WORK IN PROGRESS The Parent Contract

Discovered

Aemon

Declan was still mid-set as I finished my lifts. I glanced in the gym mirror as I sat on the bench catching my breath. I was disappointed. Our favourite sub hadn't been at the club for a week. Well, correction, she didn't attend the club for three months, then appeared for two nights, having changed her preferences to delete things I know she needed. I knew because I watched her response to them, and it wasn't just a like. She didn't get off on pain. She needed it to cope. Then she up and disappeared again. It's been a week. But I was worried. Something was off. We'd been playing together for over a year, and these past few months were weird.
"You good, man?" Declan was standing in front of me. I looked up and nodded.
"You thinking of her again?" He asked.
"Yeah Brother, something..." I sighed
"Something's off," he replied wiping himself down with a towel.
"Yeah," I replied.
"Wish I knew what. Maybe something to do with those tits. That didn't look surgical."
"You'd know. You were the one handling them. " I teased him. His grin flashed bright in his dark face.

We were identical twins. Even now, we look very similar, probably because of our colouring. Most people found us intimidating, but I was proud of my African heritage. And I have to admit it was a business advantage when people underestimated us.

He offered me a hand and I took it to stand up. I stood and walked over to grab a wipe to sanitise the equipment for the next person.
"Aem," Declan growled warningly. I looked at him. He was watching the TV which was on a morning show. I frowned. Those things were usually filled with useless drama that only mattered for a week if that. It just generated ratings. Nothing like the buildings we created.
"Doesn't she seem familiar?" He nodded at the TV. The clip showed a blonde woman walking along a street. She had a nervous air about her. Something about her did tickle my senses, but... I couldn't place her.
"Who is she?" I asked. He shook his head slowly.
"Peta Manson, assistant to Drake Lonsdale. Apparently, there's a bit of drama around them." He frowned.
I chuckled.
"Isn't there always in those types of shows?" I reminded him. The smile he gave wiped the frown off his face. But I could tell that it was still ticking away in the back of his brain. Much like the woman I knew as 2481 was taking up space in mine.

"That's the guy we're meeting with today about the building restoration on 76th Street. You can pick his brains then." I suggested.
His face took on a satisfied look and he nodded his agreement.

Drake

I ignored all the incoming calls, letting them go to voice mail. Steve had managed to find a clip of Toni's interview and it made me both fall in love with her again and want to cry.

She looked so strong on the set. The power of her personality shone through the obvious struggles she was enduring. I noticed she was standing a lot easier there. There was less of a wobble when she got onto her feet. But the relief that flashed across her face when she got to sit again tore a little hole in my heart. The knowledge that I'd been the one responsible for not being able to support her anymore made the hole bigger.

Her nonchalance when she confirmed that she was still seeking the divorce, stabbed the knife in. I took a deep breath in. I deserved the pain.

A knock sounded at the office door, and I looked up. Peta looked apprehensively, shifting from foot to foot. She seemed to have lost some confidence lately.
"Yes, Peta?"
"Just reminding you of your meeting with the Callahan brothers."
I nodded, and let my tension out with a sigh.
"I remember, I'll meet them here in this office. Have we managed to get a replacement lawyer?"
She gave a sharp nod.
"Steve's organised someone. He's just going to brief him now from notes from Edward."
"Thanks, so we're ready then?"
Peta drew in a breath and nodded.
I frowned
"Are you OK?" I asked her. She looked startled but nodded.
"I'm fine." She said quickly and ducked out the door. I shrugged and looked for the proposal to refresh my memory.

Declan

I studied the architecture of the building as Aemon and I walked into the Lonsdale building. It was a stunning meld of modern and Victorian. Whoever had been in control of the original update was good. I saw Aemon look questioningly at me.
"I think this is what they want," I muttered to him. He nodded, his head likely busy with calculations and measurements. We both were civil engineers but he had the ability to work how best to do what I envisioned doing. I thought back to the building that we were looking at on 76th St. There would be some structural readjustments needed, but we could do it... for the right price.

We were met at the reception by a lanky intern with a huge smile. He pumped our hands generously and guided us to the elevator. His chatter with a strange accent fell amongst us amiably as we rose through the floors.

Drake Lonsdale met us in his office and motioned us to the leather couches in his office. Ceiling-to-floor windows were showing a great view of the city skyline.
"This must look great at night." Aemon complimented. Drake gave a cursory glance at the view and shrugged.
"It's not too bad. I don't really like working late." He looked up then and gave a stiff smile.
"Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Gerard Coombs. He's here to provide advice on any legal matters that may arise."
A fairly young-looking man walked in slightly nervously.
"Good Morning everyone," he went to hold out his hand and then jerked it back. Drake just smiled and turned to us.
"Gerard has a sensory sensitivity to touch, so he won't be able to shake hands. But I'm paying for his knowledge in contract law which is incredible and isn't affected by his sensory capabilities."
Aemon and I looked at each other. We'd already noticed the hearing aids on the intern. Just what was this guy playing at.

The young blonde woman from the TV snuck up behind Drake and stood on her tiptoes. He gave her a glance.
"Now before we start, did anyone want coffee?" Drake spoke for her, with a slight tightening of his eyes.
Aemon grinned. I could tell he looked the look of her. She was intriguing.
"I'll just have water." I declined. The woman flinched and looked at me.
"I won't say no to an espresso." Aemon gave his order. She flinched again and swapped her gaze to him. Gerard shook his head, and Drake turned to the woman.
"Peta,"
Her gaze was swapping between Aemon and me.
"Peta, did you get that?" Drake repeated trying to get her attention.
"Yes, sir, an espresso and your cappuccino." She replied. Her voice revealed her.
"2481," my brother rumbled beside me. She looked at us with absolute fear in her eyes.
"Thank you, Peta, I appreciate this," I replied to her. I knew what my price would be.