Ivory Ruin

1

CHAPTER ONE

A gentle breeze rippled past me as I saw the technicolour green hills rolling along the estate. Inhaling one last breath, I threw the butt down and stepped on it, popping a mint in my mouth. I deeply inhaled and slowly sat down, reclining on the tickling grass. I closed my eyes, absorbing the rays of the sun, and then opened them, staring straight at it. I counted five seconds before I looked away. Before I had a chance to try again, I felt a shadow on my face, and a chill that tingled my spine.

"Peter?" A deep voice asked. Adam. I shaded my eyes and looked at my older brother.

"Yeah? Care to sit. Or lie, I should say?" I grinned. Adam rolled his eyes and reluctantly joined me.

"Twenty-one." I mumbled, whistling. I chuckled, turning my head to face Adam. He sighed, biting the inside of his cheek. He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. Then, he opened his palm. I shook my head, reaching in my pocket and handing him a smoke and lighter. After he inhaled a deep breath, he turned to me and grumbled.

"Well, I'd have to assume you're talking about the paper mill inheritance?" He said, a look of disdain on his face.

"C'mon. The key word here is stability." I offered.

"That's exactly the problem, Pete. That doesn't excite me. I don't know." He muttered. I looked into his eyes, trying to understand his problem.

"If you don't know what you want, then you have no defence, Adam." I pointed out. "At least if you had some sort of..." I began, motioning with my hands. "...passion." I concluded. Adam chuckled.

"You think that would make a difference to dad?" He mocked. "Pete, think about it. All we've been raised to consider is the 'family business'. We never got to see what we really liked. Of course, it should be respectable, but working the family business? I don't get any feelings except dread out of that." He said, sadness in his eyes. Instead of saying anything, I just stayed quiet, lit another one, and lay there. If there was anything I could do for Adam, it was to just be there.

Inside the manor, everyone was rushing everywhere. Maids and cooks and family and people I had never seen before. Everyone was here for the birthday. But no, not just any birthday. The twins twenty-first birthday. Celeste, my gorgeous sister, was to be married soon after the birthday. And Adam, handsome and empathetic Adam, meant to inherit father's entire fortune. Life really is all numbers, I thought to myself. Age, education, years until death, as well as months until life. It was a full circle that I had come to disdain very much. All the hassle for something the two might not even want. Those are the two things I believed made up everything, and still believe until this day. Numbers, and facade. As long as you can fake something, no one will know better. Whether it's because they want to believe the lie, or that they're shallow enough to not know better. Whichever one didn't really matter to me. Blocking out the hectic environment, I quickly went to my room, hoping for a change of clothing and a breath of calm. Only a few minutes indoors and I already needed another break. I walked down a long hall embroidered with embellished stone and golden art, and marble floors and crystal chandeliers. Climbing up a set of spiral stairs, I observed everything with a birds-eye view. Everyone looked much smaller from up here. Really, everything can become so much more important, or so much more stupid when put in perspective.

Once I'd reached my room, I quickly entered, unprofessionally flopping on my bed. I groaned, putting my hand on my forehead. Was I coming down with a fever? Probably not. I'd check later to see if my face was still burning up. Reluctantly getting up, I filled myself a glass of water, swallowing slowly, letting the water cool down my throat and mouth. Suddenly, a knock came at the door and I slowly put down my glass. Smoothing my clothes, I asked the guest to come in. I was met by the eyes of a butler.