Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
GAbrIEL
A s always, I hear him before I see him and prepare myself for the coming onslaught.
“Morning,” a cheerful voice says, breaking my concentration.
I look up and stare at the mirror image of myself standing in the doorway. At six foot two, we are both imposing figures. Caleb’s olive skin is slightly darker than mine as he spends more time outside. However, we have the same dark eyes and prominent cheekbones, a throwback from our Italian heritage. The main difference, however, is Caleb plays on our good looks, while I’d rather sink into the background.
“How’s my alter-ego this morning?” He grins, pushing off the doorframe and entering my office uninvited. He’s always so damn cheerful.
“Working. Something you seem to be averse to,” I say, knowing that statement is an out-and-out lie. Caleb runs his successful property development firm. That’s redeveloping half of the city. He may not be as wealthy as me, but he’s doing his best to catch up.
“Glad to see you got out of bed on the usual side this morning. I’ll probably die of shock if I ever walk in here to a warm, fuzzy welcome,” he says, ignoring me as he drops himself into the chair opposite.
I roll my eyes and grunt before leaning back in my chair. I cross my arms over my chest, staring at my brother. “So, what do I owe this early morning pleasure?”
Caleb’s smile never falters. “I wanted to let you know. I’ve booked us a night out. It’s in your diary. Amanda has just added it.”
I lean forward and pull up the recent addition to my calendar.
Night out with twin...no you can’t cancel it.
Place: Tristan’s Wine Bar.
“Why on earth would I want to go to a wine bar?” I stare across the desk. “Dinner, maybe, but?—”
“Before you go into a full-blown rant, hear me out.” Caleb holds up his hand. “Tristan’s opening a new wine bar around the corner, and he’s invited us to the opening night. As an old friend, he’s asked us to join him and celebrate. We will be supporting him. It’s just a few of us, having a drink, in a bar. A relaxing night out.”
“Tristan’s your friend,” I grumble. “I don’t need to attend.”
Caleb leans back. “Our friend,” Caleb repeats. “When was the last time you went out?”
I drop my gaze. I’m not playing this game with him. “You know I hate socialising,” I say, wiping a speck of something off my desk.
“I heard Rachel got engaged,” Caleb says, my eyes locking with his before I can stop them. I know I’m scowling, but that was low, even for Caleb.
I shrug, fighting against the growing pressure in my chest. “It doesn’t surprise me. She’s met someone who can give her what she wants,” I say, trying to ignore the painful tightness in my chest.
Caleb tilts his head as if trying to analyse me. I hate it when he does that, so I school my features.
“You need to get out and live a little. Get away from your computer and boring spreadsheets!” Caleb jiggles in his chair. “Let your hair down.”
I raise an eyebrow and stare across the desk at my brother. “Why is everyone in our family obsessed with my social life? Let my hair down... really?”
“It’s not that.” Caleb sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “Rachel left you after five years. You were about to propose. Since she left, you never go out. You go from the office to your apartment and back again. All work and no play. You’re twenty-nine, not sixty-nine. You should be out, getting laid.”
“Accept I didn’t go out before she left. So, there’s no change there. It’s actually why she left.” I lower my hands and sit upright, leaning forward. “Red carpet, charity events... not my thing. Crowded pubs and wine bars are definitely not my thing.” I let a visible shudder wrack my body to get my point across. “You, Mother, and whoever else need to stop worrying about me. I’m happy. I’m not interested in having someone invade my life or my privacy. I have friends and date when I need to,” I add.
The women I date are happy with our arrangement. They get a night out and a very satisfying end to the evening. For both parties.
“I’m just saying, would it kill you to come out and have fun with me, your brother, for one night? Apparently, Tristan’s got some new wines coming in he wants us to try,” Caleb cajoles.
I grunt and roll my eyes. “You’re going with that, are you?” Tristan supplies all my wines. I must admit, the man has great taste.
Caleb grins and spreads his arms. “Whatever works,” he says. “I promise if you hate it, you can leave. I won’t force you to stay. Well, not for more than an hour.” He winks before adding. “What harm will a night out with your charming older brother do? You might even have fun. Come on, Mr Pipe and Carpet Slippers, one drink. Tristan will be really pleased to see you. And if it’s truly awful, then I’ll let you leave. Then it’s all the more for me.” His expression turns serious. “You’re never going to meet anyone if you don’t at least try.”
I drop my chin to my chest and shake my head. He’s right. It can’t hurt, and it has been a while since I last saw Tristan. If I agree now, I can guarantee another six months’ grace.
“Okay. But if it’s awful, then I’m out of there.”
I send him a look that lets him know I’m serious, and his grin gets wider. “Don’t worry. It will be a life-changing evening,” Caleb chuckles, getting up.
“Really?” I say sarcastically, knowing my brother has something up his sleeve.
“Look at it this way. You’ve got six months until Mum’s birthday and The Frazer Foundation weekend,” Caleb adds. “If you don’t have a date by then, it will be open season on your ass. All Mother’s friends with their single daughters.” Caleb lets out an exaggerated shudder, clearly for my benefit. “Just think about it. You’re wealthy, share my stunningly good looks, and I hate to say it, brother, but you’re a catch . Even if you don’t want to be.”
I glare at him over my desk, but I know he’s right. My brother is a babe magnet. They flock to him, often multiples at a time, like moths to a flame. It’s never been any different. The social climbers, however, know he’s a lothario, while I’m the quieter, more sensible twin. Obtainable, perfect marriage material, I think one mother described me as. It’s why I avoid these things like the plague. Only Mother’s birthday weekend is non-negotiable.
