chapter 11: Just a replacement

Kaino's POV

"Are you nervous?" I ask Parker as he and I get down the car and walk into building where Parker is going to get appointed as CEO today.

"No." He says but I could tell he's lying by the shiver in his voice and nervous look in his eyes.

Knowing he's anxious about today's event which is going to happen in few minutes, I lace our palms together and hold his hand in mine to make him feel better and let him know that I'm right here with him. At my gesture, he glance at me and I smile in assurance. He seems a bit relaxed and releases a sigh of relief before giving me a small nod. Tightening our hands he smiles at our parents when he sees them waiting for us at the lobby.

It's been a week since Parker has told me about his decision to start working. The next day we called father and discussed the same with him. To say he was happy and overwhelmed would be an understatement. His happiness was out of the world. It took us few minutes to calm him down and when we did, Parker told him to arrange a date. Father said he would arrange everything that's necessary and that he would inform us. After two days he called and informed the date. And thus we're here today. As today is monday I took a leave so that I can attend the ceremony.

"Good morning." Parker and I greet them and they nod at us with a smile.

"Good morning." Father says before he talks further, "Parker, are you nervous?"

"A little but I'm fine." Parker replies taking side glances at me.

"Don't be. There won't be many people, only the managers and Department heads are going to attend the meeting." Father assures while patting his shoulder.

"Come on, let's get going." Mother urges us and we make our way to the elevator.

Getting in, father press the button to tenth floor where the meeting to introduce Parker is going to take place. It takes us a minute and when we reach the floor, we step out and walk to the meeting room. The guard who stands there opens the door for us and when we enter I see everyone is already here. All the chairs have been occupied by people expect those where we are going to sit. I take a look at Parker to see him staring at everyone as he gulps nervously. Once again I intertwine our hands as I walk us to the chairs. Mother, Parker and I take a seat as father stays standing.

"Good morning all. As you all know the reason behind today's meeting is to introduce to you all the head CEO of the company. You all know Parker as he already worked here before, from today on he's going to be the CEO and handles everything on my behalf along with the co-ceo Ean." Father says earning claps from the people in the room.

"Parker, come and address the gathering." When father asks him to speak, Parker stands up from his seat and slowly walks to the mic.

Father steps aside to give place for Parker but stands behind him so that he won't freak out in middle. Parker screens his eyes all over the room looking at everyone before his stare fix on me. I smile at him in assurance and encourage him to speak. He gives me a slight nod before setting the mic to his level as he begins to speak.

"Good morning everyone. If there's anyone who don't know me, my name is Parker. As father said from today on I'll be acting as the CEO and taking care of every single thing regarding work. Hope you all take good care of me. Thank you." He finishes and hurriedly walks back as others clap.

Father then continues to speak about other important things about the business and after few minutes the meeting comes to an end. One by one everyone hands flowers and bouquets to Parker and shake their hands as they congratulate him.

"I'll be back in a minute." I whisper softly to him so others won't get disturbed.

"Where are you going?" He asks me, almost in panic.

"I'm just going to washroom." I state and he nods before he turns to accept the flowers from the guy.

I leave the meeting cabin and walk in the hallway in search of washroom. I find one at the end of the hallway and enter inside. I feel headache creeping over and wanted to wash my face. Turning on the tap I gather water in my hands and splash it over my face. I repeat the same for few times before I turn off the tap and grab the tissue to dry off. Looking at myself in the mirror, I feel little better so I make myself out. Just before I open the door I hear voices outside and though I know eavesdropping is bad I still listen to the conversation when I hear Parker's name.

"Well, because our director doesn't have an heir anymore he made his son's, our former CEO's, lover the CEO of the company and making him take over everything." A voice says, mostly in whispers.

"I know. Without the qualifications and the standard he became the owner just because he loved the director's son. Parker is lucky!" Says another voice making me frown.

As much as I know Parker have enough qualifications to become a CEO. And the standard they're talking about, what is it even?

"Not only the company but he also managed to get someone who looks exactly like his lost lover. He's really lucky." The previous voice states and a small laughter erupts after that.

"He indeed is. But the guy, who's rumoured to be our former CEO's twin brother, I feel bad for him." My frown increases at his words.

Why would he feel sorry for me?

"Why?" The other guy asks him.

