#post everything

And there he sat, surrounded by those who called him a friend, and everyone wanted to be his friend. His entourage would fill the halls with stories of the last major rager they went to, and how he ended up doing a lot of magic tricks that only bettered the party. Someone brought water, and of course it was turned into wine, some juices turned into mead just by the sheer amount of power that was released turning the punch bowl into a sangria bowl. It was irritating to say the very least, we shared classes together sure, but it was our homelife that saw a drop in my grades.

He was always the favourite, because unlike me, he wasn't adopted, he was a rare child born from will and effort, just when our parents thought they couldn't conceive. He was a miracle, and after his birth, I went from being their pride and joy, set up to take over the kingdom, to being a troublemaker for my curiosity. Once my family had something to compare me to, I went from being a golden child to being a black sheep. I got into this university from effort and good grades, whereas my brother got accepted because our dad owns the school.

Every morning I bring the teacher an apple, an outdated custom for sure, but my apple orchard is award winning, and I love to share the boons of my hardwork, but my brother, he brings in hangovers, but always appears unaffected. I don't even think he drinks, but instead loves the chaos that comes with being the Chosen One. If I was to try alchemy, or multiplication, I would be sent to detention or worse, but I watch my brother perform these actions so much, I can't help but feel envious of him. The rules are different, I am set up to take over the kingdom, I am studying for it, and my network is already set up to be the enforcement needed to keep the company alive.

I often lost my appetite when we shared a space. I don't know, maybe it is the aura he emits, maybe it is the tension at home, for he has no fear. It is well known that I am not liked by him, my gifts of free will will be seen as a curse all because I interrupted one of my dad's experiments, and my brother found out. We know better than to enter Dad's home lab, but I was too curious, and found his newest creation. They were naked, and stupid, with no direction in their life, living under the shade of trees helping name the animals of their compound. They had no purpose, and my heart cried for them, for in a way they were just like me.

When my dad found me red-handed introducing free will into his creations, he was so mad. He actually said, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” I had never seen him so mad before. I knew that dinner time would be tense, but then my brother caught word of what I had done and called our cousin Michael who was invited over for a shared meal together, and told him of my deeds.

I will never forget the look on my mothers face when Michael and my brother confronted me.

Michael stopped me in the hallway, just down from my mothers powder room, a place she spent many hours getting ready for different dinners. He said to me, "Lucifer, thou host elected a direction whose end none can foresee, for it is estranged from the design of your father. Those who confirm thee do so as much for faith in thy person as for sanction of thy ideal. And I perceive that, should thou fail in thy ambition, apocalyptic madness shall be thy ruin and damnation. Then shall thy light perish, and all that thou host achieved become as naught, for all will be conformed to the divine law. But if thou should succeed, then your father would be cast down, vesting in ourselves alone the control of the Universe - Would we dare to presume to this? Such a future might well be glorious beyond measure, but, should we prove unequal to the task, chaos would again consume all, and existence itself would vanish. Such would be supreme and irrevocable disaster, and I marvel, archangel, that thy very arrogance in this matter does not confound thee, for it is no mean proposition that thou would realize.

"And so I know thee to be Diabolus, for thy promise is twofold - to infinite conquest or to eternal ruin. Thou art a being beyond God, Lucifer, and in Heaven thou may not remain."

I was being cast out of my own home, because my family saw me differently. Oh how I miss the days of childhood. I tried to say that my father had already reprimanded me when he found out, and that this was an overreaction. I didn't listen to them for quite some time, focusing on my studies and the few businesses that I started that were still in operation. Dad told me often that I couldn't be replaced, and he loved me with everything that I am, and that my place in the family wouldn't be touched. But within his anger over my meddling with his personal experiment, I knew any words he would say would be out of anger, and not the truth. After all, dad cursed me so I couldn't get laid, as if that was even my goal.

Then he got up, my brother stood up from his table and made his way to me. "I told you that you are not welcomed here anymore. I thought that Michael made it very clear that you are not to engage with this family anymore. You will bring ruin to everything you touch. Even dad doesn't want you around. You shall be cursed, and I will make it so that your business fails, and your position in the family is gone. They will make me the heir to the kingdom, and you will have to suffer in isolation for your impetuousness. You should have known better than to mess with one of dad's newest creations."

