Gavin's POV:

I pulled down a little more on the tuxedo vest I was wearing while my mom adjusted my tie. I hated getting all dressed up, especially for things like gatherings. Most gatherings only required simple clothing but when it came to my family, we always had to go all out.
My mom was wearing an elegant black dress custom made just for her. It hugged her skinny form and made her look younger than she actually was. Her hair was curled and pinned back with a diamond clip. Her make up was done flawlessly and made her look like she was maybe in her late twenties. If I wasn't gay and she hadn't been my mother, I probably would've been head over heels for her.
She stepped back to admire my appearance. She scowled a bit and licked her thumb and tried running it across my cheek. I stumbled back and held my hands up before she could get to me.
"Mum, don't be like that," I begged. She smiled and giggled a bit before lowering her hand and pulling me into a hug.
"I've missed you," She purred. I smiled and wrapped my arms around her skinny form.
"I've missed you too, mum," I told her.
She pushed her head into my chest and took a deep breath. I felt her body shudder a bit and I knew she was crying.
"Oh, Gavvy, it's so weird without you here. I know I should be used to it by now, but I just can't get myself to believe that you're really all grown up now," She said when she pulled away.
"You're always gonna be my little baby, no matter what you say. Or Michael," She winked at that and I blushed.
Michael...
"Hell, I'll be right back," I told my mom before running out of the room and grabbing my phone.
I hadn't called him at all today. I couldn't imagine what he probably had to deal with last night with his sister. Although, I knew I shouldn't be worrying about that since Michael was probably freaking out about me.
It rung four times.
He didn't answer.
I did the math and figured out it was almost twelve in Austin. He most defiantly would be up by now. Why wouldn't he answer?
I shrugged it off and figured he was probably just busy. I sighed and carried my phone back to the room my mom and I were in.
"You okay, sweetie?" My mom asked me, checking her hair again in the mirror.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I told her. She turned around and smiled.
My mom grabbed my suit jacket and slipped it over my shoulders. She turned me so I was facing her and she buttoned it up for me like I couldn't do it myself. I rolled my eyes at how motherly she was being. Every time I came home from England she'd do this. She'd insist on making me a huge breakfast everyday, pick out my clothes, once she even offered to give me a bath.
To be honest, I didn't mind it. I loved being babied. Not having to do anything was something I especially enjoyed. I always tried my best to get Michael to baby me but he never went through with it. He was only a little over affectionate at times and that was about it.
My mom smiled at me after she finished dressing me. She cupped my cheek in her hand and bit her lip, trying to hold back tears.
"You look so grown up," She croaked. I rolled my eyes and smiled at my mom, kissing her cheek and leading her out of the room.
We said good bye to the butlers and maids and made our way to our car. I tapped my foot nervously, not wanting to see my father at all.
My mom grabbed my hand and squeezed it, giving me a quick and loving look.
"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be talking with all his friends. He hardly pays any attention to family at these types of things," My mom reassured. I let out a small breath, knowing she was mostly right.
We pulled into the parking lot of my father's business building. I shook my head and tried to steady my heartbeat as we walked into the building.
I was instantly greeted by two of my father's businessmen and they gave me small smiles. I continued walking with my mom down the hallway and up the stairs until I saw my look alike.
I smiled big the moment he looked at me. I saw his smile grow as he saw me and he rushed forward to me.
I felt tears come to my eyes as he embraced me. He grabbed a handful of my hair and held me as close as possible to him. I wrapped my arms as tightly as I could around him. God, I bloody missed him.
When we pulled back, we got quite a few stares, but most were smiling at us, knowing that we hadn't seen each other in years.
"God, Gavin. I thought I'd never get to actually see you in person again," George breathed. I wiped away the tears that streamed down his face. He did the same to me and embraced me again, holding on less tight this time.
My mother came up behind me and tapped me gently, pulling me away from my brother so she could hug him. George kissed her cheek gently and smiled at her before making eye contact with me and leading me around.
He introduced me to people that he was to be working with soon, people that he'd gone to college with, and people that taught him things at college. He kinda avoided our fathers business partners, knowing I'd probably be uncomfortable around them. But it seemed as though he was glaring at them as well, making me wonder if he had his own personal grudge against them.
I brushed it from my mind when my brother smiled at me again.

The hours ticked by and I was becoming for impatient. My brother had been pulled away from my sight about a half an hour ago and if he wasn't around, I didn't want to be here anymore. The only reason I came was to spend time with the person I hadn't been able to spend time with in years. And now, I wasn't even being granted the wish to see him.
I was talking to my mother and drinking some expensive champagne (that I particularly thought tasted strange due to the cheap beer I drank most of the time) when a dark figure came over and stood beside my mother.
I dropped my glass out of fear.
Beside my mother was the one person that I dreaded more than anyone.
My father...
"'Ello father," I muttered, trying to make my watered down accent as thick as possible.