A knock sounds at my office door, making us both look up.
Caleb looks down at his watch before meeting my gaze and grinning. “Right on time... Come in, Leah,” he calls out.
The door opens, and Leah, my communications officer and right hand, enters. She is the consummate professional in her tailored suits and never a hair out of place.
“Hi, Gabriel, I just wanted to remind you. You have a ten-thirty meeting,” Leah says, looking over at me.
“Hi, Leah,” Caleb says, giving her his most dazzling smile, which she returns with one of her own.
“Hi, Caleb.”
I watch their exchange, my stomach hardening. No, and double no. Leah is off limits, especially to my brother. Before I know it, I’m on my feet.
“It’s okay, I’m just leaving,” Caleb says, returning his attention to me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’ve got my own meeting to attend. Some of us do actual work for a living.”
Leah’s eyes flit to my brother before coming to rest on me. “Are you ready for our meeting?” she asks politely. “I can come back later.”
“No, I’m leaving.” Caleb walks towards the door before turning at the last minute. “Remember Friday, Gabriel. No excuses, even if I have to drag your sorry ass kicking and screaming. You are coming.”
Leah waits silently in the doorway as he approaches. “Such impeccable timing, as always, Leah,” he says, shooting her a wink before turning around to face me. “Do you know Gabe? Leah is one of the few people who can tell us apart. It’s a shame she has a fiancé. ”
A rosy tint appears high on Leah’s cheeks, and she drops her gaze.
Strange.
Caleb stops next to her. “Leah, if you ever get bored with working for my grumpy little brother, you can come and work for me,” he says, drawing her attention to his face.
I pick up my stress ball and throw it at my brother’s head. He ducks, leaving the ball to fly out the door and into the main office. Hitting a nearby cubicle wall with a thump. Caleb stares at me wide-eyed before doubling over and laughing.
“I think that’s my cue to leave,” Caleb says, dashing out the door, leaving Leah staring at me, open-mouthed.
“Less of the little brother. You’re only ten minutes older than me,” I say loudly at his retreating back, only to hear his laughter. “And stop trying to poach my staff. Find your own.”
Leah peers around the doorway, watching Caleb leave. “See you Friday. Bye, Leah,” he shouts, causing everyone on the office floor to raise their heads and stare at him.
“Always has to be the centre of attention,” I mutter, sitting back down.
“Did you say something?” Leah asks, a frown appearing between her brows.
“It’s nothing,” I say, waving my hand in the air. “Although, care to explain what Caleb meant?” I ask.
Leah looks at the ground, her hand going to her wrist where she usually wears her bangle. I notice it’s something she does when she’s thinking or feels unsure. Instead, she pinches the skin before letting it go. She clearly forgot to put it on this morning.
“Er...” A flush creeps up her cheeks as her eyes return to mine.
I let out a loud sigh, her eyes flying to mine. “What did he do? ”
Leah shrugs. Her mask of professionalism back in place. “He came into my office and pretended to be you.”
“What?”
Anger bubbles in my chest. What had my brother been thinking? How dare he come into my place of work and mess with my staff?
“It’s fine. He did nothing improper. He tried to pretend to be you. I think he wanted to see if I really could tell the difference between you.”
Most people can’t, even with our very different personalities. Even our family has difficulty if we want them to. Can Leah really tell us apart?
Interesting.
“Yes. You’re very different. I don’t know how or why. But I don’t see identical twins when I look at you. I’ve always seen a difference. It came as a shock to me that people struggle to tell you apart.”
My breath catches. Shit, does Leah fancy Caleb? I need to nip this in the bud. I’m not losing my communications officer because my brother can’t keep it in his pants. Although I’m sure Leah has better taste than liking Caleb. It’s not like she doesn’t know what a man-whore he is.
As Leah reaches the door to leave, she turns back and grins, “I think Caleb’s onto our fake meeting.”
I can’t prevent the smirk that tips my lips, especially when Leah’s eyes widen in surprise.
“He is, but he loves turning up unannounced and disrupting my day. Our meeting keeps him honest and gets him out of my hair. If anything, he probably relies on it to ensure he’s not late for his own meeting.”
I’m not being entirely honest. We both know what we're doing with this dance of pretence. He stops by when he wants to check up on me as he knows I can’t hide from him in the office. I'm thankful Caleb knows my limits and doesn't stay long on his impromptu visits. I appreciate him taking time out of his busy schedule to ensure I commune with the real world, and don’t get lost in my spreadsheets. Our little scheme to get rid of him is brotherly banter, him being the sociable brother, me the anti-social. He’s just never let Leah know before.
“Is there anything else you need before I get back to work?” Leah asks, pulling me back into the present.
I shake my head and watch as she approaches the door.
“How’s the Callahan presentation going?”
Leah stops and turns, stepping further into the room. “The presentation is complete. I’m about to send it across for your final approval. Jim and Stephan have already checked it. The client pack is almost complete. I was uploading the latest performance reports. I should have it done by the end of the day.”
As efficient as always. I know the presentation and pack will be perfect.
“Callahan will be a huge win for us,” I say unnecessarily. Leah has been with me from the beginning. She knows the importance of clients like Callahan. She has a way of dealing with even the most powerful and irate clients. She has a look, and then they are Leah’d. She calms situations down and takes control.
“On it,” she says, turning away.
“Leah, is everything alright?” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. Something about her seems –off.
She freezes. “Everything’s fine. I’ll get the presentation sent across as soon as possible.”
I watch her leave. I really will have words with my brother about him poaching Leah.