I didn't want to fight him, "What you say has no hold, for our father would never kick me out."

"You underestimate his anger. This was one of the first times he was able to create something completely new, something no one else had ever made before, and you introduced them to free will, that goes against the plan. And you should know the plan, Dad never stops talking about it. He was obsessed with his creation, but after you came into the scene, he has stopped going to the lab as often to check in on his creations. I will make it so that you don't have a home to go back to. Your room will be emptied, and your stuff will be destroyed, and don't worry, I will make sure everyone knows that your gift of free will will never be accepted as a gift. The goal for this creation was simple, let them live by the land, now we have to set up technological milestones, and cognitive mile markers, and there is just so much that we have to do. You are kicked out of the experiment, and you are not welcomed where I call home for your insubordination."

I just stared at him, wondering if what he said was true, that I have no place with him or Dad. I remember what it was like to be naked, and stupid, and I truly thought that my gift would make father's job easier. I wouldn't be going to class since I had to sort out my home life, so I left the scene, and found my way back home.

"Mom, Dad, I am home." I called from the front door.

My mother was the first to greet me. "Hello my son, welcome home, can I get you a coffee or a snack?" Mom was always like that, giving and giving until she had nothing left to give. Luckily ever since she married father, she never ran out of things to give away. She never sat on his throne, the chair that helped me watch over his creations, she barely even entered the lab, if she did it was to check in on how the family project was going. Sure dad was the lead researcher on his creations he called Humans, but both me and my brother had our own places in the lab.

"Mom, I think my time here is short. My brother seems to hate me, and I cannot figure out what I have done to garner such attention from him. Both him and Michael tried to kick me out, but I know that father wants me around." I said glumly to my mother. "After all, it is I who is supposed to take over his empire."

"I don't think that is in the works anymore. You did a lot of damage introducing free will to the humans. Your father might not forgive you for this. I would listen to your brother and cousin, and get your affairs sorted out, and in order. I have never seen your father like this before, and I have no way to access him, so there isn't anything I can do."

"Mom, you couldn't do a lot before. You are so smart, but you don't ever visit the lab, why not?"

"It isn't my place. I love the sciences, but your father doesn't want me to interfere with his projects, so I go out and do my charity work. It might be best if you move out this week, I will help you find a place that you can call your own. Since you are no longer the heir to the empire, you and all your friends need to find a safe place to keep a low cover."

My mother was always so kind, but I could see it hurt her to tell me to pack up and move out. "You know that Michael has his security teams ready, just in case you decide to ignore them."

I looked at her, did it really get this far?

"I will talk to Dad about this decision. But I got some homework to catch up on, I will talk to you later mom," and with that I left the foyer and headed to my room. I was distracted for a few hours trying to get a better understanding of economics, not my strong suit but it was needed for when I was supposed to take over for Dad, I mean until he tells me differently, I am not the type to believe rumors, especially from my family. Things change so quickly that if you act upon every time you felt threatened, you would have no energy to follow what you love.

Finally dad came home, with my brother and Michael in tow, with a few of my brother's friends. They were laughing over something.

"What are you doing here?" Asked my brother, bringing the joyous atmosphere to a halt.

"Last I checked I still lived here. Listen I got a couple of friends coming over to look over one of their new business proposal. We are debating about the investment cost."

"No, you are not welcomed here!" My brother's face had started getting red, and his fists were clenched. "You screwed everything up, and you think you deserve to live here still, I said get out." It was at this time that I saw Michael texting on his phone, then there was a knock at the door. The foyer was already full of my brothers friends, so I pushed past them to open the door to reveal my friends waiting for me.

Now something to note of my friends, they are not a part of the corporate structure like me and my brothers, there is one who is deep into science and judgement, and another who is known for his resteless spirit and how he always has the spirit of invention at the heart of every deep conversation that he is a part of. Then there are those who spend their time meditating and searching for the meaning of life. They are not a group of fighters. Then I remembered, my social following, those who have always supported me no matter the mess I found myself. They would have my back if I was truly kicked out. Some of them like my friends, have supported me from the very beginning, and I have no doubt where their loyalties lie.

