Hiding from Mr. Billionaire

32 Middle Ground

"I already have all the money and power I need," Jasper grumbled. "For now"

"Whatever you're getting out of this is not right," Reuben told him pointedly. "I am well suited for that position, you know I am."

"So you are," He said. "But how badly you want it makes me assume you aren't."

Reuben set his gin aside and tried to punch him in the face; but Jasper blocked his fist with his hand. "Nice save," his nephew spat. "Fine, go an take it. Have at it. See how well you fend for yourself."

"Don't you have another so called hotel company to ruin rather than waste your time with me?"

"I thought you cared," Reuben said quietly. His dropped his fist and sat the chair, limp. "Ever since I was little I've always thought of you as a close sibling. You and your father are the only ones who understand me. The only ones that supported my plans. I don't want to loose all I have of you guys left, and if your father's really going to die..."

Jasper's breath hitched. He slowly walked up his trembling nephew and placed his hand on his shoulder, nodding with understanding. "He's going to be fine Reuben. I sent him to the best house inn nursery across the nation, instead of those bug invested hospitals. Those places are nothing but infested and dirty death houses."

"Does Agatha know about her father's sickness?"

Jasper's jaw clenched. "No, and you mustn't tell her any of it. We still don't know what it is yet."

Reuben nodded hesitantly. "I won't Jasper, I'm sorry."

"Give me your word," Jasper pressed.

"I give you your word, Jasper. I swear on my own life, I won't tell a soul."

Jasper stared at him intently and let the words sink in before pushing himself off Reuben. The same blank look remained on his face. "I still can't reimburse you of all my father promised you," Jasper announced. "But I can promise that whatever I plan to do with it, it's with the best intention. We both know how much I do anything I can to protect that man." 

Reuben nodded slowly, "I still don't understand it..."

"Well, we do tend to argue somewhat like siblings anyway," Jasper shrugged. "I'm trying to avoid it with you... so you remain, you."

Reuben crossed his arms. "I tried to go after that business partner of yours today."

"I never knew," Jasper muttered sarcastically.

"Something's wrong with that man, Jasper, I've never seen him before in my life."

"That's because he's been outcast by his family. What are you expecting?" Jasper scoffed. "Do you want new men to come in a package label?"

"No," Reuben thought back to Mr. Smith. The eyes, the voice, the face. "The man seems oddly familiar to me."

Jasper chuckled. "It's normal to see people you've met before in others dear nephew, don't fret. He's nothing but a townsman. You shouldn't have to worry about him."

"If I were you I'd keep an eye out, just in case."

Jasper's narrowed his eyes and stiffened. "I think I can handle short little men with no experience. Don't question my work Reuben, this is exactly what I'm talking about with you. Always trying to contradict my decisions."

"And for good reason," Reuben said. "I do this because I care, not because I hate you. I apologize for my outburst, but there was no need to go behind my back like you did."

"Don't be petty"

"I wouldn't be anything if you just gave me my job back."

Jasper groaned. "Not this again."

"I'm trying to be civilized with you, and now I realize the only way you'd actually listen is if I cause a scene."

"I listen," he spluttered.

Reuben rolled his eyes. "Then you'd know how much you hurt me by going behind my back the way you did."

Jasper waved him off. "You should finish your drink before it gets cold."

"Please," Reuben muttered desperately. "This is all I have left of him."

"You're never going to give up," he mused. "Are you?"

"No."

Jasper sighed to himself and poured himself a shot of gin. "Fine, you stick around for a bit. However, your position has been taken from you. And what's taken can not be given back without a consequence involved."

His nephew frowned. "But-"

"That's my last offer," Jasper interjected. "I'm not budging from there little nephew."

"Fine," he grumbled. "What is it that you want me to do?"

Jasper smiled mischievously. "I want you to help mentor Mr. Smith to make sure he doesn't screw anything up for me. Monitor every move. And if the allegations that you have against him are true, I want you to humiliate and strip the man out of everything he has."