Scenes From a Soap Opera

A Merger??

Devon Hamilton was sitting at his desk in the Hamilton-Winters offices when he got a phone call from his sister Lily. Curious, he picked up the phone, Lily didn't usually call him at work. He listened as she laid out a proposition for him. How would he feel about merging their companies? Devon was stunned, this was the last thing he expected to hear on a Thursday afternoon. It was like time had frozen; no thoughts were forming in his head.

Lily was concerned when her brother didn't immediately answer her. The idea to merge was Jill's, but from the second she heard it, she was on board. Becoming a super corporation and getting to work with her brother and boyfriend was a win-win for her. The key was getting Devon to come aboard; the experienced CEO knew that it would be a hard sell. Devon liked having his independence, plus the company was something that he built with Neil. Both siblings took their father's legacy very seriously.

Lily was growing concerned as the silence on Devon's end of the phone grew longer. This really wasn't that hard of a question, was it?

"Devon? Devon?! Are you still there? Lily asked her brother, panic growing in her voice the longer he didn't answer.

His sister's voice brought Devon back to reality, he hadn't realized how long his silence had lasted. Devon felt bad for scaring her and quickly apologized for zoning out in thought. He needed time to think her offer over. Lily understood his reservations and wanted to discuss them with him but was greeted by dial tone. She was taken back by his abrupt ending to their call. The former model was stunned; she never would have expected Devon to have that kind of reaction. Taking a deep breath, she realized that she did spring this news on him. Hopefully after a few days, he would calm down enough to talk this issue out. A merger was not worth losing her brother over.  

Lily was growing more impatient with her brother by the day. He refused to answer her question about merging their companies. Devon was quickly becoming an expert on evading her questions. He was more likely to change the subject or flee than to give his sister a straight answer. To Lily this meant that he was refusing her offer and was too afraid to tell her. Did he think that she would be so furious that she wouldn't talk to him anymore? 'What a coward' she huffed as she left Devon yet another voice mail. She was going to give him one more day before she cornered him somewhere.

Devon stared at his phone as the notification of Lily's voice mail pinged. He knew that he should give his sister an answer. Lily deserved the truth; he was just so afraid that she wouldn't understand his rejection. It had nothing to do with Lily as a businesswoman or a person. He thought that his sister was a kick-ass CEO and was glad that she was getting her chance to shine. The major issue he had was that he liked his independence. If they merged their companies, he would lose all that autonomy. And as much as he loved his sister, he was not willing to give that up. Plus, he saw how working with family could destroy a relationship between his own past experiences with Neil and being best friends with Abby Newman.

Each sibling was gearing up their argument for their respective position. Both agreed that business was not worth losing each other over. The next time they talked, they would work this situation out. Devon ignoring his sister was getting old fast and a solution needed to be created. Devon took a deep breath before sending Lily a text asking her to have dinner with him at Society. He promised they would discuss everything tonight. Lily stared in shock at her phone, she did not think Devon would ever answer her. She quickly agreed to his request, grateful that he finally responded to her.

Later at Society

Devon was sitting anxiously at a table waiting for Lily to arrive. He was praying that their discussion would go smoothly, though knowing his sister's temper maybe they should have met in private. 'No' he argued with himself, 'It's better that we're in public. We can't be nasty or get into a screaming match in public'. Devon was so busy arguing with himself that he didn't notice Lily enter the restaurant. She quickly spotted her brother in the corner and walked over ready to discuss business. She was startled to see Devon spaced out in his own little world.

"Devon" she called out to him. "Devon? Devon!?" Lily was shouting now, desperately trying to get her brother's attention. Devon was shaken out of his deep thoughts by his sister's screams. He looked up to see a mixture of concern and confusion written across her face. The music mogul quickly apologized to his sister before inviting her to sit down. Chancellor's CEO sat down across the table from her brother, wondering what had him so focused that he zoned completely out.

"Lily, thanks for meeting me. I know you must have a million questions" Devon started to explain himself to his sister.

"You're right I do have some questions." Lily bluntly stated. "And I want some answers. I especially want to know why you've been avoiding me. I deserve the truth, Devon."

"And I will answer all your questions. You're right, you deserve the truth." Devon replied. "First and foremost, I want to apologize to you. I shouldn't have avoided your calls. You're my sister and I love you. You deserved better treatment and I'm sorry."

Lily was stunned, never in a million years did she expect Devon to apologize to her. It was unlike her brother to admit fault. She stammered out a thank you, unsure of what else to say. Lily mustered up some courage and asked her brother point blank if he supported the merger. She schooled her face to prepare herself for his rejection. She had known from the moment he didn't return her first phone call what his answer was going to be.

Devon took a deep breath before responding, "Lily, I'm sorry but no I can't support the merger. I just don't think it's a good idea for me right now. It's nothing against you as a businesswoman or person, I love you dearly." He paused to gauge Lily's reaction. She was sitting there across from him looking stunned. His sister clearly did not expect him to talk this much, but she did not look surprised by his answer.

Lily needed a moment to ponder over everything Devon had just said. She was not surprised at all by his refusal to merge. What surprised her was the little speech Devon gave her. Devon was not known for his words, and he clearly meant everything he was saying. She really loved her brother and didn't want to lose him over business. Still, she was hopeful that in time, she could change his mind. Deciding it was in her best interest not to push him, she thanked him for his honesty.

"Devon," Lily called out to get her brother's attention. "Thank you for finally being honest with me. I was starting to wonder if I had done something to piss you off" She couldn't help but shade her brother a little bit for ghosting her. Devon looked down at his plate, he picked up the hostility in her voice. Feeling very pleased Lily continued, "I'm disappointed that you are refusing my offer, but I understand. I know how much you value your independence, and I don't want to damage our relationship by dragging business into it."

Devon let out a deep breath. He felt so relieved that Lily wasn't angry at him or if she was, she was hiding it very well. "I agree. I value our relationship too much to let business destroy it. I feel like it's best for everyone if we keep business separate from family." Lily nodded in agreement, not sure what else to do or say. The two siblings finished their meal in awkward silence. Both clearly not knowing where to go from here.

After they finished eating and they paid their bills, Lily thanked her brother for the invite and promised to talk to him soon. Devon stood up to give his sister a hug. He agreed to meet up again soon and joked that he would answer her call. Lily gave him a soft glare before returning his hug. She said in a threatening tone that he better not ignore her again. Devon chuckled and swore that he would answer all texts and calls from his sister. The siblings left Society both feeling relieved, but secretly thinking about business.