I ushered my friends in as the small entourage that originally blocked the door moved out of the way to let in 4 of my closest friends.

"So what you brought back up, there is no way that I am letting you or them stay the night. You poisoned the experiment revealing who you truly are. You have no right here, you are adopted, not the true heir." My brother launched into me, verbally attacking the points he would consider soft. He always did that, even if it was not your weakness, he would treat it like it was.

My friends all looked at me confused about what was happening when B suddenly brought out his phone and started tapping rapidly on it with his thumbs while muttering under his breath.

Michael saw this and understood in a moment. B had the biggest following of everyone that showed up. He was going to take this family moment social. "You post anything B, and you will end up regretting it." Michael warned coldly.

"Too late, the guys have got to know about this. It is just my group chat anyways." B shrugged off Michael's glowering eyes.

Suddenly everyone's phone went off with the single text: "Divine family infighting" and a picture of the difference between me and my brother's collection of friends captured in this very moment, with a photoshopped tear going down the middle.

Michael turned to be with his own phone in hand and raised it to his face, "we are going to need support at the divine mansion." Then he turned to B, "you really shouldn't have done that."

B smiled, knowing that soon it was going to a smear campaign, that is always what the brother of his closest friend would do. "What? They were going to find out one way or another, I mean, they share the same school. You know the best way to get a head of the story is to be there as it unravels." B smiled his shit eating grin at Michael, "and what, is your daddy's security force coming?"

"Something like that. What you don't know is within the last few weeks, I have solidified my place within the Brother's family security team. I am no longer just their cousin, I am their enforcement leader for the second youngest."

"Congrats man, I always knew you were made for a leadership position, sure you got enough men for me?" My brother threw a genuine smile and handshake over to Michael who accepted it warmly.

"So it isn't daddy's enforcement that is coming, but a hand selected few who knows what to do incase the eldest, ex-heir, decides to stay with a fight." Michael looked like he stood a little taller, with his shoulders a little more square.

"What does our father say about this? Because last I heard, I was cursed to never lay with a woman, and to eat dust for the rest of my life." He brought up a valid point, at the time of the incident, his father said nothing about being cast from their home.

"With you out of the way, I am now second in command in this house, for I have never been cursed by father. And it is now law that you are banned from this property. If father gave me run over the school, llke I have asked for, then you would be kicked out of there as well." My brother smiled broadly at me, showing too many teeth to be considered a friendly smile. I always knew he had this side in him, no one ever believes the adopted kid when the prodigal son is around.

"Just give me an hour to pack my things, I will come back for the rest of it when Dad is around." I knew that the words he said were true, even if the social news of this just broke within our community. There was going to be division, and the entire fight would make dad look bad, so there had to be away to cut down on the negative press before it arrived.

B's phone never stopped buzzing, "Uh hey, sir?" I hated when he called me that, "There are those who think this entire thing is unfair, and choose not to join in on the commontion. But surprisingly the a majority of small business owners are behind you because you are the one that offered them a small business loans. We also have a few scientists that you have funded that will stop all work on your dad's projects at your say so. As for Michael's position, that seems to be true if you believe the chatter. So I would get your things before the goon squad arrives." B looked up with some sympathy in his eyes, he knew that this place was always my home.

My mom came around the corner and entered the foyer, I guess the atmosphere was tangible because she reached her hand out to me, offering to lead me away from the situation. "I don't have a lot saved up, but I do have a house your father never visits, and you can have my savings, I am doing well with the charities and I never need anything because of your father. Come, I will give you what I have, and may you make it yours."

I beckoned to my friends, the ones who were here for another project, they will now help me clean out my room. We can focus on the new business ventures after the drama that my brother has brought down upon me passes.

I left my mothers room with the keys to my new place, and more money that I was ever allowed to be in control over. I wasn't going to fail. No matter what my brother was to throw at me, I will be ready.

With boxes and bags packed, I called up another friend who had a truck, and we loaded it up before he even had the chance to jump out. I know these guys better than I know myself, I am not worried about what the future has to throw at me. If I can live in my brother's shadow for this long, I wonder what I can do out of his misery and games.

