Chapter 1 Twin Brother

Royce's POV

"I beg to disagree, dad! Why does it have to be me? You already know that business has never been a part of my vocabulary!" I blurted out, thumping my forehead with my hand.

I had just arrived home from hanging out with my friends. I was a bit tipsy, and my best friend Vince had driven me home, leaving my car at the bar. However, upon hearing my dad's words, all my senses seemed to snap back into focus.

There was a moment of silence. Then, after a while, I heard my mom's calm voice. She was sitting beside my father on the sofa bed.

"Royce, my son, it's only for the meantime. Your brother is still in the hospital," mom said, her voice becoming emotional.

"But mom, I can't do it!" I scoffed.

How could someone like me handle such a huge responsibility? I pondered the question silently. It felt incredibly challenging for me. I didn't even finish my college degree due to negligence in my studies. I was caught cheating during examinations, not just once but multiple times. As a consequence, I was transferred to my Aunt's place in Canada. So why in the world do my parents expect me to take over my brother's position as the CEO of META? How am I supposed to do that? They must be out of their minds!

META, short for Miller Entertainment and Talent Agency, was originally owned by my late grandfather, Thomas Miller, and later passed down to my father, Henry, as he was the only son among the three siblings. My grandfather served as the former chairman of the board while my dad held the position of CEO. Following my grandfather's death, my father assumed the role of chairman. When my brother, Reid, turned 23, my father appointed him as the CEO and entrusted him with the management of META, as my father focused on running our real estate company.

META, the biggest talent agency in Los Angeles, has experienced remarkable growth. Under Reid's leadership, the company achieved unprecedented success, quickly becoming the leading talent agency in the city. His achievements have earned him widespread recognition and admiration within the business industry.

Reid and I were identical twins. If I were to dress like him, it would undoubtedly cause confusion as our height, complexion, and physique were indistinguishable. However, there was one aspect of our appearance that set us apart: our hair color and style. I sported a blonde undercut, while Reid opted for a dark brown slicked-back style. In terms of traits and personality, we were complete opposites.

Reid has a very refined personality. He is intelligent and graduated with flying colors. He is responsible, trustworthy, and a serious type of person. In fact, he did not experience having a girlfriend or even flings during his college days because he was too serious about his studies. But one month ago, I heard he was dating a woman named 'Andrea', but I did not know anything about her. He was supposed to introduce her to my parents, but it did not happen because of the accident.

On the contrary, I am his total opposite. While I could not claim to have a very low IQ, my negligence towards my studies resulted to consistent failing grades. Even when I was transferred to my Aunt's place, my behaviour remained unchanged. I frequently skipped classes and spent my time socializing with friends, often venturing to bars and nightclubs for drinks and relaxation. I engaged in casual flings, often escalated to sexual encounters, but beyond that, I avoided any serious commitments. I am a womanizer who sought no strings attached, simply moving on once my interest in a woman had waned.

After spending a year in Canada, I made the decision to return to LA, not wanting my Aunt to worry about me. However, instead of going back to school, I chose to enjoy my time with friends, here and there.

Occasionally, I overheard my parents expressing their desire for me to be more like Reid, believing that I could be of great assistance to the family business. It stung a little to hear those words, but I pretended not to be affected. Now, with Reid in the hospital, I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt, knowing that I can't do anything to please my parents.

I heard my dad clear his throat, signaling that a more serious conversation was about to take place.

"Royce, please listen. This is the only favor I am asking from you. Please take your brother's position in the meantime. I cannot entrust META to anyone else. Reid has put so much effort into it, and I don't want his hard work to go in vain," my father spoke calmly and emphatically.

"But dad! I am not Reid. I can't be like him!" I protested, sinking back into the couch, and resting my hands under my head.

"Royce, son, you need to understand that you will be doing this temporarily. Your brother is still lying in the hospital, and we don't know when he will regain consciousness," my mom's voice quivered, her attempt to hold back tears was evident. I met my mom's gaze and suddenly felt a wave of compassion for her. It must be incredibly difficult for her to witness her beloved son in a comatose state.

It was a natural and understandable reaction for parents to feel devastated upon seeing their son in such a critical condition. It also hurt me, although Reid and I were not that close but I could not ignore the fact that he is my older twin brother, As my only sibling, I may have a different personality, but I genuinely care for him. If any harm befalls him, I swear to seek justice and hold accountable the person responsible for his current situation, even if it means taking matters into my own hands.

Two weeks ago, Reid was involved in an accident, and the report indicated that the main cause was a brake failure in his car. Despite being promptly taken to the hospital, he suffered a head injury that resulted in a blood clot in his brain, leaving him in a coma.

However, I harbored a lingering doubt about the circumstances surrounding the accident. Something felt off, and I was determined to uncover the truth at any cost. As I locked eyes with my parents, their emotions overwhelmed me.

Nevertheless, I couldn't fathom stepping into my brother's shoes. I lacked the knowledge and experience to run a business, having not completed any degree and struggling to handle pressure.

"Dad, mom, I'm truly sorry, but I simply can't do it. You know me. I am not-" I paused, crossing my arms.

"Why not consider letting Charles assume the position, dad? He is more capable than I am," I suggested, attempting to explain my side.

Uncle Sam, my step uncle and the father of Charles, had been adopted by my grandparents when he was just ten years old, following the tragic plane crash that orphaned him. Uncle Sam married Aunt Josephine, a restaurant waitress, and together they had Charles and Margaret. However, when Charles turned 18 and Margaret was 15, Aunt Josephine passed away from heart failure.

Uncle Sam became the Vice Chairman of META, and Charles worked as the Chief Operating Officer. Given his capabilities, I believed Charles was the most suitable candidate to assume the CEO position.

After a moment, my father let out a heavy sigh, his gaze fixed upon me.

"I'll give you some time to think about it, Royce. Perhaps we can discuss this further next time. You're drunk right now, so you need to take a rest," my father spoke, rising from his seat and gently tapping my shoulder. Mom followed him, casting me a pleading look as they retreated to their bedroom. Confusion clouded my mind, leaving me unsure of what to do. With a deep sigh, I made my way to my own room.

As I reached for the doorknob, an overwhelming urge compelled me to enter my brother's room first, which was adjacent to mine. A sense of melancholy washed over me, realizing that it had remained untouched since the accident. Taking a few steps down the corridor, I turned the doorknob and stepped inside. Immediately, my gaze was drawn to a large picture frame positioned above the drawer. It contained a photo of my brother and me, both clad in matching shirts and pants, captured during our joint 27th birthday celebration a year ago. I approached it, looking at the image intently.

We were truly identical. Two young men with vibrant blue eyes, prominent noses, and well-defined jawlines. Our faces mirrored each other, yet our personalities were distinct. As I tenderly touched the frame, memories flooded my mind of our youthful days. Reid had always been a supportive brother, understanding my flaws and defending me against our father's harshness whenever I faced challenges in school. Despite our contrasting perspectives, he consistently showed me kindness. And now, my dear brother lay in the hospital, his fate uncertain. I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist, tears welling up in my eyes. Next to the frame, I noticed his shattered mobile phone. The screen bore severe cracks from the accident. I attempted to power it on, but it remained unresponsive.

An idea formed in my mind. I contemplated taking the phone to a repair shop, hoping it could be fixed. Perhaps it held some information relevant to my brother's accident. After carefully placing the cellphone in my pocket, I exited the room and made my way back to my own.