Chapter 5 POV CAN GRIFFIN

''Can!.Come down for lunch!''

I hear my mother shouting for me to get down.

I was immersed in the photographs I had taken of different people around school and around the house, there were several of all types, and then I was editing them on the computer.

When I hear my mother calling me I laugh, as soon as I decide to go down for lunch.

I get up, stretching, as I had spent hours sitting here.

Even though I'm only 10 years old, I consider myself an adult in my mind, although of course I have my moments of playing like any child.

When I leave the room I can hear my parents' raised voices.

I stop in my place without having any reaction whatsoever; my mother has her finger pointed in my father's face, while he looks at her angrily and shouts louder than her. I swallow hard, not knowing what to do.

My mother is the first to see me and then she smiles and asks me to join them, as if I hadn't just witnessed one of her countless heated arguments.

I close my hands into fists as I follow them, because it's been this torment for almost a month.

[...]

''I'm so glad you're back brother'' Trevor says when I return to land. ''You've really been working out.''

He says looking at my body and then I take the opportunity to flex my muscles, making him roll his eyes with an amused expression.

He had gotten up early and I ran here after working out.

Rowing always kept me calm, when these shitty memories come to destroy my day.

I pick up my t-shirt from the floor, while giving him a crooked smile and joining him, sitting on the floor.

''It's good to see you again'' The sun is a little strong today, so I narrow my eyes to see the horizon better, while I pick up a pebble and throw it into the stream.

Trevor nods, then I can feel his gaze on me.

''I know how difficult this is for you Can. But believe me, you don't know how much good this is doing for our father.''

A sneer crosses my mouth as I bring a hand to my face, removing the hair that had escaped from my bun.

''Good ? , I'm only here because I owe this to our mother and nothing more.''

''Do not say that . You know how much our father loves you, of the 4 of us I think the one he loves most is you'' his voice is serious.

''I don't know if he's really capable of loving anyone other than himself Trevor'' I give him a brief look ''You were younger, you don't remember how much our mother suffered because of him.''

I lock my jaw as the undue scenes cross my mind.

''But he's still our father.''

I feel a bitter taste inside my mouth

'' I know . '' Looking at him I smile '' Would you like to run home? '' I wink at him, already getting up.

Trevor snorts and smiles as he follows me

''Are you serious?''

''What's up brother? Are you scared? . You know I'm much better than you.''

Before I finish my speech, Trevor has already run past me.

I laugh, and then in less time than I knew would happen, I overtake him, hearing his murmurs behind me.

''You don't get tired, do you? , how could it have gotten better all these years? , I'm not old enough for that! '' My brother complains, leaning on his knees, trying to get air back into his lungs, while I remove the bandages from my hands so that I don't get calluses after rowing for hours.

''You who can't handle anything. I'm the older brother, you know? '' Debauchery giving him a wink.

Trevor keeps panting

'' What happened ?''

Face ....

Every time I look at her it's impossible not to analyze her from head to toe. I can't decipher what really captures my attention the most about her. Whether it's the beautiful brown curly hair and chocolate-black skin, the fabulous body or those emerald eyes that always shine when you see me.

Next to me I hear my brother coughing, so I divert my attention from Cara by turning to him with the expression of ''is what?''.

''Can is a sports psychopath. Be careful Dude, in case he decides to throw you in the middle of a forest to run through the woods with him.''

I throw my head back, falling into the harmonica, when Cara brings a glass of ice water to Trevor who looks like he's going to snap at any moment.

''Stop exaggerating.'' I playfully slap him on the head and look at Cara ''If you want to play sports Cara, I'll be very happy to help.''

''Thank you Can.'' She looks away from me shyly.

Because when I hear the pronunciation of my name coming out of her mouth it makes my blood boil?

She looks embarrassed, so to get her out of her embarrassment, I turn my attention to Trevor who is watching us with raised eyebrows.

''Well, I'll leave you alone, I'll take a shower.''

I give them a nod and disappear to my room.

***

''What was that look at Cara?''

It's the first thing Trevor says when he comes out of the bathroom.

I open the closet, dropping my towel on purpose, when he makes a face and swears.

'' For God's sake! , no one wants to see you naked.''

''There is . That's not what I hear women say...''

Trevor gives with his hands

''Don't divert the conversation. Cara is our sister.''

''Cara is not my sister. And I wasn't looking at her the way you're imagining.

I put on my pants, buttoning them, and I turn to Trevor as I walk towards my bed, picking up the deodorant on the desk.

''Can. You were practically dissecting Cara with a straight face''

I point at him without being able to leave this pun aside ''I liked that one!''

''Stop playing around. I am serious.''

''But me too.'' I shrug, taking a shirt from the bed and putting it on.

''If our father or Brenda catches you looking at her like that?- He says seriously, as I put on my shoes, giving him a brief look.'' And another thing is that you're committed to Margarida.

''AND???. You know how it works with us.''

"Can. Have you lost your mind?!''

Trevor sounds hysterical.

Of the 4 of us, he is the calmest and most closed, but with me he has space to open up and say what he thinks.

I approach him, hugging him by the shoulders, when we leave my room.

''Stay calm, okay? . Cara is just a girl.

Not that her body says that.

I narrow my eyes with these thoughts, because I'm trying to convince my brother of something while my mind betrays me.

He still looks at me doubtfully, analyzing me, so I pat him on the shoulders to try to calm him down.

''Can come to the office.''

My father arrives and follows his order, heading to his ''sacred'' space

I give Trevor a wink as he shakes his head.

I follow my father watching him take a seat and look back at me.

I take my pebbles out of my pocket, starting to play with them, waiting for him to say what he really wants.

''Sit down, my son''

''That's fine''

He nods

''You know I'm getting old and I can only count on you. His brothers wouldn't know how to deal with the presidency of the company. And I really need you to address Griffin''

"I am aware of this. That's why I'm here.''

''After 10 years...'' My father amends regretfully and I nod, looking fixedly at him ''Tomorrow I will introduce you to the shareholders and give you a tour of the company, so you can get to know all the sectors.''

I sign for him

''It was just that ? or?? Can I go now? '' I gesture towards the door, with my thumb over my shoulder.

''Wait'' I stare at him ''What did you think of Cara?''

I close my eyes

'' Like this ?''

"She is a good girl and I hope she takes good care of her Can. I know how protective you are and I want it to be like that with Cara too. She really needs an older brother. Since in a while, I will plan a meeting with one of our partners' children, for a possible engagement. I want everything to stay in the family.''

I shake my head up and down, feeling an anger rising from the immensity of my being, for having heard my father saying this, and then I indicate with a nod that I'm going to leave now.

I don't even expect him to agree. Just going

''Can! let's have lunch dear...''Brenda appears from God knows where, stopping in front of me, with a huge smile on her face.

''I'm sorry Brenda, but I don't have the mood right now. Don't wait for me for dinner, I won't be back today.'' I lean over and kiss her forehead and then head out the door, avoiding her disappointed look. However, I wouldn't be good company for anyone right now.

I felt like screaming because I felt suffocated

For 10 years I managed to live my life my way and in freedom. Now back, I feel in captivity, and I don't even know when I will be free again.

I just know that I'm accepting all of this, because I promised my mother that I would take care of her assets. And Griffin is one of them.

I already had everything I needed in my car. I would sleep in the forest, that was my refuge, I am not a man who likes to live in society. And in my confusion, the outdoors is my home, if I can't have my freedom, at least I need to have the feeling of it.