nevertheless~

part 13

HARDIN'S POV

(NEXT DAY)

"Hey, Dad", I voice, as I iron my shirt, getting ready for work. It's going to be easy today. I just need to get through my work, and maybe that overtime for a bit, rest everything is done. And finally, after tomorrow we get to have the week before the trip. I can't even believe that time just flew by so fast. It was just yesterday when we were talking about France, and in a week, we will be leaving for the trip. This will be my first and only international trip. Being alone in this big city was enough for me, I would've never dreamt of going to France myself, had my company not paid for this. They paid, the flight, the stay, the travel, everything and it just makes me wonder how lucky I got with this.

"Good morning, Hardin. What's up", he asks, sounding alright.

"I wanted to ask if you'd like to take care of Smith when I'm in France", I say the big sentence out, gulping down the stone in my throat, it's weird wanting to willingly trust him after what he's put us through. I won't ever forget the days, when I'd wake up to find him outside the door, reeking of alcohol, and whatnot. Sitting in my shower, throwing up everywhere, owing lord knows how much many, to so many men, because he wanted a drink.

"I'd love to if you'd allow me", he says.

"I would, but dad, I need some trust. You know, with your alcoholism, the things that come around, I won't let those things near Smith. So, if we do this, I need you to show me, that I can have faith in you", I say, sounding more mature than a father. This is weird, scolding your own parent, but that's the irony of the world we live in. At times, people never really learn to be parents in the right way and some kids mature early than they should.

"I will. Thank you so much, Hardin. You don't know how much this means to me. You trusting me around Smith. That's really big of you to do, after what I've put you through", I try not to take his words to heart and just listen to him.

"Yeah. Well, don't fuck it. It might be the only chance I give you, besides, I am not doing this for you, I want to do Smith right", I hang up and put the shirt on. I try to not think too much of this surprising start to my morning and write Smith a letter saying I will be gone for work, where the food is, what he can do and can't, and when I'll call. It's always been like this.

Smith is surprisingly a very fast learner. He understands what's nice and what's not. Besides, I would keep a Nanny for today, but it's just one day. Today's the last working day, and it's a weekend, and we get a week off, next week, so we can all take some rest and prepare for the trip. So, this arrangement works.

I drive down to my office, fancily today on my Harley and not in my car. It's a weekend and I plan on taking Smith to dinner, before the France trip. I promised him, we'll have dinner together before I leave and right now, breaking the news to him, that he won't be joining me, will be unpleasant, maybe the bike ride will help.

"Hardin", I hear the voice of Jonathan ring through the floor as he ushers me into a tight hug. Holy fuck, why?

"Good morning, sir", I tell Jonathan and get out of the forced hug.

"You won't believe what has happened right now", he tells me and pats my two shoulders so strongly.

"Yeah? What's happened?", I ask, not having a clue what has happened that has made this sick smile and hug me.

"We have 10 investors from France on our phone lines, waiting for us to respond and tell them we want to work with them", he says and suddenly I feel a responsibility stick to me.

"That's Amazing. Would you believe it? 10. And we will be seeing all of them?", I ask a bit concerned about this work trip now. I know I said, I would make time for Smith on the trip, but that seems, a little impossible now. I won't be able to work while a brother waits for me.