Bits and Pieces

Day 21 - Newspaper

Write a scene involving a newspaper.

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"What is this?!" Father threw the daily newspaper down on the marble table when he walked in.

Mother and I stopped eating our breakfast as he took his seat at the head of the table rather fiercely; Casper calmly sliced his toast. By taking a glimpse at the paper, I saw the headline was about none other than my troublesome brother who was now spreading strawberry jam on his perfectly cut toast.

It read: 'Heir to ANC Corporations, Casper Valieves has a wild night." It was accompanied with a picture of him at a club, a beer in one hand and provocatively dressed women draped all over him.

I quickly turned my head at the indecent sight and resumed at poking my eggs. It was just like Casper to cause a scene right before an important meeting with financial partners.

Ever since he turned 20, Father had frequently brought ㅡmore like, forcedㅡ him along to various business meetings significant to the company. I guessed he wanted Casper to have a glimpse of what he'll be doing in the future and hoped it would have a good effect on him.

However, it just seemed to make Casper go even more astray.  The newspaper lying on top of the spotless marble was proof, and it ruined a peaceful morning.

My older brother, on the other hand, barely glanced at the offending paper and delicately placed his toast on his plate.

"Please, Father. I'm trying to enjoy breakfast here."

Father's face looked like it was about to explode, but his voice came out calmer than expected, "And I am too, son. But do you think such a thing is possible when this," he gestured disgustedly at the newspaper, "is the first thing I see?"

Casper smirked a little as his eyes caught sight of the title and picture. "Yes. I think that's very possible." He nonchalantly took his toast into his hands again and peered up at Father, seemingly innocent.

I sighed and kept my eyes on my plate. His careless attitude was what angered Father the most, and Casper knew it. That was why he refused to take responsibility of anything he did.

Father took a deep breath to calm himself. "Casper. I've told you time and time again. Why must you-"

"And I have also told you time and time again, Father. I've told you I am not interested in taking over the company. Why must you force me to do something I don't want to do?" Casper looked Father straight in the eye, serious for once.

Before Father could respond, Mother tried to ease the tension by quickly cutting in between the vicious staredown they were having. "Now, now. Let's not talk about this during breakfast," her voice was soothing as she gave Father a look, "And especially not in front of Emilia."

Her words seemed to have an effect as Father glanced at me for the first time that morning. He immediately deflated and released the fists he had made with his hands.

Casper stood up and stiffly said, "I already told you, Father. Don't try and make me go to that meeting today." With that, he stalked out of the dining room, leaving the rest of us staring at his retreating back.

Father let out a deep breath and excused himself after a moment, murmuring something about unfinished work. He looked defeated as he stood up from his chair, and his usual dignified air was nowhere to be seen.

When he disappeared down the grand hall, Mother sighed and rang a bell for a maid. When Elizabeth came in, she gestured for her to clean up the empty plates the men of the family had left behind.

"Oh, and discard of this paper too, would you?" Mother picked up the newspaper that had caused all this and handed it over to Elizabeth to be thrown into the fireplace.

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A/N

Yeah~~ Double update, since I feel like I've neglected this story (or collection of stories) too much. :)

If only my muse would also visit me for my other book....