Since I missed my gym session this morning, I need to rectify that. God forbid I went home carrying any extra weight, I’d be punished for sure. Last year I remember M confiscating Anna’s passport because she’d come back from vacation one kilo heavier than when she’d left. I’d be devastated if M took my passport away. Travelling was the only thing I had to look forward to and I alternate my holiday time between New York and Paris. My two favourite cities in the world.
The only places I can escape from my wretched life.
BROCK
I spent the better part of the day at our New York office going over the presentation and contracts for my big meeting tomorrow. If I can secure this multimillion-dollar deal, it will place Weston Global in the top five security firms in the world. My father always said it was unattainable, so I’ll get great pleasure in proving him wrong.
My phone rings in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see Josh’s number flashing on the screen. ‘Hey, bro,’ I answer. Joshua is five years younger than me and we weren’t close growing up—for the most part I thought of him as my annoying little brother. That all changed six years ago. I had no idea Josh was homosexual until the day he came out. Sure, looking back now the signs were all there, but I was so wrapped up in my own life I was oblivious to them. His announcement came as a shock, but he is my brother and I love him regardless of his sexuality. Our parents though, that’s a whole other story.
Our father was the worst, but our mother didn’t even try to defend her son. Her behaviour was inexcusable. Father is a tyrant, so in a way I can understand why Mum didn’t speak up, but I can’t forgive her for standing by while Father kicked Josh out of the house and wiped him from their lives as though he never existed. He’s their flesh and blood. Their son. That should’ve been enough. He was only seventeen.
I had long since moved out, so I took him in without hesitation. He had no job, no money, nowhere else to go. I was twenty-three and already working for my father, learning the ropes so I could one day take over. When I wasn’t at the office, I was partying and screwing around. But things slowed down once I had to start caring for Josh. Well, to an extent. I slowed down on the partying, but the screwing around not so much. It was my vice, my only release.
Josh stayed with me until he turned twenty. After finishing his education, he opted to enrol in a two-year, full-time hospitality course. His dream was to one day own a bar. Of course I was going to make sure that happened, and the day he graduated, I handed him the keys to his very own establishment. I’d not only purchased the building, I’d made sure it was fully equipped with everything he needed, including an upstairs living area. But I was sad to see him go—I’d gotten used to having him around.
I was there for the grand opening, but haven’t been back since. Not because I don’t support him—we still talk on the phone daily, and meet up for dinner and drinks a few nights a week. But, after that night, I refused to set foot in that place again.
I’m in no way homophobic and I should’ve known going in what to expect. What I wasn’t prepared for was all the advances. I had men offering to buy me drinks, asking me to dance, and when one guy groped my arse, I had to control the urge to knock him out. Josh thought it was hilarious. I, on the other hand, didn’t.
In the past few years, he’s built the place up into one of the most exclusive gay bars in Sydney. I’m proud of how far he’s come.
‘How’s New York treating you?’ he asks. ‘Did you secure the big deal yet?’
‘The meeting’s tomorrow.’
‘Well, I hope it’s successful. I’d love to see the look on our father’s face if you can do something he never could.’ His comment makes me chuckle. It’s the main reason I’ve worked so hard on this. Is it wrong that I get great pleasure out of sticking it to my father? Because I do. ‘Listen, the reason I’m calling, I have a friend who’s seeking a new security firm to look after his construction sites. He’s a developer. He wants to set up a meeting with you when you’re back in town. It’s a big job, and yours if you want it. This guy is loaded.’
‘Text me his number and I’ll give him a call. I’ll be flying home Sunday night.’
‘Great,’ he replies. ‘Good luck tomorrow, and let me know how it goes.’
‘Thanks. I will.’
‘Try not to break any hearts while you’re in the Big Apple,’ he adds with a laugh, before ending the call. My brother knows me well.
I head straight to the downstairs bar when I arrive back at the hotel. I’m feeling a little on edge about my meeting tomorrow. My father will never let me live it down if I can’t pull this off. It’s my chance to prove to him that I’m a better man than he is, even though I already know I am.