01

Alexander’s POV

I felt the wind brush my face as I watched my Dad’s coffin on the ground. Somehow, a part of me wished everything was just a horrible nightmare and that mere seconds from now I would wake up. But everytime I blinked my eyes everything was still the same. And as sad and hurtful as the truth was, I had to accept ir.

I turned to the side and saw different people from tbe media with all their cameras pointed towards our direction like we were some kind of attactrion. And I knew today every media outlet out there had us as their headline. I could see it happening in my head.

« Today, a funeral is being held for Former CEO Peter McKinley of McKinley Inns who recently passed away due to cardiac arrest. Peter’s million dollar company, as stated in his will, is now handed down to his firstborn son—Alexander McKinley »

Yeah. That’s how they’d say it.

I looked over to my side and I could see my sister sobbing in her boyfriend’s chest. I was glad she had a shoulder to cry on. God knows she needed it. I did too. But I guess I was better off being in my own and grieve alone.

I walked over to my sister and instantly she turned to me and gave me a tight hug.

« It’s going to be alright Katie. We will be alright. » I whispered to her as I rubbed her back softly.

« I miss Dad already. » She whispered and sobs started to escape her.

« I know. I miss him too. »

And I don’t know how I was going to live with my life knowing I would be missing him every single day.

I continued to rub my sister’s back as I looked up at the sky, wishing my father was in a place where he was happy. He was always a busy man. Too cramped up in his job as he lead a real estate company and yet he always made time for Katie and I. Even without a mother by our side, he really was the best father anyone could ever ask for.

When my mother had left us when I was eight, he had stepped up and took care of us. I know now how hard it must’ve have and I am nothing but grateful for how he did it.

And now that his gone, I don’t know what to do with what he had worked so hard for.

I was just fresh out of Harvard Business School. I was supposed to spend the following years working on the company. To learn the dos and don’ts, how things worked, and what I would do if I were to inherit it « someday ».

But no one expected someday to be arrive earlier as planned. Everything seemed to have happened so fast. All I knew was that I got a call from my father’s secretary saying he was rushed to the hospital and before we could even say our proper goodbyes, the old geezer had left.

And as much as I hate goodbyes, saying my goodbye to him when he was still alive is something that I could only dream of having.

I miss you, dad. So much.

--

The day went on and I still couldn’t accept that my beloved father was dead. It was like yesterday when we were just talking and laughing at our own goofy jokes. It hurt everytime I think about it. But I guess that’s part of the process in moving on.

As expected, I recieved a lot of condolences from different people. They were several people who tried and did their best to comfort me. Some of them were old business partners with my dad, wherein I never even knew existed. And at that moment I had to step up. Act like I had everything figured out and that I was ready to lead the company.

Because I had no time to be weak infront of all these people.

Or so I thought. Because as soon as my father was completely burried beneath the ground and I realized that he was truly gone, it was like everything I’ve tried so much to keep inside of me just came bursting out. The anger, grief, sadness—all of it. They all came bursting at the seams and the next thing I knew, I wasn’t able to hold it anymore. And a tear escaped me followed by another one, and then another, then a lot.

So much for trying not to look weak, huh. I sighed and wiped away the tears.

Soon, people started to leave and I was the only left. I guess I was too distracted to notice that I was standing infront of dad’s grave without even noticing that I was already alone. I felt pats on the shoulders and small hugs and the next thing I knew, I looked around the open cemetery and saw my sister waving at me as she climbed her boyfriend’s car.

I then took one last look at dad’s grave.

May you be in peace, dad. In a place where you’ll be always happy. I love you so much, dad. I could only hope to be as great as you in the next years to come. I will do my best to make you proud. I’ll always look over Katie just like you always tell me to. I will miss you every single day. I love you, dad. And I’ll see you soon, you old geezer.

« Adam, let’s go. » I said to Adam. Adam was someone assigned by my father to watch over me since I was in high school.

Adam nods in reply before heading to the car parked in a distance. I followed him on the way to the car and Adam immediately opened the door. I entered the car and sat close to window.

Soon, the car started and I pressed the button by my side, making the window roll down. I needed some fresh air.

I felt the wind brushing my face and thankfully, it made me relax.

« Sir, I think you already know this but I just want to remind you that as the firstborn son of Peter McKinley, you will lead the company. » Adam said while looking at the road.

I sighed before opening my eyes. I don’t want to lead a company yet. Honestly, I had no idea how. So many people would depend on me and the choices I made for them. But how I make the right ones ?

I mean, some would think it was great. Everyone thinks leading a company is like learning to ride a bike. But it’s not. I don’t know if I can lead a company on my own. My dad’s little time spent on training me probably can’t help me in tbe next few days

« I know, Adam. » I sighed. « Right now, I need a good sleep and I after that I promise I’ll deal with all that shit. » I said and closed my eyes.

As we arrived our house, Adam immediately opened the door and I climbed out the car.

I went straight to my room,put my phone on the bedside table, and stripped my clothes. I went directly to the bathtub and I fill it with water and pour a few liquids.I don’t even care what I recently put on the water.

I submerged quickly in the water and closed my eyes. It had somehow help me relax for a bit.

So I shall be a company’s leader tommorow. I did see it coming, but I wasn’t ready yet. Dealing with money and properties is not an easy task.

But I can learn, right ? I’m sure all that years in Harvard can be put to use.

So yeah, I am Alexander McKinley.

Welcome to my life.

So I am 25 years old, I have one sister and her name is Katie. She’s very happy with her current boyfriend, David.

Me ? I’m single.

I don’t have time to have romance in my life especially now that I have to take care of the company. And I’m gay, making it a lot more harder. I discovered I was gay when I was just 13 years old. Well, I don’t really remember how, but I just realized that I am gay and I like boys.

My family was fine with it and I could care less about everybody else bitching about it.

I just hope I find someone for me. And despite all the stress that was inevitably going to arrive, a part of me still hopes I get to meet someone someday who will just sweep me right off my feet and make me happy for the rest of my life.