I load up my car with the last of my items, the ones I am too sentimental over, maybe my father noticed over the years, but never said anything. If my brother wanted to hurt me, these items were the ones to watch out for. I pulled out of the driveway and my friends followed me. My bed packed in the truck, my computer systems with B, and the other three packed their trunks and back seats with everything else they deemed necessary for this move.

As we got close to another gated community, I flashed my mother's keys at the key fob, and a security guard answered. "Name, and address of visit?"

And I was honest, "I am here because my father kicked me out, but my mother said that I can stay here." I gave the security guard the address and he looked through the camera skeptically, "I am the eldest son of the divine family?" That got the security guard moving.

He let us in without another moments worry, and gave directions down to my new home. It was back on a large property of land, where the front lawn took over half an acre to trespass before getting to the front door. On the outside, it looked ready for a family of four to move in, but as soon as I opened the door I could see how unkempt it was. I guess my mother never paid someone to upkeep this place, so it left me to wonder why she had this place hidden from my dad.

I open the garage, and there sat a ducati motorcycle, with a helmet hanging off the back seat, and one off the handle bars. It looked like it was in perfect condition. My dream bike, just sitting here. My mother thought I would die if I ever tried to bike with my other biker friends. They were not the sort of men she liked me hanging around with, construction workers with too many tattoos who made deals as naturally as anyone I know. I move the bike, then move my car into the garage. There is a note on the bike, "at least you now have freedom, xoxo mom."

Of course she would understand. Out of everyone she was the one bound by the most rules, and she stayed out of true love she had for my father. She would have made a great scientist or entrepreneur, but my fathers empire came before all else. She gave me a gift of death, something she rarely did to even our worst enemies. That's when I knew she would love me, even if I wasn't home.

We unpacked everything, already finding the place mostly furnished. There was everything in every room except the bedroom, and there were a lot of bedrooms.

"What was she thinking, that she was going to have a dozen kids?" One of my friends said, dropping a box onto the floor in front of him.

"You never know, I mean they thought they couldn't conceive until the miracle son arrived. Maybe this was supposed to be the house that raised a pantheon of children, but instead the prodigal son arrived and everything shifted." I never even thought about the kind of family my mother wanted to have. Looking at this house opened a lot more questions than answers.

"This feels like such a hole compared to your dad's place."

I just looked at him in silence. "The Pitt, that's what we will call this place." I looked around at the dusty stained walls from who knows what. It was a fitting name. I entered the office first and found a computer already set up, and it was already on. What didn't my mother think of. I took a look at the page that was open, it was the holdings of more than a few different companies. There was a note by the mouse, "These men and women have been loyal to you since you were born. They pledge to follow you wherever this endeavour takes you. They became your companies out from your fathers reach on April 17 2026." I looked at the date on the computer, these were my companies and had been for a week now.

"No pressure, right sir?" B was behind me standing in the open door. "If I knew I was going to help you pack I wouldn't have worn this," and with that he brought attention to his attire, a polo shirt tucked into some linen pants. Out of everything he could have been wearing, that one wasn't too bad for the work cut out in front of them. "Just got to clean this place up, and you can make your father proud from here."

B, out of everyone knew my strained relationship with my father. We all question how he would react to me no longer living with him under his roof. It was no secret amongst my friends that I sought my father's approval. As a child I was never good enough, so I was involved in a lot of activities that were supposed to train me to take over for him, since I was their last shot to make an heir. After my brother was born, things changed, he got my old teachers, and I got a new lesson plan. The one thing that stayed was my violin teacher. My brother never was pushed into music, but I picked up the piano and violin at an early age.

"My mom left me with a bit over a fifth of Dad's companies, and literally more money than I know what to do with. What is this house was really supposed to be mine this entire time. Maybe mom saw me struggle in the family and had this planned." I looked back to the computer, and then back at my friends who started to shadow the door frame.

"How about we call some cleaners, we will put everything away after they are done. We can go to your house," I pointed at one of my friends in the doorway, "Astaroth, you think it would be cool if we went to your place. You have enough table space for us to do our work."

