Alex nodded his head and sat down again. He was still a responsible businessman and captain of industry. He would carry out his duties to the letter. Tie up all loose ends.
"Of course Mr. Drummond. This is between you and me. I owe it to everyone I've worked with at Drummond Corporation to make it a smooth transition. I never intended anything different."
"Good." The old man muttered. "It's your legal contractual duty as well, so don't you forget that, boy." He turned to his other son who quickly erased the satisfied smirk from his face.
"Now you -- tell me, what's this girl to you?"
"She has a name, father." Alex said.
"Okay." His father sighed irritably. "Sebastian, this girl -- Melanie -- what is she to you?"
"Nothing." He said instantly. Alex couldn't believe his ears. His brother was a consummate liar. One month ago, he would never have thought it possible as he swore love to Melanie on the beach. He shook his head in disbelief.
"Did you fuck her as well?" His father asked.
"Certainly not. She's an employee. Nothing would induce me to break corporate rules father, to say nothing of your personal wishes, and certainly not with some little flight attendant. My God, the very thought is ridiculous. Do you think I would risk the girl losing her job just to satisfy a temporary need on a desert island?"
"What do you have to say to this, Alex? Is it true? Were you the only one who couldn't control his lust? Or did Sebastian make a play but you beat him to it, the way you beat him at everything else?"
Alex considered his response. Somehow, he still loved his little brother. Somehow, he still believed in him, that he would eventually come around. Even if Sebastian were content to hang his own brother out to dry, he would not be a party to the same behavior.
"I can't speak for him, father. If you don't trust him, then that's your choice. I've told you my relationship to Melanie and that's all that counts."
"Very well then." He nodded his head. "Let's have the girl in as well."
Alex's heart began to beat rapidly, his palms growing moist with perspiration. Melanie would soon know just how real his love for her was. This was it: the real moment of truth. She would see exactly what he was giving up to be with her. No more confusion, no more muddy lies from Sebastian to complicate things; just the pure honest to God truth.
Meanwhile, Sebastian examined his fingernails and prepared himself for what was to come. He was nearly there. Sure, Melanie might be temporarily moved by Alex. But he would lay the foundations for her eventual return to him, as surely as he had maneuvered her into being their flight attendant on the trip to Tahiti, as deftly as he had taken her to bed on the plane, and as expertly as he had taken her on the island while his brother lay sleeping. Everything in good time.