Player's Game

19 - Admit it

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part i

Andrew

My mother's voice always resonates in my mind, reminding me that appearances matter—they command attention and establish dominance, regardless of your background. Her lessons weren't just about looking the part; they underlined relentless effort and unwavering determination in pursuing wealth and power. I remember watching her with awe as a child, knowing one day, one of us would inevitably step up to lead.

Years passed, and I drank her teachings, becoming entangled to mould her morals in the relentless pursuit of success. I almost forgot what failure felt like amidst my obsession with triumph. Yet, somewhere along the way, one of us had lost sight of family honour and respect. Now here I am, facing off against a man I once considered a brother, questioning my motives and the true meaning of reclaiming power.

"Always remember who you are, Andrew James Harvey," my mother's words echo in my thoughts, a solemn reminder of my roots and the path I must tread.

I am running out of time, I have to find him and stop him before it is too late. There have been already too many distractions.

The power of appearance and the inevitable emotion had juggled back to this very moment of this name day. I set aside the thought of my brother for another day, or better yet for later in the day. I adjusted the black tie around my neck and touched back my hair in the car's review mirror as I drove. "Will you please relax?" Maria says, I had almost forgotten she was with me, I took a heavy breath.

"You look fine, any more touch-ups your hair is going to start falling out," she reassured with a laugh. I let out a nervous chuckle, "I don't believe I've ever been so nervous in my life."

Maria nodded her head in agreement, creasing down her dress and adjusting the front ends of her curls in the passenger mirror, "We are both in such confusing relationships. Just two genital birds, tide up in the crossfire." We burst into laughter together. Thankful that the unease had evaporated with the distraction. "Your situation is way more complicated than mine. Has Andre even asked you to be his girlfriend, or is he still the bitch in the relationship?"

Maria narrowed her eyes at me, a hint of offence flickering across her expression but she laughed. "He did say he loved me, so that's gotta count for something," she teased lightly, arms crossed over her chest and a smirk playing on her lips. I shot her a glance, feeling that familiar weight settle over me again. "Ouch."

Maria giggled in triumph she added on some lip gloss and she too took a heavy breath after she smacked her lips together. "I have a good feeling about today Andrew, a good feeling for the both of us."

I took another glance at her, in envy of her positive thinking, a mix of anger and jealousy stirred within me for lacking that sense of love fulfilment between my sister and her partner. I couldn't help but grow insecure and compare my sister's situation to mine. I knew today that Andre would ask Maria to be his girlfriend, I knew that he was certain of her and I knew that he would do anything to be with her.

I overgrew to compare but knew exactly why Tiana was so different to her brother and why Tiana and I's situation would continue to slowburn. I understand that her past will never outgrow the trust she had in me or anyone but that doesn't mean I will break my promise to reassure her and kill the man who destroyed her

I nodded, grasping the situation completely, smacking my cheeks to stop myself from thinking anymore. "You're right, you're completely right."

I needed to put this aside and think about something else. Anything else.