Chapter 23.

Liam
"I swear to God, I can't stand mom anymore!" I hissed, angrily barging into Corey's room.
"Now, tell me why the hell you barged into my room and don't forget to explain to me why I should care about your problems with mom?" He asked in a mock annoyed tone and I huffed at his childish behavior.
"I'm not in the mood for your dumb questions Corey. I'm in a bad mood just in case you're too blind to notice and I'm here to vent," I pointed out in frustration.
"I don't think I'm the right person to vent with or throw tantrums with and just in case you don't remember or you're too stupid to realise it, I don't like you. I absolutely detest you and I could care less what goes on in your life," he said and I chuckled.
"That is exactly why I'm here to hide out from mom cause I know this is the last place she'd think to look for me," I snapped back at him and his facial expression turned sore.
"So typical of you to pinch on my weakness, you idiot," he said, sounding bitter but I ignored him since that's how he was anyway.
"How's Gabriella by the way? I haven't heard from her in a while and I'm dying to know how she's doing but I can't approach her at work for reasons you already know of," I asked eagerly since I haven't seen her in a few days.
The night she and I had agreed to meet up at my place, she didn't show up for her personal visit and I was grateful she didn't because mom had suddenly shown up from nowhere and she practically threatened to ruin Ella's career if I didn't stop seeing her.
"I'm not your informant Liam but I'll be nice enough to let you know that your 'girlfriend' took a week long break from work with the excuse of having an urgent family emergency." He replied, rolling his tongue childishly and I almost slapped him for his mocking tone but knowing how Corey was, he'd definitely get defensive and I don't want to start a fight.
"It's strange though, she didn't tell me anything. It's like nowadays I'm becoming less important." I thought out loud, wondering why she had suddenly become distant with me. It's almost like she's keeping something from me and I didn't like that she was involving me in her life.
"If you're having problems with that girlfriend of yours, fix it outside my bedroom and I'm actually surprised you still think things can work with that girl cause not only is she an employee at the company, she's the daughter of mom's worst enemy. Talk about sore luck with women," Corey mocked me and I frowned.
I honestly had the urge to punch him silly at the moment but the only reason I'm not doing it is because he is actually not wrong. That's why mom is so persistent about getting me married to Hannah so she can get me away from Gabriella.
"What are you doing anyways? You seem to be very focused, which is very rare," I ask throwing a pillow at him and he glares at me.
"I'm working on my... You know what, it's none of your business. Just focus on your own life and do it outside my room," He shuts me off and I sighed.
"I'd have been more surprised if you had actually told me but whatever it is, good luck." I replied and he just nodded to acknowledge that he heard.
"So mom is still pushing the subject of you marrying Hannah? Is that why you two turned the entire house upside down?" He asked and I hissed.
"I swear, it feels like she's on a mission to ruin my life. I mean, she doesn't even care how I feel or how her own daughter would feel. All she cares about is her stupid ass reputation and also getting me away from Gabriella." I hissed in frustration, replaying the last conversation I had with my mom in my head.
"I'm surprised you're just realizing how selfish mom is. I don't see any difference between herself and Garrison. They're both just two greedy people that have no scruples. It sometimes disgusts me to see how despicable she is." He said in disgust and I had to agree with him.
"Can you imagine mom tried to bribe me by proposing that if I marry Hannah she'll hand over the company to me completely?" I told him and he furrowed his brows in confusion.
"She did that? Well, that's unusual. How can she be so desperate about getting you married to a crackhead like Hannah? Now that I think about it, it's actually very fishy and I'm certain there's more to this situation than she's letting us in on." Corey insinuated and I had to agree with him again on this one.
Mom isn't acting normal and it's giving me reasons to be worried. Garrison might have something on her and knew how proud she is, she wouldn't want us to know.
"I still remember what happened before dad's incident, they were arguing Liam and I were there eavesdropping although I still could not understand what they were talking about. All I know is that Jessie was involved in their argument and that mom triggered the heart attack that led to dad having a stroke," he explained and I'm confused.
"Wait a second, that wasn't what mom told us. She claims she just walked into the room and found him unconscious and also if you knew this all along, why didn't you tell anyone?" I retorted and he snorted.
"Imagine I had told you this twelve years ago, wouldn't you have ran to mom and told her everything I said like the little rat you were?" He hissed and I rolled my eyes.
