Chapter 2 Burdens and Billionaires

KATHLYN'S POV

"Dad, I bought your medication. Hopefully, I'll get the loan from the bank and we can prepare for your surgery," I said, and Dad stared at me with a look of pride in his eyes.

"Oh, dear. It pains me to see you like this. You don't deserve any of this. All I can do is pray that things turn out right for you," he said, gently holding my hand.

"It's time to pay my tuition fee. I haven't been able to take the special classes because you haven't paid for them, Kathy. How am I supposed to graduate?" Ina asked, adjusting her headset.

"Maybe you should talk to your sister politely for a start and try to show some respect," Dad said, and Ina looked away.

"I'll see what I can do about it, Ina. You will graduate," I replied, and she stood up and left the dining room without a word.

"See you later, Papi" I said, kissing his forehead before leaving the house. I got into our old truck and drove toward the restaurant.

"Thank goodness you're here, Kathy. We haven't made any sales this morning. I don't even know what to say. Our portions dropped, and the quality too. The restaurant needs renovation, please," Aunt Dolores said, rubbing her forehead anxiously.

"I understand how frustrating it must be, Aunt. But give me a little more time-please don't give up on the business," I said, and she gave a small nod.

"Be strong, sweetheart," she encouraged before walking back to the counters.

I took a deep breath, thinking of our dwindling options. Should we sell off the restaurant? I wondered, just as my phone rang. It was Sheryl.

While Andrew and I had been best friends since childhood, Sheryl and I met in college. She's been working as a stripper in one of the clubs in the city. Not many people know this, but I do-because she trusts me.

"Let's meet up at my place," she said, and I nodded, even though she couldn't see me.

"Take care of the shop, Aunt," I said, getting into the car and driving toward her place.

When I arrived, my eyes fell on the used cigarette packs and open condom wrappers scattered across the floor.

"Sheryl," I called with a frown, as she placed an envelope on the table. "What's this?" I asked calmly. She looked exhausted.

"Last night was good business. One of the rich clients finally showed up, and I think I can lend you money for your dad's medication and Ina's tuition fees now," she said, and my eyes clouded with emotion.

"Don't cry or I swear I'll laugh at you," she added, trying to lighten the moment, but I felt the tears threatening.

"I know you don't support how I make my money, babe. But this is reality. Not all of us have the patience to suffer when we can get things done with a little shamelessness and a lot less thinking," she said, pouring wine into her glass.

"You could stop at some point. They're not going to stop milking the life out of you, Sheryl," I snapped, and she chuckled bitterly as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I'm the first child. I've got bills to pay. My whole family is depending on me to make things work. Who better than you would understand that?"

"I thought so. Don't try to advise me when you haven't walked away from your family either, babe. We're all in this together," she added, wiping her face.

"Close the door on your way out," Sheryl said. I picked up the envelope. She was right-we all have something holding us back from true happiness.

"I'll let you know if anything else turns up. Say hi to Mr. Brooks," she said, and I smiled faintly as I walked out of her house.

The rest of the day flew by quickly.

"Hey bestie, want to grab some ice cream?" Andrew asked as he stopped his bike in front of our house.

"Sure," I replied, pulling my hair into a ponytail as I joined him. We were on our way to the joint when we noticed the street had cleared out for an entourage to pass by.

"What's going on?" I asked, my eyes catching the plate number on the most exotic car.

"Arthur Lawson."

"Who's that?" I asked, and Andrew raised his eyebrows.

"You don't know the Lawsons?"

"I don't know them. But if they have it in them to shut down the street like this, I believe they're worth knowing," I teased, and he chuckled.

"The Lawsons are one of the most influential families in the country. Their father died when they were still young. The eldest son took over the firm pretty early in life-didn't even get the time to have fun. You can find all the info online," he teased, and I rubbed my forehead.

"You're right," I said, and he smirked.

"Arthur Lawson and Elijah Lawson-Lawson Legal Group. Look them up in your free time," he said, and I nodded.

"Their mom, Selena Lawson-fondly known as 'Power Lawson'-is the president of the firm, while Arthur is the CEO. The billionaires have it all going for them-it's obvious," Andrew said as we stood in line for ice cream.

"Indeed. Billionaires have it going for them," I muttered under my breath with a sigh.

ARTHUR'S POV

"Can I come in, Arthur?" Elijah asked, standing at the door with a bottle of my favorite wine.

"What exactly do you want to discuss? The fact that you showed the board last Monday how incompetent you could be by not showing up for the meeting with the senator's wife? Or the stunt you pulled at the office the other day?" I asked, adjusting my glasses.

"I didn't mean for things to turn out that way, bro. I..." he trailed off with a sigh. "Law has never been my thing. I know I'll never meet your achievements in this field-not Mom's, not Dad's-but I'm trying my best."

"Your best is clearly not enough, Elijah! You're a Lawson. We have a legacy to uphold. You have no idea what it took me to walk this path," I snapped, fixing my tie.

"I understand, Arthur. I really do," he said, eyes falling to the floor.

"Sometimes I just wish I could have my brother back. The one who didn't care about power or family legacy. The one who showed me he cared. Not the CEO of Lawson Legal Group. Not my boss," he muttered, then walked out of the office.

I clenched my fist and slammed it on the table, glaring at the door as the pain in my chest intensified. Another fight with Elijah. Another reminder of how fractured things had become.

Mom and I had a bad argument during dinner too.

"I want you to start a family, Arthur. You're not getting any younger," she said, staring into my eyes.

"That's not on my list right now," I replied, and disbelief washed over her face.

"You keep making excuses. I can't stand it anymore, son. First, it was building the company-fine, you've done that. But now? You won't even look at a woman. You're afraid of love and commitment!" she said, almost in panic.

"I have you and Elijah. I'm not about to start a family with a woman who has no idea what we've been through. If I want sex, I can get it myself," I said, and she rubbed her forehead.

"Arthur..." she said, voice trembling.

"Your dad died because it was his time. That's not the reason our family fell apart. Loving him-" she began.

"I don't want to hear anything about Father. It's late, and I have work to do," I cut her off. She adjusted her glasses and stood.

"Suit yourself, Arthur Lawson," she snapped and walked away.

Memories flooded back.

"Richard, don't do this to me... I'm begging you!" Mom cried, clinging to his hand as the doctors moved around the room.

"Time of death: 2:00 AM, April 20th," the doctor announced.

"No. No-you promised me, Richard. You said it was for life. That's what you said."

I had stood by the door that night, watching her crumble. She tried to take her life more than once. I stayed back to help her find herself again.

I guess I lost myself in the process.

"I don't do love, family, or romance. Mom and Elijah are enough," I muttered, pouring water into a glass.

"What's the use of making promises I can't keep? Dad made promises-he made us believe in forever, then left. I won't do that to anyone else." "What's the point of bringing children into this world if I might not be around to watch them grow?"

Bullsht.*