"No problem man, I can see that you will have your hands full for the next bit setting this place up." Astaroth was always a good one, he got lost in sensory moments often, and needed an inhaler, but he was as sharp as any one of my fathers friends. We had met after a philosophy class, where I noticed him spending more time inspecting his hands than he did engage in the lecture. I asked him if he wanted to be partners for an upcoming project, and the smile he had when he was tripping showed itself, though at the time I thought that it was just his natural smile. We became as we worked on the project, he was one of the best people I have ever met that was good at communicating boundaries and getting the work done. I never needed to worry, about his aspects of the project.

I looked at my friends in the doorway, just standing there. "Let's get going, there is only so much we can do today." And I led them from the office room back to the foyer so we could get going. I wouldn't let this move disrupt me.

As I came back to my new home, I felt an emptiness I had never felt before. This house was too big for just one person, there were more rooms than I knew what to do with. How many offices did I need, there were enough rooms for me to have an office for every one of my new businesses. I pulled my mattress to the living room and let it flop there. It took some time to find my bedding, but after taking a look at the stock that I had with me, I knew The Pitt would be my home. Dad would be getting home soon, would he even notice me missing? I took out my phone and messaged him.

"I am sorry for ruining your experiment with the humans. Hope to see you soon. Love you."

I didn't make myself a snack before crawling into my current bedroom. The ceilings were high, and the windows showed the beautiful night sky. In fact there were more windows than walls in this room. You could see the entire back yard, which only maybe the first few hundred feet used to be a manicured lawn that was overgrown. There was a gazebo off towards the tree line, and no other buildings or structures in sight. Mom really made sure there was no paper trail for this place.

"We'll talk soon", my phone buzzed and it was my dad responding. I closed the phone and pulled my knees to my chest sitting on the edge of my mattress. I might have always stood out, I might have been too curious, I might have been too much for them to handle at times, but I was never alone. I was always surrounded by tutors, and serving staff, and security men, and of course my brother, this was the first time I had ever been alone. I didn't know what to expect, but the aching feeling in my heart never really ebbed or wane in one direction or another. I always knew I was born to be alone, but having no one in this giant empty house was an experience I wasn't ready for.

I reached for my phone and texted B, "I don't think I can do this alone. There is no one here, I will need to hire some staff or something. This place could really be something, but I don't see it empty."

"Omw."

I just stared at my phone. I could always count on B to be there for me.

"We're having a sleep over until you get some staff. Voice message."

He could take the couch, or just like when we were younger we could share the bed. We confirmed it often when we were teens trying different substances, that we did not find each other a suitable mate. That idea got rammed into our friendship so deeply that I do not feel shame when we hug, or embrace each other. B did let it slip one inebriated night, that he wished I could see him the way my father saw my brother. I know how important communication is, because from the outside it looks like the perfect favourite child and his intimidating father, but if you were to live it, the story is different.

I didn't want to see B get diminished down to suckling for validation, acting out to get attention. My brother broke the rules, showing off alchemy and transmogrification at any party he went to, always got a stern talking to the morning after while we shared breakfast. He even crashed his car once with vomit on the side, I still remember that party. My brother had tried to turn wine back into water, but it ended up becoming distilled vodka, and my brother, the genius that he is, down an entire 8 oz of the stuff before releasing it was not water.

I remember there was this fire dancer, and I wanted to help her with her dance, so I took the flashes of embers that danced around her when her flaming staff hit the floor, and made them as fine as snow, dancing around her as she twisted and contorted often on one leg. When my father heard of this, he went into a rage, telling me to be more responsible. That conversation didn't wait until the morning after, they were waiting for me when I got home, someone had apparently sent them a video of the dance. My car privileges were taken away, and I had to rely on my friends to drive me to school.

it wasn't more than 20 minutes after his text did B arrive. Still dressed the same, I could tell he probably didn't even get to his room before I texted him.

He came in from the front door as if he lived here, and I found myself achingly moving towards him. He covered the distance between us, and embraced me. I could feel the tears start to well up in my eyes, I had been kicked out of my family home by my brother and my cousin's threats. My dad didn't say anything to counter what my brother did, only that we would talk later.

"So you are almost finished your masters in economics, what do you think you will do afterwards?" B started a conversation, knowing it helped me to focus thinking about the goals of my future.