My father just blinked at me and looked down at the glass that I'd dropped. It was shattered, obviously, with the contents of it spilled and the bubbles still fizzling about. I saw my mother glance nervously as the both of us, probably worried that my father would lash out at me. Even she, the person I got my playful, bubbly and oblivious personality from, could sense the tension between the two of us.
"Gavin. Still making stupid mistakes, I see," My father said in his tight and generic British accent. My mother rested her hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him.
"He doesn't make mistakes all the time, dear," My mother tried.
"Love, why don't you go talk to Cressida. She's been meaning to speak with you," My father told her tightly. She narrowed her eyes at him but obviously knew better and walked away.
"Now then, Gavin, I believe we are overdue for a little chat," My father said, leading me away from the smaller crowds.
I began to get nervous, not wanting to talk with my father. I bet he could sense my uneasiness and was just having a blast with it.
He stopped in a quiet corner and turned to me. The main crowd wasn't even twenty feet away so I was surprised by the quietness.
"Now, Gavin, how's life been in America? Was I right about that silly little job, hmm?" My father asked me, playing a fake smile.
"No, in fact you weren't, I am blossoming in America and it still stands to be my best decision I've ever made," I replied, not trying to fake the tight accent my father was presenting.
"Mm, and your accent is nearly gone too, I see," He muttered sourly.
"Not nearly gone. I believe it is still fairly present," I retorted back.
"Same difference. Anyway, how much money do you make? You didn't drive here, so how do you get around? Do you have a girlfriend? Fiancée? Wife?" My father threw questions at me.
I blinked for a moment before thinking of an answer.
"The amount of money I make is none of your concern. And I do drive now. And as for a romantic partner, I do have one," I said, not elaborating on the latter.
"Hmph, someone actually took an interest in you. That is quite surprising," My father snickered. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.
My father suddenly leaned closer and got into my face.
"You should've never shown your face here, Gavin. This is your brothers day, not yours. I don't need you here, tainting the family name more than you already have. My business partners already think lowly of me because of the line of business you chose over this. Now just because I'm asking questions about your life, doesn't mean I'm interested. You are still the worthless son I thought of you back when you first left. And that's all you ever will be," My father snarled at me.
I tried to calm my rapidly beating heart as my father told me things that I had tried so hard to forget. He was still in my face and when I looked up at him, I could feel rage boiling inside me. How strange the feeling felt and I wondered if this how Michael felt every time he got angry.
"I'd like to see you say that in front of all these people. They probably think of you as a great and noble man, one that loves his family unconditionally, but what if they heard you call me worthless? They'd be all over your case faster than a pack of wolves," I spat back at him, using tight and clipped words.
I was surprised to see him smile.
"Is that an invitation, Gavin Free?" My father asked me, smirking evilly.
"W-wot?" I stuttered, confused.
My father addressed everyone and I instantly felt all eyes on me.
"Everyone, I'd just like to point out that this, man, no, boy, is the most worthless and utterly useless human being on this planet," My father called out.
I instantly saw people begin to snicker at his words. Many people began to laugh. Some showed me sympathy but most smiled and laughed.
I couldn't hold the tears and rage back anymore.
Before I could comprehend what happened, I threw my fist at my father's jaw, hearing a satisfactory snap. I could feel my knuckle sting with the impact and my father's snickering face disappeared, replaced by a look of fury. He looked up at me, his hand on his jaw. I could already see it start bruising and I couldn't help but feel a burst of accomplishment.
I felt hands on my arm and looked back to see my brother gently pulling me back. He gave me a pleading look, and I was about to give in when I felt a fist connect with my eye.
From then on was a blur. I vaguely remembered being tackled and choked. I remembered numerous arms reaching down and pulling me up while my father struggled against them.
My vision was blurry and my head spun as I was carried out of the building. My mother and brother both had one of my long arms slinked around their shoulders. My head drooped as they put me in the car.
I pulled out my phone, knowing one person I wanted to talk to after this horrible night. Tears began to stream from my eyes and I felt my throat get tight as the rings progressed.
Finally he answered, saying a tired and faint hello.
"Mi-cool," I croaked, my voice already thick with tears.
""Yeah, what's wrong? How's the party thing... Or whatever," Michael said, his voice filled with concern. I didn't hesitate to tell him.
"My dad just called me out in front of everyone and said I was worthless."
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Oh snap! I actually like how this chapter turned out. And by the way, I apologize for the slow updates. I'm having some writers block with this story unfortunately because I really only had the beginning and end planned out, nothing in between.
Anyway! Thank you so much for reading! It means so much that this many people like my stories (did I mention I've gotten 1k reads on this story? Like, holy shit thank you!) Please leave some feedback! It'll be so appreciated. Just one comment that takes five seconds to type is all I need. It'll really give me a boost to continue writing.
So once again, thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed!