44. Omniscient
Chapter forty-four
Omniscient
E ugene walked into his home with a heavy sigh as he finally let the heavy weight of the outside lift off of his shoulders. Dealing with Calvin, his sister, and everything else was beginning to take a toll on him. He just wanted to spend the day with his daughter and wife without being bothered for at least a few hours.
Juliet walked out of the kitchen, and Eugene could see, from a mile away, the look on her face was telling him that something was horribly wrong. Before he could approach her and ask what it was, he heard the sound of his daughter giggling. He looked over to Juliet questioningly, but eventually, the potential reason for her hesitancy began to dawn on him.
“I’ll be right back,” he promised as he walked towards his daughter’s room.
He pushed open the door and heard the little girl squeal.
“Daddy!!” she yelled happily, and he caught her in his arms with a small smile as he locked eyes with Calvin, who sat at the window seat.
“Hey, sweetheart. How has your morning been?” Eugene asked, and she smiled.
“Good! I showed Uncle Cal my princess drawings, and he said if I’m good, he will buy me a real princess tiara for Christmas!!” she beamed with a smile, and Eugene tried to show just a bit of excitement for her, although it was proving to be more difficult than he anticipated.
“Really? That sounds so exciting, sweetie. How about you ask Mommy if she needs any help making lunch.”
She nodded quickly and wiggled out of his grip as she ran to the kitchen.
Eugene ran his hands through his hair as Calvin said nothing.
“I-I know. I know, dammit. It’s been months, and I’m not giving you results, but I promise: I’m trying to locate them, but it’s getting harder. I know Luca is planning something with Stephan, but at this point, I feel like my head is everywhere… Please, Calvin. I just need a little more time,” he ranted quickly, and Calvin stared, emotionless.
“Eugene. I have been doing a bit of thinking lately… and it seems as though I have been rather lenient with you,” he began, and Eugene could feel his heart beating much faster as the man continued. “But I simply cannot make you too afraid of me because, from the look on Juliet’s face when I stepped in earlier, I’m sure the two of you talk about fleeing the country at least once a night. Am I wrong?”
Eugene didn’t say anything as he was entirely correct.
“We both know I’d find you if you left, but to be honest, I’d rather use that time wisely instead of running after you… Meaning, I’m giving you a chance, Eugene. If you fuck this up, there will be no more second chances or miracles. Things will not end in your favor. Am I understood?” he asked, and Eugene gave one firm nod.
Hearing the pitter-patter of feet, Melanie ran back into the room with a smile.
“Lunch is ready! Uncle Cal, are you going to stay?” she asked, and he shook his head.
“Not today, sweetpea. I have somewhere to be, but I’ll be sure to stay another time.”
Eugene watched as Calvin stood up, and his daughter ran over to the man who was making their lives a living hell. He picked her up, chuckling as she hugged him, and he let her down as she ran out of the room.
“Hurry, Daddy!” she yelled.
Eugene gave Calvin one last glance. The look in his eyes held a mixed emotion. It was both a “Thank you” and a “Fuck you,” but Calvin nodded, understanding that he deserved the latter more than the first.
Showing himself out, he paused for a moment as he gazed into the room that Eugene was in, and he watched and listened for a little as Eugene explained to Juliet how he was going to be out of the house more than usual. Calvin was slightly concerned as he didn’t want Juliet to know what was entirely going on, but he had good faith that Eugene wouldn’t tell every detail of the plan.
Exiting the home, his driver brought the car around to the mansion’s roundabout, and he got inside. He sat back in his seat and sighed when his phone began ringing.
Picking it up, he held it to his ear. “How can I help you, Porter?” he asked.
Blaine couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He hissed softly as Shin smacked him, and Calvin waited impatiently as Blaine had yet to say a word.
“Calvin… buddy, how have you been?” he asked.
Calvin sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Porter. I’m not in the mood.”
“Fine. Just listen then… We’re having dinner once again to make up for the shitshow of one the other night, and there, we will attempt to bring up our business together with Killian.”
Calvin thought for a moment, partially thinking about how upset Brielle was at the last two that ended poorly. “And why would you do that?” he asked, feeling oddly protective of her feelings.
“Because I can’t lie to him, and he’s starting to scare me because I’m not telling him why I invited you to our last dinner,” Blaine admitted, and Calvin tilted his head.
“It seems as though you are truly keen on settling things between us, Blaine. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it seems as though you may actually have a brain.”
Blaine chuckled as he did his best to keep his growing anger at bay, and he sighed. “ You wouldn’t be wrong about that.”
Calvin thought about it a bit longer and sighed internally.
“How about I arrange something in my home? It’ll be both professional and somewhat relaxed, just so we don’t have to go through the same ordeal if another dispute or argument ensues.”
“That sounds perfect. Now, I was going over who should be there, and I was wondering, do you think Eugene should come? I mean, with what happened last time, it seems like we should rethink if he should be in the same room as Brielle again,” Blaine asked.
Calvin could already tell why he’d asked the question. It had nothing to do with Brielle, but it was clear Blaine always had suspicions of him and Eugene working with one another. His jaw clenched slightly as he responded, “That will be entirely up to you. I wouldn’t want to be forcing Brielle in the same room with him again if they are ignoring one another.”
“All right... so I guess he will be there.”
“Oh, and just one more thing,” Calvin interjected, and Blaine listened. “Do you mind inviting Kitten to dinner? It’s been so long since I’ve seen my goddaughter .”
Blaine didn’t respond promptly, and Calvin knew he hit a nerve.
“...That can be arranged,” Blaine hissed, wanting to get off the phone, and Calvin smiled.
“Splendid. Keep in touch, will you?” Calvin finished, but Blaine had already ended the call.
Shin gazed over to Blaine, who looked furious, and he sighed.
“Blaine—”
“Not now, Daddy Shang. This fucker is getting under my skin, and he’s trying to get me to crack. He fucking knows we’re on to him,” Blaine muttered as he looked off to the side as they sat in his home office.
“Listen, Blaine. We need to remain calm and collected. If we want enough evidence, his comments cannot affect you, because you may accidentally lash out at him and spill the truth…”
Blaine groaned as he placed his head on the table.
“Lying to Kiki is physically hurting me. I’ve been avoiding him, and every time we’re together, I have to tell him some other truth I’ve been keeping from him.”
“What else have you been hiding from him?” Shin asked, and Blaine shrugged.
“I once accidentally saw him and Brielle in their office—”
Before he could continue, Shin shook his head as he held up his hand.
“Spare me the details, will you?”