PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

xxxvii. stahp ryt thurr

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

The noise of the keyboard as Harry types information on the computer fills the atmosphere inside his office. It has only been two days and he's already completely drenched on his office work. Truth be told, he never stopped working though he was granted the seven day vacation. He had snatched hours upon hours to check the development of the company, especially in Chicago, through his MacBook, making sure he did so while his mom or cousin wasn't looking. He couldn't really just rely on his brother regarding his job, could he?

He wasn't sure what Terrence was up to the whole week he was gone, but he was glad he didn't actually put all his trust on him. The business wouldn't have profit from it if he did so. It still bothers him why Terrence was made to do the complex task -- of being an officer-in-charge. It's not that he underestimates him, though. Their father and Derek know both of their capabilities and how they differ in dedication, so why Terrence? They could've just assigned another trusted personnel from the main.

But it's not one of Harry's concern as of the moment. He stops typing, his elbow props up on his desk as his thumb and forefinger clip his chin. His eyes narrow down at a certain information inscripted on the screen. Seconds later, he presses a number on his phone and waits for the other end to ring and pick up.

"Boss?" Betty's small voice sifts through the earpiece.

"Tell Terrence I need him in my office. Now."

"Right away, boss."

"Thanks, Betty."

Harry carefully places the phone back. Sighing as he leans his back on the swivel chair, he rubs at his forehead using his hand. He looks at the computer screen again, now more intently.

"Little brother." Terrence enters the room without even knocking, as per usual. "I was hoping you'd be the one paying a visit to my office."

"Please explain this." Harry cuts to the chase. He leans forward just to turn the laptop around for his older brother to see. He places both his elbows on the desk, rubbing his face with both hands as he waits for Terrence to speak.

"That should be a clerical error, Harry. I personally appointed the operations manager in Avicular to have that checked and organised before your return." Terrence motions with his hand after examining the information.

"That's the problem." Harry groans while absentmindedly shaking his legs under the table. "You didn't inspect it yourself. Dad told us specifically to be hands-on. Yes, we hire intelligent people in the company, but it doesn't mean we should stop there. Some of these people are just strangers to us outside the workplace. What do you think is the main reason why Dad chose you to fly here?" He is furious but he tries to compose himself by keeping his breathing slow. Granted, they're only two years apart, but he's still talking to his big brother here.

Terrence looks away, having to wonder himself. The moment his father told him to fly to Chicago to be an OIC for a week so Harry could take a break, he had no choice but to abide to his father's request -- although he was questionning why Harry would have needed a break. He had never seen his youngest sibling actually took a time to relax and enjoy himself outside his office. He had always known that the four corners of the air-conditioned room is his comfort zone.

He darts his brown eyes back to his green ones, sighing in defeat as he has failed to think of one conventional reason.

Harry takes a sharp breath in, shaking his head before looking up at Terrence again. "It's because he couldn't trust anyone other than Derek, you and me."