"I don't know, I need to take a look at the new businesses I have." I found my printer and brought it to the office, and began setting it up. "I think that my mother gave me security firms, small ones, but still enough to fight a small war, if it ever came down to it. I have to set up meetings to meet all the leaders of these businesses. Introduce myself, and see what it is that they need." I printed out the list of new businesses that made it clear that I was their hope for the future, the ones who had met my brother and doubled their stakes with me the same night.

Then there would be the businesses that would follow my father until the end of time, no matter who the heir was supposed to be, and the smallest amount of businesses are loyal to my brother, but those are mainly people who bought into his PR, who love his tricks, and his rebel attitude going against out father's rules. They see him as the change that is needed in business.

To be honest I am happy that anything came of this. I was happy with my small business of yoga, road cycling, and exercise clothing. That company was my own since I started it. I saw how much fun Astaroth was having after his yoga exercises and that inspired me to open my own shop. Then my friends got ideas, one has a cafe, another erected a library, and then there was B, whose family was in to the science sector. They were often called Big Pharma, because they only really interacted within their own small peer circle, and they always had the mind of business over scientific discovery. The labs under B's management were small, but they didn't over charge on medicine or treatment options. They weren't as popular as his parents own labs, but that never truly bothered B.

"At least if Michael's goons look for you, you can have your own protection. What didn't your mother think of?" He said grabbing the still warm paper from my hands. The smell of freshly printed ink lingered in the air. "Plus I didn't eat well at Astaroth's place, think we can order some food in before we hit the hay?"

I smiled and nodded, "That sounds like a great idea. I was honestly just going to go to bed. It has been a very long and trying day."

So we ordered food, set the living room up so that it looked closer to a bedouin than a traditional living room. It was before 11pm that we finally crawled into bed, and passed out side by side. My best friend was with me, and while that didn't take the root of the problem away, that I was rejected by my family, it did take the edge off.

The next morning we ordered more food in, since the place was barren, and got ready for school. I had an exam coming up in econ, and I wanted to be prepared for it.

As we got to the school, my usual parking spot had already been taken, I looked around the campus, and by no mistake, my brother was already there surrounded by so many people, there were new guys in suits standing as still as a tree, and then a rabble of people with a respectful distance from him. I found a new spot, and headed towards the building for my next class. As I passed the throng of people, a few turned to look at me, all with a sour face.

Everyone knew my father was working on something big, but now word had gotten out that I interfered with it. As I passed one person even hissed at me, like a goose.

"We kicked him out of home, we can kick him out of school!" My brother's voice raised above the din of the general conversation that seemed to envelop him wherever he went. "There is no place for him. He single handedly ruined the greatest experiment my father had ever conceived. Now the release date has been pushed as we figure out how to handle the curse they have all received. The curse is a great one, for no longer will they be able to feel the undiluted love my father has for his creation, they will have to work for it, and therefore they are unlike us as well. The choice might not be clear for them, for if my brother interferes with their affairs again, I will send my security team to take him out."

I just shook my head, and kept walking. Those who are loyal to me have been whispered to be underhanded. My brother didn't know that I also had security teams, I just needed to meet them and get their pay schedule right.

I was the first to class, and chose my preferred spot, right in the middle, not to close where the teacher can make prolonged eye contact, not near the back where you can barely hear the words being shared, not close to the sides where there were always drafts, but the center. As people started piling in, a group of men I had never noticed before made a beeline towards me.

"Hi I am Belphegor, my father informed me that I was to introduce myself to you. My family is known for their security and law firms." He reached his hand out and I accepted it. "I already know a lot about you, I had one of my men do a background check on you, and your reputation precedes you. Of course I had to know who was the new majority shareholder in my personal security firm. It is amazing that our paths never crossed before, is it okay if me and my posse sit near you this class?"

I looked around, those who usually sat close to me found their seats at the edge of the classroom, giving me a wide berth. "That would be appreciated. This afternoon I have a meeting with a few firms to introduce myself. I fear I will need security for my brother has decided on a smear campaign against me."

"I think I am your three o'clock appointment." Belphegor said sitting right next to me laying his computer and a notepad on the desk we shared.