"Oh please, you just assumed I would because you already thought the worst of me," I retorted, and he sneered.
"Don't be an idiot Liam, you've always been a momma's boy and I'm very sure if I'd told you then, you would have told mom and then she would have sent me to reform school because you know perfectly well that for some reasons, she has never liked me and you would have never cared one bit about me so in essence, I don't regret keeping quiet," he replied harshly and I'm at loss for words.
As much it always hurts my pride, I had to admit that Corey is right. Mom had always had the ability to control me and I have always turned a blind eye to all her mistakes because I loved her.
"Okay fine, I won't disagree with you cause you're right, I am a momma's boy and well I can't say I regret it cause I don't. The only thing I regret is turning a blind eye to obvious situations but I can't change it Corey and it's not my fault mom has something against you."
"I did nothing besides loving my mother and protecting her while all you ever did was feel sorry for yourself instead of fighting for your place in this house. So, I'd appreciate it if you don't go around spitting at me for something that wasn't even my fault cause that only makes you more of a coward." I hissed back at him and walked out of his room before he got a chance to reply to me.
*****
"Hey dork!" I heard a familiar voice holler as she struts into my office like she owns the place. Typical Jessie.
"Jessica, I am not in the mood for your tantrums or your drama today so say whatever you want and leave immediately." I snapped at her a little too harshly but who cares.
"Did you get your period or what bro?" she hissed and rolled my eyes tiredly.
"Taking out your frustrations on me won't make your life less chaotic so instead of moping around and being a jackass why don't you find real solutions to your problems," she yelled angrily before hitting the table hard and when she's about to storm out, I stop her.
"Okay Jessie, I apologize for being rude, it was very unnecessary on my part but I still need to know why you're here?" I asked, getting to the point and she huffed.
"I only came here to say hello to my big brother. I saw what went down between you and mom and I just wanted to know how you were doing," she replied a little calmly.
"Don't worry about me Jessie, I'll be fine. I just need to relax and clear my head a bit but I promise I'll be fine," I assured her and she nodded a little and was about to leave but stopped again when she got towards the door.
"Hmm, bro can I ask you for a favor?" she asks and I'm almost certain that's the real reason she is here.
"Go ahead Jessie," I replied.
"The thing is, I need a thousand dollars in cash but I promise I'll pay you back," she requested and I frowned.
"A thousand dollars Jessie? What do you need so much money for and why can't you use your credit cards?" I asked and she pouted childishly before spreading herself on my sofa.
"Don't be silly bro. I would not be here if I had my credit cards. Mom blocked all my cards and now, I'm broke as fuck so I need money," she replied and I chuckled.
I'm not actually surprised by this since mom and Jessica fight so much and it's probably because they're so alike. Both are two bitchy and rebellious hotheads and they both have a terrible temper.
"Earth to Liam. Come back home bro," Jessie's voice yelled distracting me from my thoughts.
I take out one of my credit cards and hand it to her and she grabs it like her life depended on it.
"I'm not giving this to you so you can be extravagant and spend like an idiot, you have to use it wisely or else I'll block it." I warned and she nodded quickly, immediately running out of the room and running back in two seconds later.
"Ehm.. I need the password," she pouts and I sigh.
"It's your birthday!" I responded and she smirks, sitting back down again.
"I've always known I was your favorite sibling but be careful not to let Cassie know this or else she'll kill me out of jealousy," she joked and I laughed at how immature both my sisters are.
"I don't have a favorite Jessie, you're both my lovely little babies and I love you both a lot!" I clarify quickly and she rolls her eyes.
"Tell that to Cassidy so she can stop spouting nonsense about being the favorite sibling. By the way, what's going on between you and mom? She's taking it out on us and it's irritating me!" she complained but I avoided her question.
"It's nothing important, just trivial issues that mom is being overly dramatic about," I replied and she sniggers.
"You're a terrible liar bro but I'm not gonna persist but not because I'm not curious but because, I'd rather find out on my own. Take care of yourself Liam and if mom gets nasty, you can always call me. I have that crazy lady's number," she joked and I chuckled a little before she bounced off.
If Jessica knew why mom and I are at loggerheads, she would definitely bite mom's head off and to avoid that I need to talk some sense into mom and if she doesn't listen to me, well, I'll have to go with my plan B.