. You do not get to decide."

He turned to the window behind his desk. "Caville's Institute has been around longer than both of you have. I am sure that this is how we have to discipline you. And if any of you has anything to say, I suggest walking out the door because this family is not for you to run." He turned to us again. Neither of us spoke.

Dad smiled. "Well then, let's get over the ground rules, shall we?"

-

1. You must not be identified. Your last name will be changed to Ceres Black and Sixto Cortez.

2. Any romantic relationship is forbidden. This will be a hindrance to your discipline.

3. Fights are unavoidable. However, you must not be caught and have your parents called in. Be on your best behavior.

4. Stay as hidden as possible. Create your own fake background. Be unnoticeable.

I could barely hear Dad as he was explaining the rules. I looked over at Sixto who was listening intently. He's such an arrogant and egotistical fucker but he's intelligent and cunning, there's no doubt about that and I know for sure he's going to do anything to beat me but I'm not going to let that happen, I am the first born, I have to be the heir. This is my destiny and my purpose, this family is meant to be turned over to me. I'm going to have to talk to Fallon, our butler ever since we were babies. He knows everything that goes on in the house. Sixto is a secretive and private guy, but I know for sure that he has hidden a lot of fuck ups from Mom and Dad. I just need to know one and he's out of the game for sure.

"Ceres, do you understand?" I snapped out of my thoughts and saw Dad looking at me.  I nodded.

Dad told us that we were free to go and that we are leaving in 2 days. I planned to find Fallon as soon as we were out of the office. While I was walking away, Sixto caught up with me. "Looking for someone?" he sneered. I ignored him, he's doing this to get something out of me and if I know him, he already had a plan too. He grabbed my arm and I turned around. "You're going to have to be way more creative than that, sis. Fallon doesn't know shit and if I were you, I'd steer away from him. For his own sake." I snatched my arm away from his hand. "What the fuck are you talking about?" I demanded. Sixto chuckled. "If you really wanted to be the heir, you should be willing to kill for it. Like I am."

My eyes widened. He's not...planning to kill Fallon, is he? "You're a sick bastard, you know that?" Sixto put his hands in his jeans and shrugged, "It's a requirement. Don't you think?" he turned around and started walking away. I watched him disappear into the hallway. He's right. This isn't just some contest. I have to do it the right way. The hard way. And if I'm going against Sixto, the bloody way.