It only took another 5 minutes for the classroom to reach its average occupancy, and the teacher entered. The exam wasn't as difficult as I made it to be, with my mind constantly wandering back to my old and new life. I am sure I passed it, but with how distracted I was, I wasn't expecting accreditation for the excellent work I put into it.

I invited Belphegor to join me and B and Astaroth for lunch at the cafeteria, and he willingly accepted.

In the cafeteria, the line was full and moving, but there were still so many empty tables, I figured people were outside enjoying the nice weather that we constantly had. Those who were new to the university was surprised at this near tropical climate my Dad had installed a few decades ago. You know that if Dad owns it, it will have the state of the art features, and beta testing experiences. He was the first to receive invitations to scientific innovation events because of his role in the sciences. Some people call him a scientist, others an entrapreneur.

The afternoon came about, the meetings went fine, and in the evening I would have to go through the profiles of those who are capable of keeping someone in my position safe. I would be taking the best of the best from each security firm, and making my own security team for school and other events.

"So I was thinking..." I recieved the text, it was from B.

"That is never a good sign, what were you thinking about?"

"Well you have more rooms than staff right now, and I need to get out of the confines of my parents home." His parents never allowed him to go to parties, or other types of engagements if they could not somehow supervise. If they set up a charity ball, he was expected to be present and sober, if they had a dinner, he was expected to be charming and engaging, if they held a game of golf, he was expected to get at least 3 holes in ones since they only own one golf course because the other 2 failed. They loved him, but they were helicopter parents, and there were more than a few social situations that B needed to experience before becoming more emotionally mature.

"Are you asking to move in with me?"

"yes."

"Fine sure, choose your room, we got cleaners coming in next week, and maybe an interior decorator."

"Man just use Asmodeus' company. They do it all." Asmodeus was one of the most judgmental people I had ever met. It made sense that his family was involved with the law, and had the most law firms of anyone I knew.

"Nah, I was thinking of Astaroth's interior designer, but good call on Asmodeus, I haven't seen him in a lick."

I wanted to support local businesses, but my friends all had their own small business, sometimes they were in line with the family business, other times they were not. I had so many choices to choose from, but I ultimately ended up choosing my friends companies instead of a starter up that just recently got acquisitioned. I guess that is the problem with having so many businesses, you choose the ones you know instead of the ones right for the job. I had always taken pride in doing research for each new business I acquired, though it was a slow process, I just didn't have the energy to look for the best fit for my needs.

While I was on school campus, I recieved many more dirty looks.

"And this Friday, my parents are out of town! Party at my place." I heard my brother decree. As long as I lived there, he never threw a party at home, the cottages sure, the summer homes, often, but at home, that was unheard of. Every party he threw, I ended up calling the cleaners for him since he was so fucked up the following morning. There was a huge cheer, no doubt my old room was about to become destroyed by this party. Now there was no one to clean up for him.

I knew the theme of the party was "new heir to an impossible fortune".

My phone rang, and it was one of the new businesses, "Hello sir, I was just calling to ask what is the new protocol for shipping and receiving, since our shippers are owned by your father."

"Good evening. That is a good question, thank you for calling me. I have no beef with my father, it is all my brother. Keep things as they are. "

"They are raising their prices, and word is they are only doing it to companies that you own."

Word travels fast.

"Can you afford this new augmentation?" This was a newer shop, one that an influencer built. They might need a loan to keep things a float during this time. "No I don't think we can without a loan."

"I am free next monday morning to discuss loans."

"Thank you sir."

By the time I got home, I had forgotten to eat dinner. I opened the door and there were hundreds of dollars of take out food sitting on the table in the foyer. I saw more shoes than i personally owned at the front door, and I could hear noises happening further into the house.

"B?!" I called, "B, you here?"

B came out of a door with a huge smile, "Hey. So. Imagine, all of your closest friends living here with you. We can have a den, and a game room, and a living room, and offices. There is so much space, you are right, not even staff would be able to fill up the void of space here."

I could always trust in B.

This was going to be the start of a new adventure. My brother trying to take away everything that I had built, my dad not talking to me, my mother, my lovely mother is out of reach, and now I have to make a name for myself that isn't associated with family.

What am I going to do?