The phone call

The phone rang three times before a deep, gravelly voice answered.

"Damian." Arthur's voice carried the usual unyielding weight of a man who spent forty years running a dynasty. "I was wondering when you'd call. Your assistant said you skipped the board meeting today."

"I'm at the estate," Damian said, keeping his tone measured, his eyes resting on Elias, who was now lightly tracing a pattern on the fabric of the sofa.

"I'm calling to let you know I'm taking a few days of personal leave. The firm, you and my assistant can handle the current acquisitions without me."

A heavy, disapproving silence stretched over the line. Damian could hear his father's slow, deliberate breath.

"Personal leave? Why?," Arthur repeated, his tone flat and critical. "Damian, you cannot let your personal life interfere with the firm. I thought after the incident last week, you would have sorted your priorities out."

Damian's jaw tightened. He felt Elias's cool hand come to rest over his knee, a silent, grounding support.

"My priorities are exactly where they need to be, Father," Damian said, his voice dropping into a defensive, dangerous low. "Elias and I are handling things in our own way. I am staying home."

On the other end of the line, Arthur let out a sharp, irritated sigh.

"You are throwing away your schedule for a boy," Arthur said coldly.

"He's a distraction, Damian. He has always been too unstable for the lifestyle you lead. If he wants to act out and cause drama, let him do it on his own time. Don't bring the firm down with him."

"That is enough," Damian snapped, a rare flash of raw anger breaking through his composure. Elias watched him with wide, sympathetic eyes, squeezing his knee reassuringly. "I don't need your advice on my relationship. I have everything I need right here."

"Damian, be reasonable-"

"TIl contact the office on Monday," Damian interrupted coldly, and ended the call.

He set the phone face down on the desk, his chest rising and falling with sharp, agitated breaths.

The intrusion of his family always felt like poison.

A soft weight settled against him. Elias had moved, wrapping his arms around Damian's shoulders from behind, burying his face into the crook of Damian's neck. He felt incredibly light, but the comfort was immediate.

"It's okay," Elias whispered into his skin, his voice a soothing balm against the anger buzzing in Damian's ears. "Let him talk. He doesn't understand how good we are now. We don't need his approval."

Damian closed his eyes, leaning back into the embrace, letting the quiet of the massive house swallow him whole. "No," he murmured, his hands covering Elias's cool fingers. "We don't."

———-

Sorry for the short chapter, everyone! I know this one felt a bit brief, but I wanted to make sure I still delivered something for you. The next update will be longer and more detailed, with better pacing and extra scenes. Thanks so much for your patience and support!

:)

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