Episode 9

...

Nestor stared at Louis, peacefully asleep on the sofa in his office. When the technicians finished the updates, he resumed his work, but didn't wake Louis up.

At the end of the workday, Nestor approached Louis and touched his face.

"Louis?" Nestor Grize asked.

Louis didn't respond.

"He's sleeping soundly... He must be very tired," Nestor Grize said to himself.

Suddenly, Eder entered the room.

"What's going on here?" Eder Olid asked.

"Well, well, if it isn't our CEO... I was almost certain you had some manners. Where did you leave them? Don't you knock anymore?" Nestor Grize questioned.

"I don't have time to waste with formalities. I hope you realize you're in the way! Unless this is some strategy of yours... Look, Louis isn't even working properly. What are you two always talking about?" Eder Olid asked.

"Many things, and certainly matters you've never discussed with him," Nestor Grize responded.

"How weak. Don't test my patience..." Eder warned.

Eder walked past Nestor and approached Louis.

"Let's go home, Louis!" Eder Olid said.

Louis didn't respond.

"But... Why won't he wake up?" Eder Olid asked.

"He must have been awake for several nights. He's exhausted. Let him sleep a little longer," Nestor Grize suggested.

"And what do you know about it? Regardless, the company is no place for sleeping!" Eder Olid retorted.

Eder shook Louis's arm and insisted on waking him up.

Louis sat up with a start.

"Mr. Temido?" Louis asked, disoriented.

Louis was embarrassed to see Eder and Nestor looking at him.

"It seems he wants to stay here with me," Nestor Grize remarked.

"Mr.... What?" Eder Olid asked, taken aback.

"Eder... Why are you here?" Louis Olid asked.

"You're asking me that? Are you scared? Now you're just going to sleep here, is that it? I'll send you to maintenance," Eder Olid threatened.

"But I like accounting, and I'm good at it..." Louis Olid protested.

"Let's go. This is no place for arguing," Eder Olid ordered.

Louis looked at Nestor to say goodbye and followed his brother.

"See you tomorrow..." Nestor Grize said.

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At the Olid mansion, Eder entered first. He didn't say a word the entire way home. He looked at Louis and crossed his arms.

"You're forbidden from being near Nestor," Eder Olid stated coldly.

"Brother? But... Why?" Louis Olid questioned.

"That man interfered with our father's plans. And he's the only other shareholder in the company because he refused to sell his shares to Dad, and then refused to sell them to me again when I took over," Eder Olid explained.

"But that's not a bad thing. He has a reason for it; he likes the company, wants to be a part of it. That must be it," Louis Olid reasoned.

"I don't want to see you talking to him anymore, much less in his office! What were you doing anyway?" Eder Olid demanded.

"I was very tired. And I feel safe with Mr. Temi... With Mr. Nestor. He's my friend," Louis Olid confessed.

Eder grabbed Louis's chest, pushing him against the wall forcefully.

"You're not just weak and clumsy. You're stupid. How can you not understand that man has bad intentions? He's using you to get to me. So, just obey me, okay?" Eder Olid growled.

"I..." Louis Olid started to speak.

"No. No questioning. You can't be near him anymore. If you insist, I'll transfer you to another department again. You'll go to maintenance!" Eder Olid threatened.

A deep sadness washed over Louis's eyes. He moved away from Eder and went to his room.

"I've never seen him with that expression... What does it mean?" Eder Olid wondered to himself.

Upon entering his room, Louis looked at the portrait of Eder's face.

"Why do you ask such difficult things of me? Maybe you don't even care, but he... Mr. Temido is kind to me, and he's the closest thing I have to a friend... The only person who's ever approached me of their own accord," Louis Olid said to the portrait.

There was a knock at the door while Louis was talking to the portrait.

"Ah... Come in!" Louis Olid said.

"How are you, Mr. Louis?" Larissa, the housekeeper, asked.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. What are you bringing me on that tray?" Louis Olid asked.

"Son... Mr. Eder told me to bring you dinner here," Larissa said gently.

"Is he that upset? I shouldn't have slept at work. I think I embarrassed him. Alright, you can put it on the table," Louis Olid said.

"I'm sorry, dear. I know you like having your meals with him," Larissa said sympathetically.

"Yes, because he's all I have. He's my family, and meals should always be shared with family. If it were up to me, you would eat with us too, and Ralph as well," Louis Olid said.

"Oh, you're a kind soul, but we're employees. It's not appropriate," Larissa said.

"Well, one day, I'll invite you to eat with me at the table. I promise. And from that day on, you won't have to eat your meals without us anymore," Louis Olid declared.

"You're a good boy. Sleep well," Larissa said with a smile.

"I won't be sleeping tonight. I'm behind; tomorrow is the tribute. My painting has to be ready. I'm going to finish it," Louis Olid explained.

"Alright, then try to rest as soon as possible," Larissa advised.

The housekeeper left the room. Louis ate everything on the tray and began working diligently on his painting.

At some point during the night, Louis clearly heard a sound coming from Eder's room. He hesitated for a few seconds, afraid. Until he heard the moan he knew all too well.

"Right... I'm coming," Louis Olid said to himself.

He took a deep breath and left his room. Apprehensive, he looked around as he made his way to his brother's room. His heart calmed down when he saw a security guard in the pool area.

"I almost forgot about that. He hired security," Louis Olid thought to himself.

Louis knocked twice on the door. Hearing nothing, he opened it.

The scene that greeted Louis left him in shock. Eder was in bed with a woman with long brown hair. He moved rhythmically, holding her waist as she supported herself with her hands and knees on the bed. Eder's bare back, with all his muscles prominent, moved tirelessly, facing away from the door. Even after seeing his brother there, Eder continued.

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