I frown as I walk towards them. “Brother?”
He doesn’t look up, so I sit down beside them on the couch and watch him. “Brother?” I say again, putting my hand on his back.
“Cait.” He finally looks up. I’m shocked as I see tears in his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I ask softly, squeezing his shoulder.
He shakes his head, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. “Nothing. I just had a long day.”
I nod. “Do you want me to make dinner for you?” I offer. “You deserve it.” He always works hard and takes care of us, so he deserves it.
He smiles. “No, Cait. Thank you for offering, but you take care of yourself and Thomas too. I couldn’t do this without you.”
I smile back, standing up and walking away. “I know you’re a good brother.” I pause by the door and turn back to him. “And you’re a great dad.”
He smiles again, hugging Thomas tighter. “You’re a good mom, Cait.” Thomas giggles again as he tries to squirm out of his father’s hold.
I smile one more time before walking to my room and shutting the door.
I sit on my bed, holding a pillow against my stomach and smile as I remember that night.
I can’t remember his face or what we did, but I remember what he said to me: “This will last forever.” I close my eyes, remembering how nice he was. He was a nice man, and he didn’t deserve to have his life messed up by my mistake. I’m sorry I made that mistake. Maybe I should have said no to him.
But it’s too late now.
I’m taking a shower later when I hear the door open. I look up and see my brother standing in the doorway with a box. “What’s that?”
He shrugs. “It just came in the mail. I don’t know.”
I wrap a towel around myself and walk over to where he’s standing. He hands me the box as he looks at it with a confused expression on his face. It’s a box from an expensive jewelry store, and I don’t know anyone who would send me something like that. I open it up and look inside to see a chain with a small key on the end.
“Look at that.” I show it to my brother as I walk back into the bathroom to get another towel.
He takes a step into the bathroom and holds up the key. “It’s a key. Maybe it’s for a safety deposit box or something.”
I shrug, walking out of the bathroom. “I don’t know. I’ve never had one of those before.”
My brother shrugs too. “You must know someone who wants you to have it.”
I shake my head. I don’t know anyone like that.
Months later, I go to an interview with my brother at the most prestigious company in the US. I’m not surprised as my brother gets the job, but I am surprised when they tell me I got one too.
“Thank you,” my brother smiles at them as they shake his hand.
I follow his lead and shake their hands too. “Thank you,” I echo.
The man smiles and nods towards my brother. “You’re both very welcome here. You may start on Monday.”
My brother nods, still smiling. “Thank you again.”
I follow him out of the office, feeling ecstatic. This is the first time I’ve ever had a job, so I’m excited. I’m going to prove to myself that I can do this.
I can be a better person.
“Are you excited, Cait?” My brother asks me as we walk back to the elevator.
I nod enthusiastically. “Yes! I’m going to make you proud.”
My brother smiles. “You already have, Cait. You don’t have to prove anything.” He puts his arm around me as the elevator comes back up. “But I’m glad you got a job. You deserve it.”
“Thank you.” I lean against him as the doors close.
We’re quiet for a few minutes until the elevator stops at the bottom floor and the doors open. We walk out of the elevator and out of the building.
“I’m glad we got jobs,” I say as we walk back to his car.
He nods. “Me too.” He unlocks the car and lets me in.
We’re silent for a while until my brother speaks up again. “I forgot to tell you something.”
I look at him, wondering what he could be saying. “What?”
He doesn’t answer immediately. “I was talking to Zachary Edward a few days ago.”
I frown as he mentions his name. I know who he is. He’s the richest person in the US, so everyone knows his name.
“He asked about you.” My brother glances over at me. “I didn’t tell him about Thomas because I didn’t want you to worry about it. He asked if you were here yet because he heard about the interview.”
I frown again, wondering why he was asking about me. “I don’t remember him, so why did he ask about me?”
My brother shakes his head. “I don’t know.” He pulls into the parking lot of our apartment complex and parks the car. “I just thought you should know.”
I nod as he opens the car door. “Thank you.”
He smiles at me as I step out of the car too. “You’re welcome.”
Monday comes sooner than I expect it to. I wake up early in the morning to get ready for my first day. I dress in a skirt and blouse with heels before doing my hair and makeup. I glance in the mirror to see that I look nice for my job interview, so I smile and walk out of my room.