Mark's pov

        I woke up with a bad headache, everyone tried to stop me last night but there's no such thing as too much alcohol, at least not for me. I didn't know whose party it was, or when it ended but right now I was in my own bed. My Butler John who is well aware of my notorious habits didn't try to wake me, beside me on the table was an aspirin and a bottle of orange juice. I woke up lazily and took a bath on jacuzzi letting the hot water relax my muscles. Wrapping a towel around my torso, I stood in front of my full length mirror, picked up a tee and jeans from the huge walk in wardrobe. I had no special plan for today so these would suffice.
Just as I went out of the room, I heard a giggle from the end of the alleyway, I paid no attention to it and was halfway down the stairs when the door opened and Samantha my dad's, Davids latest fling peered out. I don't remember the last time I called David as Dad.

" Good morning sweetheart ". She made zero effort in being subtle while checking me out. She gave me her most innocent fake smile. I was revolted even by her presence, I made a face and went down for breakfast.

        Mom was already on the table, Alaric was almost finishing up, I was sure to hurry for the next important meeting. He nodded when I entered. Mom looked at me and gave a small smile. I wanted to have a quiet breakfast for once, but my happiness was short lived. David came down along with Samantha, I tried not to retch when I saw his hand on her lower back. Mom seemed to be indifferent and Alaric he buried his head deeper in his newspaper.

" Well, well who decided to show his pretty face this morning, no more parties to attend ?" David sneered at me.

" No need to be nasty David" my mom scolded.

     I had got used to David's comments and over the years got to know that he hated it when he's ignored and that's what I did.
      David on the other loved to make my life worse, so to my utter disappointment sat in the chair next to mine, with Samantha fawning all over him. John brought in coffee and fruit, I just wanted to get done with it and get out of the house as soon as I could. Awkward silence continued till David coughed giving a signal to mom.

" So now that we are here all together, your mom and I have taken a decision, which we want to share with you".David began

I looked at mom and she started with an unsteady voice " Samantha will be living here ".

    The spoon clanked roughly on the floor but it wasn't mine I looked at my brother's completely shocked face. There was silence, and I could count my breaths. Samantha on the other hand got all cheery.
" Thank you, David, you make me so happy ", she started to pamper him and kiss him, until she caught the rage on my face.

I stood yelling at them both " So you guys finally got the cue, that you aren't meant to be, after what 20 years of fallen marriage, now you're divorcing him, I'm glad this drama of being a happy family is finally over, we don't have to pretend anymore, and you guys won't have to pretend to be so in love at every function and celebration you go "

" No son the drama continues " David smirked.

" What !! Mom what's all this " Alaric is the calmest of them all, but from the look on his face it seemed that he would burst out.

" No, we aren't divorcing each other ". Mom said calmly.

" What ?? Why I mean it's not a secret that David has got his monthly flings and you have had your regular share of affairs, you want this bitch to stay here? "

" Mark mind your tongue " David said giving a glare.

" You can go to hell, why do you want to continue this facade?."

" Mark, sit down you know the terms that your grandfather set up, and we have shares in the company, if we split up, so do our shares and we no longer will be the head, the company will go haywire and the board won't see the end of it".

" So you are allowing her to stay here, in our family home ?"

" These are the terms that David put ". She said as though it was nothing unusual.

" So you want us to play pretend for the rest of our lives ". Alaric added seething.

" I don't have an option, and you know it better than anyone else Ric".

" You do have an option, divorce each other, live your separate lives ".

" I can't " she said resolve dripping from her voice.

" So you both would rather have your sons be humiliated than live respectful lives? " Alaric said looking hurt.

" Why the hell are you even here, you know you will be no one to him when he's lost his interest in you, he won't even look at you by next month, Samantha " I shouted.

" Call me Samy ".

" Shutttt upppp , shut the hell up ", I'm done with this my head was throbbing again.

I got up abruptly, the coffee on the table fell over David, he started calling the servants. I didn't give a damn, I gave my mother a displeased look and left.

       I got in the car with my mother calling me from behind and drove off. I searched for the one thing that I knew would calm me alcohol. I always have a stock under my seat. It wasn't there this time, those pricks from yesterday must have finished it. I drove in a mad rage, let the wind hit my face harshly,y and went to the only place I knew I would be alone.
My family was never normal, people say that my parents loved each other at one time. When you look at them now it's certainly hard to believe. They hate each other, so much that they can't be even in the same room. David has lost his senses and has hardly behaved like a father. They say sons are the image of their father but thank God Alaric isn't like him, I on the other hand don't know what I am. Over the years their thirst for money has increased and their values have dissolved in thin air.
   
      My mother is no better, she has had her share of affairs, at least she is subtle about it, her company is the most important thing to her enough to tolerate the insufferable David. The only sane and moral person in our family is Alaric. While I expressed myself by doing outrageous and unacceptable things Alaric did the opposite, he immersed himself in work. He was the only person who cared for me and I even started seeing him less and less. The best thing about all this is that I'm rich, at least I can suffer comfortably. I don't care about money, I don't care about anything and that's my bane. I just don't care. Because caring leads to hurting and who wants that. Who wants hurting when all these pesky girls fall over me, even though they know I would leave them sooner or later. And friends that have the value you according to your bank balance.

         Here's the spot, I started climbing the hill, I wanted to party hard, workout hard something to let out the rage, so I raced till the top not stopping anywhere just running as fast as I could. It was a tough climb but worth it, I felt drained, I wasn't so angry now. What's the use of anger when there's no one to care, pain when no one pays heed. When all you got for warm hugs were overpriced toys and gifts to compensate for the warmth. Money matters here, and I don't have a problem in that department.
         I had found this place when I had other such disputes I had driven madly until my car broke down. Instead of waiting for my friends to pick me up, I had climbed slowly, the view was breathtaking and it calmed me down.

    I hope it calms me down today too.