The Addiction

The Addiction - Chapter 5 Prt 1

Elize

"Elize... why does it feel like you're lying to me?"

"Hmph?" Elize looks up incredulously as the afternoon glow centers around his face. He sits at a umbrella table with his step-father on a balcony, looking over the entire Beverly Hills city. He takes a sip of his cup, choosing to ignore his family member. 

"You keep telling me that everything's alright, but suddenly, you end up giving us a visit. You NEVER do that." His step-father insists, replicating Elize's actions and taking a sip of his own. 

Elize sighs and pushes himself out of his chair, walking to the edge of the handrail before putting his hands in his pockets.

"Can I not just say I came to visit and that's that? Why are you trying to make a big deal of it?" Elize retorts, earning a perilous look from the older man sitting in front of him. He rolls his eyes, turning back to the turquoise sky that kissed the buildings in front it.  

"Whatever it is you're hiding Elize Esponanza I will find out, so it'll be better for you tell me now."

"And you wonder why I never come to visit." Elize says under his breath, twirling around the scotch in his glass cup while his step-father stands up from his chair. He walks to his side, glazing over the darkening sky with a cold glance. 

"Well, I suppose now is a good time of any for me tell you what your Grandmother and I were discussing."

"Oh really? You mean the bullshit you talk about behind my back?"

"No, I mean the future structure of this company." He places his drink down, readjusting his couplets as a provoking smile creeps onto his face. 

"We have been... keen on keeping tabs on your progression. And lets just say it does NOT meet our expectations." 

Elize snorts, downing his shot glass before setting his next to his step-father's. 

"Our expectations-that's funny since YOUR expectations shouldn't even matter in the slightest." The once placid face the older man wore has now deteriorated to a livid scowl.

"Do you realize what is at stake here idiot? If you are not running the sub-company smoothly then we are all at risk of the press finding out what really do as business. If you are not able to take away this... this childish attitude, then there is no place for you running any business of ours at all. Do you understand?"

"Ha, there it is again. 'Our'. This isn't OUR business Ferden, and yet you act like you're in charge. My grandmother gave it to me. Me. Not you, not your son, me. It doesn't belong to the Evolios, it belongs to the Esponanzas." Elize denounces, fuming at the ears. Now it was Ferden Evolio's turn to snort. 

"You think you're so special. Your mother is also my son's mother. With enough exposure of your shitty handle of the jewelry market industry, we can denounce you as the head of anything. Believe me, you are not capable of-"

"And you are not capable of telling me how to run the business that is mine. I know what you want, you want your son Peliz to be the head of the company so you control him like a puppet. That is the only reason you're trying to kiss my grandmother's ass and make that happen. Why you named your son after my grandfather."

"You know you are talking about your half-brother Elize. That is his grandfather as well, and I respect Margret's deceased husband to a point not to give his most rebellious and uneducated grandson the chance to ruin something he spent his whole life attaining till the end of him." Ferden stares him down with a dark look, but Elize doesn't fade from it. He challenges him, glaring into his eyes for a moment before reluctantly turning back to the faded orangish blue sky. 

"No Matter what you say, I know your true intent. Let's leave it at that." There's a moment of silence between them before his step-father takes his shot glass and drinks it down.

"So be it." He concludes. There's a knock on the balcony's door and both men turn to see Ferden's son standing behind the glass, unsure to come in. Ferden waves him in much to Elize's dislike and the older son gradually walks forward. 

"Sorry to intrude, but Elize, my man. Me and friends are going out for a night on the town. You should join us."

"I'd rather stay at home. I have work to do concerning the COMPANY anyway." Elize replied bitterly, giving a knowing look to Ferden.

"Ugh, come on. How many times do I get to see my half-brother. You hardly visit anymore. Come on, you need some fresh air." 

"Nah I rather just-"

"Nope, sorry but I ain't leaving you alone until you permit. I swear it'll be fun, like the old times." 

Elize sighs, relinquishing his hard exterior for a break to roam around town with his half-brother, hopefully cooling off enough that he won't have indignant outbursts along the way. After a moment of silence. Elize finally speaks up. 

"Fine." Peliz, the half-brother, smirks, readjusting his couplets; a habit that he had obtained from his father. 

"Meet us downstairs when you're ready. The boy and I were feeling... boogie tonight so we're taking the limo." Peliz walks out from the balcony gradually before closing the sliding doors behind him, leaving Elize alone with Ferden once more. 

"As you see, even with the unnecessary competition you enact, Peliz still is warm towards you, and yet you still act like a ass towards us." 

"That's because he's the son of a bitc-"

"Eh eh eh-" Ferden wags a finger close to Elize's face, a sneer swallowing up his face.

"I wouldn't finish that sentence if I was you."

Elize smirks and nods, gradually turning away from his step-father's cold gaze before returning stagnant. 

"You know what, you're right. After all, a dog is actually given a leash to be put in its place. Where's yours?"

Without another look, Elize opens the balcony door and walks through.

End of Chapter 5 prt 1! Remember to Vote!