"Because he married Parker. He married a guy who loved someone. We all know how much Parker loved our boss and I believe he would never love someone the same way again. It just seems impossible. So, the twin brother has to live his life without able to feel the love. He's just a replacement. Parker would never love him like he did to our boss." The guy explains.

"Hmm! We don't have to think about that. Its not our business." The other guy says before the door gets open.

I stand in the little space between the door and the wall. Once they walk further inside, I quickly leave the washroom. Walking back to the meeting room, I find it empty expect for our parents and Parker standing in the middle of the room.

"Oh! Kaino, you're here." Parker says in relief as he walks to me.

He's just a replacement. Parker would never love him like he did to our boss.

I don't know why but just seeing him reminded me of those words the guy spoke in the washroom.

"Kaino." He calls me out when I stay silent.

"Huh!" I respond coming out of my trance as I shake my head.

"Is something wrong?" He queries while gazing at me worriedly.

"No, nothing is wrong." I reply before asking further, "did everyone finish congratulating?"

"Yeah. Everything is over now. You can take Parker home. From tomorrow he'll attend the company." Father answers my question as he and mother make their way to us.

"Okay." I tell him before looking at Parker, "should we get going?"

To my question, Parker nods at me so we leave the company before bidding our goodbyes to our parents. The drive to our house is filled with utter silence. No word from either of us. Not even the radio is playing because when I turned it on, Parker stopped it abruptly. Thinking maybe he didn't want to listen to the radio, I let it be off. After a very uncomfortable drive, for the first time I have been with him, we finally reach our house. Parking the car in it's place, we get into the house. Seeing us, pup runs to us immediately something which he always does when we go out and come back. Being alone he feels happy and gets excited when he sees us.

"Did you miss us?" Parker coos as he bends down a little and picks pup up and pup licks his face all over.

Though I'm the one who meet pup first he seems to attached to Parker more. Maybe because they get to spend more time together as Parker was at home until now. Whatever reason it is, it's good. Atleast he's making Parker feel better in my absence.

As he gets busy with pup, I make my way to our shared room and walk directly to the bathroom to take a shower. My head is still arching, infact it's hurting more than before now. I quickly take a shower and dry myself before putting on some casual clothes and laying on the bed.

"He's just a replacement. Parker would never love him like he did to our boss."

Those words resurface in my mind as I close my eyes. How much ever I want to forget and not think about it, I just can't seem to forget about it. In all honestly those words shouldn't bother me and it wouldn't if I didn't start feel something for Parker. But now that I'm developing some feelings towards Parker, though it's still at beginning stage, those went straight to my heart. Every word that guy spoke is true. Parker loved my brother like his life, though I didn't see it I know how much they mean to each other. What was I even thinking? Just because he's being close to me, I shouldn't get my hopes high. Of course, I'm just a replacement of my brother and nothing more than that.

"Whats wrong? Are you not feeling well?" Parker's sudden voice brings me out of my thoughts as I jerk up and open my eyes.

"No. I'm fine." I tell him while sitting up and he walks into the room before sitting next to me.

"You're lying!" He states looking at me sternly, "you have been like this since you came back from washroom at the company. Did something happen there? Kaino, you know, right, you can tell me anything."

He asks me worriedly and I almost spill out what I'm thinking. However, I stop myself before I could spill out because it's not right for me to tell him about what I heard. What if he takes it in wrong way and effects his health? So, I contemplate my decision and decide otherwise.

"Its really nothing, Parker. I have a slight headache so I just wanted to rest." I tell him, there's no lie in my words it's just that it's not the whole truth.

"I'll bring some coffee for you." He says and hurriedly leaves the room.

He returns back few minutes later and hands me a cup of hot coffee. I inhale the aroma before taking a slip and letting out a sigh as the hot liquid pass down my throat. I finish the coffee before it gets cold and hand back the cup to Parker who sat beside me.

"Take some rest, I'll wake you up after preparing lunch." He states as he covers me with the blanket and walks out of the room.

I sigh as I lean back onto the bed. I married Parker because of my promise to my brother. He's just my responsibility. I shouldn't think more than that and grow feeling towards him. Like they said, to Parker I'm just my brother's replacement. Though it hurts, it's the truth. I'm just my brother's replacement.