Chapter Text
At first they thought it had been the cleaning staff.
The door was ajar. The carpet had been shifted ever so slightly out of place. Curtains were more drawn than they had been before. Maybe some last-minute deep-clean had been ordered before the landmark gala or something.
But that couldn’t be right. The bed was still unmade. No one playing janitor for Fairfax Industries would be caught dead doing such a messy job, much less leaving something out of place. No, they would never do something so careless.
(The cleaning staff are fine. Frankly, they’re grateful for the work those people do.)
They’re no stranger to people barging in whenever they please, certainly, but this...
Well. It becomes obvious right away, doesn’t it? Someone snuck in, not wanting them to know they’d been here. Things have been rearranged. Ergo, someone was looking for something. Something they both knew was worth hiding.
And if their hunch is correct, the bastard left empty-handed.
...If it were something smaller, though--maybe they should double check that things are in order. Just in case. Lord knows they won’t have time tomorrow.
Right now though, with any luck, they’ll have the night to themself. A chance to relax for once would be nice--
--they think, just as someone knocks loudly on their bedroom door.
They know this noise. Maybe ‘not just someone’ is a little more accurate.
Ugh.
The remaining barrier of wood and brass is swiftly removed as their father lets himself in. “Arin--oh good. You’re here. You’re hard to pin down lately, aren’t you?”
They go about examining their bedding. “Does my door lock, or not?”
“My heir can’t handle his own bedroom door. How sad is that?”
Their jaw tightened. “What. Do you want?”
“Have your speech written by this evening. You’re getting up at 5 tomorrow.”
“I know.” (They’ve been... tempted to throw the speech entirely. Write something stupid or violent into it just to make a scene. It’s the only thing that hasn’t been prepared for them by someone else.) “I’ve known for months. I didn’t forget.”
“Well, that’s good to hear, because I haven’t seen you all day.”
“Funny, neither have I.”
“Arin.”
“What.”
“Look at me.”
They don’t. At least, not until a hand claps onto their shoulder (-!!) and turns them a full one-eighty.
“You are going to take this seriously. For once. Do you hear me?” (Their father had always been a looming figure. Tonight was no exception.)
“Wha--of course I am!”
“Are you?”
“Yes! It’s my inheritance!”
“Then act like it. It’s your gala. Show everyone that you’re a Fairfax.”
“I...” They huffed. “Okay, then have my fucking suit pressed by 5 too so I don’t take two hours to get dressed properly. Whatever.”
“...” Their father stood there quietly a moment longer, before stepping back and chuckling to himself. “Right, certainly. We’ll have that taken care of then, Mr. Fairfax.”
Ugh. (...At least he’s backing off.)
They don’t want to admit it, but... they need the landmark ceremony to go smoothly. It’s their first step towards gaining any real power over this vile company: recognition that they’re an adult. Recognition that they’re the heir.
They’re taking it exceedingly seriously, which is exactly why they stopped sharing corporate plans with their family.
...They’ve just also had other things on their mind.
“Where’s that satchel of yours, Arin?”
“What?”
“Your time-waster. I expected to see you prodding at it.”
“...I got bored of it. Tossed it over the river bank.”
“Did you now?”
“Yeah, go fish it up yourself. Leave me alone, father. I’ve got a landmark gala to attend tomorrow.”
“...That you do. I’m glad to hear you acknowledge it.”
They don’t grace that comment with a response.
“Ms. Ha will be there. But surely you knew that already.”
Nor that one.
“...Alright then, I’ll leave you alone. Clearly you’re busy. I’ll speak with you tomorrow. Happy birthday, Arin.”
They don’t bother so much as moving from where they stood until he’s finally gone, and the door is shut once more.
Happy birthday indeed.
Their father is an irritating man and a criminal--what a blessed day it’ll be when he isn’t in charge anymore. Arin Fairfax has plans for this place, detailed and well-prioritized. They’re one step closer to clearing out the viper’s nest.
Starting tomorrow, things are going to change at Fairfax Industries.